The Albion Explosives Factory was a major WWII-era munitions site in Sunshine, Victoria, operating from 1939 to 1986. Its legacy includes the Black Powder Mill, now a heritage landmark. War Time History - Established in 1939–40 in response to the looming threat of war in Europe. - Located in North Albion, opposite the ICIANZ chemical plant, which also helped design and operate the facility. - Initially known as Munitions Annexe No. 5, it became the Albion Explosives Factory, producing cordite, TNT, nitroglycerine, nitric acid, and other propellants for small arms and artillery. - By 1942–45, it was one of Australia’s three primary military explosives factories, employing thousands and contributing significantly to the war effort. Post War Time History - Continued production of explosives and fertilizers for commercial use after WWII. - Expanded in 1947–49 with the addition of the RDX plant north of Furlong Road. - Introduced new technologies like synthetic ammonia, DNT, and continuous TNT production through the 1950s–60s. Closure and Environmental Remediation - Closed in 1986, followed by extensive decontamination and cleanup. - The site was heavily contaminated with TNT, DNT, nitrates, ammonia, and metals, requiring years of environmental audits and remediation. - Eventually redeveloped into a housing estate and shopping complex, transforming the industrial site into a suburban community. A Blast from the Past Albion Explosive Factoryalbion explosive factory, deer park, cairnlea

The Albion Explosives Factory was a major WWII-era munitions site in Sunshine, Victoria, operating from 1939 to 1986. Its legacy includes the Black Powder Mill, now a heritage landmark. War Time History - Established in 1939–40 in response to the looming threat of war in Europe. - Located in North Albion, opposite the ICIANZ chemical plant, which also helped design and operate the facility. - Initially known as Munitions Annexe No. 5, it became the Albion Explosives Factory, producing cordite, TNT, nitroglycerine, nitric acid, and other propellants for small arms and artillery. - By 1942–45, it was one of Australia’s three primary military explosives factories, employing thousands and contributing significantly to the war effort. Post War Time History - Continued production of explosives and fertilizers for commercial use after WWII. - Expanded in 1947–49 with the addition of the RDX plant north of Furlong Road. - Introduced new technologies like synthetic ammonia, DNT, and continuous TNT production through the 1950s–60s. Closure and Environmental Remediation - Closed in 1986, followed by extensive decontamination and cleanup. - The site was heavily contaminated with TNT, DNT, nitrates, ammonia, and metals, requiring years of environmental audits and remediation. - Eventually redeveloped into a housing estate and shopping complex, transforming the industrial site into a suburban community. A Blast from the Past Albion Explosive Factoryalbion explosive factory, deer park, cairnlea

The Albion Explosives Factory was a major WWII-era munitions site in Sunshine, Victoria, operating from 1939 to 1986. Its legacy includes the Black Powder Mill, now a heritage landmark. War Time History - Established in 1939–40 in response to the looming threat of war in Europe. - Located in North Albion, opposite the ICIANZ chemical plant, which also helped design and operate the facility. - Initially known as Munitions Annexe No. 5, it became the Albion Explosives Factory, producing cordite, TNT, nitroglycerine, nitric acid, and other propellants for small arms and artillery. - By 1942–45, it was one of Australia’s three primary military explosives factories, employing thousands and contributing significantly to the war effort. Post War Time History - Continued production of explosives and fertilizers for commercial use after WWII. - Expanded in 1947–49 with the addition of the RDX plant north of Furlong Road. - Introduced new technologies like synthetic ammonia, DNT, and continuous TNT production through the 1950s–60s. Closure and Environmental Remediation - Closed in 1986, followed by extensive decontamination and cleanup. - The site was heavily contaminated with TNT, DNT, nitrates, ammonia, and metals, requiring years of environmental audits and remediation. - Eventually redeveloped into a housing estate and shopping complex, transforming the industrial site into a suburban community. A Blast from the Past Albion Explosive Factoryalbion explosive factory, deer park, cairnlea

Albion Concept Plan June 1963|Albion Explosive Factory Redevelopmentalbion

Albion Explosive Factory 40 Yearsalbion explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park

Item belonged to the Friends of the Black Powder MillR.D.X. Plant, Absorption Towers Explosive Factory Albionalbion explosive factory, explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park

Parliamentary report 1997 on proposal decontamination of former Albion Explosives Factory site Deer Park Victoriaalbion explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park

Item belonged to the Friends of the Black Powder MillSynthetic Ammonia, Ammonia Oxidation & T.N.T. Plants Explosive Factory Albionalbion explosive factory, explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park

Three photographs of female employees at Nobels Explosive factory in Deer Park circa 1928 showing issue clothing worn by female employees Personnel in the photos include Rennie Pearce Lal Reid May Napier Dorrie Lee Ada Heffernen or Heffrennobels, ballarat road, deer park

Albion No. 5 Explosives Factory was one of Australia’s major WWII munitions sites, built rapidly from 1939–40 in Deer Park and operated by ICIANZ for the Commonwealth. It produced propellants, explosives and later commercial fertilisers. Each building on the site was given an identification number (Note: Over a period of time, some of the building numbers did change) The first numerical of the building number represented the area it as location in. 1 - Administration & Service Area 2 - Propellant Area 3 - Acid Area 4 - T.N.T. Area 5 - Armament Chemicals Area 6 - Propellant Powder Area 7 - Fused Powder Area 8 - R.D.X. Area 9 - Synthetic Ammonia AreaThere were over 400 buildings in the Albion Explosive Factory complex and the only remaining building on the site is building No 745, the Mill House (T.R.F. Powder) located in the former Fused Powder Area. The building is heritage listed and owned by the Brimbank City Council. It is now known as the Black Powder Mill.Albion Explosive Factory Building Numbers (No 5 Explosive Factory)albion no 5 explosive factory, albion explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park

These items were picked up by Garry Kelly, former Albion Explosive Factory Security Guard, during the time the factory was closed down and waiting demolition.3 Glass Beakers 2 Albion Explosive Factory Vistors Passes (No 22 & 23) Factory Mapalbion explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park

The Black Powder Mill is the last remaining building from the Albion Explosives Factory and is located in the suburb of Cairnlea. It was used to grind gunpowder for bombs and shells in WW2. In 2001 the Black Powder Mill was included in the National Trust's Heritage Register due to its cultural heritage significance. Friends Of The Black Powder Mill A Blast From The Past Memories of Albion Explosives Factoryblack powder mill, albion explosive factory

The Albion Explosives Factory began as Commonwealth Defence Explosives Annexe No. 5, constructed rapidly in 1939–1940 as part of Australia’s WWII munitions expansion. It was built adjacent to the long‑established Nobel / ICI explosives works at Deer Park and produced TNT, nitroglycerine, cordite, RDX, DNT, and related explosive compounds. This plant manufactured Research Department Explosive (RDX), a nitrogen‑rich high explosive used in military munitions, which is far more powerful than TNT, yet relatively stable to store and transport. It is not a consumer or industrial product and sits firmly in the defence materials category.This series of time elapsed photographs records the demolition of the Northern RDX Acid Plant chimney by controlled demolition by explosive which safely brought the chimney down by making it to fall to one side. The history of the Albion Explosive Factory is tightly connected to the evolution of the Deer Park explosives precinct and the wider ICI industrial township.Chimney Blown Up Explosive Factory Deer Park 341.1albion explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park, ici

This item belonged to the Friends of the Black Powder MillStaff of Albion Explosive Factory September 1955albion explosive factory, explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park

Donated to S&DHS Inc.explosive factory, maribyrnong

cairnlee

After European settlement in the mid 1850s, the North Albion site was being used as grassland for farming and grazing. In the late 1930's, the threat of another world war in Europe was developing and the Australian Government decided it needed to increase and to be more independent in the manufacturing of munitions and explosives. The Albion site was chosen opposite the existing commercial ICI ANZ factory. ICI ANZ was chosen to design, construct and operate the new facilities. In 1940 the factory first began production of propellants for small arms and artillery that were required by the military forces during WW2. After the end of the WW2 the plant continued producing explosives and fertilizers for commercial use. The site was closed down in 1986, and the site went through an extensive decontamination and cleanup before being redeveloped into a housing estate with a shopping complex located in its center. The Black Powder Mill, built in 1942 is the only remaining building from the Albion explosives Factory. Noel Tozer is a former President of the Friends of the Black powder Mill. Sunshine and District Historical Society A.G.M. 18/7/2003 Chairman Norman Carlton Speaker Noel Tozer History of Albion Explosives Factorynoel tozer, albion explosive factory

Item belonged to the Friends of the Black Powder MillMr. A.I. Bodycomb Site Manager 1956 - 1964albion explosive factory, explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park

Item belonged to the Friends of the Black Powder MillRocket Propellant Buildings Looking South West Explosive Factory Albionalbion explosive factory, explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park

These items belonged to the Friends of the Black Powder Mill1/ General Factory Layout B/23131/C 1/9/1945 2/ Electrical Layout Western Area B/22945/T 21/3/1945 3/ Services Layout Powder Plants Area B/23148/P 23/10/1945 4/ List of Survey Drawings General Area B/23150/C 5/ Plan of Survey C22866/C 28/2/1947 6/ Plan of Survey Showing Additional Information at Deer Park for Imperial Chemical Industries of Australia & New Zealand C/22865/N 7/General Plan with Building Numbers V-94572 1956 8/ Australian Surveying & Land Information Group Aerial Photograph (Copy) 9/ Summary of Buildings & Numbers W-94193 1956 10/ Summary of Buildings & Numbers W-97886 Sheet 1 of 2 1961 11/ Summary of Buildings & Numbers W-97886 Sheet 2 of 2 1961 12/ General Layout W-94294 Sheet 6 of 8 1956 13/ General Layout W-94294 Sheet 7 of 8 1956 14/ General Layout W-94294 Sheet 3 of 8 1956 15/ General Layout W-94294 Sheet 5 of 8 1956 16/ General Layout W-94294 Sheet 4 of 8 1956 17/ General Layout W-94294 Sheet 2 of 8 1956 18/ General Layout W-94294 Sheet 1 of 8 1956|19/ General Layout W-94294 Sheet 8 of 8 1956albion explosive factory, deer park, ballarat road

Metal folding stove with a box of four hexamine tabletsFuel compressed Hexamine contents contents four tablets Maribyrnong Explosives Factoryhexamine stove, field stove

Item belonged to the Friends of the Black Powder MillAbsorption House & Week Nitric Tanks, R.D.X. Plant Explosive Factory Albionalbion explosive factory, explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park

Item belonged to Friends of the Black Powder MillMr. K.W. Bennett 1966 - 1977albion explosive factory, explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park

Department of Administrative Service Letter 30th November 1977 Council's requirement for the Albion Explosive Factory Deer Park area city of sunshine, alexander "alex" george gillon, albion explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park

Engineering Manual Ex I.C.I. Centrifuge I.C.I. of A. and N.Z. Ltd Operating Contractors for the Commonwealth of Australia No 5 Explosives Factory Albiondeer park, icianz, albion explosives factory

albion

This item belonged to the Friends of the Black Powder Mill. It is used during the Black Powder Mill open daysShell Q.F.H.E. 4" F.A. 35lb MK1B with Cartiridge

These items were used in the Albion Explosive Factory1/ Pants - The pants are pure wool, They were used in the acid section at all times and other sections where acids were used ie RDX & TNT. A lot of maintenance personl wore these pants when work in the acid areas. To break acid lines for repairs the procedure was to put on PVC pants, coat, safety glasses and hard hat with face shield.|2/ Dark Beret - The heavier and darker beret is of pure wool and was used in the acid section at all times and other sections where acids were used ie RDX & TNT.|3. Light Beret - Is wool and cotton blend and was in all other production sections.1/ Pants - A.G.C.F. 1980 Size 7albion explosive factory, clothing

Drawing - red ink drawn on a print showing an extension to the single track, Maribyrnong tram line to run further into the Explosives Factory. Original print from the Commonwealth of Australia, Dept of Munitions, Factory Board drawing number W-1163 titled "Explosives - Munitions Supply Laboratories Proof at Rest - Maribyrnong" and dated April 1933. Marked in red ink is a "Explosive Factory Cordite Ave - Proposed Tramway Extension shown red". Not dated, possibly early 1940's. Also has pencil markings around the terminus showing an alternative loop.In blue pencil both edges on the rear "Cordite Ave" and in pencil on rear "Copy to Mr ?? to file"trams, tramways, footscray, maribyrnong, new tramway, explosives factory