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

This 2 foot 6 inch (762mm) gauge wagon was used for carrying explosives and was used with the Greenbat Battery loco. It was donated to the Walhalla Goldfields Railway on long term loan in 2013 along with a large quantity of narrow gauge trollies and light rail from Orica’s now closed munitions factory in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Orica - Deer Park Munitions factory Orica Deer Park in Melbourne’s west has been used since circa 1875 for various forms of manufacturing and storage of chemicals. Although the site is bounded by Ballarat Road, Station Street, Tilburn Road and the Western Ring Road, the current entry point for industrial operations is situated at Gate 6 of Tilburn Road. Operations include: • a specialty chemicals facility producing products for mining services operations • quarry services • other chemical manufacture activities. The Deer Park factory complex The factory complex is of historical significance for the major role it played in Australia's manufacturing and mining industries through the development of progressively more efficient and safer explosives. It also contributed to wartime production in ammunition, initiators and the development of synthetic ammonia production and construction of the Defence Explosives Annexe No 5 (later the Albion Explosives Factory) during World War Two. The factory complex is also of technical significance for the unusual and specialised design of many of the buildings and structures, both in the layout of the works and the individual design of buildings. Blast protection and safety measures such as mounds around the buildings, 'cleanways' and buffer zones between production areas were employed extensively. A characteristic of many production buildings was the elimination of cavities where explosive compounds could lodge. The combination of concrete barriers and light-weight construction was designed to direct explosion debris away from operators or other buildings. The narrow gauge tramway, which ran through the explosives section, is a rare survivor of nineteenth century materials-handling methods. Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge Railway - Wagon for carrying Explosives at the Orica - Deer Park Munitions factory, Deer park, Victoria, Australia Wagon for carrying explosives made from Timber and steelwagon for carrying explosives, puffing billy, industrial narrow gauge railway, orica - deer park munitions factory, explosives wagon

This is early photograph of the Black Powder Mill after the Explosive Factory was closed down, but before it being put on the Heritage Listing and any restoration work taking place.Black Powder Mill (Building No. 745) - Built: 1942, to supplement output from the nearby ICIANZ plant (operating since 1935). - Function: Ground gunpowder for bombs and shells using an edge-runner mill—a technology dating back to the 16th century. - Design: - Two levels: milling equipment above, mechanical gear below. - Reinforced concrete walls and sacrificial wooden blast doors directed explosions safely toward Kororoit Creek. - Incident: In 1944, an explosion injured two workers; one later died from burns. Heritage and Preservation - Significance: - Only surviving building from the Albion Explosives Factory. - Possibly the last gunpowder production building erected for military use worldwide. - Recognized for its engineering, historical, and social importance. - Saved by Community: Initially slated for demolition, but preserved after strong local advocacy. - Restoration: Added to the National Trust Register in 2001; restored and reopened in 2003. - Today: - Hosts annual open days with machinery demonstrations and black powder firearm displays. - Managed by the Sunshine & District Historical Society since 2022. black powder mill, deer park, explosive factory, cairnlea, icianz, ici