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 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

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

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

Mr. K.W. Bennett was the Albion Explosive Factory Manager from 1966 to 1977. This Item belonged to Friends of the Black Powder Mill.Mr. K.W. Bennett 1966 - 1977albion explosive factory, 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

Mr. Noel Tozer worked as the Albion Explosives Factory manager from 1981 to 1983. He was appointed to the Project "REFA" (Relocate Albion Explosives Factory) that relocated the TNT and RDX plants to the Mulwala Explosives Factory, New South Wales. Noel was instrumental in creating the Black Powder Mill Friends Society which saved the demolition of the from black powder mill. This item is a framed black & white copy of the original colour photograph Cat No 3304 Item belonged to the Friends of the Black Powder Mill.albion explosive factory, explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park, noel tozer

Mr. Noel Tozer worked as the Albion Explosives Factory manager from 1981 to 1983. He was appointed to the Project "REFA" (Relocate Albion Explosives Factory) that relocated the TNT and RDX plants to the Mulwala Explosives Factory, New South Wales. Noel was instrumental in creating the Black Powder Mill Friends Society which saved the demolition of the from black powder mill. This item is a framed black & white copy of the original colour photograph Cat No 3304Mr Noel Tozer 1981 - 1983albion explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park, noel tozer

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

Mr. A.I. Bodycomb was the Site Manager from 1956 to 1964. Item belonged to the Friends of the Black Powder Mill.Mr. 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

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

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

Mr E.E. Backhouse (F.R.A.C.I.) joined the Colonial Ammunition Company as a laboratory assistant in 1920. He worked as a chemist at the Munitions Supply Laboratories from 1923 to 1928, at the Ammunition Factory Footscray from 1923 to 1936 and at the Explosive Factory Maribyrnong from 1936. He became the assistant manager at the Explosive Factory Maribyrnong from 1943 to 1953. He studied production of rocket motors, filling of bombs and the manufacture of cordite in the United Kingdom from 1948 to 1949. He was the manager of the Explosive Factory Mulwala from 1953 to 1955, manager at the Explosive Factory Maribyrnong 1956 to 1964 and manager at the Explosive Factory Albion from 1964 until his retirement in 1966. This item came from the Friends of the Black Powder Mill.Mr E.E. Backhouse 1964 - 1966albion 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

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

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

These types of signs were located on the boundary of the Albion Explosive FactoryWood sign painted yellow with black textNotice Australian Government Crimes Act 1914 - 1960 Section 89A. Shooting upon or over this land is prohibited. Penalty Imprisionment for six months & forfeiture if firearms|Notice Australian Government Supply & Development regulations Regulation 90 Prohibited Area. Penalty for unlawful entry etc $100 or Imprisionment for three months or bothalbion, explosive factory, sign

Parliamentary Standing Committee On Public Works Minutes Of Evidence Relating To the Decontamination For Deposal Of The Former Albion Explosive Factory Site Deer Park Vic (Sixth Report of 1997) The Parliament Of The Commonwealth Of Australia 1997albion explosive factory, deer park, contamination

This horm was mounted on a building near the boilerhouse on Central Rd in the Albion Explosive Factory. It would blown at the start and end times of the workshop crib times.A grey painted copper whistle / horn / sirenHurricane Siren Made in Australia R.V.B Engineering Products Ltdalbion explosive factory

Wooden box with doved tailed joints and removal lid with dowelled and screw fastenerWRITTEN ON SIDE|BALLISTHF|NO 5 E.F. ALBION|ORDER NO M25773|I.O.T. DK 871 BOX 15|NET 40 LB|TARE 15 LB|WRITTEN ON TOP|RETURN TO NO 5 E.F. ALBION DEER PARK VICalbion explosive factory, deer park

This item came from the Friends of the Black Power MillAlbion Staff 1966albion explosive factory, explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park

Item belonged to the Friends of the Black Powder MillAlbion Staff 1943albion explosive factory, explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park

Mr. J.L. Knight acted as an advisor on the wet mixing and paste sheeting processes during the design, installation and start-up of the factory in 1940-41. He had the technical oversight of the Armament Chemical Section of the factory from 1945 to 1948. From 1954 to 1956, he was the manager of the factory. From 1958 to 1976, he was responsible in the Central Officer for general oversight of the operations of the factories. This Item belonged to the Friends of the Black Powder Mill.Mr. J. L. Knight 1954 - 1956albion explosive factory, explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park

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

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