Historical information

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.

Physical description

Audio tape

This audio tape has been digitised.

This audio tape has been transcribed. No editing of the recording has taken place, except where the speaker(s) can be identified.

Inscriptions & markings

Sunshine and District Historical Society A.G.M. 18/7/2003
Chairman Norman Carlton
Speaker Noel Tozer History of Albion Explosives Factory