RAAF Operation and Power Bunker

Statement of Significance

The RAAF Operation and Power Bunker, a semi-underground concrete and steel building, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
It is one of four sites in Albany that connect to the story of the RAAF operations in Albany during the Second World War and the detachment of the No. 14 Squadron who were located in Albany during the war.
As part of a group of RAAF installations, the bunker would have played a key role as the key communications centre for the allied forces, to provide position plots for civil and courier aircraft and activate air raid warnings as required.
Surrounding the bunker are remnants and material scatter from other structures of the complex, which have the potential to yield further information which will contribute to the understanding of the site.

Physical Description

Located approximately 1km north of the Albany Airport on the west side. The bunker is a semi-underground building constructed of concrete and reinforced steel. It comprises operations bunker, the engine room (or power plant) engine exhausts and observation turret.

Some of the notable features of this place include:
• Concrete bunker and tunnel structure
• Observation turret
• Engine exhausts
• Remnants in the surrounding landscape of cables, wells, ventilation chutes and covers

Some obvious modifications include:
• There is no plant or equipment still installed in the building although some of the fixtures and fittings remain to provide evidence of these.

History

The RAAF Operation and Power Bunker is one of four sites that connect to the story of the RAAF operations in Albany during the Second World War and the detachment of the No. 14 Squadron who were located in Albany. The other sites are:
• 35 Radar Station, Stony Hill
• Radar Station (High Frequency Detection Finder (HF/DF) Bunker, Albany Airport [to assist fighter pilots to get their bearings during airborne patrols]
• Power Bunker, Federal Street (land owned by Western Power)

Apart from Stony Hill, the other sites are all located in close proximity to the current airport which was the airfield during the war. The Operation and Power Bunker would have been the key communications centre for the allied forces. Although little information has been located specifically on this bunker, operations centres generally were responsible for activating air raid warnings and to provide position plots for courier and civil aircraft.

The land on which the bunker has been constructed (Lot 6981) was originally part of Lot 4919 which was situated on the eastern side of Albany Hwy. It was originally owned by the State Government then transferred to the Commonwealth Government. In 1965, the land reverted back to State ownership and leased privately to the adjacent property owner for grazing.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - Moderate-Low

Authenticity - High Moderate

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.