Du Pont Ammunition bunkers (2)

Author

Town of Port Hedland

Place Number

18419

Location

Pippingarra Station 20 km north east of Port Hedland Pippingarra Station

Location Details

Local Government

Port Hedland

Region

Pilbara

Construction Date

Constructed from 1967

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
(no listings)

Statement of Significance

Du Pont Ammunition bunkers are significant for their association with the iron ore development in the area.

Physical Description

The external view is natural earth with a series of ventilators central along the roof of both bunkers. The entry reveals the Nissan hut form and material of the bunkers, with corrugated iron interiors with no structural elements. Concrete retaining is in place each side. The bunkers are located above ground with earth coverings.

History

The Imperial Chemical Industries of Australia and New Zealand (ICI) constructed Australia’s first explosives plant near Port Hedland in 1967. ICI were contracted by Goldsworthy Mining Ltd to supply explosives for the iron ore project. The first production of explosives at the plant, costing $500,000 including planned extensions to the plant, was scheduled for December 1967. They stored mining explosives used throughout the area. They needed to be located away from the town area in case of accidental explosions. They were in use for about 15 years before safer alternative explosives were introduced.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Moderate degree Authenticity: High degree Changes to place Minimal evident.

Condition

Fair to good (vandalism)

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
J Hardie; "Nor’ Westers of the Pilbara breed: The story of brave ancestors who pioneered the outback Pilbara of Western Australia". The Shire of Port Hedland, 1981
A Bloeman & T Parker; "Hedland Voices: a visual and oral record celebrating the first hundred years of the Town of Port Hedland 1896-1996". Town of Port Hedland/Port Hedland Historical Society, 1997

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use MILITARY Other

Creation Date

07 Feb 2008

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Retired

Last Update

19 Jun 2019

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.