Concrete Bunkers

Author

Shire of Merredin

Place Number

13512

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Location

Great Eastern Hwy Merredin

Location Details

Rear of BP Serivce Station, between Cohn and Allbeury Streets

Local Government

Merredin

Region

Wheatbelt

Construction Date

Constructed from 1941

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	16 Apr 1999	Category 2	Category 2 Recognise and protect through Town Planning Scheem. Consider for nomination in the State Register.

Statement of Significance

Local knowledge states that these buildings were constructed as part of a base for counterattack on Perth and Fremantle, should the metropolitan area have been taken by the Japanese during World War II.
This conflicts with the commonly held view that if the enemy had landed in WA, Australia's defence forces would abandon the State and pull back to a line between Adelaide and Brisbane. These structures are considered to be of national importance.

Physical Description

These two structures of WWII vintage are about 50 m apart, with different orientation. Both are sunk into the ground, which is naturally flat. One protrudes about a metre, has a flat concrete roof and highlight window openings close to ground level at one end; the other end is more open but is now filled with earth. This building has steps to the roof, which is now devoid of any structure.
The other structure is sunk lower into the ground and has earth forming a slight mound over the top. At each end there are sloping rectangular openings approximately 2 m x 4 m which appear to be hatch openings with doors removed, suggesting this building was used for storage. Immediately behind one of the hatch openings is a wall about 1 m high, with tapered ends, probably indicating the extent of the structure below ground.
Those parts of the structures that remain, being made of concrete, are likely to suffer little further deterioration.

History

Themes: Outside Influences - World War II

Integrity/Authenticity

The fabric of the buildings remains intact providing a high level of integrity

Condition

Fair

Place Type

Other Built Type

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Present Use	VACANT\UNUSED	Vacant\Unused
Original Use	MILITARY	Other

Construction Materials

Type	General	Specific
Other	METAL	Steel
Other	BRICK	Common Brick
Roof	CONCRETE	Reinforced Concrete
Wall	CONCRETE	Reinforced Concrete

Historic Themes

General	Specific
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES	World Wars & other wars

Creation Date

18 May 1999

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

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.