Second World War Fortifications on Bribie Island
One of the most documented topics of Bribie Island history are the Second World War Fortifications located at several sites on the island.
The sites were entered into the Queensland Historical Register on 20 July 1993 (QHR 601143) and itemised as follows:
Fort Bribie No.1 Gun Emplacement (1939 - 1943)
Fort Bribie Southern Searchlight (1939 - 1943)
Fort Bribie No. 2 Gun Emplacement (1939 - 1943)
Fort Bribie Northerly Mine Control Hut (1939 - 1943)
Fort Bribie Southerly Mine Control Hut (1939 - 1943)
Fort Bribie Northern Searchlight (1939 - 1943)
Fort Bribie Battery Observation Post (1939 - 1943)
Fort Bribie Signals Operation Room (1939 - 1943)
Fort Bribie Pump House (1939 - 1943)
Fort Bribie Sewerage Treatment Works (1939 - 1943)
Skirmish Point Fortress Observation Post (1942 - 1943)
RAN Station No.4 Control Post (1942 - 1943)
RAN Station No.4 Southerly Engine Room (1942 - 1943)
RAN Station No.4 Northerly Engine Room (1942 - 1943)
Two of the criteria for the sites being added to the Queensland Heritage Register are:
"They are important in exhibiting a range of aesthetic characteristics valued by the community, in particular the isolation, and sense of place, of the Fort Bribie fortifications, and the sense of discovery enhanced by the overgrown landscape; the form, scale and materials of the Fort Bribie, Skirmish Point Battery and Royal Australian Navy Station No.4 fortifications; and the siting and landmark quality of Fort Bribie, Skirmish Point Battery and the Royal Australian Navy Station No.4 fortifications." [QHR entry, Significance criterion E.]
"They have a strong association with the Second World War Queensland defence efforts of the Australian Military Force and Royal Australian Navy." [QHR entry, Significance criterion H.]
The full entry on the Queensland Historical Register covering significance, history, description and images can be viewed at https://environment.ehp.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=601143
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| Northern Searchlight - 1980. Photo: Ronald Powell |
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| Northern Searchlight - 2013. Photo: QHR entry 601143 |
Fort Bribie Northern Searchlight (1939 - 1943)
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| Southern gun emplacement from east - 2013 Photo: QHR entry 601143 |
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| Southern gun emplacement from north - 2013 Photo: QHR entry 601143 |
Fort Bribie No.1 Gun Emplacement (1939 - 1943)
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| Southern Searchlight - 2013. Photo: QHR entry 601143 |
Fort Bribie Southern Searchlight (1939 - 1943)
Fort Bribie No. 2 Gun Emplacement (1939 - 1943)
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| Northern Gun Emplacement - Dec 1953 Photo: BIHS DC_IW_001_gun |
Further reading on the history of Fort Bribie during World War Two:
Dr Richard Walding's website has comprehensive information about
Fort Bribie
RAN2 Controlled Mining Station and
Royal Australian Navy Indicator Loop Station (Ran No.4)
Acknowledgements:
Queensland Heritage Register, Queensland Government, entry 601143
