Moves are under way to have Truganina Explosives Reserve, established in the late 1800s, placed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Previously described as an “eyesore” and once earmarked by a former government for development, the 16.5hectares of Crown land in Altona has been described by Hobsons Bay council as a treasure that could become a destination for eco-tourism.
The council last week released a masterplan for the reserve, which supports a nomination by the Truganina Explosives Reserve Preservation Society to preserve the land’s industrial heritage and environmental values.
From 1901-1962, explosives from a Deer Park factory were transported to the site and stored in magazines. Explosives would then be taken from the reserve by a tramline to the pier and loaded onto ships.
In 2000, the community campaigned to save the site from sale to developers and the council was appointed to manage the site.
Preservation society president Jack Hallowell said the masterplan had been a long time coming.
“It went back to government departments twice. After three years it lapses so you’ve got to go again. It’s part of Altona’s history. It closed in 1962 and has been fallow since then.”
Due to the reserve being closed off to people, flora and fauna have flourished. The site hosts three bird species of state significance (nankeen night heron, white-bellied sea eagle and brown quail), three bat species and 56 animal species of which 79 per cent are indigenous.
Its industrial heritage structures include the keeper’s residence, remnants of the tramline and the perimeter galvanised iron fence.
