By
Raffaela Andreoli, CSIG
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Defence’s
PLO Bob Pope and DMM project manager inspecting the Barracks
Room after the removal of the sand. The gun emplacements
and the associated tunnels, magazines and barracks rooms
were commissioned in the 1870’s as a last line of defence
against a Russian invasion by sea.
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The
Barracks Room before the removal of the sand.
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Under
the RAN Degaussing Range at Shark Point (also called Steel Point)
in Sydney’s east, lie the passageways, tunnels and various
other elements associated with the Shark Point Battery.
These fortifications, which consist of three gun emplacements
and their associated tunnels, magazine and barracks rooms, were
constructed in the 1870’s as the last line of defence against
a possible Russian invasion by sea.
The emplacements were armed with three 80 PrRML (Rifled Muzzle
Loader) pieces, which were later replaced with 5” breach
loaders.
In 1951, six years after WWII ended, the tunnels were decommissioned,
filled with sand and the entrances blocked.
In 1978, the Shark Point Battery was registered on the Register
of the National Estate.
Much of the land on which the fortification stands was returned
to NSW in 1980 and is now part of Sydney Harbour National Park.
However the Naval Degaussing Station, which was built in 1960,
is still owned by the Commonwealth.
Over the years the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)
has improved its part of the battery and has even run public tours
in recent years.
Until now, the tunnels and rooms under the Degaussing Range have
remained closed and filled with sand.
Last July CSI-SC assisted by NPWS undertook the task of desilting
the heritage listed tunnels and associated rooms in an attempt
to conserve and protect them.
Approximately 20 tonnes of sand and silt were removed from the
tunnels, permitting access to the barracks room, which was partially
filled with sand and improving access to the lower level tunnels
and rooms.
The removal of the sand will also ensure maximum drainage and
airflow through the tunnels, minimising potential damage from
increased moisture.
Future works will include the rust proofing of the grates and
other significant metalwork in the tunnels.
