From War to Peace: The Transformation of Newington Armament Depot


The Newington Armament Depot is a heritage-listed former Royal Australian Navy Armament Depot, which operated at the site until December 1999. Armaments used by Australian, British and United States Navy ships were received, inspected, tested, stored and distributed at the Depot. These armaments included gunpowder, explosive shells, cordite, fuses, depth charges, torpedoes and rockets.

It was built from 1897 initially by the New South Wales Military Forces then by the Australian Army and later by the Royal Australian Navy. It is also known as Millennium Heritage Parklands Precinct, Royal Australian Navy Armament Depot Newington, Royal Australian Navy Armament Depot, Newington Nature Reserve and Sydney Olympic Games site. The property is owned by the Sydney Olympic Park Authority. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 14 January 2011

The site now spans approximately 100 hectares. It contains 100 buildings of various ages and types. The heritage buildings provide the Armory with a unique character, which is described through a heritage interpretation program, that can be viewed at the original 1897 gatehouse. 

There are also 6.7 kilometres of narrow-gauge rail, 7 battery-powered locomotives, 30 rail wagons, three cranes, various items of moveable heritage left behind after the Depot closed, items of moveable heritage on loan from the Department of Defence, and the 48-hectares Newington Nature Reserve.

At its peak, the Depot spanned from the Parramatta River to Parramatta Road (259 hectares) and contained 191 buildings. The southern part of the Depot was developed as the athlete's village for the 2000 Summer Olympics and is now the suburb of Newington. The site includes a wide variety of buildings, blast containment structures, transport networks, landforms and moveable items associated with the storage and handling of explosives, all of which were closely associated with the topography and other natural features of the site.

 

The Newington Armament Depot is open seven days a week and can be easily explored by pushbike or on foot. Many people are thrilled to discover this unique site, which holds a significant place in our history. Come visit and experience the excitement of exploring the Newington Armament Depot!

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