RAAF Area Explosives Reserve, Kowguran,
, OzAtWar.com, accessed 2020-09-01 also known as 3 Central Reserve (RAAF) or 3CR, was a

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

Royal Australian Air Force The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the principal Air force, aerial warfare force of Australia, a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army. Constitutionally the Governor-Gener ...

explosive ordnance depot built beside the

Leichhardt Highway The Leichhardt Highway is a major transport route in Queensland, Australia. It is a continuation northward from Goondiwindi of the Newell Highway, via a section of the Cunningham Highway. It runs northward from Goondiwindi for more than 600 k ...

in central

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Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

, in the

locality Locality may refer to: * Locality, a historical named location or place in Canada * Locality (association), an association of community regeneration organizations in England * Locality (linguistics) * Locality (settlement) * Suburbs and localitie ...

Kowguran Kowguran is a rural locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the , Kowguran had a population of 62 people. History The RAAF Area Explosives Reserve, Kowguran was established in 1942 to store explosives in a number of c ...

, about 20 km north of

Miles The mile, sometimes the international mile or statute mile to distinguish it from other miles, is a British imperial unit and United States customary unit of length; both are based on the older English unit of length equal to 5,280 English f ...

Development

Approval was granted in September 1942 to construct the Reserve depot at Kowguran. The Queensland Main Roads Commission built the complex. 59 men were employed on this project. A wide road was constructed from the depot to the Wandoan railway line. wide roads were built around the complex, linking the 20 bunkers, a main building, and accommodation huts. A parade ground was also established. The cost was estimated at £22,723 (2019 A$1,715,290).

Use

The Area Explosives Reserve was manned by 3 Central Reserve (RAAF) which was formed at Kowguran on 18 August 1943. The depot could hold up to of ordnance. The site was decommissioned in 1956.Tiny home fashioned from 'secret' RAAF WWII ammunition bunker in Queensland
, Peter Gunders,

ABC News Online ABC News, also known as ABC News and Current Affairs, is a public news service produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The service covers both local and world affairs, broadcasting both nationally as ABC News, and across the Asia- ...

, 2020-09-01

Post RAAF

In 1985, David and Julie Hinds purchased the 135 hectare property. It was renamed "Possum Park" and was made into a holiday destination,Possum Park
, RadSchool Association Magazine Vol42, accessed 2020-09-01 converting four of the bunkers into self-contained underground motel units. There are also train carriages converted to motel rooms, and powered caravan sites. As of 2020, the Hinds still own the property, and live in one of the converted, underground bunkers.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kowguran RAAF Area Explosives Reserve Royal Australian Air Force bases Ammunition dumps Military installations in Queensland Military installations closed in the 1940s