Rocklea Munitions Works

Rocklea Small Arms Factory

Factory site/industry
Brisbane City

Evans and Industries Roads, Salisbury 4107

The Rocklea Munitions Works was one of the largest construction projects undertaken in Queensland in World War Two. It grew in importance as Australia’s most northerly ammunition manufacturing plant, particularly after fighting reached Papua and New Guinea. By reconditioning ammunition and overhauling aircraft engine for the Americans, it helped reduce Australia’s war debt by providing aid to the USA through Reciprocal Lend Lease. With its purpose-built factory buildings, the RMW provided a vital boost to Brisbane’s post-war industrial development.

History

The Rocklea Munitions Works was one of the largest construction projects undertaken in Queensland in World War Two. It grew in importance as Australia’s most northerly ammunition manufacturing plant, particularly after fighting reached Papua and New Guinea. By reconditioning ammunition and overhauling aircraft engine for the Americans, it helped reduce Australia’s war debt by providing aid to the USA through Reciprocal Lend Lease. With its purpose-built factory buildings, the RMW provided a vital boost to Brisbane’s post-war industrial development.

Source/comments

Brisbane City Council Heritage Unit

Architecture & Building Journal of Queensland, April 1941 p. 6, 13, 16

Architecture & Building Journal of Queensland, May 1941 p. 16.

Architecture & Building Journal of Queensland, August 1941 p. 4.

Architecture & Building Journal of Queensland, September 1941 p. 16.

Architecture & Building Journal of Queensland, October 1941 p. 14

NA file Series BP262/2, Item 9178, Joint Parliamentary