BRISBANE WAR BUNKER REMNANTS TO BE PRESERVED
Published Sunday, 26 November, 2006 at 02:20 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Paul Lucas
Remnants of a World War II bunker found during excavations for Brisbane's $333 million Inner Northern Busway extension will be preserved and put on display in Brisbane, Premier Peter Beattie said today.
Mr Beattie said while heritage experts have advised the whole bunker cannot be preserved at its present site under the Roma Street forum, significant parts of it will be removed and entrusted to Queensland Museum.
“The significant finds are the lower portion of two brick walls of a bomb and gas-proof room that used to be under the old Roma Street Police Station at the corner of Albert and Turbot streets,” Mr Beattie said.
“On parts these walls are sketches of wartime aircrafts. These pictures show Allied planes and would have been put in the bunker to help people inside identify friendly aircraft.
“Historians say the room was a secret command room for the defence of Brisbane, and also a safe place to protect community leaders from enemy attack.
“This is a very exciting find – a direct link to Brisbane's wartime past.”
Brisbane was the Allied Pacific Headquarters of General Douglas MacArthur during World War II.
The Roma Street Police Station was demolished in 1968, and the bunker is all that remains.
“Officials from the RSL have examined the site and agree with the heritage experts that the walls with the graphics need to be removed so they can be properly protected,” Mr Beattie said.
“After the museum experts finish some preservation work, the remnants will go on public display in Brisbane.”
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said construction work in the area was put on hold when the remnants were discovered.
“Experts from the Queensland Heritage Council, the Environment Protection Agency, Queensland Museum, Brisbane City Council Heritage Unit, the Queensland Police Heritage Unit and the RSL spent two weeks examining the site,” Mr Lucas said.
“Every effort is being taken to ensure the find is treated with the care,” he said.
“Construction of the Inner Northern Busway will continue around the site. Project work on the site will take place when the walls with the graphics have been safely removed.
“Despite the dislocation caused by this discovery, the busway extension remains on schedule and should be completed in 2008.”
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 0400 767 490
Transport Minister’s Office 0419 757 868
Mr Beattie said while heritage experts have advised the whole bunker cannot be preserved at its present site under the Roma Street forum, significant parts of it will be removed and entrusted to Queensland Museum.
“The significant finds are the lower portion of two brick walls of a bomb and gas-proof room that used to be under the old Roma Street Police Station at the corner of Albert and Turbot streets,” Mr Beattie said.
“On parts these walls are sketches of wartime aircrafts. These pictures show Allied planes and would have been put in the bunker to help people inside identify friendly aircraft.
“Historians say the room was a secret command room for the defence of Brisbane, and also a safe place to protect community leaders from enemy attack.
“This is a very exciting find – a direct link to Brisbane's wartime past.”
Brisbane was the Allied Pacific Headquarters of General Douglas MacArthur during World War II.
The Roma Street Police Station was demolished in 1968, and the bunker is all that remains.
“Officials from the RSL have examined the site and agree with the heritage experts that the walls with the graphics need to be removed so they can be properly protected,” Mr Beattie said.
“After the museum experts finish some preservation work, the remnants will go on public display in Brisbane.”
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said construction work in the area was put on hold when the remnants were discovered.
“Experts from the Queensland Heritage Council, the Environment Protection Agency, Queensland Museum, Brisbane City Council Heritage Unit, the Queensland Police Heritage Unit and the RSL spent two weeks examining the site,” Mr Lucas said.
“Every effort is being taken to ensure the find is treated with the care,” he said.
“Construction of the Inner Northern Busway will continue around the site. Project work on the site will take place when the walls with the graphics have been safely removed.
“Despite the dislocation caused by this discovery, the busway extension remains on schedule and should be completed in 2008.”
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 0400 767 490
Transport Minister’s Office 0419 757 868