Truganina Explosives Reserve Tramway
Queen Street and Altona Street and Merton Street ALTONA MEADOWS, Hobsons Bay City
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Statement of Significance
The route and remnant fabric of the Truganina Explosives tramway, constructed in 1900, along what is now Merton and Queen Streets in Altona and Laverton.
How is it Significant?The route and remnant fabric of the Truganina Explosives tramway is of local historic significance to the City of Hobsons Bay.
Why is it Significant?Historically, it is significant for its associations with the development of the Truganina Explosives reserve and as only the second surviving major land-based powder magazine serving the Melbourne area. However, little of the tramway fabric, if any, survives outside of the magazine reserve. (AHC criterion A4, B2 and H1)
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Truganina Explosives Reserve Tramway - Physical Description 1
The former line of horse tramway served the powder magazine from the Melbourne Geelong railway, running along Queen Street and then north along Merton Street to the railway and Laverton station.
Very little is recognisable of the former tramway. A slightly raised bank was visible during recent roadworks on the north east corner of Queen Street and Merton Street, with evident bluestone ballast. At this point the tramway appears to have cut across the corner to provide a larger radius curve. Another section of permanent way survives near the ford just west of Merton Street, again only as the earth embankment curving west from the roadway towards Laverton station with the modern bicycle path built over it in part. Both of these sections, and other sections of the lines within the reserve, are now lacking rails or sleepers, although ballast and the occasional metal artefact can be seen. There have been reports of another later tramline along Merton Street, north of the railway (remnant ballast found during road making) which may have been linked with the Queen Street-Laverton Station tramway although studies done on the two explosives complexes at Deer Park have found no reference to it. It may have been a temporary wartime measure where these complexes were exchanging product with each other. The ballast may be from road construction and not the tramway.
The only visible section of the tramway is to be seen on the south side of the reserve, curving from a gateway towards the jetty site. Here a concrete culvert built on a curve has extant rail tracks with the impression "WIW Australia", and a crown symbol, (Waratah Iron Works?) probably indicating Commonwealth construction. The tramline here disappears under recent earthworks for a new pedestrian path. Other sections of tramway have been reported within the reserve, either buried or overgrown.
The jetty was once a considerable structure with double tracks for shunting at the bay end, and a shelter shed built out from the side of the pier 3/4 towards the end. Only a few piles are visible today.
Truganina Explosives Reserve Tramway - Integrity
External Condition
Ruins
External Integrity
Low/Ruins
Truganina Explosives Reserve Tramway - Physical Description 2
Context
Contributory part of Altona & Laverton Foreshore Precinct, on flat coastal strip, isolated by parklands and golf club.
Truganina Explosives Reserve Tramway - Historical Australian Themes
Moving goods and people by rail
Truganina Explosives Reserve Tramway - Physical Description 3
Associations
Victorian Colonial Government, Commonwealth Government
Heritage Study and Grading
Hobsons Bay - Hobsons Bay Heritage Study
Author: Hobsons Bay City Council
Year: 2006
Grading:
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Truganina Explosives Reserve TramwayHobsons Bay City
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