QUEENSCLIFF RECREATION RESERVE CONCRETE STRUCTURE
QUEENSCLIFF, QUEENSCLIFFE BOROUGH
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Statement of Significance
This site is significant as it provides another aspect to the military use of the Queenscliff Foreshore reserves. Several other sites have been recorded along this stretch of coastline from Fort Queenscliff to the former Crows Nest Fort, predominantly reflecting a defense methodology from early in the 20th Century. There are few sites in this area which date from World War 2. It is not known exactly what function this structure had, but it is likely to be associated with radio communications. It is located very close to the former Crows Nest Camp/Barracks, which is now no longer present. It is important to retain what little does remain of these sites, for which there is little or no written documentation.
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QUEENSCLIFF RECREATION RESERVE CONCRETE STRUCTURE - History
The concrete structure is located at the western boundary of the Queenscliff Recreation Reserve, and close to the former Crows Nest Barracks. It is likely that the concrete structure dates from World War 2, and the utilisation of this entire area from Shortlands Bluff to Point Lonsdale - Restricted Defense Reserves, during periods of high alert. The Recreation Reserve was utilised during World War 2, as a rifle range, as a parade ground, and had an "ELD" emplacement closer to the cliff top. The Crows Nest Camp was utilised for the training of Reservists, and manned the searchlights and magazine immediately south at the cliff top. This concrete structure is likely to be too small for an Air Raid Shelter. Air Raid Shelters were known to have been constructed around the township, by private citizens. The amount of military personnel in this area , if requiring an Air Raid Shelter, would have sought refuge elsewhere. It is likely this structure may have been a radio communications location.
The structure is known to have been visible until the 1970s, and had been vandalised/used by local teenagers etc. It would also have been visible whilst the Recreation Reserve was used for camping and caravans. It is also believed to have had storm water pumped into it by the Recreation Reserve/Football Field. It was covered over in the 1970s, but not filled in. Range pole evidence showed that there is a cavity of at least 1.6 - 2 metres in depth. The range pole was slotted into a ceramic pipe opening, on the surface of the structure.
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