Defence Explosive Factory Maribyrnong, Military heritage site in Maribyrnong, Australia.
Defence Explosive Factory Maribyrnong is a former munitions facility along the Maribyrnong River containing multiple industrial buildings from different production periods. The site includes manufacturing buildings, research facilities, and specialized structures such as blast walls designed for safe handling of explosives.
The facility was founded in 1910 and played a key role in manufacturing cordite, ammunition, and explosives for the Australian military during both World Wars. It was a critical production site for Australia's munitions industry during this period.
The factory employed thousands of workers during World War II, including many women who worked in munitions production. Their labor was essential to Australia's manufacturing capacity during the war years.
The site sits along the river and is a large historical area with multiple sections to explore showing different aspects of production and research. Visitors should allow sufficient time to tour the various buildings and structures while taking note of the specialized safety features.
The site preserves intact structures from different production periods, including specialized blast walls and dedicated cleanways that were once designed for safe explosive handling. These features document the technological standards and safety procedures of the early 20th century munitions industry.
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