LOOK right on the way out of town going towards Wagga and what most people see are a number of large brick buildings with prominent Ampol signage.
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The site is the Former Second World War Inland Aircraft Fuel Depot and holds historical significance not only for Cootamundra but in the context of the war nationwide.
At last week’s Cootamundra Shire Council meeting councillors resolved to submit a nomination to the NSW Heritage Council to have the former fuel depot located at 219 Sutton Street listed on the State Heritage Register.
The former No.3 Inland Aircraft Fuel Depot (IAFD) located at Cootamundra was installed in 1942 as part of Australia WWII defence infrastructure.
Council manager of development services Chris Imrie said that historical records indicate that of the 31 inland fuel depot sites established throughout Australia, Cootamundra’s was the first in NSW and today largely remains in original condition.
“The Cootamundra IAFD provides an excellent example of how and why these sites were established during the defence of Australia and gives a snapshot of three separate types of storage tank construction methods and associated infrastructure used throughout a number of other sites in the state and nationally,” Mr Imrie said.
Having recently identified the depot as an item on Council’s Local Heritage Register, Mr Imrie said the council is committed to protecting the historical significance of this site.
“It is envisaged that including the site on the State Heritage Register will further elevate its historical significance and recognition and help to protect the site for future generations.”
The site is currently owned by Caltex Australia, however Council has recently entered into a ‘deed of transfer’ with Caltex to take over ownership of the site once soil contamination remediation works have been completed.
“Once under Council ownership, it is Council’s intention to open the site up to the public as a Second World War historical attraction,” Mr Imrie said.
Councils’ vision is that pathways could be established throughout the site leading people around the existing infrastructure with the strategic positioning of interpretive signage explaining each of the structures, how they were erected, etc.
An overview of the site in total as well as to the reasons for its existence could be posted in the original pump house which is located at the entrance to the site, according to Mr Imrie.
“Council sees the site as a wonderful opportunity to tell an unknown story of a specific WWII defence infrastructure while providing a beautiful and interesting public open space with a historical theme,” Mr Imrie said.
