After European settlement in the mid 1850s, the North Albion site was being used as grassland for farming and grazing.

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In the late 1930's, the threat of another world war in Europe was developing and the Australian Government decided it needed to increase and to be more independent in the manufacturing of munitions and explosives.

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The Albion site was chosen opposite the existing commercial ICIANZ factory. ICI ANZ was chosen to design, construct and operate the new facilities.

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In 1940 the factory first began production of propellants for small arms and artillery that were required by the military forces during WW2.

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After the end of the WW2 the plant continued producing explosives and fertilizers for commercial use.

 

The site was closed down in the 1986 and the site went through an extensive decontamination and cleanup before being redeveloped in a housing estate with a shopping complex located in its center.

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Located on the site there was hundreds of buildings. Each building was given a unique number. The first digit of the number indicated the area the building was located in. A searchable listing of the buildings can be found below.

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1 - Administrative & Services Area

2 - Propellant Area

3 - Acid Area

4 - T.N.T. "Trinitrotoluene" Area

5 - Armament Chemicals Area

6 - Propellant Powder Area

7 - Fuse Powder Area

8 - R.D.X. "Hexogen" Area

9 - Synthetic Ammonia Area

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The site also contains the Historical Landmark "The Black Powder Mill" which is the only remaining building on the site. Also on the site there are some significant trees, the endangered Plains Rice-flower and Striped Legless Lizard.