[dropcap]B[/dropcap]uilt in 1940, Bardia Barracks was Australia’s first purpose-built training camp for the thousands of troops who served their country during World War II.
Soldiers who went on to serve in the Korean and Vietnam wars and members of the National Service and Army Reserve also trained at Ingleburn Army camp up until the 1990s.
This important link to Australia’s military history is now in the heart of one the fastest growing new suburbs in the country, Edmondson Park.
Landcom wants to ensure the site is preserved for future generations and would like to find out what the local community thinks should happen to such an important heritage site.
An information session will be held on Saturday, March 24 to get community feedback on the future use of heritage buildings at Bardia Barracks.
Matthew Beggs, the head of projects at Landcom, says many local people would have a family connection with this significant heritage site.
“It is important the site is preserved for future generations to learn about our nation’s wartime history,’’ he said.
“Landcom is identifying opportunities for appropriate adaptive reuse of the buildings, complementary to the precinct’s heritage values.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“We are investigating the option to restore and reuse the former guard house and cell block as a café and museum, providing new residents of Edmondson Park with a new recreational facility and supporting cultural development in the area,’’ Mr Beggs said.[/social_quote]
“Reusing the buildings could safeguard the site’s future and open it up for local residents to enjoy.”
Mr Beggs said Edmondson Park was experiencing significant growth and it was important to plan for current and future residents to support their needs.
“Landcom is committed to ongoing consultation with the community and I would encourage local residents to attend the information session to find out more and have their say,” he said.
“We are keen to hear the community’s views on the proposal and get ideas for suitable community and retail uses at Bardia Barracks so we can plan for the site’s future.”
The information session will be held at Bardia Barracks, northern side of Campbelltown Road (opposite Mont St Quentin Oval), Edmondson Park from 10am to 2pm.
The community can drop in any time to talk to the project team. There is no need to RSVP.
Feedback received from the community and key stakeholders, including councils and the Office of Environment and Heritage, will inform investigations for future uses of the site.
For more information about the event, please call 1800 244 863 or go to landcom.com.au/edmondsonpark
If you’d like to know more about Landcom go to their website at www.landcom.nsw.gov.au
Many of the residents in Bardia are from overseas. It is of significant importance that these people are aware of the heritage of this place and the role it had in history that made Australia the place that allowed them to live there.
My Grandfather marched from here in 1940 to Bathurst, as a part of their training for the 2/18th Battalion AIF Association. They were all taken prisoners of the Japanese upon the Fall of Singapore in February 1942. Thankfully he survived the brutal internment to return to Australia, start a family and move into the war veterans’ estate of St Elmo on Hoddle Ave. Absolutely it must be preserved for future generations.
Bernard Egan Alana Kavanagh Ross