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Explosives Factory Mulwala

Mulwala Explosives Factory

1943 – May 1989

Government explosives factory at Mulwala, in the Riverina of New South Wales, that made propellants and other explosives for Australian ammunition.

How it came into existence

Built by the Department of Munitions during the Second World War, as part of its expansion of explosives production at inland sites, and in production from about 1943 (the year is not confirmed). It was a new undertaking rather than a transfer from another body, and it was kept as a permanent government factory after the war.

Changes during its life

  1. 6 April 1948Moved to the Department of Supply and Development when the Department of Munitions was absorbed into it.
  2. 16 March 1950Moved to the new Department of Supply.
  3. 11 May 1951Moved to the new Department of Defence Production with the other government munitions factories.
  4. 23 April 1958Returned to the Department of Supply when the Department of Defence Production was absorbed into it.
  5. 12 June 1974Moved to the Department of Manufacturing Industry when the Department of Supply was abolished.
  6. 22 December 1975Moved to the Department of Industry and Commerce.
  7. 8 November 1976Moved to the new Department of Productivity, which took over the government defence factories.
  8. 3 November 1980Returned to the Department of Industry and Commerce when the Department of Productivity was abolished.
  9. 7 May 1982Moved to the new Department of Defence Support.
  10. 13 December 1984Moved to the Department of Defence as part of the Office of Defence Production when the Department of Defence Support was abolished.

How it ended

Transferred in May 1989, with the other government munitions and clothing factories of the Office of Defence Production, to the new Commonwealth company Australian Defence Industries Pty Ltd; the factory continued in operation under ADI and later Thales Australia.

Main functions

  • Manufacture of propellants for ammunition
  • Manufacture of high explosives

Where it sits

Last in the portfolio of Department of Defence.

Lineage

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Sources

Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.