Tocumwal Housing Precinct showcases its unique and rich heritage


Released 25/07/2017

Minister for Planning and Land Management, Mick Gentleman today welcomed the installation of Interpretative signage at the Tocumwal Housing Precinct in O’Connor to showcase the heritage significance of the area.

Minister Gentleman said the Tocumwal Housing Precinct is listed on the ACT Heritage Register and is an outstanding example of the low cost pre-fabricated housing constructed in Canberra after World War II.

“Using images and recollections obtained from the oral history archive, the interpretative signage provides fascinating insights into growing up in this precinct over the decades.

“Many Canberrans are unaware these pre-fabricated Tocumwal homes were first erected in Tocumwal, NSW during World War II and were designed to look like normal houses to camouflage the fact they were used as barracks to accommodate US airmen.” Minister Gentleman said.

Surplus to requirements after the war, the Commonwealth Government transported about 200 Tocumwal houses to Canberra in the late 1940s to deal with the acute housing shortage in the growing capital.  

Most of these houses were re-erected in the suburb of O’Connor and are now an important part of Canberra’s heritage.  

Bounded by Macarthur Avenue, MacPherson, Tate and Miller Streets the precinct contains eight cul-de-sacs. At one point in time, residents would hold bonfires on every cul-de- sac.

“The precinct is unique to Canberra in terms of its urban planning, landscaping and social history. I would encourage people passing through O’Connor to take the time to appreciate the distinctive housing and the rich heritage nestled in the suburb,” Minister Gentleman concluded.

Further information about the heritage features of the Tocumwal Housing Precinct is available at www.environment.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/148448/436.pdf

- Statement ends -

Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases


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