The Japanese advance on the coast of New Guinea towards the mainland of Australia in early 1942 dictated the necessity of preparing Townsville as a reserve base for the storage of large amounts of equipment in case of possible invasion. As the military situation improved after the Battle of the Coral Sea, its role changed to one of supply and repair for forward bases.

The “Igloo” warehouse remains as physical evidence of the Nation’s wartime mobilisation in what was formerly the largest Allied base in the South West Pacific. As a purpose built Ordnance Igloo, it is the only surviving building of the Townsville Ordnance Depot.

The original design brief that these structures were to be temporary, combined with the ravages of termites, cyclones and high humidity has made them rare. The Igloo also features an attached saw tooth warehouse which was not a common combination.

The Igloo displays the principal characteristics of its type which include engineered timber framing, unlined internal walls, sheeted corrugated iron roof and concrete floor.

Due to the gravity of the military situation, Engineers abandoned traditional construction techniques in favour of a large scale prefabrication programme. The Igloo featured technically innovative construction techniques unique to this period.