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Daly Waters Aviation Complex
Permanent Declaration
Place
The major components of the Daly Waters Aviation Complex are the Hangar, Public lavatory block, Shell Oil Store, Accomodation buildings, radio and navigational buildings, apron leading to the taxiway. Also associated with the Complex is the Flying Fox.

Hangar
The Hangar is a large corrugated iron structure built in 1930 and measures about 19m square and 7.2m high, with an annexe (3.7m x 8.1m) located on the eastern corner. The building has a barrel roof supported by a network of trusses connected to upright angle iron wall supports via lattice buttresses. Cladding is of corrugated galvanised iron on external walls only. The interior contains two areas which have been partitioned off. Externally, buttresses support the walls on all except the apron side.

Public lavatories
These lavatories are located to the west of the Hangar and are constructed of concrete block construction with a c.g.i. roof. Entry is from either end via pathways from the apron. The roof is of corrugated galvanised iron sheeting secured to a timber frame.

Shell Oil Store
The store is a steel framed, corrugated galvanised steel clad structure which dates to the same period as the Hangar. It has a distinctive barrel vaulted roof which is free standing and protects a square internal store.

Accommodation buildings
These two buildings are the former staff and grounds men's living quarters. The buildings are rectangular with wide verandahs, steel frames, fibro asbestos walls and corrugated iron roof. Both buildings were constructed in 1947.

Radio and navigational buildings
Little remains of these buildings which were constructed in 1942 except for a few foundation supports used to raise the buildings off the ground.
The Daly Waters Aviation Complex has considerable significance for the Northern Territory's aviation heritage.
The complex also has significance as the planned rail terminus and as a vital link in postal communications. Its origins are connected with the ill-fated Darwin to Alice Springs railway which was planned to terminate at Daly Waters but only reached Birdum. Daly Waters became the distribution point for mail services between the Top End and the remainder of Australia.

Architecturally, the complex contains the oldest hangar in the Northern Territory, which was transported, along with the oil store, to Daly Waters by the Sidney Williams Company in 1930 and erected in its present position. Other remaining structures were built between 1940 and 1960. They are important as elements of an operational international and military areodrome during the pioneering and development period of North Australian aviation.

As an international stopover the Aerodrome was visited by prominent people of the day. Technically, it represents an era of Australian aviation in which aircraft with the longest range could not traverse Australia without numerous stops to refuel. The complex therefore is of importance to the history of Australian aviation.
11/10/1993
18/11/1993
10/02/1994
Comment sought
30/09/1994
12/10/1994
H93/0061
Historic
Roper Gulf Shire
Partly within portion 399. The hangar & oil store was transported in 1930, the other remaining structures were built between 1940, and 1960.
Photo
   
NameDescriptionDate Added
ViewDalyWatersAviationComplex 171215_LR2.JPGThe Hangar with public toilet block in the left foreground. The water tank, visible in many early photographs, was removed from the tank stand.22/JUL/21
ViewDalyWatersAviationComplex 171215_LR4.JPGSmall radio (?) shack to the east of the Hangar in poor condition22/JUL/21
ViewDalyWatersAviationComplex 171215_LR3.JPGOil Store located to the west of the Hangar facing the tarmac22/JUL/21
ViewDalyWatersAviationComplex 171215_LR6.JPGA remnant of one of two accommodation buildings approximately 100m to the west of the hangar. The second building has been demolished.22/JUL/21
ViewDalyWatersAviationComplex 171215_LR1.JPGDaly Waters Aviation Complex22/JUL/21
ViewDalyWatersAviationComplex 171215_LR5.JPGThe Hangar22/JUL/21
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Scan
   
NameDescriptionDate Added
ViewInstrument and Gazettal.pdf - 06/FEB/09
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Further Information
   
NameDescriptionDate Added
ViewDaly Waters Aviation Complex.pdfFactsheet03/NOV/11
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Approximate Location
   
LAIS KeyStreet NumberStreet NameSuburbLocation CodeLot NumberLTO PlanPartTenure
000 00399 9830STUARTDALY WATERS000399 - - Reserve
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Status Explanations
   

Nomination Period - a nomination has been accepted by Heritage Branch, but has not yet been accepted by the Heritage Council; OR a nomination has been accepted by the Heritage Council but the place/object has not yet been subject to a heritage assessment.

Assessment Period - a nomination has been accepted by the Heritage Council and the place/object is in the process of being assessed.

Consultation Period - Heritage assessment has been completed and s24 of the Act has been instigated, ie comment has been sought on a proposal to declare the place/object.

Recommendation Period - the Heritage Council has made a recommendation to declare the place/object and the Minister's final decision is awaited.

Not Recommended - a decision has been made by the Heritage Council not to recommend to the Minister that a place/object be declared

Declared - the Minister has made a decision to declare the place/object

Refused - the Minister has refused to declare the place/object