Historic military base still searching for new owner

The Training Depot Drill Hall Complex at 40 Archer St, Rockhampton. Picture: Supplied

A heritage listed military barracks steeped in history remains on the property market after more than 1200 days, sitting on the fringe of a regional Queensland city.

The Training Depot Drill Hall Complex at 40 Archer St, Rockhampton, was once home to the 42nd Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment (42RQR), an infantry unit that served with distinction in both world wars.

Today, the 1.13ha site retains a number of historical buildings, including a 1906 drill hall, a former drill hall and wagon shed relocated from Mount Morgan in 1928 and a brick Q-store constructed in 1939.

Property data shows the property was sold by the Commonwealth of Australia to Bernlodge Pty Ltd in February 2007 for $1.43m.

It was briefly listed for sale in 2016 before being relisted in May 2020.

The property has remained on the market since, for sale via offer through Pat O’Driscoll of Knight Frank Rockhampton.

The Training Depot Drill Hall Complex sits on a 1.13ha site.

The block features a number of historic buildings. Picture: Supplied

The listing for the complex said it was an excellent development opportunity in the heart of one of Queensland’s strongest regional cities, lending itself to a variety of possible development opportunities including but not limited to retirement village, aged care facility, childcare and hotel/tavern facility or a mixed use development.

“The site includes a number of original buildings that have the option to be repurposed as part of any new development,” the listing said.

The original three-gabled drill hall is full of character features including weatherboard cladding, sash windows, VJ walls, hardwood floors, corrugated iron roof and full skillion roofed veranda.

According to the Queensland Heritage Register, the land the barracks sits on was originally gazetted as a Defence Force Reserve in 1901 and was valued at £2250 at the time.

The compound has a long connection to the 42nd Battalion and its soldiers, such as Private Pte J. D. Denny (second from left), Sgt J. Trapp (centre) and Pte D. R. McGregor (carrying stretcher), photographed with fellow Australian and American stretcher bearers during the battle of Hamel in 1918. Picture: Australian War Memorial E02691

The Training Depot Drill Hall Complex was used by the Australian Army Reserve until 2000. Picture: Supplied

During WWII, the 1906 drill has was used for army medicals while the adjacent parade ground was the assembly point for servicemen on route to camp.

The barracks has been associated with 42RQR since the inception of a volunteer reserve unit in 1884, the beginning of the battalion’s esteemed linage.

The actual 42nd Battalion was first raised in 1915 as part of the Australian Imperial Force during WWI and served on the Western Front before being disbanded in 1918.

In 1921, the battalion was reformed as part of the Citizens Forces and was known as the 42nd Battalion, Capricornia Regiment before serving in New Guinea and Bougainville during the Second World War.

The battalion lives on today as the 31st/42nd Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment, an Australian Army Reserve Unit.

The unit moved from the Archer Street complex in October 2000.

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