About the Project
After the fall of Singapore in 1941, Cockburn Sound became a possible site for the British Far East Fleet’s new base. Apart from being the largest Allied submarine base in the Southern Hemisphere from where more than 150 US, British and Netherlands submarines made war patrols, Fremantle was the Allies major Indian Ocean gateway. It was defended by numerous Heavy artillery was setup along the coast from Swanbourne to Cape Peron, and on Rottnest and Garden Islands, to protect the proposed anchorage and its approaches. The Peron or “K” Battery began in late 1942, but never fired an angry shot. The war zone moved away from Western Australia and the battery was decommissioned in early 1945.
For many years, the Peron “K” Battery’s field observation post on the highest point of the Cape has given visitors spectacular views of the surrounding coastline, but the gun sites were relatively unknown.Walkways were constructed in the area which gave access to the gun emplacements and their associated building, and in 1995, the Point Peron “K” Battery was placed on the City of Rockingham Municipal Inventory.
Why now?
Due to massive erosion in the area, the history of this area is at imminent risk of being lost forever, therefore it has become even more important to protect the remaining buildings and gun emplacements and preserve the site for generations to come. The story of the Coastal Defence of Australia has only been told in sporadic area-specific exhibitions or localised displays, so this project is envisaged to tell the overall story of the Defence of Australia during World War II, not just in Rockingham/Cockburn Western Australia, but of all the Coastal Defence Batteries around Australia.
The Point Peron "K" Battery Restoration Project main goals are to:
2. Preserve the remaining WWII landmarks of the Coastal Defence System at Point Peron in a dedicated museum collection to tell the story of the Australian Coastal Defence network in World War II.
What is the Point Peron Restoration Committee?
The Point Peron Restoration Committee is a non-Council committee which provides a forum for discussion, and input from key government stakeholders.
The Point Peron “K” Battery Restoration Project main goals are to:
- Create a memorial “sanctuary for reflection” whilst preserving and maintaining the local Point Peron reserve, with upgraded local amenities and protect the history of the area;
- Preserve the remaining WWII landmarks of the Coastal Defence System at Point Peron in a dedicated museum collection to tell the story of the Australian Coastal Defence network in World War II. The Committee’s terms of reference are:
- Identify the significant and historical details of the Point Peron Battery.
- Identify the key elements of this history to be restored/highlighted and the surrounding infrastructure upgrades needed to support this.
- Oversee the creation of a Master Plan in line with the objectives and outcomes.
- Advertise the Master Plan for public comment once completed.
- Make amendments until the Master
- Plan is satisfactorily agreed upon.
- Lobby for funds to enact the Master Plan
Current composition:
- Mr Phil Edman (Chair)
- Mr Laurie Smith JP OAM, Rotary Club of Palm Beach WA Inc.
- Cr David Rudman (Representative), Cr Peter Hudson (Deputy)
- Mr Tim Fisher, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA)
- Warwick Carter, Perth South West Metropolitan Alliance
- Mr Phil Rowson, Royal Australian Artillery History Society WA
Executive Support:
- Mr Mike Ross, City of Rockingham
Achievements:
- WA Government funding support for Public Toilets coming by June 2027
- Point Peron Restoration Committee website
Secret Fleets and The Forgotten Battlefield books available - 11/28th Battalion – operation “Sandy Shovel” – Operations Bunker
- Battle for Australia WWII 2017 Exhibition, last WA Museum exhibit and fundraiser gala dinner
- Point Peron Battery K Conservation Plan 2016
- DBCA major capital works including path upgrade, retaining walls, seating, drainage, balustrade and interpretive signage
- Collaboration project with Rotary Club of Palm Beach to reinstate a 155mm M1917/18 Gun.
Heritage Listing:
- On 13 October 2019, the Cape Peron K Battery Complex was entered into the State Register of Heritage Places permanently.
- On 24 October 1995, the Cape Peron Battery Complex was entered into the City’s Municipal Heritage Inventory
