Babinda Air Raid Shelter

Babinda air raid shelter was one of 57 public air raid shelters constructed between Mackay and Cairns during early 1942. A Government Gazette notice issued two weeks after the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbour on 7 December 1941, required Queensland local authorities to provide public air raid shelters. While the Mulgrave Shire Council initiated a locally built shelter in mid-December, those designed by the Department of Public works took a bit longer. Council debated with the government over the cost and siting of the shelter, choosing a site in Anzac Park in mid-1942. Ultimately, the Council financed the construction of the above ground concrete shelter designed to accommodate 50 people. Subsequently, the Babinda Chamber of Commerce asked the Shire Council to convert the air raid shelter into public conveniences. In November 1946, the council advised it would proceed with the conversion. The building remains used as public conveniences, but has also served as a cyclone shelter. In 1992, a mural was painted on the shelter depicting the nearby ‘Boulders’ swimming hole.