Landmark Gets $10mill Facelift
Newcastle Herald
Saturday June 21, 2008
FORT Scratchley is reopening to the public after undergoing a major restoration.
The historic military site, which is owned by the Federal Government, has been closed since April 2004 but will be officially handed over to Newcastle City Council on June 29.Lord Mayor John Tate said the refurbished site was an asset the city could be proud of and would be a drawcard for residents and tourists.The Department of Finance and Deregulation has contributed more than $10 million for the refurbishment of the site.Cr Tate said the results were outstanding."The partnership between the Australian Government and council on this project has been very successful," he said."There is so much history at Fort Scratchley and it is really important to retain these kinds of sites for current and future generations to have access to."Equally important is being able to do this in a sustainable way."We will not always be able to secure funding from state or federal governments to assist with preservation and restoration, so having the new multi-purpose centre on site will be imperative to create an income stream to fund ongoing maintenance."The reopening will span the whole weekend with activities planned in and around Fort Scratchley.Situated on the eastern end of Newcastle, Fort Scratchley was originally named Braithwaites Head by Lieutenant John Shortland.Convicts created Australia's first coalmine at the site in 1801.An earthen battery named Fort Battlesticks was constructed in 1828 to protect the coastline in the event of an attack and became known as Signal Hill after being handed over to the army in 1843.Further fears of an enemy attack led to the creation of a permanent facility and it was renamed Fort Scratchley after Lieutenant Peter Scratchley, who was responsible for planning the facility.The first guns were mounted in 1866 to protect the Newcastle Harbour entrance.Construction of the fort began in 1881 using reinforced concrete and brick that blended into the hillside to expose a minimal area to attack.New additions such as a new soldiers' barracks and stockade were made in 1886.A Japanese submarine that attacked Newcastle was repelled on June 8, 1942.
© 2008 Newcastle Herald