Two new Canberra Tracks signs have been unveiled for the heritage-listed Canberra Garbage Incinerator and Northbourne Housing Precinct Representative Sample. 

The signs are the latest to mark the many historical sites around the ACT, Rebecca Vassarotti, ACT Minister for Heritage, said. 

“Canberra Tracks signs shares the rich stories of many different locations, with eight trails across the territory to take you on a journey through dozens of lookouts and historical sites telling the tales of our early inhabitants. 

“Two new signs have been added to these trails for Canberrans and visitors to come and learn new stories about our city and those who were here before us.”

Canberra’s Garbage Incinerator in Yarralumla operated between 1939 and 1959, and was primarily used for destroying government classified waste in its later years. A little-known building made of bricks from the nearby Canberra Brickworks, the structure was designed by architect Eric Nicholls, who worked closely with Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. 

After it was decommissioned, the Royal Canberra Golf Club purchased it for only £100 while it was due for demolition. It was heritage listed in 2011. 

The Northbourne Housing Precinct was designed by Sydney Ancher along Bauhaus principles and completed in 1962 to help house the rapidly expanding public sector workforce during the early days of Canberra’s foundation. At the time, a huge influx of newcomers arrived, and many people lived in construction workers’ huts due to a shortage of available housing, Ms Vassarotti said. 

Most of the 150 dwellings were demolished in 2016. However, a sample of five different building types were heritage listed to mark the historic importance of the site. 

“These are just some of many sites around Canberra with fascinating histories,” Ms Vassarotti said. “I encourage everyone to visit these sites and others around the ACT and delve into Canberra’s history to learn what came before us.” 

For more information on the signage at Canberra’s historic sites, visit the Canberra Tracks website.