Naval Base

A heavy industrial area near Kwinana, north of Rockingham, and about 28 kilometres on the coast, south-west of Perth. The name is a descriptive term coined in 1915 for a proposed Navy establishment. The Naval Base as such never eventuated as Garden island was later considered to be a more favourable site. Naval Base contains much heavy industry including power stations, alumina mills, chemical plants; and transportation rail and port facilities

Naval Base - Alcoa Kwinana Refinery Tanks

These tanks belong to Alcoa Kwinana Refinery as part of their alumina operations. This is set very close to the beach in north Naval Base and has a rail spur line in there to deliver the raw materials. January 2010. Photos Ref: NVLB001

Naval Base - Alcoa Kwinana Refinery

Another look at the Alcoa operations. This place is the destination for so many alumina trains we see passing though Pinjarra, Serpentine etc on their way north laden with ore from the mines in the south-west. October 2013. Photos Ref: NVLB002

Naval Base - Alcoa Jetty

This jetty is adjacent to the Alcoa Kwinana Refinery and from here the finished product is shipped. The water this day is sparkling. January 2010. Photos Ref: NVLB003

Naval Base - Alcoa Jetty

Today there is a ship at the Alcoa jetty loading finished product from the processing plant for destination overseas. This ship is the N Discovery. October 2013. Photos Ref: NVLB004

Naval Base - Kwinana Bulk Terminal Jetty

A jetty protrudes out into the ocean and is used for the shipping of goods from the Kwinana Bulk Terminal. This is at the end of Riseley Road in Naval Base. January 2010. Photos Ref: NVLB003

Naval Base - Desalination Plant

These tanks sit in a line behind fences on Barter Road in Naval Base. This is part of the Cockburn Seawater Desalination Plant which is a relative newcomer into the area in 2010. January 2010. Photos Ref: NVLB004

Naval Base - Desalination Plant

The front entrance to the Cockburn Seawater Desalination Plant. January 2010. Photos Ref: NVLB005

Naval Base - Desalination Plant

The desalination plant tanks all lined up with the chimneys of the Kwinana power station looming up in the background. October 2013. Photos Ref: NVLB006

Naval Base - Coal Piles

Huge piles of coal next to the Kwinana power station. The power station chimneys seem to grow out from the coal piles. The coal is soaked with water to preserve it. In the days of steam, the railways used to dump their Collie coal in the Coal Dam at Midland (amongst other places) as a similar preservative measure. October 2013. Photos Ref: NVLB007

Naval Base - Gas Production

A silver dome gleaming in the sunlight neatly seals in its gas contents, This is at BOC. October 2013. Photos Ref: NVLB008

Naval Base - Gas Plant

This tower is burning off excess gas in a gas production plant. October 2013. Photos Ref: NVLB009

Naval Base - Diesel Tanks

This row is of tanks of diesel fuel which is used to feed a Verve Energy diesel fuelled power station. The power station is that blue structure off to the left. October 2013. Photos Ref: NVLB010

Naval Base - BGC Operations

BGC bulk operations at Naval Base. Note the old Transfield sign. The former Transfield Fabrication division is now incorporated into the BGC complex. October 2013. Photos Ref: NVLB011

Naval Base - Rail Yards

The rail marshalling yard just south of Naval Base controls Alcoa and other rail traffic in and out of the industrial area. October 2013. Photos Ref: NVLB012

Naval Base - Chimney Stacks

Anyone passing through Naval Base over many decades would have laid eyes on this quadruplex of chimney stacks. None were active this day. January 2010. Photos Ref: NVLB013

Naval Base - Hotel

The Naval Base Hotel is on Rockingham Road. I'm sure this place used to have a bigger 'front yard'. Perhaps as some stage the road has been widened. January 2010. Photos Ref: NVLB014

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