It was during the war that the nation relied on timber more than ever before. Some of the longest spans and most diverse timber structures were built in Australian history during this period.
As the first American forces arrived in Australia in 1942 the Federal Government began to recognise that timber was an essential war material. The “Office of the Controller of Timber” was established, and all the timber resources of the nation were placed under its direct control.
Steel was redirected to other defence needs and timber became the focus for both large and small buildings.
To coordinate the massive war construction program, the Government established the Allied Works Council (AWC) and, from 26 February 1942, it assumed control for all defence projects for the Allied Armies. It was based in Melbourne.
Australian timber was used to hurriedly build a number of large aircraft hangers. The structural layout of these buildings was probably derived from a 1941 US Army Air Corps design for a steel hangar spanning 122 foot This was adapted as a segmented curved roof built from unseasoned hardwood trusses instead of steel.
Six 130-foot hangars and two 96-foot hangars were built at Tocumwal in NSW. A further 130-foot hangar and four 96-foot hangars were constructed at Charleville in QLD while two 96-foot hangars were built at Garbutt Airport at Townsville. Another 96-foot hangar was erected at Maylands in WA and one with a 130-foot span.
At the Werribee Satellite Aerodrome, four hangers were built with 96-foot spans and one at 130-foot. Two of the five original aircraft hangars at Werribee remain. One is currently used for the B-24 Liberator restoration, and the other is being relocated.
Gregory Nolan (1994). The forgotten long span timber structures of Australia. Master of Architecture Thesis. University of Tasmania.
Photos: NAA
Victoria’s Forests & Bushfire Heritage 
wow something new I’ve learned
those structures are huge and timber only
something to cherish those abilities and know-how aren’t lost I hope
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