An artesian bore brings groundwater to the surface without pumping, relying instead on natural pressure within an underground aquifer. This pressure forces water upwards when the aquifer is tapped, distinguishing artesian groundwater from other groundwater sources that require mechanical extraction.

 

Post-war transfer

At Point Peron, the artesian bore appears to have been a significant asset during and immediately after World War II. When the former Army Camp and associated infrastructure were transferred on 7 February 1946, the bore was listed among the assets handed over to the Department of Social Services. By this time, the Navy and Army no longer anticipated any future need for the bore and responsibility for its reinstatement was considered to rest jointly with the Department of Social Services, the State Minister for Education and the National Fitness Council.

 

The bore was believed to have stopped flowing due to a collapse of the bore casing or blockage caused by accumulated sand and gravel. Engineers advised that restoring the water supply would likely require drilling a second bore alongside the original. This was seen as a practical solution, particularly given that water was available at a relatively shallow depth in the area. It was also noted that if the Army required the bore again in the future, the supply could be re-established with minimal difficulty.

 

National Fitness Council lease and purpose

Although the Army Camp was transferred to the Department of Social Services without any financial adjustment, the department ultimately did not make use of the site, having identified an alternative location elsewhere. The land was subsequently leased to the State Minister for Education, John Tonkin, for use as a National Fitness Council camp. The lease was granted for 21 years at a nominal rental of £1 per year, equivalent to approximately $3,500 per year today.

 

This arrangement aligned with the objectives of the National Fitness Act 1941, which sought to improve the physical fitness of Australian youth and better prepare them for service in the armed forces and industry. The Act led to the establishment of state-based national fitness councils, which focused on youth camps, playgrounds, school programs and the development of physical education across Australia.

 

The End of the bore

Despite the bore being located on leased land, it was not transferred to the State under the Sales Advice Note. This appears to have been because the bore was considered an asset used for wartime defence purposes, resulting in the military effectively distancing itself from any ongoing responsibility for its maintenance or repair.

 

When engineers from the State Water Supply Department inspected the bore to determine why the flow had ceased, they concluded the failure was most likely due to casing breakdown or sediment infill. Further investigation would have required transporting substantial equipment at considerable cost and no agency was prepared to accept financial responsibility. The State argued that the bore remained Commonwealth property, while the Commonwealth declined to act. The State Water Supply Department subsequently refused to proceed further and suggested that, if Commonwealth assistance could not be secured, the bore might instead be formally handed over to the State.