ASD has released its latest collection of records as part of our Declassification Program. The release includes documents and photos about the wireless transmitting station located at HMAS Coonawarra.
HMAS Coonawarra initially begun operating on 18 September 1939 to support Allied operations in the South West Pacific region.
In 1965, a proposal was put forward for a new intercept station to be built in Darwin, due to electrical noise from expanding local industry posing an increasing threat to reliable reception at Coonawarra. Cabinet approval for the new intercept and communications station was achieved in February 1970, and the provisional target of January 1973 was given for the commencement of operations.
Unfortunately, devastation struck on 25 December 1974, when Cyclone Tracy caused major damage at Coonawarra, closing Signit operations at the site. Serviceable equipment was transferred to the new station and limited Sigint operations commenced on 3 January 1975. However, within a short timeframe, the collection and processing capability had been expanded to pre-Tracy levels, and communications with DSD had been re-established.
For more information about the HMAS Coonawarra declassification release and our other tranches and our other tranches of declassified information, explore our ASD Declassified page.
