About the Event
A new way to experience an important part of Albany's past was unveiled in April 2026.
The former Pool Petroleum fuel tanks on Mt Melville, constructed during the Second World War to support fuel supplies on the Homefront, provided a rare and tangible link to Albany's role in coastal defence and as a significant military base.
With the completion of the new Mount Melville Cycle Link, the site became more accessible than ever. Delivered by the City of Albany in partnership with Main Roads Western Australia, the Grey Street shared path extension addressed a missing link in Albany's cycling and pedestrian network, improving connections between the CBD and the Torndirrup Peninsula.
As part of the project, Veterans Assist Great Southern led the development of new interpretive signage along the pathway, helping to share the story of the site. In 1941, National Liquid Bulk Fuel Supply Regulations required private fuel companies to cease individual trading, with storage and distribution pooled under a single system. The tanks were constructed as part of that system, supporting the distribution of rationed fuel across the Great Southern for agriculture, manufacturing and transport.
Community members gathered on 29 April for the official unveiling of the signage, providing an opportunity to learn more about the site's significance and its role in Albany's wartime history.