Bomb crater discovered in Darwin CBD

A large hole uncovered by roadworks in Darwin's city centre has been identified as a
World War II bomb crater.
Northern Territory heritage Minister Karl Hampton said the exciting discovery on
McMinn Street provided a clear link with the past.
"World War II is an important part of the Territory's history and identity," Mr
Hampton said in a statement released on Wednesday.
"Territorians are proud of our unique history, and we now have another attraction no
other capital city can match - an authentic World War II bomb crater."
He said workers had uncovered the hole while widening the road, prompting the NT
government to commission a survey and excavation to find bomb fragments or any other
material that would help identify the site.
"Based on the historic and stratigraphic data on site, the results of this report
indicates that the site is most likely a bomb crater."
NT archaeologist Silvano Jung conducted the excavations and prepared a report that
says the crater was likely to date from the first Japanese air raid on the city, on
February 19, 1942.
Mr Hampton said 188 planes were involved in the first wave of the Japanese attack,
"and of all the hundreds of bombs dropped on Darwin that day, this is the only known
remaining bomb crater in the city".
The Department of Construction and Infrastructure will be working with the Heritage
Branch to landscape the site and install interpretive signage.
Mr Hampton said the site could also be in line for statutory protection.