The Transformation, History and Architectural Symphony / by Cathy Marsh

The Tanks Art Centre

This unique institution finds its home within the dense foliage of a 38-hectare botanical garden, a setting that seems to blur the lines between art and nature.

But the Tanks Art Centre is not merely another arts venue; it is a captivating narrative of transformation, history, and resilience.

A Past Shrouded in War and Oil

Constructed in 1944 amidst the throes of World War II, the site originally served as a crude oil tank store for the Royal Australian Navy. The tanks, with their imposing one-metre-thick walls, were strategically camouflaged within the rainforest, where they remained shielded from enemy attack. Oil was stealthily pumped in through an underground pipe system, a covert operation that lasted until the site’s decommission in 1987.

These colossal structures, only hinting at their past, stand as both sentinels and silent witnesses to a history once obscured by the urgency of war. Carved open to create portals to their cavernous interiors, the tanks reveal interiors that stretch 30 metres in diameter, rising to heights of over 8 metres—an industrial cathedral where oil-stained timber columns reach up to support an overarching timber roof.

A Heritage Treasure

The significance of the Tanks Art Centre was eternally marked in 2006 when the Queensland State Heritage Register etched its name among its list of protected sites. This recognition not only honours the site’s military past but also celebrates its vibrant present—an emblem of Cairns’ commitment to the arts and the environment.

From War Remnants to Cultural Beacons

It was the vision of the master planner and Architect, Roger Mainwood of Woodheads at the time, which led the metamorphosis of these wartime relics into a thriving arts centre following a 1994 design competition. This victory set in motion a master plan that would not only respect the site’s historical significance but also invite innovation and community engagement.

The three remaining tanks, each aptly numbered, now serve as distinct venues within the precinct. Tank 5, the centrepiece, has been meticulously redesigned to accommodate a varied performance program. Its transformation included the installation of sophisticated sound and lighting technology and a climate control system that pays tribute to both the performers’ and patrons’ comfort without betraying the raw authenticity of the space.

Tank 4, slightly more modest in function yet no less integral, houses the administrative heart of the centre. Here lies the curator’s office, a sanctum where the cultural narrative of the facility is continuously woven. Lastly, Tank 3 exchanges its past storage purpose for a canvas of community events and exhibitions, welcoming a blend of international and local talent.

Construction and Collaboration

Brought to life under the skilful hands of TPG Architects, the Tanks Art Centre was completed in 2006 with delicate attention to both preservation and progress. The project team crafted spaces that marry industrial ruggedness with finesse, a duality that now defines the centre’s ambiance.

A Living, Breathing Art Space

Today, the Tanks Art Centre stands out not simply because it repurposed history but because it made it an inseparable part of its current identity. As visitors traverse between the tanks, they are greeted by music that resonates against concrete, art that converses with history, and performance that breathes new life into the vestiges of time.

In Cairns, amidst the embrace of the rainforest, the Tanks Art Centre is a testament to the city’s ethos: that culture can flourish in harmony with its surroundings and that art, like nature, is ever-evolving.

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