The Department was created during World War II in an effort to speed up munitions production,[1] after it became apparent that Britain would not be able to supply Australia's armed forces with arms and ammunition throughout what was shaping up to be a long and hard war.
The department's main responsibility was the oversight of increased production of defence components.
[3] The site was chosen because of "its strategic position and its proximity to rail transport, and to a water supply and labour".
The architect Herbert Jory was engaged by the department to oversee the building of the factory, which at its height employed 3000 labourers and tradesmen seven days a week.
In addition, the South Australian Railways workshops at Islington as well as automotive and other plants were converted in order to produce the machinery of war.