Construction crews building the new CBD and South East Light Rail project in Sydney have uncovered a World War Two air raid shelter at High Cross Park.
The zig-zag trench was exposed during excavation work for the underground electrical substation at High Cross Park.
Transport for NSW said the discovery was the latest historical find to be unearthed in recent months, following the discovery of archaeological remains buried under Devonshire Street in Surry Hills.
State and municipal authorities began to build defences such as air raid shelters as a precautionary measure in 1942.
Transport for NSW said last week the shelters came in multiple different styles and the trenches were often lined with sandbags and sheets of iron.
At the end of the war, the shelters and trenches were often backfilled.
Heritage Consultant Jayden van Beek said the trench in High Cross Park was one of those filled in.
“Historic photographs taken in 1943 and some early archaeological investigations identified that High Cross Park was a location for one of these trenches, so targeted investigative excavations were carried out before the main construction work,” Jayden said.
“The site was recorded in detail before work on the construction of the new substation could continue. A full archaeological report will now be completed.”