THE PAPS

	Grid Reference	DU 096987
	Department	DEPI
	Work Depot	Mansfield
	Region	North East
	Grading	Secondary
	Elevation (ASL)	660m
	Height	On Ground
	Construction	Brick/Timber
	Cabin size	3m x 3m
	Public access to site	Yes
	In use from	196? - 1996
	CFA Region	12 - North Eastern

The Paps tower in 1985. Photos supplied by John Parker.

This tower no longer exists as a fire tower.

In notes supplied by David Bannear and dated 11th December 1963 it states:
"Further to the recent inspection of possible sites for a tower to cover the Delatite Plantation area, you are advised that the site on the southerly part of "The Paps" has been approved."
"A cabin similar to the one on Mt Wills was to be constructed." 11th December 1963

The Paps was manned to watch over many pine plantations around Lake Eildon, which were originally State owned and managed with assistance of DNRE (now DSE). I believe they were then changed to Corporation owned sites, with a lessened responsibility to the States and its Departments. They were sold privately and DNRE had no further responsibility as to their fire hazards, other than breakouts into National Parks and forest areas. As such, The Paps was decommissioned from its triangulation spotting role with other Primary towers at Eildon, Mt. Wombat and Mt. Buller.
The building structure was on a concrete slab. The ground floor section was built from besser brick and a timber-like slat construction on the upper watch area, concrete floor, the external parapet 360 degree walkway contained by a waist-height cyclone wire mesh security fence. The upper observation deck measured about 3m x 3m with a trap door ladder fed entry in the floor from the lower level.
Above information supplied by Bill Peasnell, the last towerman on The Paps.

The modified building is still on site. It exists for communication purpose only.

Please click on thumbnail for enlargement


The Paps now	The Paps in 2011 supplied by Rob

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