It will become an underground performance and exhibition space as part of the $344 million Sydney Modern project to double the Art Gallery of NSW's capacity. The tank will be connected by a spiral staircase to new modern floating pavilions.
Back above ground,Mr Harwin said he had been struck by the tank's eerie feel."It is like a forest of columns. It is really going to be inspirational,"he said.
The Domain oil tanks are located to the north-east of the Art Gallery between Mrs Macquaries Road and Lincoln Crescent in Woolloomooloo. They were built in the early 1940s to supply the British Pacific fleet should Singapore fall,which it did in early 1942. They would supply a new and massive dry dock at Garden Island that the then prime minister,Robert Menzies,said would"make Australia a fit base for a powerful fleet".
"Originally built to supply fuel to naval ships,this previously hidden Sydney treasure will now fuel art and creativity,"Mr Harwin said.
Menzies said the dock,costing £3 million then,would"enable naval operations to be conducted in Australian waters without the necessity of ships to travel 4000 miles to Singapore"for refit and repair. It was completed in 1945.
The tanks were uncovered in 2014 during investigations of the potential site for Sydney Modern,Dr Brand said. They were filled with shoulder-high water and an"inflatable"craft was floating on top.