RAAF Station Sandgate

The closure was a direct result of the post-World War II demobilization of Australian military forces. With the war over, the massive requirement for training new recruits ceased, making the large depot redundant. The station was no longer needed for its primary purpose.

The site of the former RAAF Station Sandgate has been completely redeveloped and is now integrated into the suburban landscape. The land is occupied by public infrastructure and residential areas. Key landmarks on the former base grounds include Sandgate District State High School, Shorncliffe State School, and surrounding parklands and housing. There are no visible remnants of the original RAAF station.

RAAF Station Sandgate was a major ground training and administrative base during World War II, not an operational airfield with runways. The identifier AU-0642 is a non-official code used in some modern databases for historical sites and not an ICAO code it held during operation. Established in 1940, its primary and most significant role was as the home of No. 3 Recruit Depot. It served as the main induction and initial training center for tens of thousands of RAAF enlistees from Queensland and northern New South Wales. Recruits received their uniforms, basic drill instruction, and medical examinations here before being posted to other units for specialized training. It was a critical component of the RAAF's wartime expansion under the Empire Air Training Scheme. The station also housed other units at various times, including No. 3 Embarkation Depot.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening RAAF Station Sandgate. The site has been fully redeveloped into a dense suburban area for many decades. Re-establishing a military or aviation facility on the site is not feasible due to the extensive urban development.