https://canetrains.net/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=BmhcjsCanetrains - User contributions [en-gb]2026-11-04T09:38:30ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.45.6https://canetrains.net/index.php?title=New_South_Wales&diff=918New South Wales2026-10-05T04:54:54Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
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<div>The Northern Rivers of [[New South Wales]] form the southernmost commercial sugar-growing region in Australia. The industry is concentrated along three major river valleys: the [[Tweed River]], [[Richmond River]] and [[Clarence River]], each of which contains an operating raw sugar mill.<br />
<br />
The cooler climate of northern New South Wales distinguishes the region from the tropical sugar districts of Queensland. Cane growers use a combination of one- and two-year cropping cycles to maximise production under conditions which can include low winter temperatures, frost, flooding, drought and poor drainage.<ref name="SunshineGrowing">Sunshine Sugar. ''NSW Sugar Industry – Cane Growing and Husbandry''. https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Reference-notes-NSW-New-Growers-2022_.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
The three mills at Harwood, Broadwater and Condong were purchased from the [[Colonial Sugar Refining Company]] by local growers in 1978 through the newly formed New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative Limited. Since 2015, the mills and Harwood refinery have operated as [[Sunshine Sugar]], a 50/50 partnership between the grower-owned NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative and the Australian family-owned [[Manildra Group]].<ref name="SunshineHistory">Sunshine Sugar. "Our Story". https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/our-story/</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Harwood Mill]] ===<br />
Located on [[Harwood Island]] beside the [[Clarence River]], Harwood Mill commenced crushing in 1874 and is the oldest continuously operating sugar mill in Australia.<ref name="SunshineSites">Sunshine Sugar Growers. "Our Sites". https://growers.sunshinesugar.com.au/component/content/article/our-sites?Itemid=233&amp;catid=67</ref><br />
<br />
Originally operated by CSR, Harwood became grower owned with the formation of the NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative in 1978. The mill currently has a crushing capacity of approximately 210 tonnes of cane per hour and processes cane grown across approximately 10,500 hectares of the Clarence Valley.<ref name="SunshineSites"/><br />
<br />
The Harwood site also contains the Manildra Harwood Sugar Refinery. Established through a partnership between the Co-operative and Manildra Group in 1988–89, the refinery has an annual production capacity of approximately 260,000 tonnes and produces white, brown, liquid and specialty sugars for Australian markets.<ref name="SunshineHistory"/><ref name="SunshineSites"/><br />
<br />
=== [[Broadwater Mill]] ===<br />
Broadwater Mill is situated beside the [[Richmond River]] at [[Broadwater, New South Wales|Broadwater]] and commenced crushing in 1881. Its cane-growing area covers approximately 14,900 hectares, the largest production area of the three Sunshine Sugar mills.<ref name="SunshineSites"/><br />
<br />
For much of its first century the factory relied heavily on the Richmond River and its tributaries for cane transport, with harvested cane carried to the mill aboard punts towed by steam and later diesel vessels. River transport was replaced by road haulage during the 1970s.<br />
<br />
Broadwater currently has a crushing capacity of approximately 270 tonnes of cane per hour.<ref name="SunshineSites"/><br />
<br />
Adjacent to the mill is the Broadwater biomass power station operated by Cape Byron Management. The 38 MW plant burns [[bagasse]] and other approved biomass fuels, supplying steam and electricity to the mill while exporting renewable electricity to the [[National Electricity Market]].<ref name="CapeByron">Cape Byron Management. "Cape Byron Management". https://www.capebyronpower.com/capebyronmanagement.html</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Condong Mill]] ===<br />
Condong Mill is located on the [[Tweed River]] near [[Murwillumbah]] and commenced crushing in 1880, making it the second-oldest continuously operating sugar mill in Australia after Harwood.<ref name="SunshineSites"/><br />
<br />
The mill processes cane grown across approximately 6,900 hectares of the Tweed Valley and has a current crushing capacity of approximately 185 tonnes of cane per hour.<ref name="SunshineSites"/><br />
<br />
Historically, Condong used a combination of river punts, a 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway and the New South Wales Government Railways network to transport cane and mill products. Its cane tramway eventually extended for approximately 58 kilometres before closing after the 1974 crushing season. Cane is now delivered entirely by road.<br />
<br />
The adjoining Condong biomass power station is operated by Cape Byron Management. The 30 MW facility uses [[bagasse]] and other biomass fuels to provide steam and electricity to the mill and export renewable electricity to the national grid.<ref name="CapeByron"/><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Broadwater_Mill&diff=917Broadwater Mill2026-10-05T04:53:25Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
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<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Broadwater Mill<br />
| image = <!-- Add image filename here --><br />
| caption = <!-- Add image caption here --><br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-29.0118,153.4337 29.0118° S, 153.4337° E]<br />
| region = [[New South Wales|Northern Rivers]]<br />
| lga = [[Richmond Valley Council]]<br />
| established = 1881 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1881}} years ago)<br />
| closed =<br />
| owner = [[Sunshine Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = Road transport only<br />
| crush = Approximately 520,000 tonnes (2024 season)<br />
}}<br />
'''Broadwater Mill''' is a raw sugar factory located on the eastern bank of the [[Richmond River]] at [[Broadwater, New South Wales|Broadwater]], approximately 25 kilometres south of [[Ballina, New South Wales|Ballina]] in the [[Northern Rivers]] region of [[New South Wales]]. The mill commenced crushing in 1881 and is one of three operating sugar mills in New South Wales, together with [[Condong Mill]] and [[Harwood Mill]].<ref name="SunshineStory">Sunshine Sugar. "Our Story". https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/our-story/</ref><br />
<br />
Broadwater is the largest of the three New South Wales mill areas by cane-growing footprint, processing cane grown across approximately 14,915 hectares of the Richmond Valley.<ref name="SunshineSites">Sunshine Sugar Growers. "Our Sites". https://growers.sunshinesugar.com.au/component/content/article/our-sites?Itemid=233&amp;catid=67</ref><br />
<br />
The mill is operated by [[Sunshine Sugar]], a 50/50 partnership between the grower-owned New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative Limited and the Australian family-owned [[Manildra Group]].<ref name="SunshineOwnership">NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative. "About Us". https://growers.sunshinesugar.com.au/component/content/category/uncategorized/uncategorized?Itemid=233</ref><br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
The [[Colonial Sugar Refining Company]] (CSR) established Broadwater Mill as part of its expansion into the cane-growing districts of northern New South Wales.<br />
<br />
Sugar cane had been cultivated along the [[Richmond River]] since the 1860s, with numerous small privately owned mills processing cane on individual farms. These small factories generally produced lower-quality sugar and became increasingly uneconomic as larger central mills were developed.<ref name="RichmondSugar">Richmond River Historical Society. "Sugar Cane". https://richmondriver.com.au/sugarcane/</ref><br />
<br />
CSR began work on its Broadwater factory in 1879. Land for the mill and associated company settlement was acquired on the eastern bank of the Richmond River, where the factory could receive cane from farms located along the river and its tributaries.<ref name="BroadwaterHistory">Richmond River Historical Society. "Broadwater". https://richmondriver.com.au/broadwater/</ref><br />
<br />
Broadwater Mill commenced crushing in 1881.<ref name="SunshineStory"/><br />
<br />
At the time of its construction, Broadwater was one of the largest and most technologically advanced sugar factories in Australia. The factory incorporated improvements observed by CSR manager Edward William Knox during a visit to sugar-producing countries overseas, including multiple-stage crushing of the cane.<ref name="TechnologyAustralia">Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre. ''Technology in Australia 1788–1988''. "Sugar". https://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/tia/108.html</ref><br />
<br />
By the late nineteenth century Broadwater was capable of crushing approximately 900 tons of cane per day and was described as one of the most important sugar factories in Australasia.<ref name="TechnologyAustralia"/><br />
<br />
The establishment of the large central factory contributed to the decline of many smaller sugar mills operating along the Richmond River, as local farmers increasingly supplied cane directly to CSR.<ref name="RichmondSugar"/><br />
<br />
=== CSR era ===<br />
CSR developed Broadwater as both an industrial complex and a company settlement. Housing was constructed near the factory for managers, skilled workers and labourers, while the mill became the principal economic centre of the surrounding district.<ref name="BroadwaterHistory"/><br />
<br />
The cane supply area extended along the Richmond River and its tributaries, including Emigrant Creek, German Creek, Bungawalbyn Creek and the South Arm. Cane was also cultivated on CSR-owned land as well as by independent farmers.<ref>Richmond River Historical Society. "Progress on the Richmond River, 1887". https://richmondriver.com.au/1887progress/</ref><br />
<br />
Broadwater remained under CSR ownership for almost a century.<br />
<br />
=== Grower ownership ===<br />
During the 1970s CSR decided to withdraw from sugar milling in northern New South Wales.<br />
<br />
Growers from the Tweed, Richmond and Clarence districts formed the New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative Limited and negotiated to purchase CSR's three remaining New South Wales factories.<br />
<br />
In 1978, the Co-operative acquired [[Condong Mill]], Broadwater Mill and [[Harwood Mill]] from CSR.<ref name="SunshineOwnership"/><br />
<br />
The transaction placed the three factories under grower ownership and created Australia's first multi-mill grower-owned sugar milling co-operative.<br />
<br />
=== Manildra partnership ===<br />
In 1988, the New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative entered into partnership with the Australian family-owned [[Manildra Group]] to establish a sugar refinery adjacent to [[Harwood Mill]]. The Manildra Harwood Sugar Refinery produced its first refined sugar on 28 September 1989.<ref name="SunshineSites"/><br />
<br />
The initial Manildra partnership applied to the refinery rather than ownership of the raw sugar mills.<br />
<br />
In June 2015, members of the NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative approved the integration of the milling and refining operations. Manildra Group acquired a 50 per cent interest in the three mills, with the combined operation commencing on 1 July 2015 as a 50/50 partnership between Manildra and the Co-operative.<ref name="SunshineOwnership"/><br />
<br />
The combined business operates under the [[Sunshine Sugar]] name.<br />
<br />
== Transport ==<br />
=== River transport ===<br />
For most of Broadwater's first century of operation, the [[Richmond River]] and its tributaries formed the principal cane transport system.<br />
<br />
Harvested cane was carried from farms to loading points along the waterways, where it was transferred into large punts. Groups of loaded punts were then towed to Broadwater Mill by steam and, later, diesel-powered tugs or droghers.<ref name="RichmondSugar"/><br />
<br />
The importance of this transport system reflected the geography of the lower Richmond district. Much of the cane was grown on low-lying floodplain and swamp country where road construction was initially difficult and expensive.<br />
<br />
Historical photographs from CSR records show large numbers of loaded cane punts and steam vessels operating at the Broadwater mill wharf during the 1890s.<ref>Australian National University Archives. "CSR Limited Head Office deposit – Broadwater Mill photographs". NBAC 142.</ref><br />
<br />
Broadwater's river transport operation was extensive, collecting cane from locations both upstream and downstream of the factory and from tributaries of the Richmond River.<br />
<br />
The introduction of mechanical cane harvesting and specialised road transport during the 1970s made the punt system increasingly obsolete.<br />
<br />
Cane transport by river ceased in 1974, after which road haulage became the standard method of delivering cane to Broadwater.<ref name="VisitNorthCoast">Destination NSW. "Ballina Region". https://www.visitnorthcoast.com.au/see-ballina-region/ballina/</ref><br />
<br />
=== Cane railway ===<br />
Unlike most Queensland sugar mills and the neighbouring [[Condong Mill]], Broadwater did not develop a mill-owned district cane railway.<br />
<br />
Its location on the Richmond River allowed the extensive network of navigable waterways to perform the function that narrow-gauge cane railways served elsewhere in the Australian sugar industry.<ref name="LRRSA">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. "Queensland and New South Wales sugar cane railways". https://www.lrrsa.org.au/LRR_SGRb.htm</ref><br />
<br />
The factory therefore passed directly from predominantly river-based cane transport to road haulage during the 1970s.<br />
<br />
=== Road transport ===<br />
Broadwater now receives all harvested cane by road.<br />
<br />
Sugar cane is mechanically harvested into large bins which are carried to the mill using specialised truck and trailer combinations operated as part of Sunshine Sugar's centralised cane-haulage fleet.<br />
<br />
The modern transport system allows cane to be transferred between the three New South Wales mill areas when factory availability or seasonal conditions require it.<br />
<br />
Approximately 350,000 tonnes of Broadwater-area cane crosses the Broadwater Bridge during a typical crushing season, making the bridge an important component of the mill's current cane transport system.<ref>Sunshine Sugar. "Solid start to the 2025 cane season". 18 July 2025. https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/solid-start-to-the-2025-cane-season/</ref><br />
<br />
== Milling ==<br />
Broadwater Mill operates continuously, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, during the crushing season apart from scheduled maintenance stoppages.<br />
<br />
Sunshine Sugar lists the factory's current crushing capacity as approximately 270 tonnes of cane per hour and its sugar production capacity as approximately 30 tonnes per hour.<ref name="SunshineSites"/><br />
<br />
The Broadwater production area covers approximately 14,915 hectares and is the largest cane-growing area supplying any of Sunshine Sugar's three mills.<ref name="SunshineSites"/><br />
<br />
Broadwater crushed approximately 520,000 tonnes of cane during the 2024 season. Crushing finished on 20 December 2024, with approximately 4,000 tonnes of remaining Broadwater cane subsequently transported to Harwood for processing.<ref name="Broadwater2024">Sunshine Sugar. "Early 2025 wrap-up for 2024 sugarcane season". 7 January 2025. https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/early-2025-wrap-up-for-2024-season/</ref><br />
<br />
For the 2025 season, Sunshine Sugar initially forecast a Broadwater crop of approximately 550,000 tonnes.<ref name="Broadwater2025">Sunshine Sugar. "NSW Sugar Mills Fire Up for the 2025 Season". 11 June 2025. https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/nsw-sugar-mills-fire-up-for-the-2025-season/</ref><br />
<br />
== Cogeneration ==<br />
A biomass cogeneration power station is located adjacent to Broadwater Mill.<br />
<br />
The modern power station was commissioned in 2008 as part of a renewable-energy development associated with the New South Wales sugar industry.<br />
<br />
The Broadwater plant has an electricity generating capacity of approximately 38 MW. It uses [[bagasse]], the fibrous residue remaining after cane crushing, together with approved wood residues and other biomass fuels to produce steam and electricity.<ref name="CapeByron">Cape Byron Management. "About Cape Byron Management". https://www.capebyronpower.com/capebyronmanagement.html</ref><br />
<br />
Steam generated by the plant is supplied to Broadwater Mill during the crushing season, while electricity is exported to the [[National Electricity Market]]. The use of supplementary biomass allows electricity generation to continue outside the cane crushing season.<br />
<br />
Cape Byron Management purchased the Broadwater and Condong power stations in November 2013.<ref name="CapeByron"/><br />
<br />
The two plants have a combined generating capacity of approximately 68 MW, comprising 38 MW at Broadwater and 30 MW at Condong.<ref name="CapeByron"/><br />
<br />
== 2022 flood ==<br />
Broadwater Mill was severely damaged during the catastrophic Northern Rivers floods of February and March 2022.<br />
<br />
Floodwaters from the Richmond River inundated the factory to a depth approaching three metres, the highest flood level recorded at the site. Electrical switchboards, motors, pumps, control equipment, buildings and other plant were damaged or destroyed.<ref name="Flood2022ABC">ABC News. "Broadwater Sugar Mill starts crushing after nearly $30 million in flood repairs". 6 September 2022. https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2022-09-06/broadwater-sugar-mill-crushing-cane-after-catastrophic-floods/101408454</ref><br />
<br />
Damage and repair costs were estimated at approximately $25–30 million.<ref name="Flood2022NSW">NSW Government. "Broadwater Sunshine Sugar Mill flood recovery works on track for the 2024 crush". 10 May 2024. https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/customer-service/media-releases/broadwater-sunshine-sugar-mill-flood-recovery-works-on-track-for-2024-crush</ref><br />
<br />
While Broadwater was unavailable, cane from the Richmond district was temporarily transported to Condong and Harwood mills.<br />
<br />
After approximately six months of repairs, Broadwater recommenced crushing on 5 September 2022 and ultimately processed almost 400,000 tonnes during an extended season which finished on 24 January 2023.<ref name="Flood2022ABC"/><ref>Sunshine Sugar. "That's a Wrap on the 2022 Cane Season". 25 January 2023. https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/thats-a-wrap-on-the-2022-cane-season/</ref><br />
<br />
Subsequent flood-mitigation works included raising electrical switchboards and other critical equipment above the 2022 flood level and replacing vulnerable buildings and storage infrastructure.<ref name="Flood2022NSW"/><br />
<br />
== Production Statistics ==<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Statistic<br />
! Value<br />
|-<br />
| Crushing commenced<br />
| 1881<br />
|-<br />
| Crushing capacity<br />
| 270 tonnes of cane per hour<br />
|-<br />
| Sugar production capacity<br />
| 30 tonnes per hour<br />
|-<br />
| Production area<br />
| Approximately 14,915 hectares<br />
|-<br />
| 2024 cane crush<br />
| Approximately 520,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Current cane transport<br />
| Road<br />
|-<br />
| Cogeneration capacity<br />
| 38 MW<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-29.0118, 153.4337</display_map><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Condong_Mill&diff=916Condong Mill2026-10-05T04:50:31Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
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<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Condong Mill<br />
| image = Sugar Mill Condong - panoramio.jpg<br />
| caption = Condong Sugar Mill, 2008. Lobster1.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-28.31411,153.43551 28.31411° S, 153.43551° E]<br />
| region = [[New South Wales|Northern Rivers]]<br />
| lga = [[Tweed Shire]]<br />
| established = 1880 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1880}} years ago)<br />
| closed =<br />
| owner = [[Sunshine Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = Road transport only (formerly 610 mm / 2 ft)<br />
| crush = 402,000 tonnes (2024 season)<br />
}}<br />
'''Condong Mill''' is a raw sugar factory located on the southern bank of the [[Tweed River]] at [[Condong, New South Wales|Condong]], approximately 4 kilometres north-east of [[Murwillumbah]] in the [[Northern Rivers]] region of [[New South Wales]]. The mill commenced crushing in 1880 and is the second-oldest continuously operating sugar mill in Australia, after [[Harwood Mill]], which commenced operations in 1874.<ref name="SunshineCondong">Sunshine Sugar. "Condong Mill". https://growers.sunshinesugar.com.au/component/content/article/condong-mill?Itemid=233&catid=16</ref><br />
<br />
Condong is one of three operating New South Wales sugar mills, together with [[Broadwater Mill]] on the Richmond River and Harwood on the Clarence River. The mills are operated by [[Sunshine Sugar]], a 50/50 partnership between the grower-owned New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative Limited and the Australian family-owned [[Manildra Group]].<ref name="SunshineStory">Sunshine Sugar. "Our Story". https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/our-story/</ref><br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
The [[Colonial Sugar Refining Company]] (CSR) acquired land on the southern bank of the Tweed River in 1877 as part of its expansion into the sugar-growing districts of northern New South Wales. Construction of Condong Mill commenced in 1879.<ref name="LRCondong">Belbin, Bruce. "Childers Number 4: Part Two – New South Wales". ''Light Railways'', No. 206, April 2009. https://media.lrrsa.org.au/bypa206/Light_Railways_206.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
The mill commenced crushing on 16 August 1880. During its first season Condong processed 5,564 tons of cane and produced 356 tons of raw sugar.<ref name="SunshineCondong"/><br />
<br />
Initially most cane was grown along the Tweed River and its tributaries and was transported to the factory by punt. CSR progressively expanded the mill and its cane supply area as sugar cultivation developed throughout the Tweed Valley.<ref name="LRCondong"/><br />
<br />
CSR subsequently established [[Broadwater Mill]] on the Richmond River in 1881, completing the group of three major Northern Rivers mills which, together with Harwood, remain in operation today.<br />
<br />
=== Expansion ===<br />
Condong experienced recurring difficulties securing sufficient cane during its early decades. To increase its supply area CSR progressively developed tramways into districts away from the river and acquired neighbouring sugar operations.<br />
<br />
In 1912, CSR purchased the Cudgen Mill from J. A. Robb & Company. Cudgen ceased crushing and its machinery was transferred to Condong to increase the factory's capacity.<ref name="LRCondong"/><br />
<br />
The former Cudgen cane railway continued operating, carrying cane to a wharf at Chinderah. From there the cane was loaded into punts for the journey upstream to Condong Mill. A connecting 610 mm gauge railway between the Condong and former Cudgen systems was eventually opened in 1959.<ref name="LRCondong"/><br />
<br />
=== Grower ownership ===<br />
During the 1970s CSR decided to withdraw from sugar milling in northern New South Wales. Local cane growers formed the New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative Limited and in 1978 purchased the Condong, Broadwater and Harwood mills from CSR.<ref name="SunshineStory"/><br />
<br />
The acquisition created Australia's first multi-mill grower-owned sugar co-operative.<br />
<br />
In 1988 the Co-operative entered into partnership with the [[Manildra Group]] to establish the Manildra Harwood Sugars refinery adjacent to [[Harwood Mill]]. The refinery produced its first refined sugar in September 1989.<br />
<br />
The Manildra partnership initially related to refining rather than ownership of the three raw sugar mills. In 2015, Manildra acquired a 50 per cent interest in the milling business and the milling and refining operations were combined under a 50/50 partnership with the NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative. The combined business operates as [[Sunshine Sugar]].<ref name="SunshineOwnership">NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative. "About Us". https://growers.sunshinesugar.com.au/component/content/category/uncategorized/uncategorized?Itemid=233</ref><br />
<br />
== Transport ==<br />
=== River transport ===<br />
The [[Tweed River]] was fundamental to the early Condong sugar industry. Most cane initially arrived at the factory aboard punts loaded at farms and riverside wharves throughout the district.<ref name="LRCondong"/><br />
<br />
The punts were assembled into groups and towed to Condong by launches and tugs. River transport allowed cane to be collected from areas where nineteenth-century roads were unsuitable for heavy agricultural traffic.<br />
<br />
Cane punts continued to form part of the district transport system well into the twentieth century. Their importance declined with the introduction of mechanical harvesting and road-hauled cane bins during the 1970s.<br />
<br />
=== Cane tramway ===<br />
Condong developed the most extensive mill-owned cane railway system operated by a CSR mill in New South Wales.<br />
<br />
The first line was a horse-operated 610 mm (2 ft) gauge tramway approximately 4 kilometres long serving growers around German Creek. Although proposed in 1883, it was constructed in early 1885 and proved sufficiently successful for further lines to be built.<ref name="LRTransport">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. "Sugar cane transport". https://www.lrrsa.org.au/LRR_SGRb.htm</ref><br />
<br />
By 1897 approximately seven miles of tramway were operating. Horses initially provided all motive power, with small internal-combustion locomotives introduced during the early 1920s.<ref name="LRCondong"/><br />
<br />
The Condong network expanded substantially during the twentieth century. A line towards Tumbulgum was completed in 1952 and the previously isolated Cudgen system was connected with Condong in 1959.<br />
<br />
By the 1960s the combined network extended approximately 36 route miles (58 kilometres) and was operated by a fleet of steam-converted and diesel locomotives.<ref name="LRCondong"/><br />
<br />
Mechanical cane harvesting began on a large scale at Condong during the 1971 season. Unlike most Queensland mills, Condong did not substantially rebuild its railway system to handle large quantities of mechanically harvested cane, instead introducing road-hauled bins.<br />
<br />
The Crabbes Creek tramway closed after the 1972 crushing season. By the end of 1973 rail operations had contracted to the Tumbulgum area, and the remaining Condong tramway system closed at the end of the 1974 season.<ref name="LRCondong"/><br />
<br />
=== Locomotives ===<br />
The Condong and Cudgen systems employed a varied locomotive fleet.<br />
<br />
Early steam locomotives included Krauss 0-4-0WT ''Eviron'' (works number 2195 of 1889) and several [[John Fowler & Co.]] locomotives. The Decauville 0-6-2T ''Torpedo'' (works number 245 of 1897), formerly used at [[Childers Sugar Mill]], was transferred to the Cudgen system under Condong ownership in 1913.<ref name="LRCondong"/><br />
<br />
By the 1960s the fleet included Fowler locomotives rebuilt with diesel engines and purpose-built diesel locomotives from manufacturers including [[Motor Rail]], [[Ruston & Hornsby]] and [[E.M. Baldwin]].<br />
<br />
Ruston & Hornsby 40DL locomotive works number 371959, built in 1953, subsequently worked in the Condong operation. It is now preserved in operational condition by the Illawarra Light Railway Museum Society at Albion Park Rail.<ref name="CondongRuston">Illawarra Light Railway Museum Society. "Condong Ruston". https://ilrms.com.au/rail/condong-ruston/</ref><br />
<br />
=== Government railway ===<br />
The extension of the New South Wales Government Railways line from Murwillumbah to Condong opened in 1894. The approximately 5 kilometre standard-gauge branch followed the Tweed River to the mill and was reportedly the longest private siding on the New South Wales railway system when constructed.<ref name="TweedHeritage">Tweed Shire Council. ''Tweed Heritage Inventory''. https://www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/public/documents/community/heritage-and-history/heritage-site-data-cards.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
The government railway allowed cane from more distant areas to be carried to Condong in standard-gauge wagons. Cane from the Mooball and Crabbes Creek districts, for example, was transferred from CSR's narrow-gauge tramway into government wagons at Crabbes Creek for delivery through Murwillumbah to Condong.<ref name="LRCondong"/><br />
<br />
The siding also handled sugar, molasses, coal and other traffic associated with the mill. Remnants of the former standard-gauge formation and track survive around Condong.<br />
<br />
=== Road transport ===<br />
Condong now receives harvested cane entirely by road.<br />
<br />
Mechanically harvested cane is transferred into bins at farms and hauled to the mill by Sunshine Sugar's specialised road transport fleet. The transition to road haulage began during the early 1970s and had completely replaced Condong's mill railway by 1975.<br />
<br />
== Milling ==<br />
Condong operates continuously, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, during the crushing season apart from scheduled maintenance stoppages.<br />
<br />
Sunshine Sugar lists the mill's current crushing capacity at approximately 185 tonnes of cane per hour and its sugar production capacity at approximately 24 tonnes per hour. The Condong production area comprises approximately 6,923 hectares of cane land.<ref name="SunshineSites">Sunshine Sugar Growers. "Our Sites". https://growers.sunshinesugar.com.au/component/content/article/our-sites?Itemid=233&catid=67</ref><br />
<br />
Condong also produces Direct Consumption raw sugar and Sunshine Sugar's Low GI sugar within the milling process.<ref name="SunshineStory"/><br />
<br />
During the 2024 season the mill crushed just over 402,000 tonnes of cane, completing its season on 13 December.<ref name="Condong2024">Sunshine Sugar. "Early 2025 wrap-up for 2024 season". 7 January 2025. https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/early-2025-wrap-up-for-2024-season/</ref><br />
<br />
Approximately 400,000 tonnes of cane were forecast for the Condong mill area for the 2025 season.<ref name="Condong2025">Sunshine Sugar. "NSW Sugar Mills Fire Up for the 2025 Season". 11 June 2025. https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/nsw-sugar-mills-fire-up-for-the-2025-season/</ref><br />
<br />
== Cogeneration ==<br />
A biomass cogeneration plant is located alongside Condong Mill.<br />
<br />
The power station was originally developed through a joint venture involving the NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative and Delta Electricity. The modern plant was commissioned in 2008 and has a generating capacity of approximately 30 MW.<ref name="CapeByron">Cape Byron Power. "Cape Byron Management". https://www.capebyronpower.com/capebyronmanagement.html</ref><br />
<br />
It uses [[bagasse]], the fibrous residue remaining after cane crushing, together with other approved biomass fuels. The plant supplies steam and electricity required by Condong Mill during the crushing season and exports electricity to the [[National Electricity Market]]. It can also operate outside the crushing season using other biomass fuels.<br />
<br />
Cape Byron Management acquired the Condong and Broadwater power stations in November 2013 and continues to operate them independently of Sunshine Sugar.<ref name="CapeByron"/><br />
<br />
== Flooding ==<br />
Condong's location immediately beside the Tweed River leaves the factory vulnerable to major flooding.<br />
<br />
In March 2017 the mill site was inundated by approximately 1.5 metres of floodwater, requiring the evacuation of employees and extensive repairs before the crushing season.<ref name="Flood2017">Sunshine Sugar. "Flood Impact to NSW Sugar Industry – Update". 31 March 2017. https://growers.sunshinesugar.com.au/component/content/category/news?Itemid=233</ref><br />
<br />
The February–March 2022 Northern Rivers floods again inundated the factory, with approximately one metre of water reported throughout the site. Condong was repaired in time to begin crushing during June 2022 and ultimately processed approximately 395,000 tonnes of cane for the season.<ref name="Flood2022">Sunshine Sugar. "March Flood Recovery". https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/march-flood-recovery/</ref><ref>Sunshine Sugar. "That's a Wrap on the 2022 Cane Season". 25 January 2023. https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/thats-a-wrap-on-the-2022-cane-season/</ref><br />
<br />
Sunshine Sugar subsequently secured government funding for flood-mitigation works at Condong, including protection of critical mill infrastructure.<ref>Sunshine Sugar. "Supporting a Resilient Sugar Industry". 12 January 2024. https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/supporting-a-resilient-sugar-industry/</ref><br />
<br />
== Production Statistics ==<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Statistic<br />
! Value<br />
|-<br />
| Crushing commenced<br />
| 16 August 1880<br />
|-<br />
| Crushing capacity<br />
| 185 tonnes of cane per hour<br />
|-<br />
| Sugar production capacity<br />
| 24 tonnes per hour<br />
|-<br />
| Production area<br />
| Approximately 6,923 hectares<br />
|-<br />
| 2024 cane crush<br />
| Just over 402,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Current cane transport<br />
| Road<br />
|-<br />
| Historical tramway gauge<br />
| 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
|-<br />
| Maximum historical tramway extent<br />
| Approximately 58 km<br />
|-<br />
| Cogeneration capacity<br />
| 30 MW<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-28.31411, 153.43551</display_map><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Harwood_Mill&diff=915Harwood Mill2026-10-05T04:46:12Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Harwood Mill<br />
| image = <!-- Add image filename here --><br />
| caption = <!-- Add image caption here --><br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-29.4250,153.2480 29.4250° S, 153.2480° E]<br />
| region = [[New South Wales|Northern Rivers]]<br />
| lga = [[Clarence Valley Council]]<br />
| established = 1874 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1874}} years ago)<br />
| closed =<br />
| owner = [[Sunshine Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = Road transport only (formerly 610 mm / 2 ft)<br />
| crush = 588,000 tonnes (2024 season)<br />
}}<br />
'''Harwood Mill''' is a raw sugar factory located on [[Harwood Island]] on the [[Clarence River]] in the [[Northern Rivers]] region of [[New South Wales]]. The mill commenced crushing in 1874 and is the oldest continuously operating sugar mill in Australia.<ref name="SunshineStory">Sunshine Sugar. "Our Story". https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/our-story/</ref><br />
<br />
Harwood is one of three operating sugar mills in New South Wales, together with [[Broadwater Mill]] on the Richmond River and [[Condong Mill]] on the Tweed River. The Harwood site also contains the Manildra Harwood Sugar Refinery, which produces refined sugar and sugar products for the Australian market.<br />
<br />
The mill and refinery are operated by [[Sunshine Sugar]], a 50/50 partnership between the grower-owned New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative Limited and the Australian family-owned [[Manildra Group]].<ref name="SunshineStory"/><br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
The origins of Harwood Mill can be traced to the [[Colonial Sugar Refining Company]]'s early expansion into northern New South Wales. CSR commenced sugar operations on the Clarence River in 1870.<br />
<br />
The machinery used to establish Harwood had previously operated at CSR's Darkwater Mill on the [[Macleay River]]. After only three crushing seasons there, the Darkwater factory was dismantled and transferred to Harwood Island during 1873.<ref name="LRHarwood">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. "Harwood Sugar Mill tramway remains". ''Light Railways'', No. 243, June 2015. https://media.lrrsa.org.au/huto243/Light_Railways_243.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
Harwood Mill commenced crushing in 1874. Its first crop comprised approximately 25,550 tons of cane, processed at a crushing rate of around 10 tons per hour.<ref name="HarwoodProfile">Sunshine Sugar Growers. "Harwood Mill". https://growers.sunshinesugar.com.au/component/content/article/harwood-mill</ref><br />
<br />
The factory subsequently became one of CSR's three major Northern Rivers sugar mills, together with [[Condong Mill]], which commenced crushing in 1880, and [[Broadwater Mill]], which commenced in 1881.<br />
<br />
Harwood celebrated 150 years of continuous sugar milling in 2024.<ref>Sunshine Sugar. "150th Harwood Mill". https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/150th-harwood-mill-landing-page/</ref><br />
<br />
=== CSR era ===<br />
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries CSR progressively developed Harwood as a central mill supplied by independent cane farmers throughout the Clarence River district.<br />
<br />
The mill's location on the Clarence River made water transport particularly important. Harvested cane was carried from farms to river loading points and loaded aboard punts or barges, which were towed to Harwood by company steam launches and tugs.<br />
<br />
By 1881, 55 cane punts were operating on the Clarence River. Larger iron punts capable of carrying between 120 and 150 tons of cane were introduced during the 1870s as production increased.<ref name="LRTransport">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. "Sugar cane transport". https://www.lrrsa.org.au/LRR_SGRb.htm</ref><br />
<br />
River transport remained an important feature of the Clarence sugar industry for approximately a century.<br />
<br />
=== Grower ownership ===<br />
During the 1970s CSR decided to withdraw from sugar milling in northern New South Wales. Cane growers negotiated to purchase CSR's Harwood, Broadwater and Condong mills rather than allow the factories to close or be sold separately.<br />
<br />
The [[New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative]] was formed in 1978 and purchased all three mills from CSR.<ref name="SunshineStory"/><br />
<br />
This created Australia's first multi-mill grower-owned sugar co-operative.<br />
<br />
=== Manildra partnership ===<br />
During the late 1980s the NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative entered into partnership with the Australian family-owned [[Manildra Group]] to establish a sugar refinery alongside Harwood Mill.<br />
<br />
The Manildra Harwood Sugar Refinery produced its first refined sugar on 28 September 1989. The refinery allowed raw sugar produced by the New South Wales mills to be converted into white and specialty sugars for the domestic market.<ref name="HarwoodSites">Sunshine Sugar Growers. "Our Sites". https://growers.sunshinesugar.com.au/component/content/article/our-sites</ref><br />
<br />
In 2015, Manildra Group acquired a 50 per cent interest in the milling operations. From 1 July 2015 the three mills and Harwood refinery were operated together under a 50/50 partnership between Manildra Group and the NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative.<ref name="SunshineStory"/><br />
<br />
The combined business trades as [[Sunshine Sugar]].<br />
<br />
== Transport ==<br />
=== River transport ===<br />
For much of Harwood's history, the extensive waterways of the Clarence River provided the principal means of moving cane from farms to the mill.<br />
<br />
Cane was initially cut by hand and transported by horse-drawn wagon to loading points on the river and its tributaries. Derricks were used to transfer bundles of cane into punts, which were then assembled into groups and towed to Harwood by tugs.<ref name="Beardmore">Heritage NSW. "MV Beardmore". https://apps.environment.nsw.gov.au/dpcheritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=5069369</ref><br />
<br />
The introduction of mechanical harvesting and large cane bins during the 1970s fundamentally changed the system. Cane punt operations ceased in 1974 as road transport replaced river haulage.<ref name="NSWMaritime">Heritage NSW. "Unidentified Harwood Island Ships Graveyard (Steel Cane Barge 28)". https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/maritimeheritageapp/ViewSiteDetail.aspx?siteid=3917</ref><br />
<br />
A number of former cane barges remain abandoned around Harwood Island as reminders of the river transport system.<br />
<br />
=== Harwood tramway ===<br />
Harwood Mill also operated a small 610 mm (2 ft) gauge tramway on Harwood Island.<br />
<br />
Unlike the extensive cane railway systems developed by Queensland sugar mills, most cane supplied to Harwood historically arrived by river. The Harwood railway was therefore relatively small and served areas close to the mill.<ref name="LRHarwood"/><br />
<br />
The system included tracks extending from the mill across Mill Lane, Petticoat Lane and Morpeth Street. Historical evidence also records proposals for extensions into surrounding cane-growing areas, although most Clarence cane continued to arrive by river barge.<br />
<br />
During its later years the tramway was worked by two small [[Motor Rail]] "Simplex" internal-combustion locomotives. One was Motor Rail works number 4214 of 1929.<ref name="LRHarwood"/><br />
<br />
The Harwood tramway closed following the 1973 crushing season. On a visit in August 1974 the railway was already out of use and both locomotives had been removed.<ref name="LRHarwood"/><br />
<br />
Sections of 610 mm gauge track remained visible on Harwood Island decades after closure and have been identified as items of local heritage significance.<br />
<br />
=== Road transport ===<br />
Harwood now receives harvested cane entirely by road.<br />
<br />
Cane is mechanically harvested into bins at farms and transferred to specialised road trailers for transport to the mill. Sunshine Sugar operates a dedicated cane-haulage fleet across the Harwood, Broadwater and Condong mill areas.<ref name="SunshineTransport">Sunshine Sugar. "Our Story – Transport". https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/our-story/</ref><br />
<br />
Modern cane transport uses high-capacity truck and trailer combinations fitted with GPS and other fleet-management systems. Eleven cane-haulage vehicles were allocated to the Harwood area during the 2024 season.<ref>NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative. ''Annual Report 2024''.</ref><br />
<br />
== Milling ==<br />
Harwood operates continuously, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, during the crushing season apart from scheduled maintenance stoppages.<br />
<br />
The mill's current published crushing capacity is approximately 210 tonnes of cane per hour, with a sugar production capacity of approximately 26.5 tonnes per hour.<ref name="HarwoodSites"/><br />
<br />
Approximately 10,500 hectares of cane-growing land are associated with the Harwood mill area.<ref name="HarwoodSites"/><br />
<br />
Harwood crushed approximately 588,000 tonnes of cane during the 2024 season.<ref name="Harwood2024">Sunshine Sugar. "Early 2025 wrap-up for 2024 season". 7 January 2025. https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/early-2025-wrap-up-for-2024-season/</ref><br />
<br />
The 2025 crop was initially forecast at between 650,000 and 700,000 tonnes of cane.<ref>Sunshine Sugar. "NSW Sugar Mills Fire Up for the 2025 Season". 11 June 2025. https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/nsw-sugar-mills-fire-up-for-the-2025-season/</ref><br />
<br />
== Harwood refinery ==<br />
The Manildra Harwood Sugar Refinery is located immediately alongside the raw sugar mill.<br />
<br />
Raw sugar produced at Harwood and [[Broadwater Mill]] can be transferred to the refinery for further processing. The refinery operates throughout the year, independently of the seasonal cane crush.<ref name="MakingSugar">Sunshine Sugar. "Making Sugar in NSW". https://www.sunshinesugar.com.au/making-sugar/</ref><br />
<br />
The refinery produces white granulated sugar, caster sugar, icing sugar, brown sugar, liquid sugars, syrups and other specialist products.<br />
<br />
Its current production capacity is approximately 260,000 tonnes of refined sugar per year.<ref name="HarwoodSites"/><br />
<br />
In addition to the mill and refinery, the Harwood site contains warehousing and distribution facilities. A 4,000-square-metre, $9 million logistics warehouse was opened in 2020.<ref name="SunshineStory"/><br />
<br />
== Production Statistics ==<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Statistic<br />
! Value<br />
|-<br />
| Crushing commenced<br />
| 1874<br />
|-<br />
| Crushing capacity<br />
| 210 tonnes of cane per hour<br />
|-<br />
| Sugar production capacity<br />
| 26.5 tonnes per hour<br />
|-<br />
| 2024 cane crush<br />
| Approximately 588,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Cane production area<br />
| Approximately 10,517 hectares<br />
|-<br />
| Refinery capacity<br />
| Approximately 260,000 tonnes annually<br />
|-<br />
| Current cane transport<br />
| Road<br />
|-<br />
| Historical tramway gauge<br />
| 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-29.4250, 153.2480</display_map><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Southern_Region&diff=914Southern Region2026-10-05T04:42:07Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>The Southern Region encompasses Queensland's sugar-growing districts from [[Bundaberg]] and [[Childers]] south through the former [[Maryborough]] and [[Sunshine Coast]] milling areas to Rocky Point on the northern [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]]. The region once contained numerous plantation, juice and central mills, but successive consolidation and declining cane supply have reduced the industry to three operating raw sugar factories: [[Millaquin Mill]], operated by [[Bundaberg Sugar]]; the grower-owned [[Isis Central Sugar Mill]]; and the family-owned [[Rocky Point Mill]].<ref name="ASMCSouthern">Australian Sugar Milling Council. ''Target 34: A Pathway to Sustainable Cane Supply''. https://asmc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AUSMC27132-TARGET-34-PAPER_FINAL.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
The Bundaberg and Isis districts are major irrigated cane-growing areas, while the former Maryborough and Sunshine Coast industries have undergone substantial contraction. The closure of both Bingera and Maryborough mills following the 2020 season represented the most recent major rationalisation of milling capacity in the region.<ref name="ASMCSouthern"/><br />
<br />
=== [[Bingera Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
Bingera Mill was established by the Gibson and Howes families in 1885 on the northern side of the [[Burnett River]]. It developed into one of the largest mills in the Bundaberg district and remained under family control until becoming part of [[Bundaberg Sugar]] in 1972.<br />
<br />
Declining regional cane production led Bundaberg Sugar to close Bingera following the 2020 crushing season after 135 years of operation. All remaining Bundaberg Sugar cane is now crushed at [[Millaquin Mill]]. Portions of Bingera's former 610 mm gauge railway network remain in use to collect cane from districts north of the Burnett River.<ref name="BingeraClose">ABC News. "Bundaberg Sugar announces closure of 135-year-old Bingera sugar mill following low cane supply". 23 October 2020. https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2020-10-23/bingera-sugar-mill-closure-bundaberg-sugar-cane/12808948</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Maryborough Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
The Maryborough Sugar Factory Company was established in 1894 and commenced sugar production in 1895. The mill subsequently became the principal processing factory for cane grown throughout the Maryborough and Fraser Coast districts.<br />
<br />
In its later years the mill was operated by MSF Sugar, which became part of the Thai sugar group [[Mitr Phol]] in 2012. MSF announced in November 2020 that the 2020 crushing season would be the mill's last, ending 126 years of operation.<ref name="MSFClose">ABC News. "Maryborough sugar mill to close as stakeholders move to secure the industry's future". 26 November 2020. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-26/maryborough-sugar-mill-is-to-close-this-year/12922196</ref><br />
<br />
Cane production has continued in parts of the former Maryborough mill area. From 2021, substantial quantities of Fraser Coast cane have been transported north for crushing at [[Isis Central Sugar Mill]]. Cane is generally hauled by road from the Maryborough district to transfer facilities before completing its journey to Isis Central in cane railway bins.<br />
<br />
=== [[Fairymead Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
The Fairymead plantation was developed by the Young family from 1880. Cane juice from the plantation was initially transported to Millaquin for processing, before Fairymead became a complete sugar mill in 1884.<br />
<br />
The Young family developed Fairymead into one of the major sugar enterprises of the Bundaberg district and introduced a number of innovations in cane cultivation, harvesting and transport. Fairymead subsequently became part of [[Bundaberg Sugar]].<br />
<br />
Bundaberg Sugar announced the closure of Fairymead in February 2005 after declining cane supply made continued operation uneconomic. Former Fairymead cane was redistributed to Bingera and Millaquin, and portions of its cane railway system continued to be used after milling ceased.<ref name="FairymeadClose">ABC News. "Fairymead sugar mill to shut doors". 4 February 2005. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-02-04/fairymead-sugar-mill-to-shut-doors/630858</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Millaquin Mill]] ===<br />
Millaquin commenced operations in 1882 on the southern side of the [[Burnett River]]. Originally established as a refinery receiving juice from numerous small plantation crushing mills, it progressively developed into a complete raw sugar factory during the early twentieth century.<br />
<br />
Millaquin became part of [[Bundaberg Sugar]] in 1975. Following the closure of Fairymead in 2005 and Bingera in 2020, it became Bundaberg Sugar's sole operating mill and now processes the company's entire regional cane crop.<br />
<br />
The Millaquin site also incorporates a sugar refinery producing refined sugar for domestic industrial, retail and hospitality markets.<br />
<br />
=== [[Gin Gin Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
Gin Gin Mill was established at [[Wallaville]] as a Queensland Government central mill and commenced crushing in 1896. It came under co-operative grower ownership in 1927.<ref name="GinGinHistory">Queensland Places. "Gin Gin". https://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/gin-gin</ref><br />
<br />
The mill was purchased by Gibson & Howes, owners of [[Bingera Mill]], in 1965 and became part of [[Bundaberg Sugar]] when that company was formed in 1972.<br />
<br />
Gin Gin closed following the 1974 crushing season. Its cane supply was transferred to Bingera and a 610 mm gauge railway connection was constructed between the former Gin Gin network at Wallaville and the Bingera system, allowing cane to be hauled directly to Bingera.<ref name="GinGinRail">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Light Railways'', No. 182, April 2005.</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Qunaba Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
Qunaba Mill originated as the Mon Repos plantation and juice mill east of Bundaberg. The operation developed into a complete sugar mill during the 1880s.<br />
<br />
In 1899 the Queensland National Bank acquired the Mon Repos mill and plantation and renamed the operation '''Qunaba''', a name formed from the words '''QU'''eensland '''NA'''tional '''BA'''nk.<ref name="QunabaHistory">Bundaberg Regional Council. "History of former Queensland National Bank". 10 August 2023. https://www.brcnow.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/2023/08/10/history-of-the-former-queensland-national-bank/</ref><br />
<br />
Qunaba later became part of the Millaquin and subsequently Bundaberg Sugar operations. The mill closed in 1985 as part of the rationalisation of the Bundaberg industry. Its cane supply area and railway network were divided between [[Millaquin Mill]] and [[Fairymead Mill]].<ref name="LRRSAClosures">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. "Queensland sugar cane railways today". https://www.lrrsa.org.au/LRR_SGRz.htm</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Isis Central Sugar Mill|Isis Central Mill]] ===<br />
Isis Central commenced crushing on 7 September 1897 near [[Childers, Queensland|Childers]]. Established by local cane growers with Queensland Government financial assistance, it remains locally owned through the Isis Central Sugar Mill Company Limited.<br />
<br />
The factory became the sole operating mill in the Childers district following the closure of CSR's Childers Mill after the 1932 season.<br />
<br />
Isis Central has expanded its supply area substantially in recent decades. A 39 kilometre cane railway extension from Cordalba to Wallaville was completed for the 2020 crushing season, while the closure of [[Maryborough Mill]] later that year resulted in large quantities of Fraser Coast cane being transferred to Isis for processing.<br />
<br />
As of 2026, approximately 200 growers from the Fraser Coast through to the North Burnett supply Isis Central, making it Australia's last grower-owned sugar mill.<ref name="Isis2026">ABC News. "Australia's last grower-owned sugar mill seeks government bailout". 22 September 2026. https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2026-09-22/australia-last-grower-owned-sugar-mill-seeks-government-bailout/107158784</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Childers Sugar Mill|Childers Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
The [[Colonial Sugar Refining Company]] established Childers Mill at Huxley in 1894. The factory competed with the nearby Isis Central Mill for cane throughout the early twentieth century.<br />
<br />
Declining cane supply and poor financial performance led CSR to decide in September 1932 that Childers would cease operations. The mill completed its final crushing season that year, with railway equipment and other assets progressively disposed of during 1933.<br />
<br />
The closure left [[Isis Central Sugar Mill]] as the sole operating factory in the Childers district. Isis subsequently acquired portions of the former CSR tramway and water-supply infrastructure.<br />
<br />
=== [[Moreton Central Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
The Moreton Central Sugar Mill Company was formed in December 1894 under the Queensland Government's ''Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893''. Construction of its factory at [[Nambour]] commenced in 1895 and the first cane crop was crushed in 1897.<ref name="MoretonHistory">Sunshine Coast Council. "Backward Glance – Industries of earlier times". https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/news/backward-glance-industries-of-earlier-times-291119</ref><br />
<br />
Moreton Mill and its extensive 610 mm gauge cane railway became central to the development of Nambour and the surrounding Sunshine Coast hinterland sugar industry.<br />
<br />
The mill completed its final crushing season on 4 December 2003 after 106 years of operation.<ref name="MoretonClosure">Sunshine Coast Council. "The Last Crush". https://heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/stories/agriculture/last-crush</ref> The railway system was subsequently dismantled and the mill itself was demolished in 2006. A small number of remaining Sunshine Coast growers subsequently transported cane north to [[Maryborough Mill]] until that factory also closed in 2020.<br />
<br />
=== [[Rocky Point Mill]] ===<br />
Rocky Point Mill is located at [[Woongoolba]] on the northern [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]]. The Heck family established its sugar operation at Rocky Point in the late 1870s, with the mill traditionally dating its commencement of operations to 1879.<br />
<br />
The mill remains owned by W.H. Heck & Sons Pty Ltd and is unusual in the modern Australian industry as a long-established family-owned sugar factory. It is also one of the few Australian mills relying entirely on road transport for its cane supply, its former 610 mm gauge tramway having closed in 1951.<br />
<br />
Rocky Point also contains a 30 MW biomass cogeneration plant using [[bagasse]] and other biomass fuels to produce steam and electricity.<br />
<br />
In 2026, approximately 50 district growers were notified that their cane supply agreements would terminate following the 2027 crushing season. The agreements remain in force for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Although grower representatives have described the decision as signalling the end of milling at Rocky Point, mill owner David Heck had not formally confirmed permanent closure of the factory as of August 2026.<ref name="RockyPoint2026">ABC News. "Gold Coast canefarmers 'devastated' after sugar mill terminates contract". 20 August 2026. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-20/rocky-point-sugar-mill-terminates-cane-growers-contract/107051562</ref><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Southern_Region&diff=913Southern Region2026-10-05T04:41:38Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>The Southern Region encompasses Queensland's sugar-growing districts from [[Bundaberg]] and [[Childers]] south through the former [[Maryborough]] and [[Sunshine Coast]] milling areas to Rocky Point on the northern [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]]. The region once contained numerous plantation, juice and central mills, but successive consolidation and declining cane supply have reduced the industry to three operating raw sugar factories: [[Millaquin Mill]], operated by [[Bundaberg Sugar]]; the grower-owned [[Isis Central Sugar Mill]]; and the family-owned [[Rocky Point Mill]].<ref name="ASMCSouthern">Australian Sugar Milling Council. ''Target 34: A Pathway to Sustainable Cane Supply''. https://asmc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AUSMC27132-TARGET-34-PAPER_FINAL.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
The Bundaberg and Isis districts are major irrigated cane-growing areas, while the former Maryborough and Sunshine Coast industries have undergone substantial contraction. The closure of both Bingera and Maryborough mills following the 2020 season represented the most recent major rationalisation of milling capacity in the region.<ref name="ASMCSouthern"/><br />
<br />
=== [[Bingera Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
Bingera Mill was established by the Gibson and Howes families in 1885 on the northern side of the [[Burnett River]]. It developed into one of the largest mills in the Bundaberg district and remained under family control until becoming part of [[Bundaberg Sugar]] in 1972.<br />
<br />
Declining regional cane production led Bundaberg Sugar to close Bingera following the 2020 crushing season after 135 years of operation. All remaining Bundaberg Sugar cane is now crushed at [[Millaquin Mill]]. Portions of Bingera's former 610 mm gauge railway network remain in use to collect cane from districts north of the Burnett River.<ref name="BingeraClose">ABC News. "Bundaberg Sugar announces closure of 135-year-old Bingera sugar mill following low cane supply". 23 October 2020. https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2020-10-23/bingera-sugar-mill-closure-bundaberg-sugar-cane/12808948</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Maryborough Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
The Maryborough Sugar Factory Company was established in 1894 and commenced sugar production in 1895. The mill subsequently became the principal processing factory for cane grown throughout the Maryborough and Fraser Coast districts.<br />
<br />
In its later years the mill was operated by MSF Sugar, which became part of the Thai sugar group [[Mitr Phol]] in 2012. MSF announced in November 2020 that the 2020 crushing season would be the mill's last, ending 126 years of</div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Rocky_Point_Mill&diff=912Rocky Point Mill2026-10-05T04:39:27Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Rocky Point Mill<br />
| image = View of the Rocky Point Sugar Mill, Mill Road, Steiglitz, 2022 02.jpg<br />
| caption = Rocky Point Sugar Mill at Mill Road, 2022.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-27.734646232916354,153.3275406472751 27.73464° S, 153.32754° E]<br />
| region = [[Southern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[City of Gold Coast]]<br />
| established = 1879 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1879}} years ago)<br />
| closed = <br />
| owner = [[Heck Group|W.H. Heck & Sons Pty Ltd]]<br />
| gauge = Road transport only<br />
| crush = Up to approximately 290,000 tonnes annually<br />
}}<br />
'''Rocky Point Mill''' is a raw sugar factory located at [[Woongoolba]], on the boundary with [[Steiglitz, Queensland|Steiglitz]], in the northern [[City of Gold Coast]], [[Queensland]]. It is the southernmost operating sugar mill in Queensland and is owned by W.H. Heck & Sons Pty Ltd, remaining under the control of the Heck family more than a century after its establishment.<ref name="ABC2026">ABC News. "Gold Coast canefarmers 'devastated' after sugar mill terminates contract". 20 August 2026. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-20/rocky-point-sugar-mill-terminates-cane-growers-contract/107051562</ref><br />
<br />
Rocky Point is unusual among Queensland sugar mills in relying entirely on road transport for delivery of harvested cane. The mill formerly operated its own 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane tramway, but this closed in 1951.<ref name="LR92">Browning, John. "The Rocky Point Mill Tramway". ''Light Railways'', No. 92, April 1986. https://media.lrrsa.org.au/zima092/Light_Railways_092.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
Rocky Point Mill was established by German immigrant Carl Heinrich Heck. Heck arrived in Queensland in 1866 and settled near Alberton, where he operated a grist mill and began growing sugar cane. His cane was initially sent to Rehfeldt's mill at Alberton for crushing.<ref name="LR92"/><br />
<br />
In 1878, Heck moved to Rocky Point, near the mouth of the [[Logan River]], where he established a small farm and began constructing his own sugar-processing operation. The first Rocky Point mill was operating by 1879. It was a small family-run factory with hand-fed rollers and open-pan sugar production.<ref name="LR92"/><ref name="QueenslandPlaces">Queensland Places. "Steiglitz". https://queenslandplaces.com.au/steiglitz</ref><br />
<br />
Some modern sources give 1878 as the establishment date, reflecting the year Heck moved to Rocky Point and began developing the property. The mill itself traditionally marked its establishment from 1879, including celebrating its centenary in April 1979.<ref name="LR92"/><br />
<br />
In 1886, Heck purchased a vacuum pan from William Gibson's Clydesdale Mill at Hemmant, whose owners had relocated to [[Bingera Mill|Bingera]] near Bundaberg. The acquisition began a long tradition of purchasing and reusing machinery from other sugar mills.<ref name="LR92"/><br />
<br />
=== Expansion ===<br />
During the late nineteenth century the Logan and Beenleigh districts contained numerous small sugar mills. In 1885 there were approximately 40 mills in the Logan district, but this had fallen to 18 by 1888 and nine by 1900.<ref name="LR92"/><br />
<br />
Management of Rocky Point passed to Carl Heck's son Wilhelm Heinrich Heck during the early twentieth century.<br />
<br />
A major expansion followed the closure of the government-owned Nerang Central Mill at Benowa in 1917. W.H. Heck purchased the Nerang machinery for £5,000 and progressively installed it at Rocky Point. The improvements increased the mill's crushing capacity substantially.<ref name="LR92"/><br />
<br />
The Junction Mill near Norwell closed in 1919 and Rocky Point subsequently absorbed much of its cane supply. In 1921 Rocky Point crushed 5,162 tons of cane; by 1924 this had increased to 16,238 tons.<ref name="LR92"/><br />
<br />
Four other sugar mills were still operating in the Logan district in 1924, at Steiglitz, Alberton, Carbrook and Eagleby. These progressively closed, with the final competing mill ceasing operations in 1943, leaving Rocky Point as the sole surviving mill in the district.<ref name="LR92"/><br />
<br />
W.H. Heck & Sons Pty Ltd was established in 1932 to operate the family business. Successive generations of the Heck family have continued to own and manage the mill.<br />
<br />
== Tramway ==<br />
=== Construction ===<br />
Increasing cane production around Norwell led growers to request a tramway connection to Rocky Point during the early 1920s. An Order authorising construction was approved by the Governor-in-Council in March 1923.<ref name="LR92"/><br />
<br />
Construction was carried out during 1923 under the supervision of the Beenleigh Shire engineer, with local farmers providing much of the labour. The 610 mm (2 ft) gauge line followed road reserves across the low-lying country between Woongoolba and Norwell.<br />
<br />
The tramway was officially opened on 16 August 1924 by J.G. Appel MLA. It consisted of a main line towards Norwell together with a branch serving farms around Norwell Bridge.<ref name="LR92"/><br />
<br />
The railway was particularly vulnerable to flooding because much of the route crossed low-lying swamp and salt-marsh country. Flood damage and the resulting deterioration of the lightly constructed track became an increasing maintenance problem.<ref name="LR92"/><br />
<br />
=== Closure ===<br />
Improved roads and the increasing availability of motor trucks after the Second World War reduced the advantages of rail transport. Rocky Point closed its tramway in 1951 and thereafter relied on road transport for delivery of cane.<ref name="LR92"/><br />
<br />
Most of the railway was subsequently lifted, although internal rail tracks remained within the mill yard for cane-bin handling.<br />
<br />
== Preserved locomotive ==<br />
The Rocky Point tramway was operated by a small [[John Fowler & Co.]] 0-4-0WT steam locomotive, works number 16249 of 1923. The locomotive was ordered specifically for the new tramway and worked cane trains between the mill and Norwell until the railway closed in 1951.<ref name="LR92"/><br />
<br />
After withdrawal it passed through several owners and display locations, including Gilltraps Auto Museum and [[Dreamworld]]. It was later returned to Rocky Point and restored for static display.<br />
<br />
Since 2013 the locomotive has been preserved at the Beenleigh Historical Village and Museum.<ref name="AustralianSteam">Australian Steam. "Fowler 16249". https://www.australiansteam.com/fowler16249.htm</ref><br />
<br />
== Modern operations ==<br />
Rocky Point is now one of the smallest operating sugar mills in Australia. The amount of cane available to the mill has declined substantially as agricultural land between Brisbane and the Gold Coast has come under increasing development pressure.<br />
<br />
In 2016, mill owner David Heck stated that the district generally averaged approximately 250,000 tonnes of cane in a normal season, although favourable seasons could produce around 400,000 tonnes.<ref>ABC News. "Rocky Point: Calls for Queensland's oldest cane growing region to become motorsport hotspot". 29 April 2016. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-29/calls-for-queensland-cane-region-to-host-motorsport-events/7349866</ref><br />
<br />
More recent production has generally been lower. Rocky Point crushed 194,936 tonnes during the heavily disrupted 2022 season and 215,874 tonnes in 2023.<ref name="Canegrowers2023">CANEGROWERS. ''Annual Report 2022–23''. https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/338770_canegrowers-annual-report-2022-23.pdf</ref><ref name="Canegrowers2024">CANEGROWERS. ''Annual Report 2023–24''. https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/QCGO-2023-24-Annual-Report.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
In 2026, the Rocky Point district was reported to produce up to approximately 290,000 tonnes of cane annually.<ref name="ABC2026"/><br />
<br />
== Cogeneration ==<br />
A 30 MW biomass cogeneration plant was constructed at Rocky Point during 2000–01 as a project involving W.H. Heck & Sons and the Queensland Government-owned [[Stanwell Corporation]]. The plant uses [[bagasse]], together with other biomass fuels, to produce steam for the sugar mill and electricity for export to the grid.<ref name="Stanwell2004">Stanwell Corporation. ''Annual Report 2003–04''. https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/5104T1862/5104t1862.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
The plant uses a 30 MW Alstom steam turbine and generator and began exporting electricity to the Queensland grid in 2002.<ref>Stanwell Corporation. ''Annual Report 2001–02''. https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/5002T4047/5002t4047.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
Ownership of the cogeneration plant subsequently changed. In January 2022, the mill owner purchased the cogeneration facility and undertook further expenditure intended to improve its reliability.<ref name="Canegrowers2023"/><br />
<br />
The cogeneration plant continues to operate as a registered generator in the [[National Electricity Market]].<ref>NEMStats. "Rocky Point Sugar Mill Cogeneration Plant". https://nemstats.com.au/generator/rocky-point-sugar-mill-cogeneration-plant---other---other---rpcg</ref><br />
<br />
== Ethanol production ==<br />
An ethanol distillery was constructed at the Rocky Point site in 1990 and production commenced in 1991. The plant processed molasses produced during sugar manufacture into alcohol and formed part of efforts to diversify the mill beyond raw sugar production.<ref name="QueenslandPlaces"/><br />
<br />
Rocky Point subsequently participated in projects aimed at increasing Australian fuel ethanol production, including receiving Commonwealth support during the 2000s for proposed expansion of ethanol capacity.<br />
<br />
== Recent operations and future ==<br />
Rocky Point has experienced a number of difficult crushing seasons associated with mechanical reliability and wet weather.<br />
<br />
The 2022 harvest did not begin until 29 October and continued until 5 February 2023. Only about half of the available crop was harvested, with the mill and cogeneration plant experiencing repeated breakdowns.<ref name="Canegrowers2023"/><br />
<br />
The 2023 season ran from 23 August until 19 December, during which 215,874 tonnes of cane were crushed at an average CCS of 13.48.<ref name="Canegrowers2024"/><br />
<br />
The 2024 season commenced on 31 July but was heavily disrupted by mill and cogeneration problems and persistent wet weather. Crushing ceased in December with only approximately 56 per cent of the estimated crop harvested.<ref name="Canegrowers2025">CANEGROWERS. ''Annual Report 2024–25''. https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/Annual-report-2024-25.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
Mechanical problems again affected the end of the 2025 season. Rocky Point was the final Queensland milling district still crushing in December, and operations were scheduled to resume after the Christmas shutdown in January 2026 to process the remaining cane.<ref>CANEGROWERS. "Home but not hosed – cane crush to resume in January". 19 December 2025. https://www.canegrowers.com.au/news-media/media-releases/home-but-not-hosed-cane-crush-to-resume-in-january</ref><br />
<br />
=== Cane supply after 2027 ===<br />
In June 2026, W.H. Heck & Sons notified approximately 50 Rocky Point cane growers that their cane supply agreements would not be renewed after the 2027 crushing season. The existing agreements remain in force for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.<ref name="ABC2026"/><br />
<br />
The announcement created uncertainty over the future of sugar milling at Rocky Point. Although grower representatives have described the decision as the forthcoming closure of the mill, governing director David Heck had not, as of August 2026, confirmed that the factory itself would permanently close.<ref name="ABC2026"/><br />
<br />
CANEGROWERS and other industry organisations are investigating whether cane from the Rocky Point district could instead be transported approximately 100 kilometres to [[Condong Sugar Mill]] in northern New South Wales after 2027.<ref>CANEGROWERS. "Member Update". 2026. https://www.canegrowers.com.au/member-update-9-3</ref><br />
<br />
== Transport ==<br />
Rocky Point currently receives all harvested cane by road. It is one of the small number of Australian sugar mills without an operating cane railway.<ref>Australian Government Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics. ''Freightline 3: Australian sugar freight transport''. 2014. https://www.bitre.gov.au/sites/default/files/Freightline_03.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-27.73463627424321, 153.32774962523598</display_map><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Isis_Central_Mill&diff=911Isis Central Mill2026-10-05T04:33:36Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Isis Central Mill<br />
| image = The Central Sugar Mill in North Isis, Qld - very early 1900s.jpg<br />
| caption = Isis Central Sugar Mill, early 1900s.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-25.194717924523125,152.20780528566624 25.19471° S, 152.20780° E]<br />
| region = [[Southern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Bundaberg Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1897 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1897}} years ago)<br />
| closed = <br />
| owner = [[Isis Sugar|Isis Central Sugar Mill Company Limited]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = Approximately 1,200,000 tonnes annually<br />
}}<br />
'''Isis Central Sugar Mill''' is a raw sugar factory located at [[Isis Central]], approximately 8 kilometres north-west of [[Childers, Queensland|Childers]], [[Queensland]]. The mill commenced crushing in 1897 and is operated by the locally owned Isis Central Sugar Mill Company Limited. It is the only operating sugar mill in the Childers district and, as of 2026, is Australia's last grower-owned sugar mill.<ref name="ABC2026">ABC News. "Australia's last grower-owned sugar mill seeks government bailout". 22 September 2026. https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2026-09-22/australia-last-grower-owned-sugar-mill-seeks-government-bailout/107158784</ref><br />
<br />
The mill receives cane from the Childers and North Burnett districts as well as the Maryborough and Fraser Coast regions following the closure of [[Maryborough Sugar Mill]] in 2020. Approximately 200 growers currently supply the factory.<ref name="IsisAbout">Isis Central Sugar Mill. "About Us". https://isissugar.com.au/About-Us</ref><ref name="ABC2026"/><br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
The Isis Central Sugar Mill Company was registered in 1894 by a group of local cane growers seeking to establish their own central mill. At the time, the district contained several competing sugar mills, including the [[Colonial Sugar Refining Company]]'s Childers Mill at Huxley.<br />
<br />
After two initial valuations of the growers' properties were considered insufficient, the Queensland Government approved construction of the Isis Central Mill in 1896 at a cost of £26,000. The participating growers mortgaged the deeds to their properties to the government as security for the funds required to clear the site, construct the mill and build its narrow gauge railway.<ref name="IsisAbout"/><br />
<br />
[[Walkers Limited]] of [[Maryborough]] was contracted to construct the factory. The mill was completed in 1897 and commenced its first crushing season on Tuesday 7 September 1897.<ref name="IsisAbout"/><br />
<br />
During its inaugural season, Isis Central crushed 7,763 tons of cane and produced 810 tons of raw sugar. Growers received 10 shillings per ton for the cane supplied.<ref name="IsisAbout"/><br />
<br />
The grower shareholders required approximately 25 years to repay the government-backed debt and regain the title deeds that had been pledged as security. By that time the mill was crushing approximately 52,958 tons of cane and producing 5,963 tons of raw sugar annually.<ref name="IsisAbout"/><br />
<br />
=== Consolidation of the Childers district ===<br />
A number of sugar mills operated in the Isis district during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Doolbi juice mill commenced crushing in 1890, followed by Horton and Knockroe mills in 1893 and CSR's Childers Mill at Huxley in 1894.<br />
<br />
Competition for cane supply resulted in progressive consolidation. Horton closed during the 1890s, Knockroe was acquired and closed by CSR in 1901, and Isis Central acquired the Doolbi operation in 1924.<ref name="ChildersHistory">Bundaberg Regional Council. "History of the CSR Childers Mill site". 19 October 2023. https://www.brcnow.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/2023/10/19/history-of-the-csr-childers-mill-site/</ref><br />
<br />
By the early 1930s only Isis Central and CSR's Childers Mill remained. CSR decided in September 1932 to cease operations at Childers after a period of declining cane supply and poor financial performance. The mill ceased crushing after the 1932 season and its remaining railway equipment was progressively disposed of during 1933.<ref name="LRChilders">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Light Railways'', No. 204, December 2008.</ref><br />
<br />
Isis Central subsequently became the only operating sugar mill in the Childers district. The former CSR tramway network and water storage infrastructure were acquired by Isis Central, and the factory's production approximately doubled by 1934.<ref name="IsisAbout"/><ref name="ChildersHistory"/><br />
<br />
== Expansion ==<br />
Isis Central progressively increased its crushing capacity and expanded its cane railway network throughout the twentieth century.<br />
<br />
The mill recorded its largest season in 2012, when 1,505,400 tonnes of cane were crushed to produce 223,874 tonnes of raw sugar.<ref name="IsisAbout"/><br />
<br />
A major expansion of the cane railway system commenced during the late 2010s to improve access to the Wallaville and Gin Gin cane-growing districts. The first stage, between Cordalba and Booyal, received development approval in 2018, followed by approval for the Booyal to Wallaville section in 2019.<ref name="WallavilleApproval">Bundaberg Regional Council. "Second stage of Isis Mill cane rail line extension approved". 10 April 2019. https://www.brcnow.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/2019/04/10/cane-rail-extension/</ref><br />
<br />
Construction of the approximately 39 kilometre Cordalba–Wallaville railway commenced following the 2019 crushing season. The $15 million project included rehabilitation of existing railway infrastructure and was completed for use during the 2020 crushing season.<ref name="WallavilleRail">Bundaberg Now. "Isis Mill cane rail expansion on track". 12 January 2020. https://www.bundabergnow.com/2020/01/12/isis-mill-cane-rail-expansion-on-track/</ref><br />
<br />
== Maryborough cane supply ==<br />
[[Maryborough Sugar Mill]] ceased operations following the 2020 crushing season, ending 126 years of milling in Maryborough.<ref name="MaryboroughClosure">ABC News. "Maryborough sugar mill to close as stakeholders move to secure the industry's future". 26 November 2020. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-26/maryborough-sugar-mill-is-to-close-this-year/12922196</ref><br />
<br />
MSF Sugar initially entered into a toll-crushing arrangement with Isis Central for Maryborough-region cane during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Infrastructure was developed to allow cane harvested in the Maryborough and surrounding districts to be transported by road to transfer facilities, where it is loaded into cane bins for the final journey to Isis Central by rail.<ref name="MaryboroughClosure"/><br />
<br />
From the 2023 season, Isis Central entered into direct cane supply arrangements with growers in the Maryborough and Fraser Coast districts. The additional supply substantially increased the geographic area served by the mill.<br />
<br />
The effect was particularly evident during the 2022 season, when Isis Central crushed almost 1.423 million tonnes of cane, the second-highest throughput in its history. Approximately 860,000 tonnes came from the traditional Isis supply area and about 563,000 tonnes from the Maryborough supply region.<ref name="2022Season">Bundaberg Now. "Isis Mill season second-highest in history". 21 January 2023. https://www.brcnow.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/2023/01/21/isis-mill-season-second-highest-in-history/</ref><br />
<br />
== Modern operations ==<br />
Isis Central produces raw sugar, molasses and renewable electricity generated using [[bagasse]], the fibrous residue remaining after sugar cane is crushed.<ref name="IsisHome">Isis Central Sugar Mill. https://www.isissugar.com.au/</ref><br />
<br />
Modern seasonal throughput is generally around 1.2 million tonnes of cane, although crop size varies substantially according to growing conditions and the amount of cane supplied from the Maryborough and Fraser Coast districts. The mill has demonstrated capacity exceeding 1.5 million tonnes in a season.<ref name="IsisAbout"/><br />
<br />
In 2026, Isis Central experienced financial pressure associated with lower sugar prices, increased transport and maintenance costs and interruptions to crushing caused by mechanical failures. The mill was targeting a crop of just under 1.2 million tonnes for the season.<ref name="ABC2026"/><br />
<br />
In response, the Queensland Government established the Sugar Industry Participant Support Loan Scheme for the Bundaberg region. The scheme provides for an interest-free loan of up to $9 million to Isis Central Sugar Mill Company Limited for working capital and, where sufficient funds are available, mill modernisation.<ref name="QldLoan2026">Queensland Government. ''Rural and Regional Adjustment (Sugar Industry Participant Support Loan Scheme) Amendment Regulation 2026''. https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/whole/html/asmade/sl-2026-0133</ref><br />
<br />
== Tramway ==<br />
Isis Central operates an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway. The company's current published information gives the network length as approximately 153 kilometres.<ref name="IsisAbout"/><br />
<br />
The network extends through the Childers, Cordalba, Booyal and Wallaville districts. Cane from farms not directly connected to the railway, including substantial quantities from the Maryborough region, is transported by road to rail transfer facilities before being carried to the mill in cane bins.<br />
<br />
The mill has made extensive use of rebuilt bogie diesel-hydraulic locomotives. During the 1990s and early 2000s several former [[Queensland Rail]] DH class locomotives were converted from 1,067 mm gauge to 610 mm gauge and rebuilt for cane haulage.<ref name="LRRSAFleet">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. "Queensland sugar cane railways today". https://lrrsa.org.au/LRR_SGRe.htm</ref><br />
<br />
Isis Central is also notable for its use of bogie brake wagons. Sugar cane bins themselves are unbraked, so the weighted brake wagons provide additional remotely controlled braking capacity for long trains and on graded sections of the network. The first purpose-built bogie brake wagon for the Queensland sugar industry was constructed for Isis Central in 1986.<ref name="BrakeWagons">Millington, Carl. ''Modern Cane Railways of Queensland: Brakevans and Slugs''. 2007.</ref><br />
<br />
== Production Statistics ==<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Statistic<br />
! Value<br />
|-<br />
| Typical Annual Crush<br />
| Approximately 1,200,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Record Crush<br />
| 1,505,400 tonnes (2012)<br />
|-<br />
| Record Raw Sugar Production<br />
| 223,874 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| 2022 Crush<br />
| Approximately 1,423,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Cane Railway<br />
| Approximately 153 km<br />
|-<br />
| Railway Gauge<br />
| 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-25.194717924523125, 152.20780528566624</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
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<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
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</table><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Millaquin_Mill&diff=910Millaquin Mill2026-10-05T04:29:01Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Millaquin Mill<br />
| image = StateLibQld 2 394885 Millaquin Sugar Mill yard, Bundaberg, 1950.jpg<br />
| caption = Millaquin Mill. 1950. State Library of Queensland.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-24.85653534194305,152.36638264861938 24.85653° S, 152.36638° E]<br />
| region = [[Southern Region|Bundaberg]]<br />
| lga = [[Bundaberg Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1882 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1882}} years ago)<br />
| closed = <br />
| owner = [[Bundaberg Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = Approximately 1,100,000 tonnes annually<br />
}}<br />
'''Millaquin Mill''' is a raw sugar factory located at Bundaberg East on the southern side of the [[Burnett River]] in [[Bundaberg]], [[Queensland]]. Established as the Millaquin sugar refinery in 1882, the site played a major role in the rapid development of the Bundaberg sugar industry during the late nineteenth century.<br />
<br />
It is now owned and operated by [[Bundaberg Sugar]] and is the company's only operating sugar mill following the closure of [[Fairymead Mill]] in 2005 and [[Bingera Mill]] in 2020. The Millaquin site incorporates raw sugar milling and sugar refining operations.<ref name="BAFFA">Bundaberg Ag-Food and Fibre Alliance. "Sugarcane". https://baffa.org.au/about/industries/fibre</ref> Bundaberg Sugar is wholly owned by the Belgian sugar group Finasucre.<ref name="Finasucre2025">Finasucre. ''Annual Report 2024–2025''. https://www.finasucre.com/medias/upload/files/Rapports/ra_finasucre_2025_en.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Millaquin refinery ===<br />
The origins of Millaquin date to the late 1870s. Robert Cran and his brothers, who were already involved in the Yengarie sugar refinery near [[Maryborough]], investigated the Bundaberg district after local residents sought investment in a sugar refinery to encourage development of the district's cane industry.<br />
<br />
Construction of the Millaquin refinery began in 1880. Robert Cran travelled to Britain to obtain machinery for the new works, which commenced operations in 1882.<ref name="ADB_Cran">Nolan, J. G. "Cran, Robert". ''Australian Dictionary of Biography''. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cran-robert-6329</ref><br />
<br />
Unlike a conventional sugar mill, the original Millaquin operation did not rely primarily on cane being delivered directly to the factory. Numerous small crushing or "juice" mills were established on surrounding plantations. These mills extracted the cane juice locally before pumping it through a network of underground pipes to Millaquin for processing into sugar. Juice from some riverside plantations was transported to the refinery by punt.<ref name="ADB_Buss">Australian Dictionary of Biography. "Buss, Frederic William". https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/brett-peter-9577/buss-frederic-william-5440</ref><br />
<br />
The system stimulated rapid expansion of sugar cultivation in the [[Woongarra]] district. Sixteen juice mills were constructed to supply Millaquin between 1881 and 1885, and by the mid-1880s the refinery had become one of the dominant sugar-processing operations in the district.<ref name="ADB_Buss"/><br />
<br />
=== Development as a sugar mill ===<br />
Financial difficulties following the economic depression and floods of the 1890s resulted in the Queensland National Bank taking control of the Millaquin undertaking in 1896.<ref name="QNBHistory">Bundaberg Regional Council. "History of the former Queensland National Bank". https://www.brcnow.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/2023/08/10/history-of-the-former-queensland-national-bank/</ref><br />
<br />
The company increasingly consolidated sugar-growing and milling operations around Bundaberg. A new juice mill was established at Millaquin in 1906, reducing the reliance on the numerous small plantation crushing mills which had originally supplied the refinery.<br />
<br />
In 1911, the Queensland National Bank formed the Millaquin Sugar Company Limited to take over the sugar interests associated with Millaquin.<ref name="MillaquinCompany">Guide to Australian Business Records. "The Millaquin Sugar Company Limited". https://eoas.info/GABR/biogs/ABE0114b.htm</ref><br />
<br />
During the 1920s the Millaquin operation was transformed from the earlier juice-processing system into a complete raw sugar factory capable of crushing cane directly. By 1928 the conversion to raw sugar production had been completed.<br />
<br />
The refinery continued to operate alongside the raw sugar mill, allowing both raw and refined sugar production to take place at the Millaquin site.<br />
<br />
=== Bundaberg Sugar ===<br />
In 1975, Bundaberg Sugar Company Limited acquired the Millaquin Sugar Company, bringing Millaquin Mill, its refinery and the associated Bundaberg Distilling Company into the Bundaberg Sugar group.<ref name="BundabergSugarHistory">Guide to Australian Business Records. "Bundaberg Sugar Company Limited". https://eoas.info/GABR/biogs/ABE2665b.htm</ref><br />
<br />
Bundaberg Sugar was acquired by the British sugar company Tate & Lyle in 1991. In 2000, the Belgian sugar group Finasucre acquired Bundaberg Sugar from Tate & Lyle and remains its owner.<ref name="FinasucreHistory">Finasucre. "History". https://www.finasucre.com/en/history/</ref><br />
<br />
=== Regional consolidation ===<br />
The closure of [[Qunaba Mill]] in 1985 resulted in its cane railway and supply area being divided between Millaquin and [[Fairymead Mill]].<ref name="LRRSA">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. "Queensland sugar cane railways today". https://www.lrrsa.org.au/LRR_SGRz.htm</ref><br />
<br />
Fairymead ceased crushing in 2005 and its cane supply was redistributed within Bundaberg Sugar's remaining milling operations.<br />
<br />
In October 2020, Bundaberg Sugar announced that [[Bingera Mill]] would close after the 2020 crushing season because the declining regional crop could no longer economically support two operating mills. All Bundaberg Sugar cane was subsequently consolidated for crushing at Millaquin.<ref name="BingeraClosure">ABC News. "Bundaberg Sugar announces closure of 135-year-old Bingera sugar mill following low cane supply". 23 October 2020. https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2020-10-23/bingera-sugar-mill-closure-bundaberg-sugar-cane/12808948</ref><br />
<br />
== Modern operations ==<br />
Millaquin is now Bundaberg Sugar's sole operating raw sugar mill. The factory generally processes approximately 1.1 million tonnes or more of cane annually, although seasonal production varies according to crop size and growing conditions.<ref name="BAFFA"/><br />
<br />
The 2024 season produced a then-record Millaquin throughput of 1,205,229 tonnes of cane, with an average CCS of 13.59. Mill availability during the season was approximately 95 per cent.<ref name="Canegrowers2024">Bundaberg CANEGROWERS. ''Annual Report 2024/25''. https://www.bdbcanegrowers.com.au/annual-report/</ref><br />
<br />
Production increased further during the 2025 season, when more than 1.3 million tonnes of cane were processed, setting a new Millaquin crushing record.<br />
<br />
The wider Millaquin industrial site also incorporates Bundaberg Sugar's refinery, where raw sugar is processed into refined sugar for domestic industrial, retail and hospitality markets.<ref name="Finasucre2025"/><br />
<br />
== Tramway ==<br />
=== Southern network ===<br />
Millaquin Mill is served by a 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway network covering cane-growing areas south and east of the [[Burnett River]]. The network incorporates sections of former mill railway systems progressively absorbed during rationalisation of the Bundaberg sugar industry, including portions of the former Qunaba system.<br />
<br />
Millaquin has operated both steam and diesel locomotives during its history. Steam traction survived at the mill until the 1970s, after which diesel-hydraulic locomotives became standard.<br />
<br />
=== Northern cane transport ===<br />
The closure of Bingera Mill in 2020 created a major transport challenge because significant cane-growing areas formerly supplying Bingera and Fairymead are located on the northern side of the Burnett River, while Millaquin is on the southern side.<br />
<br />
There is no direct cane railway connection across the Burnett River. Cane from the former northern mill areas is hauled over the remaining northern 610 mm gauge network to a transfer facility at Fairymead. Loaded cane bins are then carried by road across Bundaberg to the southern network before continuing by rail to Millaquin.<ref name="TransportStrategy">Bundaberg and District Canegrowers. ''Bundaberg Integrated Transport Strategy''. 2025. https://www.bdbcanegrowers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Bundaberg-Integrated-Transport-Strategy.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
=== Burnett River rail bridge proposal ===<br />
Following the closure of Bingera, Bundaberg Sugar proposed a dedicated 610 mm gauge cane railway bridge across the Burnett River between Fairymead and Rubyanna. The proposed bridge would have linked the northern cane railway directly with the Millaquin-side network and eliminated the intermediate road transport of cane bins.<br />
<br />
The proposal included a 25-metre retractable navigation span and underwent public consultation in 2022.<ref name="BridgeProposal">Bundaberg Regional Council. "Cane rail bridge proposed at Strathdees". 20 January 2022. https://www.brcnow.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/2022/01/20/cane-rail-bridge-proposed-bundaberg-sugar/</ref><br />
<br />
The bridge was not constructed. Escalating costs, regulatory and connection issues and the absence of government financial assistance ultimately made the project financially unviable, and Bundaberg Sugar abandoned the proposal. Cane from north of the Burnett River therefore continues to require road transport between the two sections of the cane railway system.<ref name="TransportStrategy"/><br />
<br />
== Production Statistics ==<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Statistic<br />
! Value<br />
|-<br />
| Typical Annual Crush<br />
| Approximately 1,100,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| 2024 Crush<br />
| 1,205,229 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| 2024 Average CCS<br />
| 13.59<br />
|-<br />
| 2025 Crush<br />
| More than 1,300,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Railway Gauge<br />
| 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-24.85653534194305, 152.36638264861938</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Millaquin%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Millaquin%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
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</table><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Bingera_Mill&diff=909Bingera Mill2026-10-05T04:24:39Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Bingera Mill<br />
| image = StateLibQld 2 236981 Bingera Sugar Mill in the Bundaberg region.jpg<br />
| caption = Bingera Sugar Mill. 1907. State Library of Queensland.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=-24.929415527064023,152.19909292280119 24.92941° S, 152.19909° E]<br />
| region = [[Southern Region|Bundaberg]]<br />
| lga = [[Bundaberg Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1885 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1885}} years ago)<br />
| closed = 2020 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-2020}} years ago)<br />
| owner = [[Bundaberg Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 450,000 tonnes (2020 final season)<br />
}}<br />
'''Bingera Mill''' was a raw sugar factory located on the northern side of the [[Burnett River]], approximately 20 kilometres west-south-west of [[Bundaberg]], [[Queensland]]. Established by the Gibson and Howes families in 1885, Bingera developed into one of the largest sugar mills in the Bundaberg district and operated for 135 years before closing following the 2020 crushing season.<ref name="QueenslandPlaces">Queensland Places. "Bingera and South Bingera". https://queenslandplaces.com.au/bingera-and-south-bingera</ref><ref name="ABCClosure">ABC News. "Bundaberg Sugar announces closure of 135-year-old Bingera sugar mill following low cane supply". 23 October 2020. https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2020-10-23/bingera-sugar-mill-closure-bundaberg-sugar-cane/12808948</ref><br />
<br />
The mill was served by an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway extending through the Bingera, South Kolan and lower Kolan districts. Parts of the former Bingera railway system remain in use as part of [[Bundaberg Sugar]]'s cane transport network following the transfer of all regional crushing to [[Millaquin Mill]].<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
The origins of Bingera Mill were closely associated with the Gibson family. William Gibson and his family had previously grown sugar cane and operated the Clydesdale sugar mill at Hemmant, near Brisbane. After the Clydesdale property proved inadequate for further expansion, William's eldest son Angus Gibson investigated potential sugar-growing areas further north during 1882 and 1883.<ref name="ADB">Gibbney, H. J. "Gibson, Angus (1842–1920)". ''Australian Dictionary of Biography''. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/gibson-angus-3607</ref><br />
<br />
In 1883 the Gibson family acquired land on the northern side of the Burnett River and entered into partnership with the Howes brothers, also associated with sugar growing at Hemmant. The Bingera Plantation was subsequently established. The name was taken from an earlier pastoral property in the area and is thought to derive from an Aboriginal word referring to bream.<ref name="QueenslandPlaces"/><br />
<br />
Between 1883 and 1885 the partners cleared and planted several hundred acres of cane and constructed a sugar mill, sawmill, water pumping plant, railway and tramway infrastructure and numerous plantation buildings.<ref name="MoAD">Museum of Australian Democracy. "The Bingera Plantation". ''Getting It Together – Queensland'', quoting the ''Bundaberg and Mount Perry Mail'', 13 October 1885. https://getting-it-together.moadoph.gov.au/queensland/people-and-places/resource-2.html</ref><br />
<br />
Bingera Mill commenced crushing in 1885. The plantation retained a large estate structure rather than being extensively subdivided among independent farmers. By 1889 the Gibson and Howes partnership controlled approximately 2,658 acres and employed 98 European workers, eight Chinese workers and approximately 200 South Sea Islander labourers.<ref name="ADB"/><br />
<br />
=== Expansion ===<br />
Bingera became the largest sugar mill in the Bundaberg district during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.<ref name="QueenslandPlaces"/> The government railway siding serving the plantation was originally known as Gibsons Siding and was renamed Bingera in 1897.<br />
<br />
The Gibson and Howes undertaking was incorporated as Gibson & Howes Limited in 1904, with successive generations of the two families remaining involved in the operation of the plantation and mill.<br />
<br />
An extensive 610 mm gauge tramway system was developed to supply the factory. In 1909, Gibson & Howes took delivery of three steam locomotives manufactured in Glasgow specifically for the Bingera operation. They were named ''Rose'', ''Thistle'' and ''Crown''.<ref name="Fryer">University of Queensland Fryer Library. "UQFL357 Brenda Martin Collection". https://manuscripts.library.uq.edu.au/downloads/uqfl357.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
The railway network continued to expand during the twentieth century as Bingera's cane supply area increased, eventually extending through the South Kolan, Gin Gin and Wallaville districts.<br />
<br />
=== Bundaberg Sugar era ===<br />
In 1972, Gibson & Howes Limited became part of the newly established Bundaberg Sugar Company Limited, ending almost nine decades of independent Gibson and Howes ownership.<ref name="QueenslandPlaces"/><br />
<br />
Bundaberg Sugar subsequently consolidated much of the Bundaberg district sugar industry. The closure of [[Fairymead Mill]] in 2005 resulted in former Fairymead cane being redistributed between Bingera and [[Millaquin Mill]], accompanied by capital works and alterations to the district cane railway network.<ref name="FairymeadClosure">ABC News. "Fairymead sugar mill to shut doors". 4 February 2005. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-02-04/fairymead-sugar-mill-to-shut-doors/630858</ref><ref name="FairymeadWorkers">ABC News. "Fairymead mill workers' jobs secure". 28 February 2005. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-02-28/fairymead-mill-workers-jobs-secure/1526848</ref><br />
<br />
A major fire damaged bagasse conveyors, electrical equipment and other parts of Bingera Mill in May 2014. The mill was repaired and returned to operation for that year's crushing season.<ref>ABC News. "Fire damages Bundaberg sugar mill". 14 May 2014. https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2014-05-14/qld-mill-fire-bundaberg/5452618</ref><br />
<br />
Bundaberg Sugar is wholly owned by the Belgian sugar group Finasucre.<ref>Finasucre. ''Annual Report 2024–2025''. https://www.finasucre.com/medias/upload/files/Rapports/ra_finasucre_2025_en.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
== Closure ==<br />
On 23 October 2020, Bundaberg Sugar announced that the 2020 crushing season would be Bingera Mill's last. Regional cane production had fallen substantially, with the combined Bundaberg Sugar crop declining from approximately 1.8 million tonnes in 2016 to just over one million tonnes in 2020.<ref name="ABCClosure"/><br />
<br />
Bingera crushed approximately 450,000 tonnes of cane during its final season, one of the smallest crops in the mill's history. Bundaberg Sugar concluded that the available cane supply could no longer economically support the operation of both Bingera and Millaquin mills and consolidated all crushing at Millaquin.<ref name="ABCClosure"/><br />
<br />
The closure ended 135 years of continuous sugar production at Bingera.<br />
<br />
== Tramway ==<br />
=== Bingera network ===<br />
Bingera Mill operated an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway serving farms to the north and west of Bundaberg. At the time of the mill's closure, Bundaberg Sugar's combined Bundaberg railway system comprised approximately 330 kilometres of track.<ref>Bundaberg Now. "Keep an eye out for cane trains this sugar season". 21 June 2020. https://www.bundabergnow.com/2020/06/21/keep-an-eye-out-for-cane-trains-this-sugar-season/</ref><br />
<br />
Following Bingera's closure, cane from the former Bingera and Fairymead supply areas continued to be collected over portions of the northern cane railway network. However, the northern network has no direct rail connection across the Burnett River to Millaquin Mill.<br />
<br />
Loaded cane bins are transported by rail to a transfer facility on the northern side of the river and then carried by road across Bundaberg before being transferred back to the southern railway network for delivery to Millaquin.<ref name="TransportStrategy">Bundaberg and District Canegrowers. ''Bundaberg Integrated Transport Strategy''. 2025. https://www.bdbcanegrowers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Bundaberg-Integrated-Transport-Strategy.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
=== Burnett River rail bridge proposal ===<br />
Following the closure of Bingera, Bundaberg Sugar proposed construction of a new 610 mm gauge cane railway bridge across the Burnett River between Fairymead and Rubyanna. The bridge would have directly connected the former Bingera and Fairymead railway networks north of the river with the Millaquin network to the south.<ref name="BridgeProposal">Bundaberg Regional Council. "Bundaberg Sugar Cane Rail Bridge". https://www.ourbundabergregion.com.au/70037/</ref><br />
<br />
The proposed bridge included a retractable 25-metre navigation span and was intended to eliminate tens of thousands of additional heavy vehicle movements associated with transporting approximately 450,000 tonnes of northern cane across the river each crushing season.<ref name="BridgeProposal"/><br />
<br />
Although approvals and planning for the project progressed, the bridge was not constructed. Increasing construction costs, regulatory complications and the absence of government financial assistance ultimately made the project financially unviable, and Bundaberg Sugar abandoned the proposal. Road transport continues to provide the connection between the northern and southern sections of the cane railway system.<ref name="TransportStrategy"/><br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-24.929415527064023, 152.19909292280119</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Bingera%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Bingera%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
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</table><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Central_Queensland_Region&diff=908Central Queensland Region2026-10-05T04:19:34Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>The Central Queensland sugar region extends from [[Proserpine]] in the north through the [[Pioneer Valley]] and Mackay district to [[Sarina]] in the south. The region contains five operating raw sugar mills: Proserpine and Plane Creek, operated by [[Wilmar Sugar]], and Farleigh, Marian and Racecourse, operated by [[Mackay Sugar]]. The modern industry developed from numerous plantation and central mills established during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with successive closures and amalgamations concentrating production into the five factories operating today.<ref name="ASMC_Central">Australian Sugar Milling Council. "Mills and Refineries". https://asmc.com.au/industry-overview/mills-refineries/</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Proserpine Mill]] ===<br />
Proserpine Mill commenced crushing in 1897 and contributed substantially to the development of the town of [[Proserpine]]. The mill became grower owned in 1931 and remained under co-operative ownership until 2011, when it was purchased by [[Wilmar Sugar]]. It currently crushes an average of approximately 1.7 million tonnes of cane annually and produces around 240,000 tonnes of raw sugar.<ref name="WilmarMills">Wilmar Sugar and Renewables. "Our Mills". https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/what-we-do/mills</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Farleigh Mill]] ===<br />
Farleigh Mill was established in 1883 by Sir John Bennett Lawes. Originally operated as a plantation mill, it was purchased by local cane growers in 1926 and subsequently operated as a co-operative. Farleigh was one of the five grower-owned mills that amalgamated in 1988 to form the Mackay Sugar Co-operative Association Limited. It remains one of the three operating factories of [[Mackay Sugar]], which is majority owned by [[Nordzucker]].<ref name="MackaySugarHistory">Mackay Sugar. "Our History". https://www.mkysugar.com.au/expertise/history</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Marian Mill]] ===<br />
The first Marian mill was established in 1883 on the southern bank of the [[Pioneer River]]. Following the closure of the original plantation operation in the early 1890s, the Marian Central Mill Company erected a new central mill in 1894, which commenced crushing in 1895.<br />
<br />
Marian is now the largest of Mackay Sugar's three operating factories, with two milling trains and an annual cane throughput exceeding two million tonnes. It also processes cane from areas formerly supplied to the closed [[North Eton Mill|North Eton]] and [[Cattle Creek Cooperative Mill|Cattle Creek]] mills.<ref name="MackaySugarFactories">Mackay Sugar. "Our Factories". https://www.mkysugar.com.au/expertise/factories</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Pleystowe Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
Pleystowe was one of the earliest sugar milling sites in the Mackay district. The Pleystowe Sugar Plantation began operations in 1869, with the first sugar produced at the mill in 1872.<ref name="MackaySugarHistory"/><br />
<br />
The mill was acquired from [[CSR]] by the newly formed Mackay Sugar Co-operative Association in 1988. Pleystowe crushed its final cane on 29 October 2008 after 139 years of operation.<ref name="PleystoweClose">ABC News. "Historic sugar mill closes". 29 October 2008. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-10-29/historic-sugar-mill-closes/186248</ref> Its plant and equipment were subsequently integrated into Mackay Sugar's remaining factories. Demolition of the mill commenced in 2021, with the original chimney stack retained. Mackay Sugar's cane supply operations remain based at Pleystowe.<ref name="MackaySugarHistory"/><br />
<br />
=== [[Mackay Bulk Sugar Terminal]] ===<br />
The Mackay Bulk Sugar Terminal is located at the [[Port of Mackay]] and is one of the world's largest bulk sugar terminals. It forms a major export facility for raw sugar produced in the Central Queensland sugar region.<ref name="NQBPMackay">North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation. "Port of Mackay". https://nqbp.com.au/our-ports/mackay</ref><br />
<br />
The terminal is owned and operated by Sugar Terminals Limited and contains four storage sheds with a combined capacity of approximately 750,000 tonnes. Raw sugar can be received at the terminal by both road and heavy rail before being loaded onto export vessels.<ref name="STLMackay">Sugar Terminals Limited. "Locations". https://sugarterminals.com.au/locations/</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Cattle Creek Cooperative Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
Located at [[Finch Hatton]] in the upper [[Pioneer Valley]], Cattle Creek Mill commenced operations in 1906 and served cane growers in the western portion of the Mackay district.<br />
<br />
Cattle Creek was one of the five co-operative mills that amalgamated in 1988 to form the Mackay Sugar Co-operative Association Limited. The mill closed in 1990 as part of the subsequent rationalisation of the district's milling operations. Its cane supply and railway system were incorporated into the Marian operation.<ref name="MackaySugarHistory"/><br />
<br />
=== [[North Eton Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
North Eton Mill commenced crushing in 1888. Together with Racecourse, it was one of two early central mills in the Mackay district established with Queensland Government financial assistance before the passage of the ''Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893''. North Eton has been described by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries as the first central mill in Australia to manufacture sugar.<ref name="DPIHistory">Queensland Department of Primary Industries. ''The First One Hundred Years: A History of the Department of Primary Industries, Queensland, 1887–1987''. 1998.</ref><br />
<br />
North Eton joined the 1988 amalgamation that created the Mackay Sugar Co-operative Association Limited and was closed at the end of the 1988 crushing season. Its cane supply was subsequently transferred to [[Marian Mill]].<ref name="MackaySugarHistory"/><br />
<br />
=== [[Racecourse Mill]] ===<br />
Racecourse Mill commenced operations in 1889 under the Racecourse Central Mill Company Limited. It became grower owned through the Racecourse Co-operative Sugar Association Limited in 1927 and was one of the five co-operatives that amalgamated to form Mackay Sugar in 1988.<ref name="MackaySugarHistory"/><br />
<br />
Today Racecourse is one of Mackay Sugar's three operating factories and is the location of the company's corporate office and central workshop. The site also contains a 38 MW cogeneration plant and the Racecourse Refinery, operated by [[Sugar Australia]], which produces refined sugar for the Australian market.<ref name="MackaySugarFactories"/><br />
<br />
=== [[Homebush Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
Homebush Mill was established by the [[Colonial Sugar Refining Company]] (CSR) in the Mackay district during the 1880s. CSR discontinued milling at Homebush following the 1921 crushing season.<br />
<br />
The Homebush cane supply was initially transferred to [[Farleigh Mill]]. In 1927, an agreement between Farleigh and Racecourse transferred the Homebush supply area to [[Racecourse Mill]] in exchange for the Calen and Kolijo cane-growing areas being supplied to Farleigh.<ref name="MackaySugarHistory"/><br />
<br />
=== [[Plane Creek Mill]] ===<br />
Located at [[Sarina]], Plane Creek Mill commenced crushing on 4 November 1896 and is now owned and operated by [[Wilmar Sugar]]. The mill serves the southern portion of the Central Queensland cane-growing region and operates an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway extending south from Sarina.<br />
<br />
Adjacent to the mill is Wilmar's Sarina BioEthanol Distillery, which commenced operations in 1927. The distillery processes molasses into industrial and fuel ethanol, with steam and electricity supplied by Plane Creek Mill.<ref name="WilmarMills"/><br />
<br />
Modern Wilmar statistics indicate that Plane Creek processes approximately 1.3 million tonnes of cane and produces approximately 173,000 tonnes of raw sugar annually, while the adjoining distillery produces approximately 55 megalitres of bioethanol per year.<ref name="WilmarSarina">Wilmar Sugar and Renewables. ''Sarina Region – At a Glance''. June 2025.</ref><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Plane_Creek_Mill&diff=907Plane Creek Mill2026-10-05T04:16:04Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Plane Creek Mill<br />
| image = Plane Creek Sugar Mill, Sarina, 2016 01.jpg<br />
| caption = Plane Creek Mill. 2016. Kerry Raymond.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-21.427341476459038,149.21522547712985 21.42734° S, 149.21522° E]<br />
| region = [[Central Queensland Region|Sarina]]<br />
| lga = [[Mackay Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1896 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1896}} years ago)<br />
| closed = <br />
| owner = [[Wilmar Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 1,300,000 tonnes (annual average)<br />
}}<br />
'''Plane Creek Mill''' is a raw sugar factory located in [[Sarina]], approximately 35 kilometres south of [[Mackay, Queensland|Mackay]]. It is owned and operated by [[Wilmar Sugar|Wilmar Sugar and Renewables]]. The mill produces raw sugar, molasses and renewable energy and supplies steam and electricity to the adjoining Sarina Distillery, which produces bioethanol from molasses.<ref name="WilmarSarina2025">Wilmar Sugar and Renewables. ''Sarina Region – At a glance''. June 2025.</ref><br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
The Plane Creek district was settled by pastoralists during the 1860s. Henry Bell and Edmund Atherton established the Plane Creek pastoral run in 1864, and the Atherton and Bell families subsequently became closely involved in the establishment of the district's sugar industry.<br />
<br />
The Plane Creek Central Mill Company Limited was registered in late 1893 and was brought under the Queensland Government's ''Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893'' in 1894.<ref name="Griggs">Griggs, Peter. ''Global Industry, Local Innovation: The History of Cane Sugar Production in Australia, 1820–1995''. Peter Lang, 2011.</ref> Approximately 28,000 acres of shareholders' land was mortgaged as security for a £65,000 Queensland Government loan to construct the mill.<ref name="MackayHist_Plane">Mackay Historical Society. "Plane Creek Sugar Mill, 1896-". http://www.mackayhistory.org/research/sugar_mills/plane_creek.html</ref><br />
<br />
In 1895, [[Walkers Limited]] of [[Maryborough]] was selected to supply the milling machinery. Construction proceeded under the supervision of G. Wolfe and J. B. Wood. The company also constructed an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge tramway system, including a line approximately 15 miles long from Plane Creek to a wharf at Louisa Creek for the shipment of raw sugar.<br />
<br />
The mill commenced crushing on 4 November 1896. During its first season it processed 3,579 tonnes of cane and produced 371 tons 14 cwt of raw sugar.<ref name="MackayHist_Plane"/><br />
<br />
=== Early operations ===<br />
Plane Creek initially experienced financial difficulties and government guarantor directors were appointed to oversee the company. The mill subsequently expanded as sugar cultivation increased throughout the district.<br />
<br />
The company's debt to the Queensland Government was fully repaid during the 1920–21 season.<ref name="Griggs"/><br />
<br />
Development of the [[North Coast railway line]] south of Mackay substantially increased the area from which cane could be supplied to Plane Creek. The railway reached Sarina in 1913, Koumala in 1915 and Carmila in 1920. Cane from districts further south, including Flaggy Rock, was being transported by government railway to Plane Creek by the late 1920s.<br />
<br />
Water supply was a recurring difficulty for the mill. A weir was constructed on Plane Creek in 1926, followed by a second weir in 1935.<ref name="MackayHist_Plane"/><br />
<br />
=== Sarina distillery ===<br />
Plane Creek was involved in the establishment of the Australian National Power Alcohol Company during the 1920s. The adjoining Sarina distillery commenced operation in 1927, initially producing power alcohol from molasses and other feedstocks.<br />
<br />
The distillery subsequently developed into a major producer of industrial and fuel ethanol. It is now operated by Wilmar Sugar and Renewables and processes molasses from Queensland sugar mills. Plane Creek Mill supplies steam and electricity to the facility.<ref name="WilmarSarina2025"/><br />
<br />
The modern Sarina Distillery produces approximately 55 megalitres of bioethanol annually for fuel and industrial applications.<ref name="WilmarSarina2025"/><br />
<br />
=== Ownership ===<br />
Unlike a number of other Queensland central mills, Plane Creek did not become a grower-owned co-operative. The Plane Creek Central Mill Company Limited continued to own the mill until 1974.<br />
<br />
In June 1974, the company was taken over by [[Pioneer Sugar]] Mills Limited. Pioneer Sugar Mills, including Plane Creek, was subsequently acquired by [[CSR]] Limited in 1987.<br />
<br />
In 2010, CSR's sugar and renewable energy business, Sucrogen Limited, was acquired by the Singapore-based agribusiness [[Wilmar International]]. Plane Creek has since operated as part of Wilmar's Australian sugar business.<ref name="Wilmar_Mills">Wilmar Sugar. "Our Mills". https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/what-we-do/mills</ref><br />
<br />
=== Very Low Colour sugar ===<br />
In 1995, CSR commissioned facilities at Plane Creek for the production of Very Low Colour (VLC) raw sugar. The specialised product was intended to reduce processing requirements for refiners and was produced at Plane Creek during the following years.<br />
<br />
CSR later concluded that there was no longer a viable market for the product and wrote down the assets associated with VLC sugar production in 2003.<br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
=== Milling ===<br />
Plane Creek Mill processes an annual average of approximately 1.3 million tonnes of sugarcane and produces approximately 173,000 tonnes of raw sugar.<ref name="WilmarSarina2025"/><br />
<br />
The mill also produces molasses and renewable energy from [[bagasse]], the fibrous material remaining after cane crushing. Steam and electricity generated by the mill are also supplied to the adjoining Sarina Distillery.<br />
<br />
=== Tramway ===<br />
Plane Creek Mill operates an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway serving the Sarina district and cane-growing areas to the south. Wilmar's 2025 regional statistics list approximately 163 kilometres of cane railway, eight locomotives and 2,424 cane bins in the Sarina region.<ref name="WilmarSarina2025"/><br />
<br />
The southern cane supply area developed in conjunction with both mill tramways and the government-owned North Coast railway. Cane from areas around Koumala, Carmila and Flaggy Rock was historically transferred to Queensland Government Railways wagons for transport to the mill. The last Queensland Rail cane train to Plane Creek operated from Carmila in December 1994, after which the mill's own narrow gauge network assumed the long-distance haulage.<br />
<br />
Plane Creek became particularly notable for the use of long distributed-power cane trains on its southern workings. These trains used a second remotely controlled locomotive positioned within the train to provide additional traction and braking on the long haul from the southern terminus. Distributed-power, or Locotrol, operation continued for many years but was discontinued from the 2020 crushing season.<ref>Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Light Railways'', No. 274, August 2020.</ref><br />
<br />
The mill continues to operate long-distance cane trains on the southern network using conventional locomotive operation.<br />
<br />
== Production Statistics ==<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Statistic<br />
! Value<br />
|-<br />
| Average Annual Crush<br />
| 1,300,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Average Raw Sugar Production<br />
| 173,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Bioethanol Production<br />
| 55 megalitres annually (Sarina Distillery)<br />
|-<br />
| Cane Railway<br />
| Approximately 163 km<br />
|-<br />
| Locomotives<br />
| 8<br />
|-<br />
| Cane Bins<br />
| 2,424<br />
|-<br />
| Railway Gauge<br />
| 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-21.42734, 149.21522</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Plane Creek%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Plane Creek%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
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<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
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<td>{{{serial}}}</td><br />
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<td>{{{notes}}}</td><br />
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}}<br />
</table><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Racecourse_Mill&diff=906Racecourse Mill2026-10-05T04:10:46Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Racecourse Mill<br />
| image = Racecourse Sugar Mill, 2016.jpg<br />
| caption = Racecourse Mill. 2016. Kerry Raymond.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-21.164474532632777,149.13422366506873 21.16447° S, 149.13422° E]<br />
| region = [[Central Queensland Region|Mackay]]<br />
| lga = [[Mackay Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1889 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1889}} years ago)<br />
| closed = <br />
| owner = [[Mackay Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 1,700,000 tonnes (maximum production)<br />
}}<br />
'''Racecourse Mill''' is a raw sugar factory located at Racecourse, approximately 6 kilometres south-west of [[Mackay, Queensland|Mackay]]. It is one of three operating sugar mills owned by [[Mackay Sugar]], which is majority owned by the German sugar producer [[Nordzucker]]. The Racecourse site is also home to Mackay Sugar's corporate office and central workshop, the [[Sugar Australia]] Racecourse Refinery and a 38 MW cogeneration plant.<ref name="MkySugarFactories">Mackay Sugar. "Our Factories". https://www.mkysugar.com.au/expertise/factories</ref><br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
The Racecourse Central Sugar Company Limited was formed in 1886 by local cane growers seeking to establish a central mill in the Racecourse district. The company's articles of association were signed on 14 October 1886.<br />
<br />
The project received financial assistance from the Queensland Government. An 1889 report by the Queensland Sugar Industry Commission recorded that £21,999 had been advanced to the company from government funds and that seventeen shareholders had mortgaged their land as security for the construction of the mill.<ref name="SugarCommission1889">Queensland Parliament. ''Report of the Sugar Industry Commission''. 1889.</ref><br />
<br />
The original milling plant was purchased from Mirrlees, Tait & Watson of Glasgow. The mill was completed in 1889 and began operations that year.<ref name="SugarCommission1889"/><ref name="MkySugarHistory">Mackay Sugar. "Our History". https://www.mkysugar.com.au/expertise/history</ref><br />
<br />
Racecourse initially had considerably more crushing capacity than its available cane supply and the mill progressively expanded its supply area. In 1914, Racecourse purchased the nearby Meadowlands Mill, which ceased crushing that year.<br />
<br />
Following the closure of CSR's [[Homebush Mill]] after the 1921 crushing season, the Homebush cane area was initially supplied to [[Farleigh Mill]]. In 1927, an agreement between Farleigh and Racecourse transferred the Homebush supply area to Racecourse in exchange for the Calen and Kolijo areas being supplied to Farleigh.<ref name="MkySugarHistory"/><br />
<br />
=== Co-operative era ===<br />
In 1927, the Racecourse Co-operative Sugar Association Limited was formed to acquire the assets of the Racecourse Central Sugar Company Limited.<ref name="MkySugarHistory"/><br />
<br />
The mill was progressively reconstructed and modernised during the twentieth century as its crushing capacity and cane supply area increased.<br />
<br />
In November 1987, Racecourse growers voted in favour of amalgamation with the other Mackay district milling co-operatives. On 1 February 1988, Racecourse, [[Farleigh Mill|Farleigh]], [[Marian Mill|Marian]], [[North Eton Mill|North Eton]] and [[Cattle Creek Cooperative Mill|Cattle Creek]] amalgamated to form the Mackay Sugar Co-operative Association Limited. The new organisation also purchased [[Pleystowe Mill]] from CSR Limited.<ref name="MkySugarHistory"/><br />
<br />
Mackay Sugar ceased operating as a co-operative and became an unlisted public company in 2008. In July 2019, [[Nordzucker]] acquired a 70 per cent controlling interest in Mackay Sugar.<ref name="Nordzucker">Nordzucker. "Five years of Mackay Sugar – a success story". 25 July 2024. https://www.nordzucker.com/en/nordzucker-post/five-years-of-mackay-sugar-a-success-story/</ref><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
=== Milling ===<br />
Racecourse Mill has a stated maximum production capacity of approximately 1.7 million tonnes of cane per crushing season.<ref name="MkySugarMills">Mackay Sugar. "Our Mills". https://www.mackaysugar.com.au/business/Pages/Our-Mills.aspx</ref><br />
<br />
On average, the mill produces approximately 213,000 tonnes of raw sugar and 58,000 tonnes of molasses annually.<ref name="MkySugarFactories"/><br />
<br />
=== Racecourse Refinery ===<br />
Racecourse was selected in 1991 as the site of a refining joint venture between Mackay Sugar and ED & F Man. The Racecourse Refinery was completed and commissioned in 1994 adjacent to the raw sugar mill.<ref name="MkySugarHistory"/><br />
<br />
The refinery is now operated by [[Sugar Australia]], in which [[Wilmar Sugar]] holds a 75 per cent interest and Mackay Sugar holds 25 per cent. It is Australia's largest sugar refinery and has the capacity to produce up to approximately 450,000 tonnes of refined sugar annually.<ref name="SugarAustralia">Sugar Australia. "Manufacturing Sites". https://sugaraustralia.com.au/our-business/operations/manufacturing-sites</ref><br />
<br />
Raw sugar is supplied directly from Racecourse Mill during the crushing season, supplemented by sugar from other Mackay district mills and, during the non-crushing season, from the Mackay Bulk Sugar Terminal. The refinery produces white and specialty sugars marketed principally under the CSR brand.<br />
<br />
=== Cogeneration Plant ===<br />
A 38 megawatt cogeneration plant was constructed at Racecourse Mill at a cost of approximately $120 million. The project was approved in 2010 and the plant was commissioned by February 2013.<ref name="CogenProject">Hodgson, John; Sievers, Des; Doolan, Terry. "Racecourse Cogeneration Project". Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, 2014.</ref><br />
<br />
The plant uses [[bagasse]], the fibrous residue remaining after sugar cane is crushed, as its principal fuel. Bagasse from Mackay Sugar's Marian and Farleigh mills can also be transported to Racecourse when it is surplus to those mills' own energy requirements.<br />
<br />
The cogeneration plant supplies steam and electricity to Racecourse Mill and the adjacent refinery and exports surplus electricity to the national grid. It generates approximately 156,000 MWh of renewable electricity annually, of which approximately 108,000 MWh is exported.<ref name="MkySugarFactories"/><br />
<br />
=== Tramway ===<br />
Racecourse Mill is served by a 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway carrying harvested cane from farms in the central and southern sections of the Mackay cane-growing district.<br />
<br />
The Racecourse system forms part of Mackay Sugar's interconnected cane railway network, allowing cane movements between mill supply areas when required.<br />
<br />
== Production Statistics ==<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Statistic<br />
! Value<br />
|-<br />
| Maximum Cane Production<br />
| 1,700,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Average Raw Sugar Production<br />
| 213,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Average Molasses Production<br />
| 58,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Average Electricity Generated<br />
| 156,000 MWh<br />
|-<br />
| Average Electricity Exported<br />
| 108,000 MWh<br />
|-<br />
| Refinery Capacity<br />
| Up to 450,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Railway Gauge<br />
| 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-21.16459, 149.13483</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Racecourse%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Racecourse%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
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<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
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</table><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Marian_Mill&diff=905Marian Mill2026-10-05T04:07:54Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Marian Mill<br />
| image = Pioneer River at the Marian Sugar Mill in the Mackay district, circa 1915.JPG<br />
| caption = Marian Sugar Mill in the Mackay district, circa 1915<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-21.14214606010468,148.93999565296903 21.14214° S, 148.93999° E]<br />
| region = [[Central Queensland Region|Mackay]]<br />
| lga = [[Mackay Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1883 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1883}} years ago)<br />
| closed = <br />
| owner = [[Mackay Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = In excess of 2,000,000 tonnes annually<br />
}}<br />
'''Marian Mill''' is a raw sugar factory located in [[Marian, Queensland|Marian]], approximately 25 kilometres west of [[Mackay]], [[Queensland]]. It is the largest of [[Mackay Sugar]]'s three operating factories and has the highest raw sugar production of the company's mills.<ref name="MkySugarFactories">Mackay Sugar. "Our Factories". https://www.mkysugar.com.au/expertise/factories</ref> Mackay Sugar is majority owned by the German sugar producer [[Nordzucker]], which holds a 70 per cent shareholding.<ref name="Nordzucker">Nordzucker. "Marian Mill Profile". https://www.nordzucker.com/en/the-sugar-company/locations/marian</ref><br />
<br />
Marian has an annual cane throughput in excess of two million tonnes and processes cane from areas formerly supplied to the closed [[North Eton Mill|North Eton]] and [[Cattle Creek Cooperative Mill|Cattle Creek]] mills.<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
The first Marian sugar mill was established on the southern bank of the [[Pioneer River]] in 1883 by David McEachran.<ref name="MackayHistory">Mackay Historical Society. "Marian Sugar Mill, 1883-1891, 1895-". http://www.mackayhistory.org/research/sugar_mills/marian.html</ref><ref name="MWLife">Mackay & Whitsunday Life. "Honouring The Roots Of Marian's Sugar Industry". 29 August 2025.</ref> The mill and its associated plantation were named after Marian Smith, the daughter of a local Mackay commission agent who undertook secretarial work at the mill.<br />
<br />
The mill manager was Charles Nisbett Frederick Armstrong. In December 1882 Armstrong married Helen Porter Mitchell, the daughter of David Mitchell, who had been engaged in the construction of the mill. The couple lived at the mill manager's residence at Marian before Helen left Mackay in 1884. She later became internationally renowned as the soprano [[Dame Nellie Melba]].<br />
<br />
The original plantation mill ceased operations in the early 1890s. Local historical sources variously record its closure as 1891 or 1892.<ref name="MackayHistory"/><ref name="MWLife"/><br />
<br />
=== Marian Central Mill ===<br />
Following the closure of the original plantation mill, local growers organised the establishment of a new central mill. The Marian Central Mill Company Limited was formed in 1894 and a new factory was erected under the ''Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893''. The Queensland Government authorised a guarantee of £32,000 for the project.<br />
<br />
The new Marian Central Mill commenced crushing in 1895. By that year the company had constructed a low-level bridge across the [[Pioneer River]] to carry its tramway, giving growers north of the river direct access to the mill. The tramway system was progressively extended as cane cultivation expanded through the district.<br />
<br />
In 1952, the Marian Weir was constructed on the Pioneer River to supply water to Marian Mill and irrigators in the surrounding district.<br />
<br />
=== Co-operative ownership and amalgamation ===<br />
In 1966, shareholders of the Marian Central Mill Company Limited voted to sell the company's assets and liabilities to the cane farmers supplying the mill, who formed the Marian Mill Co-operative Society Limited.<br />
<br />
On 1 February 1988, the Marian, Cattle Creek, [[Farleigh Mill|Farleigh]], North Eton and [[Racecourse Mill|Racecourse]] mill co-operatives amalgamated to form the Mackay Sugar Co-operative Association Limited. As part of the same consolidation, the new organisation purchased [[Pleystowe Mill|Pleystowe Mill]] from CSR Limited.<br />
<br />
Industry rationalisation subsequently resulted in the closure of two mills whose cane supply was transferred to Marian:<br />
* '''North Eton Mill''' – closed following the 1988 crushing season<br />
* '''Cattle Creek Mill''' – closed in 1990<br />
<br />
Marian was substantially expanded to accommodate the additional cane, including the installation of a second milling train in preparation for the closure of Cattle Creek.<br />
<br />
Pleystowe continued operating after the 1988 amalgamation, crushing its final cane on 29 October 2008. Its plant and equipment were subsequently integrated into Mackay Sugar's remaining factories.<br />
<br />
Mackay Sugar converted from a co-operative to an unlisted public company in 2008. In 2019, [[Nordzucker]] became the company's majority shareholder. Nordzucker currently holds a 70 per cent interest in Mackay Sugar.<ref name="Nordzucker"/><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
=== Milling ===<br />
Marian Mill operates two milling trains and is the largest of Mackay Sugar's three factories. Its annual cane throughput exceeds two million tonnes.<br />
<br />
On average, the factory produces approximately 258,000 tonnes of raw sugar and 70,000 tonnes of molasses each year. It also exports approximately 5,600 MWh of electricity annually.<ref name="MkySugarFactories"/><br />
<br />
=== Tramway ===<br />
Marian Mill is served by a 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway. Following the closure of Cattle Creek Mill in 1990, its cane railway system was absorbed into the Marian network, extending Marian's operations west through the upper [[Pioneer Valley]] towards [[Finch Hatton]].<br />
<br />
The Marian system forms part of Mackay Sugar's interconnected cane railway network. The company currently operates approximately 832 kilometres of track extending from Wagoora in the north to Munbura in the south and west through the Pioneer Valley to Finch Hatton.<ref>Mackay Sugar. "Cane Supply".</ref><br />
<br />
== Production Statistics ==<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Statistic<br />
! Value<br />
|-<br />
| Annual Cane Throughput<br />
| In excess of 2,000,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Average Raw Sugar Production<br />
| 258,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Average Molasses Production<br />
| 70,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Average Electricity Export<br />
| 5,600 MWh<br />
|-<br />
| Railway Gauge<br />
| 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-21.14214, 148.93999</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Marian%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Marian%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
| <tr><br />
<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
<td>{{</div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Farleigh_Mill&diff=904Farleigh Mill2026-10-05T04:00:17Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Farleigh Mill<br />
| image = Farleigh.png<br />
| caption = Farleigh Mill.<ref>Mackay Sugar. [https://www.mkysugar.com.au/expertise/factories ''Our Factories''].</ref><br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-21.09992644998503,149.1020532354477 21.09992° S, 149.10205° E]<br />
| region = [[Central Queensland Region|Mackay]]<br />
| lga = [[Mackay Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1883 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1883}} years ago)<br />
| closed =<br />
| owner = [[Mackay Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 1,510,000 tonnes (2024)<br />
}}<br />
'''Farleigh Mill''' is a sugar mill located at [[Farleigh]], approximately 12 kilometres north-west of [[Mackay, Queensland|Mackay]]. Established in 1883, it is the oldest of [[Mackay Sugar]]'s three operating factories.<br />
<br />
Originally established as a plantation mill by English agricultural scientist Sir John Bennett Lawes, Farleigh later became a grower-owned cooperative and in 1988 became one of the foundation mills of the Mackay Sugar Co-operative Association Limited. Mackay Sugar is now majority owned by German sugar producer [[Nordzucker]].<br />
<br />
Farleigh is also an important operating centre for Mackay Sugar's extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway, with the northern main line extending through Calen to Wagoora.<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
Farleigh Mill was established in '''1883''' by '''Sir John Bennett Lawes''', the English agricultural scientist and entrepreneur associated with the Rothamsted Experimental Station.<ref name="MackayHistory">Mackay Sugar. [https://www.mkysugar.com.au/expertise/history ''Our History''].</ref><ref name="NordzuckerFarleigh">Nordzucker. [https://www.nordzucker.com/en/the-sugar-company/locations/farleigh/ ''Farleigh''].</ref><br />
<br />
Lawes acquired Farleigh and surrounding properties with the intention of developing a large sugar plantation.<br />
<br />
The mill was constructed in 1883 and initially processed cane grown on the company estate. Contemporary industry chronologies record Farleigh as commencing crushing in the same year.<ref name="ACFAMills">Australian Cane Farmers Association. [https://www.acfa.com.au/sugar-industry/sugar-milling/ ''Sugar Mills''].</ref><br />
<br />
The plantation system subsequently experienced declining production, and cultivation on the original estate was progressively reduced.<br />
<br />
Farleigh Mill ceased crushing after the '''1900 season'''.<ref name="MackayHistory" /><br />
<br />
=== Farleigh Estate Sugar Company ===<br />
Lawes' Farleigh interests were sold around 1900.<br />
<br />
Bundaberg sugar businessmen '''Frederic Buss''' and '''John Cran''' were subsequently involved in establishing the '''Farleigh Estate Sugar Company Limited'''. The Australian Dictionary of Biography records Buss and Cran as launching the company in '''1902'''.<ref name="CranADB">Australian Dictionary of Biography. [https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cran-robert-6329 ''Cran family''].</ref><br />
<br />
The new owners moved away from the plantation model and encouraged independent farmers to supply the factory.<br />
<br />
Farleigh Mill was refurbished and had reopened by '''1904'''.<ref name="QLDPlacesFarleigh">Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. [https://queenslandplaces.com.au/farleigh ''Farleigh'', Queensland Places].</ref><br />
<br />
The expanded factory absorbed cane previously associated with a number of smaller Mackay district mills and plantations, including Ashburton, The Cedars, Coningsby, Pioneer, Richmond, Nindaroo, Habana and Dumbleton.<ref name="MackayHistory" /><br />
<br />
=== Homebush and northern expansion ===<br />
In '''1921''', [[CSR]] closed [[Homebush Mill]] south of Mackay and Farleigh assumed responsibility for cane from the former Homebush and Rosella supply area.<ref name="MackayHistory" /><br />
<br />
The additional transport costs and financial commitments, combined with several poor seasons, contributed to the Farleigh Estate Sugar Company entering voluntary liquidation in '''1926'''.<ref name="MackayHistory" /><ref name="CranADB" /><br />
<br />
Local growers purchased the mill and formed the '''Farleigh Co-operative Sugar Milling Association Limited'''.<br />
<br />
In '''1927''', the former Homebush suppliers were transferred from Farleigh to [[Racecourse Mill]]. In return, Farleigh's supply area expanded northwards into the fertile Calen and Kolijo districts.<ref name="MackayHistory" /><br />
<br />
Initially much of this northern cane was carried over the Queensland Government's North Coast railway.<br />
<br />
Increasing tonnages and the cost of government rail haulage eventually led Farleigh to construct its own 610 mm gauge railway northwards. Work began in '''1956''' and the line was completed in '''1961'''.<ref name="MackayHistory" /><br />
<br />
This northern railway ultimately extended through Calen, Pindi Pindi and surrounding districts to Wagoora.<br />
<br />
=== Mackay Sugar ===<br />
During the 1980s the Mackay district's grower-owned mills began negotiating a major rationalisation of milling operations.<br />
<br />
Farleigh growers voted in '''November 1987''' to amalgamate with the other district cooperatives.<ref name="MackayHistory" /><br />
<br />
On '''1 February 1988''', the Farleigh, Racecourse, Marian, North Eton and Cattle Creek cooperatives combined to form the '''Mackay Sugar Co-operative Association Limited'''. The new organisation also purchased [[Pleystowe Mill]] from CSR.<ref name="MackayHistory" /><br />
<br />
The restructuring created a single interconnected milling and cane transport organisation across much of the Mackay district.<br />
<br />
North Eton Mill closed after the 1988 season and Cattle Creek Mill closed in 1990, with their cane and infrastructure progressively incorporated into the remaining Mackay Sugar system.<br />
<br />
Mackay Sugar converted from a cooperative to an unlisted public company in '''2008'''.<ref name="MackayHistory" /><br />
<br />
=== Nordzucker ownership ===<br />
In February 2019, German sugar producer [[Nordzucker]] entered into an agreement to acquire a 70 per cent controlling interest in Mackay Sugar.<br />
<br />
The transaction was subject to several conditions, including shareholder approval and the disposal of [[Mossman Central Mill]].<br />
<br />
Mackay Sugar shareholders overwhelmingly approved the transaction in July, and Nordzucker's acquisition formally completed on '''31 July 2019'''.<ref name="Nordzucker2019">Nordzucker. ''Nordzucker acquires majority in Mackay Sugar''. 31 July 2019.</ref><br />
<br />
Nordzucker initially acquired 70 per cent of the company. Subsequent purchases increased its total holding to '''70.9 per cent''' by February 2025.<ref name="MackayAR2025">Mackay Sugar Limited. ''Annual Report 2024/2025''.</ref><br />
<br />
Mackay Sugar remains a separate Australian company, with grower and other shareholders retaining the minority interest.<br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Milling ===<br />
Farleigh is one of Mackay Sugar's three operating factories, together with [[Marian Mill]] and [[Racecourse Mill]].<br />
<br />
Mackay Sugar currently states that Farleigh produces an average of approximately:<br />
<br />
* '''196,000 tonnes of raw sugar'''<br />
* '''49,000 tonnes of molasses'''<br />
* '''1,800 MWh of exported electricity''' annually.<ref name="MackayFactories">Mackay Sugar. [https://www.mkysugar.com.au/expertise/factories ''Our Factories''].</ref><br />
<br />
Farleigh also houses Mackay Sugar's Business Services Centre and cane payment functions.<br />
<br />
The factory has flexible cane receival equipment including a combined tippler and weighbridge, allowing cane from different parts of the interconnected Mackay Sugar network to be directed to Farleigh when required.<ref name="MackayFactories" /><br />
<br />
=== Cane railway ===<br />
Farleigh forms part of Mackay Sugar's integrated '''610 mm (2 ft) gauge''' cane railway system.<br />
<br />
The complete Mackay Sugar network currently comprises approximately '''832 kilometres of track''', extending from Wagoora in the north to Munbura in the south and west through the Pioneer Valley to Finch Hatton.<ref name="MackayRail">Mackay Sugar. [https://www.mkysugar.com.au/expertise/cane-supply ''Cane Supply''].</ref><br />
<br />
Mackay Sugar operates approximately 34 locomotives and 6,600 cane bins across the network.<ref name="MackayRail" /><br />
<br />
Farleigh's portion of the system is distinguished by its long northern main line through the Calen district to Wagoora, the northern extremity of the Mackay Sugar network.<br />
<br />
Although this line approaches the southern limits of the Proserpine cane district, there is no physical cane railway connection with [[Proserpine Mill]].<br />
<br />
=== The Summit ===<br />
One of the most important historical operating constraints on Farleigh's northern railway was the steeply graded section known as '''The Summit'''.<br />
<br />
The grades limited train loads and complicated the movement of the increasingly large volumes of cane being transported from the northern districts.<br />
<br />
In '''1997''', Mackay Sugar committed approximately '''$14 million''' to a major realignment of the Summit section. Several kilometres of steeply graded railway were eliminated, increasing train capacity and providing greater scheduling flexibility.<ref name="MackayHistory" /><br />
<br />
The project was one of the most significant cane railway infrastructure upgrades undertaken in the Mackay district during the period.<br />
<br />
=== Wagoora ===<br />
'''Wagoora''' is the northern terminus of the Mackay Sugar cane railway network.<br />
<br />
The northern line reaches Wagoora after passing through the Calen and Pindi Pindi districts. The locality lies close to the southern edge of the Proserpine milling district but remains part of the Mackay Sugar supply and railway system.<ref name="MackayRail" /><br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
Unlike some mill owners, Mackay Sugar does not currently publish a specific long-term average cane throughput for Farleigh.<br />
<br />
Its current published average output is approximately 196,000 tonnes of raw sugar and 49,000 tonnes of molasses annually.<ref name="MackayFactories" /><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Selected recent production<br />
! Season<br />
! Cane crushed<br />
! Raw sugar<br />
! Molasses<br />
! Notes<br />
|-<br />
| 2020<br />
| 1.583 million tonnes<br />
| —<br />
| —<br />
| Farleigh finished crushing on 8 December 2020.<ref name="MackayAR2021">Mackay Sugar Limited. ''Annual Report 2021''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2023<br />
| 1.51 million tonnes<br />
| 200,388 tonnes<br />
| 51,000 tonnes<br />
| Crushing commenced on 1 June and continued for 29.1 weeks.<ref name="MackayAR2024">Mackay Sugar Limited. ''Annual Report 2023/2024''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 1.51 million tonnes<br />
| 204,003 tonnes<br />
| 47,922 tonnes<br />
| Crushing commenced on 4 June and continued for 28.2 weeks. Factory reliability was 77.7 per cent.<ref name="MackayAR2025" /><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-21.09992, 149.10205</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
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}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
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</table><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Proserpine_Mill&diff=903Proserpine Mill2026-10-05T03:53:05Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Proserpine Mill<br />
| image = Proserpine-Sugar-Mill-1196.jpg<br />
| caption = Proserpine Mill, 2008. Vmenkov.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-20.398299212160634,148.5797524065207 20.39829° S, 148.57975° E]<br />
| region = [[Central Queensland Region|Proserpine]]<br />
| lga = [[Whitsunday Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1897 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1897}} years ago)<br />
| closed =<br />
| owner = [[Wilmar Sugar Australia]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 1,700,000 tonnes (2020–2024 average)<br />
}}<br />
'''Proserpine Sugar Mill''' is a sugar mill located at [[Proserpine, Queensland|Proserpine]] in the [[Whitsunday Region]] of [[Queensland]]. Established in 1897 on the southern side of the Proserpine River, the mill played a central role in the development of the town of Proserpine.<br />
<br />
The mill is operated by [[Wilmar Sugar Australia]] and processes an average of approximately 1.7 million tonnes of sugarcane annually. It is served by a standalone 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway network which is physically separate from the neighbouring Mackay and Burdekin cane railway systems.<ref name="WilmarProserpine">Wilmar Sugar and Renewables. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/media-centre/fact-sheets/1591-wilmar-a4-at-a-glance-proserpine-2023-web-compressed ''Proserpine Region – At a Glance'']. June 2025.</ref><br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Early sugar industry ===<br />
Commercial sugar production in the Proserpine district pre-dated the present mill.<br />
<br />
The '''Crystal Brook Sugar Company Limited''' was registered in 1882 and established the Glen Isla plantation, comprising approximately 3,000 acres on the Proserpine River. It was the first registered sugar company in the district.<ref name="WRCMill">Whitsunday Regional Council. [https://www.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/1/community-and-environment/documents/Proserpine_Sugar_Mill.pdf ''Whitsunday Local Heritage Register – Proserpine Sugar Mill''].</ref><br />
<br />
The plantation operated its own small mill and relied heavily on South Sea Islander and Chinese labour.<br />
<br />
Crystal Brook proved short-lived. The company collapsed in '''1885''', principally during a severe fall in world sugar prices.<ref name="WRCMill" /><br />
<br />
The former plantation estate was subsequently subdivided during the 1890s, with part of the land eventually incorporated into the developing town of Proserpine.<br />
<br />
=== Proserpine Central Mill ===<br />
Queensland's ''Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893'' encouraged the establishment of central mills supplied by independent farmers rather than company-owned plantations.<br />
<br />
The '''Proserpine Central Mill Company''' was registered in '''1894'''.<ref name="WRCMill" /><br />
<br />
The new central mill was constructed during the following years together with a 610 mm gauge tramway and a wharf on the Proserpine River. Much of the machinery was transported into the district by sea and then hauled to the mill site.<br />
<br />
Proserpine Central Mill commenced crushing in '''1897'''.<ref name="WilmarProserpine" /><ref name="QAJ1931">Queensland Department of Agriculture and Stock. ''Queensland Agricultural Journal'', 1 May 1931.</ref><br />
<br />
During its first season, the mill processed '''10,919 tons of cane in 99 days''' from 39 suppliers.<ref name="ACFA2011">Australian Cane Farmers Association. [https://www.acfa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2011-07-to-12-ACF-e.pdf ''The Australian Cane Farmer'', July–December 2011, p. 11].</ref><br />
<br />
The establishment of the mill stimulated rapid settlement around the site. The town of Proserpine was surveyed as the local population increased, and the mill provided land for several early public facilities.<ref name="WRCMill" /><br />
<br />
=== Government control ===<br />
Despite its promising start, the mill struggled with debt and insufficient cane throughput.<br />
<br />
In '''1900''', management was handed to the Queensland Government.<ref name="ACFA2011" /><br />
<br />
The mill remained unable to meet its financial obligations, and in '''1904''' the government foreclosed and assumed ownership through the Bureau of Central Sugar Mills.<ref name="ACFA2011" /><br />
<br />
The government continued to operate the mill while the surrounding cane-growing industry developed.<br />
<br />
In 1914, district growers voted to purchase the mill, although the transfer did not occur immediately.<ref name="WRCMill" /><br />
<br />
=== Grower cooperative ===<br />
In '''1931''', growers finally acquired control and formed the '''Proserpine Co-operative Sugar Milling Association Limited'''.<ref name="ACFA2011" /><br />
<br />
The cooperative operated Proserpine Mill for the next 80 years.<br />
<br />
During this period the factory and cane railway were progressively expanded and modernised as production increased in districts including Cannon Valley, Kelsey Creek, Lethebrook, Myrtlevale and the upper Proserpine River area.<br />
<br />
The construction of Peter Faust Dam, completed in 1990, provided additional water security for agriculture in the Proserpine district.<br />
<br />
=== Sale to Wilmar ===<br />
During 2011 the Proserpine cooperative became the subject of competing acquisition proposals from Wilmar-owned Sucrogen and COFCO-owned Tully Sugar.<br />
<br />
Sucrogen initially offered $115 million for the cooperative's assets. Proserpine members voted on the proposal twice, on 31 August and 28 October 2011, but on both occasions the proposal failed to obtain the required level of member approval.<ref name="ACFA2011" /><br />
<br />
On '''6 November 2011''', the board placed the cooperative into voluntary administration.<ref name="ABCAdministration">ABC News. [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-07/sugar-mill-goes-into-administration/3638864 ''Sugar mill goes into administration'']. 7 November 2011.</ref><br />
<br />
Administrators KordaMentha subsequently agreed to sell the mill assets to Sucrogen for approximately '''$120 million'''.<br />
<br />
On '''9 December 2011''', creditors voted to approve the transaction and Sucrogen assumed control of the mill.<ref name="ABCSale">ABC Rural. [https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2011-12-09/sucrogen-finally-gets-the-proserpine-sugar-mill/6097172 ''Sucrogen finally gets the Proserpine Sugar Mill'']. 9 December 2011.</ref><br />
<br />
Sucrogen had already been acquired by [[Wilmar International]] from CSR in 2010. The Australian sugar business was subsequently renamed Wilmar Sugar Australia.<br />
<br />
Proserpine was Wilmar's most recent Australian mill acquisition.<ref name="WilmarProserpine" /><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Milling ===<br />
Wilmar's current published figures give Proserpine Mill an average annual throughput of approximately '''1.7 million tonnes of sugarcane''' and average raw sugar production of approximately '''228,000 tonnes'''.<ref name="WilmarProserpine" /><br />
<br />
These figures represent the annual average for 2020–2024.<br />
<br />
The mill also generates renewable electricity from bagasse and exports surplus power to the electricity grid. Wilmar estimates that its average annual export is sufficient to supply more than 1,500 homes for a year.<ref name="WilmarProserpine" /><br />
<br />
=== Cane railway ===<br />
Proserpine operates a standalone '''610 mm (2 ft) gauge''' cane railway network.<br />
<br />
Wilmar's 2025 regional figures give the system as approximately:<br />
<br />
* '''235 kilometres of cane railway'''<br />
* '''9 locomotives'''<br />
* '''1,192 cane bins'''<ref name="WilmarProserpine" /><br />
<br />
Unlike the interconnected mill networks found in the Herbert, Burdekin and Mackay districts, Proserpine's cane railway is physically isolated from neighbouring mill railway systems.<ref name="RailTram">Railways and Tramways of Australia. [https://www.railtram.com.au/sugar-cane-railways ''Sugar Cane Railways''].</ref><br />
<br />
The network extends west towards Red Hill, Kelsey Creek and Silver Creek, north towards Myrtlevale, east through Cannon Valley and Preston, and south through Lethebrook to Elaroo. The Elaroo district is approximately 32 kilometres from the mill.<ref name="RailwayDigest2024">Walters, Chris. ''Sugar Cane 2024 – Part 1: Isis Central to Proserpine''. ''Railway Digest'', April 2024.</ref><br />
<br />
Major operating routes include the Up River, Cannon Valley, Kelsey Creek, Gregory and Elaroo lines.<br />
<br />
=== Cane bins ===<br />
Proserpine has a long history of using relatively high-capacity cane bins.<br />
<br />
A '''10-tonne four-wheel cane bin''' design was introduced at Proserpine during the 1990s. By the end of the 2000 crushing season the former 4-tonne bin fleet had been completely withdrawn, leaving the larger bins as the standard equipment.<ref name="LRBins">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Light Railways'', February 2001.</ref><br />
<br />
The 10-tonne vehicles are '''four-wheel bins rather than bogie wagons'''.<br />
<br />
Wilmar has continued to renew the fleet. Fifty additional 10-tonne bins were ordered for Proserpine ahead of the 2023 crushing season.<ref name="LR2023">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Light Railways'', No. 291, June 2023.</ref><br />
<br />
The high carrying capacity is reflected in recent production reports. The average loaded cane weight per bin was '''9.40 tonnes in 2025'''.<ref name="Wilmar2025">Wilmar Sugar and Renewables. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/proserpine-production-reports/2112-proserpine-production-report-wk-20-we-01nov25/file ''Proserpine Production Report – Week 20 ending 1 November 2025''].</ref><br />
<br />
=== Raw sugar transport ===<br />
Raw sugar produced at Proserpine is transported by '''1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) heavy rail''' to the Port of Mackay for storage and export.<ref name="WilmarProserpine" /><br />
<br />
This traffic is separate from the mill's 610 mm cane railway operation.<br />
<br />
The mill therefore has two distinct rail functions: its privately operated 610 mm network brings harvested cane into the factory, while Queensland's heavy-rail network carries finished raw sugar south to Mackay Port.<br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
Wilmar's published 2020–2024 average is approximately '''1.7 million tonnes of cane''' and '''228,000 tonnes of raw sugar''' annually.<ref name="WilmarProserpine" /><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Selected recent production<br />
! Season<br />
! Cane crushed<br />
! Average CCS<br />
! Average bin weight<br />
! Notes<br />
|-<br />
| 2022<br />
| 1,854,435 tonnes<br />
| 13.56<br />
| 9.56 tonnes<br />
| Season completed on 12 January 2023 following an extended crush.<ref name="Wilmar2022">Wilmar Sugar. ''Proserpine Production Report – Week 29 ending 14 January 2023''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2023<br />
| 1,702,639 tonnes<br />
| 14.52<br />
| 9.67 tonnes<br />
| Final cane crushed on 9 December 2023.<ref name="Wilmar2023">Wilmar Sugar. ''Proserpine Production Report – Week 26 ending 9 December 2023''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 1,673,788 tonnes<br />
| 13.81<br />
| 9.50 tonnes<br />
| Season ended after continuing wet weather prevented further cane supply.<ref name="Wilmar2024">Wilmar Sugar and Renewables. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/proserpine-production-reports/1868-proserpine-production-report-wk-25-we-14dec24/file ''Proserpine Production Report – Week 25 ending 14 December 2024''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2025<br />
| 1,478,749 tonnes<br />
| 14.42<br />
| 9.40 tonnes<br />
| Final bin tipped at 6:31 am on 1 November 2025.<ref name="Wilmar2025" /><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-20.398299, 148.579752</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
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|where=current_mill LIKE "%Proserpine%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Proserpine%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
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</table><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Herbert_%26_Burdekin_Region&diff=902Herbert & Burdekin Region2026-10-05T03:46:58Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>The '''Herbert and Burdekin Region''' encompasses two of Queensland's most important sugar-producing districts: the high-rainfall [[Herbert River]] district surrounding [[Ingham]] and the extensively irrigated [[Burdekin]] district centred on [[Ayr]] and [[Home Hill]].<br />
<br />
The region contains six operating sugar mills, all operated by [[Wilmar Sugar Australia]], together with the bulk sugar export terminals at [[Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal|Lucinda]] and [[Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal|Townsville]]. The two districts have contrasting agricultural environments but both support large-scale milling operations and extensive cane railway networks. The Herbert district contains [[Macknade Mill|Macknade]] and [[Victoria Mill|Victoria]], while the Burdekin contains [[Invicta Mill|Invicta]], [[Pioneer Mill|Pioneer]], [[Kalamia Mill|Kalamia]] and [[Inkerman Mill|Inkerman]].<ref name="WilmarOps">Wilmar Sugar Australia. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/what-we-do/mills ''Our Mills''].</ref><br />
<br />
The area's sugar industry developed from nineteenth-century plantation enterprises into an industry supplied predominantly by independent cane growers. During the twentieth century the mills underwent repeated expansion and consolidation, with all six eventually becoming part of the Wilmar group. Raw sugar from the Herbert mills is exported through Lucinda, while production from the four Burdekin mills is transported by heavy rail to Townsville.<br />
<br />
=== [[Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal]] ===<br />
The Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal opened in '''1958''' and is the export terminal for raw sugar produced by [[Victoria Mill]] and [[Macknade Mill]]. Raw sugar is transported from both factories to Lucinda over the Herbert district's 610 mm (2 ft) gauge railway.<br />
<br />
The original bulk terminal used an inshore berth, but increasing vessel size and the limitations of the shallow Hinchinbrook Channel led to construction of the present offshore loading facility between 1975 and 1979. Its '''5.76-kilometre jetty''' carries an enclosed conveyor to a deep-water berth and shiploader and is one of the longest structures of its type in the world.<ref name="LucindaPort">Port of Townsville. [https://www.townsville-port.com.au/corporate/ ''Port of Lucinda''].</ref><br />
<br />
The terminal is owned and operated by [[Sugar Terminals Limited]] and has three storage sheds with a combined capacity of approximately 235,000 tonnes.<ref name="STLLucinda">Sugar Terminals Limited. [https://sugarterminals.com.au/locations/ ''Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal''].</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Macknade Mill]] ===<br />
Macknade Mill commenced crushing in '''1873''' on the banks of the [[Herbert River]] and is the '''oldest continuously operating sugar mill in Australia'''.<ref name="Macknade150">Wilmar Sugar Australia. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/media-centre/latest-news/macknade-mill-turns-150 ''Virtual tour marks 150th birthday'']. 20 December 2023.</ref><br />
<br />
Established by Arthur and Frank Neame as a plantation enterprise, Macknade progressively developed into a central mill supplied by independent growers. [[CSR]] acquired the property in 1896 and operated it for more than a century before its sugar business passed to Wilmar in 2010.<br />
<br />
Today Macknade processes an average of approximately 1.5 million tonnes of cane annually and is connected with neighbouring [[Victoria Mill]] by the Herbert district's integrated cane railway network.<ref name="WilmarOps" /><br />
<br />
=== [[Victoria Mill]] ===<br />
[[CSR]] established Victoria Mill in '''1883''' approximately 3 kilometres east of [[Ingham]]. The factory developed from a large plantation mill into one of Australia's highest-throughput sugar factories.<br />
<br />
Victoria is a dual-milling-train factory and processes an average of approximately '''3 million tonnes of cane annually''', producing about 400,000 tonnes of raw sugar. Wilmar describes Victoria as regularly vying with [[Invicta Mill]] for the position of Australia's largest sugar mill.<ref name="WilmarOps" /><br />
<br />
Victoria and Macknade share an interconnected 610 mm gauge cane railway system, and finished raw sugar from both factories is transported by rail to the [[Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal]].<br />
<br />
=== [[Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal]] ===<br />
The Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal was completed in '''1959''' at the [[Port of Townsville]]. It is the principal export terminal for raw sugar produced in the Burdekin district.<ref name="TownsvillePort">Port of Townsville. [https://www.townsville-port.com.au/corporate/port-history/ ''Port History''].</ref><br />
<br />
Raw sugar from [[Invicta Mill|Invicta]], [[Pioneer Mill|Pioneer]], [[Kalamia Mill|Kalamia]] and [[Inkerman Mill|Inkerman]] is transported to the terminal over the 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) heavy-rail network.<br />
<br />
The terminal is owned and operated by [[Sugar Terminals Limited]] and contains three storage sheds with a combined capacity of '''750,000 tonnes'''.<ref name="STLTownsville">Sugar Terminals Limited. [https://sugarterminals.com.au/locations/ ''Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal''].</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Invicta Mill]] ===<br />
Invicta Mill commenced crushing at its present site at [[Giru]] in '''1921'''. Its history can be traced through earlier Invicta milling operations in northern New South Wales and at South Kolan near Bundaberg before the plant was relocated to the Haughton River district.<ref name="InvictaHistory">Wilmar Sugar Australia. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/what-we-do/mills ''Our Mills''].</ref><br />
<br />
Large-scale development of irrigated cane land following construction of the Burdekin Falls Dam led to a major expansion of the factory during the late twentieth century, including installation of a second milling train.<br />
<br />
Invicta now processes an average of approximately 3 million tonnes of cane annually and produces around 440,000 tonnes of raw sugar, making it Australia's largest mill by raw sugar production.<ref name="InvictaHistory" /><br />
<br />
=== [[Pioneer Mill]] ===<br />
Pioneer Mill near [[Brandon, Queensland|Brandon]] commenced crushing in '''1884'''. The Pioneer enterprise was established by a partnership associated with the Drysdale family and became particularly important in the development of irrigation in the Lower Burdekin.<br />
<br />
The work of George and John Drysdale in developing groundwater irrigation helped demonstrate the viability of intensive sugar cultivation in a district with markedly lower and less reliable rainfall than the tropical coast.<ref name="Drysdale">Australian Dictionary of Biography. [https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/drysdale-george-russell-3884 ''Drysdale, George Russell''].</ref><br />
<br />
Pioneer is unique among Queensland sugar mills in operating its cane railway principally to '''1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge'''. It also contains a 68 MW cogeneration plant which Wilmar describes as Australia's largest biomass-only electricity generator.<ref name="WilmarOps" /><br />
<br />
=== [[Kalamia Mill]] ===<br />
Charles and John Young established the Kalamia Estate in '''1882''', with Kalamia Mill commencing sugar production in '''1884'''.<br />
<br />
The property later passed to the Australian Estates and Mortgage Company, which operated Kalamia for much of the twentieth century. [[CSR]] acquired Australian Estates in 1975, bringing the mill into the CSR sugar group.<br />
<br />
Kalamia is now the smallest of Wilmar's four Burdekin factories, processing an average of approximately '''1.5 million tonnes of cane''' and producing about 230,000 tonnes of raw sugar annually.<ref name="WilmarOps" /><br />
<br />
Its 610 mm gauge cane railway connects with neighbouring mill systems through sections of dual-gauge track associated with the 1,067 mm gauge [[Pioneer Mill]] network.<br />
<br />
=== [[Inkerman Mill]] ===<br />
Inkerman Mill at [[Home Hill]] was established by John Drysdale and commenced crushing in '''1914'''. The development of the factory was closely associated with the expansion of irrigated settlement south of the [[Burdekin River]].<br />
<br />
The dual-milling-train factory processes an average of approximately '''1.7 million tonnes of cane''' annually and is one of only two Australian sugar mills, together with Invicta, to use a cane diffuser.<ref name="WilmarInkerman">Wilmar Sugar Australia. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/what-we-do/mills ''Our Mills – Inkerman Mill''].</ref><br />
<br />
Inkerman is the only operating Burdekin mill situated south of the river. Its modern 610 mm gauge cane railway is physically isolated from the interconnected Invicta, Pioneer and Kalamia systems on the northern side, with no permanent cane railway crossing of the Burdekin River.<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Inkerman_Mill&diff=901Inkerman Mill2026-10-05T02:56:24Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Inkerman Mill<br />
| image = Inkerman mill.jpg<br />
| caption = Inkerman Mill, 2006. Amos T Fairchild.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-19.642963769533335,147.40077000046057 19.64296° S, 147.40077° E]<br />
| region = [[Herbert & Burdekin Region|Burdekin]]<br />
| lga = [[Burdekin Shire Council]]<br />
| established = 1914 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1914}} years ago)<br />
| closed =<br />
| owner = [[Wilmar Sugar Australia]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 1,700,000 tonnes (average)<br />
}}<br />
'''Inkerman Sugar Mill''' is a sugar mill located at [[Home Hill]], [[Queensland]], on the southern bank of the [[Burdekin River]]. Established by sugar industry pioneer John Drysdale, the mill commenced crushing in 1914.<br />
<br />
Inkerman is one of four operating sugar mills in the [[Burdekin]] district and the only one situated south of the Burdekin River. It is operated by [[Wilmar Sugar Australia]] and is a dual-milling-train factory processing an average of approximately 1.7 million tonnes of sugarcane annually.<ref name="WilmarMills">Wilmar Sugar Australia. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/what-we-do/mills ''Our Mills''].</ref><br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
The development of Inkerman Mill was closely associated with John Drysdale, who had played a major role in the development of [[Pioneer Mill]] and irrigation agriculture in the Lower Burdekin.<br />
<br />
In 1910, Drysdale acquired approximately 1,280 acres south of the Burdekin River. The Queensland Government was at the time subdividing the former Inkerman pastoral estate for closer settlement, creating the prospect of a substantial new cane-growing district.<ref name="DrysdaleADB">Australian Dictionary of Biography. [https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/drysdale-george-russell-3884 ''Drysdale, George Russell''].</ref><br />
<br />
Drysdale negotiated with the Queensland Government over transport infrastructure, undertaking to establish a sugar mill if railway access and a bridge across the Burdekin River were provided.<br />
<br />
Construction took place during 1913–14.<br />
<br />
The mill was designed and built by Scottish engineer '''J. Pickering''' under Drysdale's direction, using machinery manufactured by '''George Fletcher and Company''' of Derby, England.<ref name="JCUInkerman">James Cook University. [https://nqheritage.jcu.edu.au/554/ ''Inkerman Sugar Mill Archive''].</ref><br />
<br />
Inkerman commenced crushing in '''1914'''.<ref name="WilmarMills" /><ref name="QldPlacesInkerman">Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. [https://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/inkerman ''Inkerman'', Queensland Places].</ref><br />
<br />
Contemporary and later records place the first-season crush at approximately 62,000 tonnes of cane.<br />
<br />
The severe Lower Burdekin drought of 1915 devastated the newly developed Inkerman cane area and the mill did not operate during that season.<br />
<br />
=== Home Hill ===<br />
The establishment of Inkerman Mill was closely linked with the development of [[Home Hill]].<br />
<br />
The Queensland Government had repurchased and subdivided the former Inkerman pastoral estate for agricultural settlement, while the railway connection south from Ayr was completed in 1913.<br />
<br />
A township was surveyed near the mill to serve the rapidly growing farming population. Originally named Holme Hill, it was soon renamed Home Hill.<br />
<br />
Employment at the mill and the expansion of irrigated cane farming subsequently became central to the development of the town.<ref name="QldPlacesHomeHill">Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. [https://queenslandplaces.com.au/home-hill ''Home Hill'', Queensland Places].</ref><br />
<br />
=== Pioneer Sugar Mills Limited ===<br />
On '''25 September 1914''', Pioneer Sugar Mills Limited was formed and took over both [[Pioneer Mill]] and Inkerman Mill.<ref name="DrysdaleADB" /><br />
<br />
The two factories remained under common ownership for most of the twentieth century.<br />
<br />
Pioneer Sugar Mills became a public company in 1960 and continued to modernise both factories.<br />
<br />
During the post-war period Inkerman underwent extensive expansion as irrigated cane production increased south of the Burdekin River.<br />
<br />
A second milling train was installed during the 1970s, substantially increasing the factory's crushing capacity.<br />
<br />
=== CSR ownership ===<br />
In '''1987''', [[CSR]] acquired Pioneer Sugar Mills Limited, including Pioneer, Inkerman and [[Plane Creek Mill]].<ref name="CSR1987">Australian sugar industry historical chronology. CSR acquisition of Pioneer Sugar Mills Limited, 1987.</ref><br />
<br />
Inkerman subsequently became part of CSR's Queensland sugar milling operations.<br />
<br />
=== Wilmar ownership ===<br />
CSR later reorganised its sugar and renewable energy operations under the Sucrogen name.<br />
<br />
In 2010, Sucrogen was acquired by [[Wilmar International]] for an enterprise value of $1.75 billion. The Australian milling business was subsequently renamed Wilmar Sugar Australia.<br />
<br />
Inkerman remains one of Wilmar's four Burdekin mills.<br />
<br />
The mill celebrated its '''centenary in 2014'''.<ref name="WilmarMills" /><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Milling ===<br />
Inkerman is a '''dual-milling-train factory'''.<br />
<br />
Wilmar states that the mill processes an average of approximately '''1.7 million tonnes of sugarcane each year''' and manufactures about '''260,000 tonnes of raw sugar'''.<ref name="WilmarMills" /><br />
<br />
Inkerman is also unusual in using a '''cane diffuser''' as part of the extraction process.<br />
<br />
Wilmar identifies Inkerman and [[Invicta Mill]] as the only two Australian sugar mills currently using diffusers.<ref name="WilmarDiffuser">Wilmar Sugar Australia. ''Meet our Inkerman Mill''.</ref><br />
<br />
In a conventional milling train, shredded cane passes through a series of crushing mills. At Inkerman, the diffuser replaces several of the intermediate crushing units. Shredded cane forms a moving fibre bed through which water is repeatedly percolated to wash sucrose from the fibre.<br />
<br />
=== Cane railway ===<br />
Inkerman operates a 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway serving the southern Burdekin cane-growing districts, including Home Hill, Kirknie, Iona, Osborne and surrounding areas.<br />
<br />
The modern network is physically isolated from the interconnected [[Invicta Mill|Invicta]], [[Pioneer Mill|Pioneer]] and [[Kalamia Mill|Kalamia]] cane railway systems north of the Burdekin River.<br />
<br />
There is no permanent 610 mm gauge cane railway crossing of the Burdekin River.<br />
<br />
This isolation occasionally requires unusual transfer arrangements. During the 2020 season, cane was transferred from the Inkerman system to Invicta by loading full cane bins onto road vehicles for transport across the river before they were returned to rail on the northern side.<ref name="LRRSA2021">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Light Railways'', No. 277, February 2021.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Historical 1,067 mm railway ===<br />
Although Inkerman's principal cane railway has always been 610 mm gauge, the mill historically also operated a '''1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge locomotive'''.<br />
<br />
'''Inkerman No. 1''' was a Hunslet 0-6-0T steam locomotive, works number 1119 of 1913.<ref name="LRRSAPreserved">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. [https://lrrsa.org.au/LRR_SGRc.htm ''Preserved Australian sugar cane locomotives''].</ref><br />
<br />
The locomotive was used to haul cane across the Burdekin River over the Queensland Government railway and was subsequently retained for shunting 1,067 mm gauge exchange traffic associated with raw sugar and molasses.<ref name="BrowningIndustrial">Browning, John. [https://www.zelmeroz.com/mrqc/notes/2016/jb_Qld-Private_IndustrialRailways.pdf ''Queensland Private and Industrial Railways'']. Modelling the Railways of Queensland Convention, 2016.</ref><br />
<br />
By the late 1960s, ''Inkerman No. 1'' was primarily used to shunt Queensland Rail bulk sugar and molasses wagons between the mill and the nearby railway interchange.<br />
<br />
The locomotive was later preserved.<br />
<br />
=== Raw sugar transport ===<br />
Finished raw sugar from Inkerman is loaded into 1,067 mm gauge heavy-rail wagons and transported north to the [[Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal]].<br />
<br />
All four Wilmar Burdekin mills use Townsville as their raw sugar export terminal.<ref name="BurdekinFacts">Wilmar Sugar and Renewables. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/publications/1884-burdekin-at-a-glance-2024/file ''Burdekin Region – At a Glance'']. June 2025.</ref><br />
<br />
== Locomotive fleet renewal ==<br />
Wilmar undertook a significant renewal of the Inkerman locomotive fleet ahead of the 2024 crushing season.<br />
<br />
A new '''26-tonne ''Alma''''' was delivered to Inkerman in March 2024. The locomotive was designed and built by Wilmar's own engineering workshops and was based on the ''Brisbane'' locomotive introduced in the Herbert district the previous year.<ref name="NewAlma">Wilmar Sugar and Renewables. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/media-centre/latest-news/first-of-four-new-locos-delivered ''First of four new locos delivered'']. 12 April 2024.</ref><br />
<br />
Wilmar described ''Alma'' as the first new-model locomotive commissioned for Inkerman since ''Iyah'' in 1976.<br />
<br />
A second new 26-tonne locomotive, '''''Kirknie''''', was also allocated to Inkerman for the 2024 season.<br />
<br />
The new locomotives formed part of a wider Wilmar program involving four new locomotives and two brake wagons.<br />
<br />
The 2024 ''Alma'' should not be confused with an earlier Inkerman locomotive of the same name. The original ''Alma'' was Commonwealth Engineering locomotive FE56110, built in 1975.<ref name="LRRSARoster">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. [https://www.lrrsa.org.au/LRR_SGRe.htm ''Australian Sugar Industry Locomotives – Inkerman Mill''].</ref><br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
Wilmar publishes Inkerman's long-term average production as approximately '''1.7 million tonnes of cane''' and '''260,000 tonnes of raw sugar''' per year.<ref name="WilmarMills" /><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Selected recent production<br />
! Season<br />
! Cane crushed<br />
! CCS<br />
! Notes<br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 1,796,727 tonnes<br />
| 13.95<br />
| Final mill throughput for the extended 2024 Burdekin season.<ref name="QCAR2024">Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables. [https://qcar.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/crush-statistics-week-ending-17-january-2025.pdf ''Crush Statistics'', 17 January 2025].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2025<br />
| 1,677,935 tonnes<br />
| 14.39<br />
| Inkerman processed the final cane of the 2025 Burdekin season during the week ending 15 November.<ref name="Wilmar2025">Wilmar Sugar and Renewables. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/burdekin-production-report/2118-burdekin-production-report-wk-24-we-15nov25/file ''Burdekin Production Report – Week 24 ending 15 November 2025''].</ref><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-19.64296, 147.40077</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
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<br />
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<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
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<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Kalamia_Mill&diff=900Kalamia Mill2026-10-05T02:39:23Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Kalamia Mill<br />
| image = Kalamia Sugar Mill, 1901.JPG<br />
| caption = Kalamia Sugar Mill, 1901.<br />
| coordinates = 19.52376° S, 147.41603° E<br />
| region = [[Herbert & Burdekin Region|Burdekin]]<br />
| lga = [[Burdekin Shire Council]]<br />
| established = 1884 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1884}} years ago)<br />
| closed =<br />
| owner = [[Wilmar Sugar Australia]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 1,500,000 tonnes (average)<br />
}}<br />
'''Kalamia Sugar Mill''' is a sugar mill located near Lilliesmere Lagoon, approximately 7 kilometres north of [[Ayr]], [[Queensland]]. The Kalamia estate was established in 1882 and the mill commenced crushing in 1884.<br />
<br />
Kalamia is the smallest of [[Wilmar Sugar Australia]]'s four Burdekin mills. It processes an average of approximately 1.5 million tonnes of sugarcane annually and manufactures about 230,000 tonnes of raw sugar.<ref name="WilmarMills">Wilmar Sugar Australia. ''Our Mills''.</ref><br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
Brothers Charles and John Young established the Kalamia sugar estate in the Lower Burdekin district in 1882.<br />
<br />
The estate formed part of a rapid expansion of plantation sugar production around the newly developing township of Ayr. Several large plantations and mills were established in the district during the early 1880s, including Airdmillan, Seaforth, Pioneer and Kalamia.<br />
<br />
Kalamia Mill commenced crushing in '''1884'''.<ref name="WilmarMills" /><ref name="QldPlacesAyr">Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. ''Ayr'', Queensland Places.</ref><br />
<br />
Like other large Queensland sugar estates of the period, Kalamia initially combined cane growing and milling within a plantation system.<br />
<br />
=== Early labour and irrigation ===<br />
The early Kalamia plantation relied heavily on imported labour, including South Sea Islander workers, as was common throughout the Queensland plantation sugar industry during the nineteenth century.<br />
<br />
The relatively dry climate of the Lower Burdekin made irrigation essential to the long-term success of sugar production. Groundwater beneath the Burdekin Delta was progressively developed using shallow wells and spear systems.<br />
<br />
The multiple-spear irrigation system developed and popularised in the district by engineer John Drysdale became widely adopted by cane growers. Kalamia and Pioneer estates subsequently assisted growers with the establishment of irrigation equipment, allowing sugar production to expand despite the district's highly seasonal rainfall.<ref name="BurdekinIrrigation">Queensland Department of Agriculture. Historical accounts of irrigation farming in the Lower Burdekin.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Financial control and Australian Estates ===<br />
The original Young family enterprise later encountered financial difficulties and control of the property passed through mortgage interests.<br />
<br />
In '''1898''', the Australian Estates and Mortgage Company acquired the Kalamia, Airdmillan and Seaforth sugar properties from the Australian and New Zealand Mortgage Company.<ref name="AustralianEstates">Australian Dictionary of Biography. ''Drysdale, William (1838–1902)''.</ref><br />
<br />
John Drysdale, already closely associated with the neighbouring Pioneer operation, supervised Kalamia for a period during the late 1890s while Charles Young remained manager.<ref name="JCUArchives">James Cook University Library Archives. ''Pioneer Mill Records''.</ref><br />
<br />
Australian Estates retained Kalamia for more than 75 years.<br />
<br />
By the early twentieth century, Kalamia was increasingly supplied by independent cane growers rather than relying principally on company-grown plantation cane.<br />
<br />
=== Expansion ===<br />
Kalamia underwent substantial expansion during Australian Estates ownership.<br />
<br />
In '''1924''', Australian Estates closed its Palms Mill in the Mackay district. Machinery from Palms was subsequently transferred to Kalamia and incorporated into the Burdekin factory as part of its expansion.<ref name="Griggs">Griggs, Peter D. ''Global Industry, Local Innovation: The History of Cane Sugar Production in Australia, 1820–1995''.</ref><br />
<br />
The scale of the mill increased markedly during this period. Kalamia crushed 31,012 tons of cane in 1911 and 159,998 tons in 1928.<ref name="QAJ1931">Queensland Department of Agriculture and Stock. ''Queensland Agricultural Journal'', 1 August 1931.</ref><br />
<br />
Continued expansion of irrigated farming subsequently allowed the mill's cane supply to increase throughout the twentieth century.<br />
<br />
=== CSR ownership ===<br />
In March '''1975''', [[CSR]] acquired the Australian Estates Company Limited.<ref name="CSR1975">Noel Butlin Archives Centre, Australian National University. ''The Australian Estates Company Limited''.</ref><br />
<br />
The acquisition brought Kalamia into the CSR sugar milling group together with Australian Estates' other sugar interests.<br />
<br />
CSR subsequently undertook further modernisation of Kalamia, including factory and cane transport improvements.<br />
<br />
During the early 1990s CSR also trialled a process at Kalamia for producing white sugar directly at the mill using bagasse-derived energy. The proposed system was intended to enable limited direct white-sugar production without construction of a conventional stand-alone refinery.<ref name="WhiteSugarTrial">Industry Commission. ''The Australian Sugar Industry'', 1992.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Wilmar ownership ===<br />
CSR later reorganised its sugar operations under the Sucrogen name.<br />
<br />
In 2010 Sucrogen was acquired by [[Wilmar International]], and the Australian milling business subsequently became Wilmar Sugar Australia.<br />
<br />
Kalamia remains one of Wilmar's four operating Burdekin mills.<br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Milling ===<br />
Wilmar states that Kalamia processes an average of approximately '''1.5 million tonnes of sugarcane per year''' and manufactures about '''230,000 tonnes of raw sugar'''.<ref name="WilmarMills" /><br />
<br />
It is the smallest of Wilmar's four Burdekin factories.<br />
<br />
The mill's distinctive twin concrete stacks are a prominent landmark north of Ayr.<br />
<br />
=== Cane railway ===<br />
Kalamia operates a 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway serving the cane-growing areas north and east of Ayr.<br />
<br />
The mill's railway forms part of Wilmar's interconnected Burdekin cane transport system. The four Burdekin mills collectively operate approximately '''634 kilometres of cane railway''', 36 locomotives and 9,022 cane bins.<ref name="BurdekinFacts">Wilmar Sugar and Renewables. ''Burdekin Region – At a Glance'', June 2025.</ref><br />
<br />
Kalamia's network connects with the neighbouring [[Pioneer Mill]] and [[Invicta Mill]] systems.<br />
<br />
=== Dual-gauge connection ===<br />
Pioneer Mill's cane railway is unusual in using 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge, while Kalamia and Invicta use 610 mm gauge.<br />
<br />
Sections linking the systems therefore use '''dual-gauge track''', allowing both 610 mm and 1,067 mm gauge cane trains to use the same formation.<ref name="CaneRailCode">Workplace Health and Safety Queensland. ''Cane rail safety – supplement to the Sugar Mill Safety Code of Practice 2024''.</ref><br />
<br />
This arrangement permits 610 mm Kalamia and Invicta trains to pass through parts of the Pioneer mill area and provides operational connections between the adjoining cane railway systems.<br />
<br />
=== Locomotives ===<br />
Kalamia progressively changed from steam to diesel traction during the twentieth century.<br />
<br />
The mill has operated locomotives from builders including Commonwealth Engineering, E.M. Baldwin and Walkers.<br />
<br />
In '''1972''', E.M. Baldwin supplied Kalamia with its first bogie cane locomotive, a 26-tonne diesel-hydraulic unit. The design proved successful and became the basis for a large family of similar locomotives subsequently supplied to Australian sugar mills.<ref name="LRRSATransport">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Sugar Cane Transport''.</ref><br />
<br />
Several former Queensland Railways DH-class locomotives were later rebuilt for 610 mm operation at Kalamia.<br />
<br />
=== Raw sugar transport ===<br />
Raw sugar produced at Kalamia is transported by 1,067 mm gauge heavy rail to the [[Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal]] for storage and export.<br />
<br />
All four Wilmar Burdekin mills — Kalamia, Pioneer, Invicta and Inkerman — use the Townsville terminal for export raw sugar.<ref name="BurdekinFacts" /><br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
Wilmar publishes Kalamia's average annual production as approximately '''1.5 million tonnes of cane''' and '''230,000 tonnes of raw sugar'''.<ref name="WilmarMills" /><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Selected documented production<br />
! Season<br />
! Cane crushed<br />
! CCS<br />
! Notes<br />
|-<br />
| 1911<br />
| 31,012 tons<br />
| —<br />
| Historical Queensland Government statistics.<ref name="QAJ1931" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1922<br />
| approximately 70,000 tons<br />
| —<br />
| Kalamia completed crushing on 16 December.<ref name="QAJ1923">Queensland Agricultural Journal, February 1923.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1928<br />
| 159,998 tons<br />
| —<br />
| Historical Queensland Government statistics.<ref name="QAJ1931" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 1,551,901 tonnes<br />
| 13.68<br />
| Final physical mill throughput.<ref name="QCAR2024">Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables. ''Crush Statistics and Production Figures'', January 2025.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2025<br />
| 1,499,269 tonnes<br />
| 14.18<br />
| Kalamia finished crushing early on 25 October.<ref name="Wilmar2025">Wilmar Sugar Australia. ''Burdekin Production Report – Week 21 ending 25 October 2025''.</ref><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-19.52376, 147.41603</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
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{{#get_db_data:<br />
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<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
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<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Pioneer_Mill&diff=899Pioneer Mill2026-10-05T02:33:21Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Pioneer Mill<br />
| image = Sugar Mill in the Distance near Brandon - panoramio.jpg<br />
| caption = Pioneer Mill, Brandon, Queensland. Lobster1.<br />
| coordinates = 19.55731° S, 147.33069° E<br />
| region = [[Herbert & Burdekin Region|Burdekin]]<br />
| lga = [[Burdekin Shire Council]]<br />
| established = 1884 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1884}} years ago)<br />
| closed =<br />
| owner = [[Wilmar Sugar Australia]]<br />
| gauge = 1067 mm (3 ft 6 in); shared dual-gauge sections with 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 1,700,000 tonnes (average)<br />
}}<br />
'''Pioneer Mill''' is a sugar mill located at [[Brandon, Queensland|Brandon]], approximately 7 kilometres west of [[Ayr]], [[Queensland]]. The mill commenced crushing in 1884 and is one of four mills operated by [[Wilmar Sugar Australia]] in the Burdekin region.<br />
<br />
Pioneer is unique among Queensland sugar mills in operating its cane railway principally to 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge. It also contains Australia's largest biomass-only electricity generator, with an installed capacity of 68 megawatts.<ref name="WilmarPioneer">Wilmar Sugar Australia. ''Our Mills''.</ref><ref name="WilmarEnergy">Wilmar Sugar Australia. ''Renewable Energy Production''.</ref><br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
The Pioneer sugar estate had its origins in the early development of the Lower Burdekin sugar industry. John Spiller and Henry Brandon had begun establishing a Pioneer plantation in the district by 1882.<br />
<br />
In May 1883 a group led by the Drysdale family acquired the Pioneer estate. The partnership included William, George, Alexander and Arthur Drysdale, Edmund Young and John Bell, with financial interests also held on behalf of members of the Russell and Tullis families.<ref name="DrysdaleADB">Australian Dictionary of Biography. ''Drysdale, George Russell (1854–1909)''.</ref><br />
<br />
George Drysdale became the resident managing partner and supervised construction of the sugar mill and development of the plantation.<br />
<br />
Pioneer Mill produced its first sugar on '''5 August 1884'''.<ref name="DrysdaleADB" /><br />
<br />
The development of the estate contributed to the growth of nearby Brandon, which developed as a service centre for the mill and surrounding farms.<br />
<br />
=== Irrigation development ===<br />
Reliable irrigation became fundamental to the development of sugar growing in the comparatively dry Burdekin district.<br />
<br />
George Drysdale introduced irrigation during the establishment of Pioneer. His brother John Drysdale arrived in Queensland in 1886 and subsequently joined George in managing the estate.<ref name="DrysdaleADB" /><br />
<br />
John substantially expanded the irrigation system and developed a multiple-spear pumping method for drawing groundwater from the shallow aquifers beneath the Burdekin Delta. This approach allowed large volumes of groundwater to be extracted from relatively inexpensive spear installations rather than conventional large-diameter wells.<br />
<br />
The technique became widely adopted throughout the district and contributed significantly to the development of irrigated sugarcane farming on the Burdekin Delta.<br />
<br />
John Drysdale also expanded Pioneer's cane tramways and introduced a number of mechanical and factory innovations.<br />
<br />
=== Pioneer Sugar Mills Limited ===<br />
John Drysdale progressively assumed control of the Pioneer operation and later became closely involved in development of the [[Inkerman Mill]] and estate south of the Burdekin River.<br />
<br />
Inkerman Mill was completed in 1913.<br />
<br />
On '''25 September 1914''', Pioneer Sugar Mills Limited was formed to take over the Pioneer and Inkerman milling operations.<ref name="DrysdaleADB" /><br />
<br />
Pioneer Sugar Mills remained associated with the Drysdale and related families for much of the following century.<br />
<br />
In '''1960''', Pioneer Sugar Mills became a public company. Robert Reid Russell, whose family had held an interest in the original Pioneer partnership, became chairman.<ref name="RussellADB">Australian Dictionary of Biography. ''Russell, Robert Reid (Bob) (1910–1993)''.</ref><br />
<br />
The company diversified during the following decades into chemical manufacturing and cattle properties while continuing to expand its sugar interests.<br />
<br />
In '''1974''' Pioneer Sugar Mills acquired [[Plane Creek Mill]] at Sarina.<ref name="RussellADB" /><br />
<br />
=== CSR ownership ===<br />
In '''1987''', [[CSR]] acquired Pioneer Sugar Mills Limited, including Pioneer, Inkerman and Plane Creek mills.<ref name="CSR1987">Australian sugar industry historical chronology, 1987.</ref><br />
<br />
The acquisition ended more than a century of independent ownership of the Pioneer operation.<br />
<br />
Pioneer subsequently became part of CSR's large Queensland sugar milling group.<br />
<br />
=== Wilmar ownership ===<br />
CSR later reorganised its sugar operations under the Sucrogen name.<br />
<br />
In 2010 Sucrogen was acquired by [[Wilmar International]]. The business was subsequently renamed Wilmar Sugar Australia.<br />
<br />
Pioneer remains one of Wilmar's four operating Burdekin mills.<br />
<br />
== 2008 industrial accident ==<br />
On '''20 June 2008''', Pioneer Mill suffered a major industrial accident shortly after the start of the crushing season.<br />
<br />
A hot clarification vessel ruptured, releasing a large quantity of boiling cane juice and mill mud. Initial emergency reports stated that 14 people were injured or affected during the incident.<ref name="ABCBlast">ABC News. ''14 injured in sugar mill blast''. 20 June 2008.</ref><br />
<br />
CSR subsequently reported that two employees had been taken to hospital suffering shock and another employee had been treated for a minor burn.<ref name="ABCReopen">ABC News. ''CSR works to reopen damaged sugar mill''. 21 June 2008.</ref><br />
<br />
The mill was shut down while the damaged clarification plant was rebuilt. Cane that would normally have been processed at Pioneer was redirected to other Burdekin mills, reducing the district's available crushing capacity and extending the harvesting season.<br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Milling ===<br />
Wilmar states that Pioneer Mill processes an average of approximately '''1.7 million tonnes of sugarcane annually''' and manufactures about '''260,000 tonnes of raw sugar'''.<ref name="WilmarPioneer" /><br />
<br />
Unlike Victoria, Invicta and Inkerman mills, Wilmar does not describe Pioneer as a dual-milling-train factory.<br />
<br />
=== Cogeneration ===<br />
Pioneer contains Australia's largest electricity generator operating exclusively on biomass.<ref name="WilmarEnergy" /><br />
<br />
The modern cogeneration facility was commissioned in '''2005''' and has an installed generation capacity of '''68 MW'''.<br />
<br />
Bagasse, the fibrous residue remaining after cane crushing, is burned in high-pressure boilers to produce steam for electricity generation and factory processes.<br />
<br />
A distinctive feature of the Pioneer installation is its ability to operate outside the crushing season. Surplus bagasse produced at Wilmar's four Burdekin mills is stockpiled on specially constructed storage pads at Pioneer, allowing renewable electricity generation to continue throughout the year.<ref name="WilmarEnergy" /><br />
<br />
Pioneer produces more than half of the renewable electricity exported to the grid by Wilmar's Australian sugar mills.<br />
<br />
=== Cane railway ===<br />
Pioneer operates Queensland's only sugar-mill cane railway based principally on the '''1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge'''.<br />
<br />
All other Queensland cane railway systems are principally 610 mm (2 ft) gauge.<ref name="CaneRailCode">Workplace Health and Safety Queensland. ''Cane rail safety – supplement to the Sugar Mill Safety Code of Practice 2024''.</ref><br />
<br />
The Pioneer network should not be confused with Queensland's public heavy-rail network. Although both use the same nominal 1,067 mm gauge, Pioneer's cane railway is a dedicated industrial railway with its own locomotives, rolling stock and operating arrangements.<br />
<br />
The fleet includes Clyde and Walkers diesel-hydraulic locomotives, including several former Queensland Railways locomotives rebuilt for cane-haulage service.<ref name="LRRSARoster">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Australian Sugar Industry Locomotives – Pioneer Mill''.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Dual-gauge network ===<br />
Pioneer's railway forms part of the interconnected Burdekin cane transport system.<br />
<br />
Neighbouring [[Invicta Mill]] and [[Kalamia Mill]] operate 610 mm gauge cane railways. To permit connections between these systems, several sections of the Pioneer district railway have been constructed as '''dual gauge''', carrying both 1,067 mm and 610 mm rails.<ref name="CaneRailCode" /><br />
<br />
Dual-gauge construction allows 610 mm gauge Invicta and Kalamia trains to cross parts of Pioneer's territory and provides links between the otherwise separate narrow-gauge systems.<br />
<br />
One major dual-gauge section was developed through the Airville and Mona Park districts during the 1990s as the Burdekin irrigation area expanded.<ref name="LRRSA1998">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Light Railways'', No. 142, August 1998.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Raw sugar transport ===<br />
Finished raw sugar from Pioneer is transported by 1,067 mm gauge heavy rail to the [[Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal]].<br />
<br />
Pioneer, Invicta, Kalamia and Inkerman mills all send their export raw sugar to Townsville.<br />
<br />
Although Pioneer's cane railway and Queensland's heavy-rail network share the same nominal gauge, the cane haulage operation and raw-sugar main-line freight operation are separate systems using different rolling stock and operating standards.<br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
Wilmar publishes Pioneer's long-term average throughput as approximately '''1.7 million tonnes of cane per year''', producing about '''260,000 tonnes of raw sugar'''.<ref name="WilmarPioneer" /><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Selected documented production<br />
! Season<br />
! Cane crushed<br />
! CCS<br />
! Notes<br />
|-<br />
| 2015<br />
| approximately 1.72 million tonnes<br />
| —<br />
| Pioneer completed its season on 7 November.<ref name="Wilmar2015">Wilmar Sugar. ''Burdekin crushing to finish this week''. 9 November 2015.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 1,496,891 tonnes<br />
| 13.89<br />
| Pioneer was one of the final two Burdekin mills to complete the exceptionally prolonged 2024 season.<ref name="Wilmar2024">Wilmar Sugar Australia. ''Burdekin Production Report – Week 32 ending 18 January 2025''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2025<br />
| 1,497,695 tonnes<br />
| 14.48<br />
| Final Pioneer throughput for the 2025 Burdekin season.<ref name="Wilmar2025">Wilmar Sugar Australia. ''Burdekin Production Report – Week 24 ending 15 November 2025''.</ref><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-19.55731, 147.33069</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
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}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
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</table><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Invicta_Mill&diff=898Invicta Mill2026-10-05T02:29:08Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Invicta Mill<br />
| image = Invictamill.JPG<br />
| caption = Invicta Mill, 2014. Timmmy31.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-19.516635316618558,147.10536207884604 19.51663° S, 147.10536° E]<br />
| region = [[Herbert & Burdekin Region|Burdekin]]<br />
| lga = [[Burdekin Shire Council]]<br />
| established = 1921 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1921}} years ago at Giru)<br />
| closed =<br />
| owner = [[Wilmar Sugar Australia]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 3,000,000 tonnes (average)<br />
}}<br />
'''Invicta Sugar Mill''' is a sugar mill located at [[Giru]], [[Queensland]], on the Haughton River. Established at its present site in 1921, it is operated by [[Wilmar Sugar Australia]] and is Australia's largest sugar mill in terms of raw sugar production.<ref name="WilmarMills">Wilmar Sugar Australia. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/what-we-do/mills ''Our Mills''].</ref><br />
<br />
Invicta is a dual-milling-train factory and processes an average of approximately 3 million tonnes of sugarcane each year, producing around 440,000 tonnes of raw sugar.<ref name="WilmarMills" /><br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Earlier Invicta mills ===<br />
The machinery and name associated with Invicta Mill had a history extending well before the establishment of the Giru factory.<br />
<br />
Wilmar Sugar's centenary history traces Invicta's origins to a sugar mill on the Richmond River in northern New South Wales during the 1880s. According to Wilmar, the plant was later dismantled and re-erected at South Kolan, near Bundaberg, in 1906–07.<ref name="WilmarCentenary">Wilmar Sugar Australia. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/media-centre/latest-news/invicta-centenary-looms ''Invicta Centenary looms'']. 2021.</ref><br />
<br />
Local heritage records for the former South Kolan site give a somewhat different chronology. Bundaberg Regional Council records an '''Invicta Mill operating there from 1895 until 1918''', established by businessman Frederic Buss using second-hand machinery acquired from defunct New South Wales mills together with new equipment.<ref name="BundabergInvicta">Bundaberg Regional Council. [https://www.brcnow.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/2024/09/15/invicta-mill-site-a-heritage-reminder/ ''Invicta Mill site a heritage reminder'']. 15 September 2024.</ref><br />
<br />
The South Kolan mill suffered chronic difficulty obtaining sufficient cane because many potential suppliers were also within reach of larger Bundaberg district mills such as Fairymead and Bingera. A 14-kilometre tramway to Avondale was constructed in 1911 in an effort to expand the supply area.<ref name="BundabergInvicta" /><br />
<br />
The South Kolan mill ceased crushing in 1918.<br />
<br />
=== Move to Giru ===<br />
The Haughton River district south of Townsville had begun developing as a sugar-growing area during the early twentieth century.<br />
<br />
In 1920, the Haughton River Farmers Association acquired the under-utilised Invicta Mill from the Bundaberg district for relocation to the Haughton River.<ref name="GiruQCA">Queensland Competition Authority. ''Giru Benefited Area – Haughton Zone A Review'', 2017.</ref><br />
<br />
The mill had begun to be dismantled and moved north in 1919. The relocation and re-erection were supervised by F.E. Barbat & Sons of Ipswich.<ref name="WilmarCentenary" /><br />
<br />
The factory commenced crushing at Giru on '''4 August 1921'''.<ref name="WilmarCentenary" /><br />
<br />
The development of the mill encouraged the growth of Giru from what had previously been a railway siding into a permanent township.<br />
<br />
The mill was operated by the '''Haughton Sugar Company Limited''', the corporate entity historically associated with Invicta. The Haughton Sugar Company name continues as the legal entity associated with the Invicta asset within the Wilmar group.<ref name="CriticalInfrastructure">Australian Government. ''Security of Critical Infrastructure (Application) Rules'', listing Invicta Sugar Mill as operated by The Haughton Sugar Company Pty Ltd.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Expansion of the cane district ===<br />
Invicta's early supply area was vulnerable to drought and fluctuating cane production.<br />
<br />
Expansion of irrigated agriculture progressively increased the mill's available crop, including development of the Clare, Millaroo, Dalbeg and Mona Park districts.<ref name="Hansard1973">Queensland Parliament. ''Legislative Assembly Hansard'', 15 March 1973.</ref><br />
<br />
The most significant expansion followed development of the Burdekin River Irrigation Area and completion of the Burdekin Falls Dam during the late 1980s.<br />
<br />
Invicta changed to continuous seven-day crushing in '''1988'''.<ref name="QCAExpansion">Queensland Competition Authority. ''Burdekin River Irrigation Area – Final Report'', 2003.</ref><br />
<br />
Large areas of newly irrigated farmland were subsequently brought into cane production. A major factory expansion included installation of a second milling train and associated plant, more than doubling Invicta's crushing capacity.<ref name="WilmarExpansion">Wilmar Sugar Australia. ''Meet our Invicta Mill''.</ref><br />
<br />
By 1994 CSR was undertaking more than $60 million of expansion work at Invicta in that year alone, as part of a much larger program of investment associated with development of the irrigation scheme.<ref name="Hansard1994">Queensland Parliament. ''Legislative Assembly Hansard'', 17 February 1994.</ref><br />
<br />
Queensland Competition Authority analysis subsequently estimated that approximately $200 million had been invested in expansion of Invicta during development of the Burdekin River Irrigation Area. The expansion transformed the factory from one of Queensland's smaller mills into one of its largest.<ref name="QCAExpansion" /><br />
<br />
In 2002, Invicta processed a record approximately '''3.4 million tonnes of cane'''.<ref name="BRIAReport">Queensland Parliament. ''The Burdekin River Project'', Report No. 79, 2003.</ref><br />
<br />
=== CSR ownership ===<br />
The Haughton Sugar Company remained independently controlled for much of Invicta's early history.<br />
<br />
[[CSR]] acquired the Haughton Sugar Company and Invicta Mill in '''1975'''.<ref name="Griggs">Griggs, Peter D. ''Global Industry, Local Innovation: The History of Cane Sugar Production in Australia, 1820–1995''.</ref><br />
<br />
Under CSR ownership the mill underwent major modernisation, including expansion of crushing capacity, power generation and cane transport infrastructure.<br />
<br />
=== Wilmar ownership ===<br />
CSR's sugar operations were subsequently reorganised under the Sucrogen name.<br />
<br />
In 2010 CSR sold Sucrogen to [[Wilmar International]] for an enterprise value of $1.75 billion. The transaction was completed in December 2010.<br />
<br />
Invicta has since operated as part of [[Wilmar Sugar Australia]].<br />
<br />
In 2021, Wilmar celebrated '''100 years of Invicta Mill operating at Giru'''.<ref name="WilmarCelebration">Wilmar Sugar Australia. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/media-centre/latest-news/invicta-mill-centenary-celebrations-2 ''Invicta Mill Centenary celebrations'']. 2021.</ref><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Milling ===<br />
Invicta is a '''dual-milling-train factory'''.<br />
<br />
Wilmar currently describes Invicta as Australia's largest sugar mill in terms of raw sugar production. It processes an average of approximately '''3 million tonnes of sugarcane annually''' and manufactures around '''440,000 tonnes of raw sugar'''.<ref name="WilmarMills" /><br />
<br />
The second milling train and associated factory expansion were installed as the Burdekin River Irrigation Area substantially increased the available cane supply.<br />
<br />
=== Cane railway ===<br />
Invicta operates an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway serving the Giru and wider Burdekin districts.<br />
<br />
The Burdekin region's four Wilmar mills operate a combined railway system of approximately '''634 kilometres''', with 36 locomotives and 9,022 cane bins.<ref name="BurdekinFacts">Wilmar Sugar and Renewables. ''Burdekin Region – At a Glance'', June 2025.</ref><br />
<br />
Invicta's network is connected with the neighbouring [[Pioneer Mill]] and [[Kalamia Mill]] systems.<br />
<br />
The Burdekin railway system has an unusual mixture of gauges:<br />
<br />
* '''Invicta Mill:''' 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
* '''Kalamia Mill:''' 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
* '''Pioneer Mill:''' 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)<br />
<br />
Sections of track connecting the Kalamia and Invicta systems through the Pioneer area are therefore '''dual gauge''', allowing both 610 mm and 1,067 mm gauge cane trains to use the same route.<ref name="CaneRailSafety">Workplace Health and Safety Queensland. ''Cane rail safety – a supplement to the Sugar Mill Safety Code of Practice 2024''.</ref><br />
<br />
The connected network allows cane, locomotives and maintenance equipment to be transferred between mill areas where gauge permits.<br />
<br />
=== Locomotives ===<br />
Invicta's diesel fleet has included locomotives built by Commonwealth Engineering and E.M. Baldwin together with several rebuilt former government railway locomotives.<br />
<br />
During the 1990s a number of former [[Queensland Rail]] DH-class locomotives were rebuilt for 610 mm gauge operation at Invicta.<br />
<br />
The mill has also operated rebuilt former [[New South Wales Government Railways]] 73-class diesel-hydraulic locomotives.<ref name="LRRSAInvicta">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Australian Sugar Industry Locomotives – Invicta Mill''.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Raw sugar transport ===<br />
Raw sugar produced at Invicta is transferred by heavy rail to the [[Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal]] for storage and export.<br />
<br />
Unlike the mill's 610 mm cane railway, this export traffic operates over the Queensland 1,067 mm gauge main-line railway network.<br />
<br />
All four Wilmar Burdekin mills — Invicta, Pioneer, Kalamia and Inkerman — send their raw sugar to Townsville by rail.<ref name="BurdekinFacts" /><br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
Wilmar publishes Invicta's long-term average production as approximately '''3 million tonnes of cane''' and '''440,000 tonnes of raw sugar''' annually.<ref name="WilmarMills" /><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Selected documented production<br />
! Season<br />
! Cane crushed<br />
! CCS<br />
! Notes<br />
|-<br />
| 1987<br />
| 715,000 tonnes<br />
| —<br />
| Immediately before the major expansion associated with the Burdekin River Irrigation Area.<ref name="BRIAReport" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2002<br />
| approximately 3.4 million tonnes<br />
| —<br />
| Record crop at the time, illustrating the scale of expansion following development of the irrigation area.<ref name="BRIAReport" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 3,119,660 tonnes<br />
| 13.99<br />
| Final crush completed at 6:19 am on 18 January 2025 after an exceptionally extended wet season.<ref name="Invicta2024">Wilmar Sugar Australia. ''Burdekin Production Report – Week 32 ending 18 January 2025''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2025<br />
| approximately 2.9 million tonnes<br />
| approximately 14.5<br />
| Invicta finished in early November after processing about 2.9 million tonnes of cane and producing approximately 421,000 tonnes of raw sugar.<ref name="Invicta2025">Wilmar Sugar Australia. ''Last bins through the tippler at Invicta Mill for 2025''.</ref><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-19.51663, 147.10536</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Invicta%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Invicta%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
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<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
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<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Townsville_Bulk_Sugar_Terminal&diff=897Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal2026-10-05T02:13:56Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal<br />
| image = Views of the Port of Townsville from the Magnetic Island ferry, Townsville, Australia 01.jpg<br />
| caption = View of the shiploader at the Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=-19.25351,146.82859 19.25351° S, 146.82859° E]<br />
| region = [[Herbert & Burdekin Region|Townsville]]<br />
| lga = [[Townsville City Council]]<br />
| established = 1959 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1959}} years ago)<br />
| closed =<br />
| owner = [[Sugar Terminals Limited]]<br />
| gauge = 1067 mm (3 ft 6 in)<br />
| crush = 750,000 tonnes storage capacity<br />
}}<br />
'''Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal''' is a bulk raw sugar storage and export facility located at the [[Port of Townsville]] in [[South Townsville]], [[Queensland]]. Completed in 1959, it is the principal export terminal for raw sugar produced in the [[Burdekin]] district.<br />
<br />
The terminal receives raw sugar by 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) heavy rail from [[Wilmar Sugar Australia]]'s four Burdekin mills: [[Invicta Mill|Invicta]], [[Pioneer Mill|Pioneer]], [[Kalamia Mill|Kalamia]] and [[Inkerman Mill|Inkerman]]. Wilmar's 2020–2024 average production for the district was approximately 1.1 million tonnes of raw sugar annually.<ref name="WilmarBurdekin">Wilmar Sugar and Renewables. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/doclink/burdekin-at-a-glance-2024/ ''Burdekin Region – At a Glance'']. June 2025.</ref><br />
<br />
The terminal is owned and operated by [[Sugar Terminals Limited]] (STL) and contains three bulk sugar storage sheds with a current published capacity of 750,000 tonnes.<ref name="STLTownsville">Sugar Terminals Limited. [https://sugarterminals.com.au/locations/ ''Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal''].</ref><br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
Before the introduction of bulk handling, Queensland raw sugar was packed in bags and manually transferred between mills, railway wagons, storage sheds and ships.<br />
<br />
During the 1950s the Queensland sugar industry undertook a major conversion to bulk handling. Developmental dredging at Townsville commenced in the late 1950s to provide the facilities required for a new bulk sugar terminal.<ref name="DredgingHistory">Kerr, J. ''The History of Dredging in Queensland Ports'', historical account of Townsville Harbour.</ref><br />
<br />
The Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal was completed in '''1959'''.<ref name="PortHistory">Port of Townsville. [https://www.townsville-port.com.au/corporate/port-history/ ''Port History''].</ref> It allowed raw sugar from the Burdekin mills to be transported in bulk railway wagons, unloaded mechanically into storage and conveyed directly to ships.<br />
<br />
The development eliminated much of the labour-intensive bag handling formerly required for sugar exports.<br />
<br />
=== 1963 fire ===<br />
On the evening of '''9 May 1963''', a major fire broke out in the terminal's bulk sugar storage shed.<br />
<br />
Approximately '''77,500 tonnes of raw sugar''' was lost. The fire burned for five days and caused damage estimated at approximately '''£6 million'''.<ref name="QSAFire">Queensland State Archives. [https://blogs.archives.qld.gov.au/2017/08/07/burnt-sugar-a-disaster-averted/ ''Burnt sugar, a disaster averted'']. 7 August 2017.</ref><ref name="PortHistory" /><br />
<br />
The scale of the fire overwhelmed local resources. Fire crews and equipment were brought from centres including Cairns, Ayr, Innisfail and Proserpine, together with volunteers from nearby sugar mills. The Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force, Townsville Regional Electricity Board and the visiting United States Navy destroyer USS ''Somers'' also provided assistance.<ref name="QSAFire" /><br />
<br />
Burning and melted raw sugar produced a thick molasses-like material which flowed into drains, creeks and the harbour.<br />
<br />
Following the fire, clean-up crews experienced a series of small explosions beneath the terminal area. An investigation by the Queensland Inspector of Coal Mines detected hydrogen at explosive concentrations beneath the shed and adjacent roadway and railway.<ref name="Hydrogen">Queensland State Archives. ''Resume of Investigations and Tests for Gases at Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal'', 28 May 1963.</ref><br />
<br />
The investigation found that sugar solution entering the soil had stimulated bacterial fermentation. Under suitable conditions, bacteria produced hydrogen and carbon dioxide, allowing explosive pockets of gas to accumulate underground.<ref name="QFESFire">Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. ''Response'', April 2024, historical account of the Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal fire.</ref><br />
<br />
The disaster had wider consequences for Queensland firefighting. The response exposed incompatibilities between firefighting equipment brought from different centres, contributing to moves to standardise equipment throughout the state. Additional fire detection and suppression systems were also introduced at bulk sugar terminals.<ref name="PortHistory" /><br />
<br />
The damaged Townsville sugar shed was reconstructed before the end of 1963.<ref name="PortTimeline">Townsville Port Authority. ''Annual Report 1999–2000'', historical timeline.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Expansion ===<br />
A second bulk sugar storage shed was completed in '''1965'''. Contemporary Queensland Government records gave Townsville's combined storage capacity after this expansion as approximately '''280,000 tons'''.<ref name="Hansard1966">Queensland Parliament. ''Legislative Assembly Hansard'', 8 November 1966.</ref><br />
<br />
The terminal continued to handle the increasing output of the irrigated Burdekin sugar industry over subsequent decades.<br />
<br />
A major further expansion commenced during the early 2000s.<br />
<br />
A third storage shed was constructed at a cost of approximately $50 million. The building measures approximately 376 metres long, 100 metres wide and 30 metres high and has a nominal storage capacity of '''400,000 tonnes'''.<ref name="PortAR2004">Townsville Port Authority. ''Annual Report 2003–2004''.</ref><br />
<br />
Shed 3 accepted its first raw sugar in '''September 2003''', with the initial deliveries coming from [[Invicta Mill]] at Giru for subsequent export to Japan.<ref name="PortHistory" /><br />
<br />
Contemporary planning documents expected the expansion to raise total terminal capacity to approximately 680,000 tonnes. Subsequent capacity ratings increased, and Sugar Terminals Limited currently publishes a total storage capacity of '''750,000 tonnes'''.<ref name="STLTownsville" /><br />
<br />
=== Ownership and operation ===<br />
Queensland's bulk sugar terminals were originally developed within the regulated Queensland sugar industry.<br />
<br />
[[Sugar Terminals Limited]] subsequently became the owner of the six Queensland bulk sugar terminal assets at Cairns, Mourilyan, Lucinda, Townsville, Mackay and Bundaberg.<br />
<br />
For many years the terminals were operated on STL's behalf by Queensland Sugar Limited.<br />
<br />
From '''1 July 2026''', STL brought operation of all six terminals in-house and became both owner and operator of the Townsville facility.<ref name="STLInsourcing">Sugar Terminals Limited. [https://sugarterminals.com.au/qsl-insourcing/ ''Insourcing of Operations''].</ref><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Rail receival ===<br />
Townsville currently receives raw sugar exclusively by '''1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) heavy rail'''.<ref name="STLTownsville" /><br />
<br />
This distinguishes Townsville from the other Queensland bulk sugar terminals. [[Mackay Bulk Sugar Terminal]] receives sugar by both road and heavy rail, while [[Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal]] receives sugar over the 610 mm cane railway system.<br />
<br />
Raw sugar manufactured at the four Burdekin mills — [[Invicta Mill|Invicta]], [[Pioneer Mill|Pioneer]], [[Kalamia Mill|Kalamia]] and [[Inkerman Mill|Inkerman]] — is transferred from mill storage into specialised bulk sugar wagons and hauled north to the Port of Townsville.<ref name="WilmarBurdekin" /><br />
<br />
The trains operate over Queensland's 1,067 mm gauge regional railway network. Wilmar entered a long-term sugar haulage agreement with Pacific National in 2017, under which purpose-built high-capacity bulk sugar wagons were introduced for the Burdekin–Townsville traffic.<ref name="PacificNational">Pacific National. [https://www.pacificnational.com.au/news/sugar-season-article ''Sugar season signals start of sweeter future for North Queensland workers'']. 20 February 2018.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Storage ===<br />
Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal contains '''three storage sheds''' with a current combined rated capacity of '''750,000 tonnes'''.<ref name="STLTownsville" /><br />
<br />
Sheds 1 and 2 are the older traditional steep-roofed bulk sugar structures, while Shed 3 is a substantially larger modern storage building commissioned in 2003.<br />
<br />
Between 2020 and 2022, Sheds 1 and 2 underwent major roof and structural refurbishment. The work involved replacement of approximately 415 tonnes of roof sheeting together with upgrades to purlins, trusses, end walls and roller doors.<ref name="RoofReplacement">BESIX Watpac. [https://besixwatpac.com/projects/industrial/extending-infrastructure-for-decades ''Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal Roof Replacement''].</ref><br />
<br />
=== Shiploading ===<br />
Stored sugar is reclaimed from the sheds and transferred by enclosed conveyor to the terminal shiploader.<br />
<br />
Sugar Terminals Limited publishes the following current terminal limits:<ref name="STLTownsville" /><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Statistic<br />
! Value<br />
|-<br />
| Storage capacity<br />
| 750,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Number of sheds<br />
| 3<br />
|-<br />
| Receival method<br />
| Heavy rail<br />
|-<br />
| Rail gauge<br />
| 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)<br />
|-<br />
| Maximum vessel length (LOA)<br />
| 238 metres<br />
|-<br />
| Maximum beam<br />
| 32.30 metres<br />
|-<br />
| Berth depth at LAT<br />
| 11.80 metres<br />
|-<br />
| Channel depth at LAT<br />
| 11.50 metres<br />
|}<br />
<br />
STL's terminal systems generally reclaim sugar using front-end loaders feeding enclosed conveyors, with shiploading rates of approximately 1,200 tonnes per hour.<ref name="STLServices">Sugar Terminals Limited. [https://sugarterminals.com.au/expertise/ ''Services''].</ref><br />
<br />
The wider Port of Townsville shipping channel has since been widened to allow vessels up to 300 metres in length to access the port. The '''238-metre limit remains the current STL-published restriction for the bulk sugar terminal itself'''.<ref name="PortChannel">Port of Townsville. [https://www.townsville-port.com.au/projects-development/channel-upgrade/channel-upgrade-faqs/ ''Channel Upgrade – FAQs''].</ref><br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-19.25351, 146.82859</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
''Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal receives raw sugar by third-party 1,067 mm gauge heavy-rail services and does not operate a cane railway locomotive fleet.''<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Townsville%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Townsville%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
| <tr><br />
<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{model}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{serial}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{year}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{current_mill}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{notes}}}</td><br />
</tr><br />
}}<br />
</table><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Victoria_Mill&diff=896Victoria Mill2026-10-05T01:53:34Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Victoria Mill<br />
| image = VictoriaMillSept25.jpg<br />
| caption = Victoria Mill, viewed from Danger Camp Road, September 2025.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-18.649978092640023,146.20096229521337 18.64997° S, 146.20096° E]<br />
| region = [[Herbert & Burdekin Region|Herbert River]]<br />
| lga = [[Hinchinbrook Shire Council]]<br />
| established = 1883 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1883}} years ago)<br />
| closed =<br />
| owner = [[Wilmar Sugar Australia]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 3,000,000 tonnes (average)<br />
}}<br />
'''Victoria Sugar Mill''' is a sugar mill located at [[Victoria Plantation]], approximately 3 kilometres east of [[Ingham]], [[Queensland]]. Established in 1883, it is one of the largest sugar mills in Australia and, together with [[Invicta Mill]], regularly ranks among the country's highest-throughput factories.<ref name="WilmarMills">Wilmar Sugar Australia. ''Our Mills''.</ref><br />
<br />
Victoria is one of two operating mills in the Herbert River district, together with [[Macknade Mill]]. Both are operated by [[Wilmar Sugar Australia]] and are connected by an integrated 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway network.<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
The development of Victoria Mill followed the expansion of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company into North Queensland during the early 1880s.<br />
<br />
In 1881 the Queensland Parliament passed the ''Colonial Sugar Refining Company's Act'', which enabled CSR to acquire land and establish operations in the Herbert River district under special legislative provisions.<ref name="CSRAct">Vidonja Balanzategui, Bronwyn. ''The Herbert River Farmers' Association: Sugar farmer associations on the periphery'', James Cook University.</ref><br />
<br />
Construction of the Victoria estate, mill and associated transport infrastructure commenced during the following period. CSR archival records contain correspondence relating to Victoria Mill from 1882.<ref name="CSRArchives">Noel Butlin Archives Centre, Australian National University. ''CSR Limited Archives – Victoria Mill and Stone River tramline''.</ref><br />
<br />
Victoria Mill commenced crushing in '''1883'''. CSR constructed and operated the mill on behalf of the associated Victoria Sugar Company, with which CSR had longstanding commercial ties.<ref name="CSRChronology">CSR Limited. ''South Pacific Enterprise: The Colonial Sugar Refining Company Limited'' – historical chronology.</ref><br />
<br />
Victoria was developed on a very large scale for the period. Approximately £240,000 was spent on the plantation, mill and transport infrastructure during 1883–85. The estate initially included approximately 17 miles of railway and four locomotives for transporting cane to the factory.<ref name="QldPlaces">Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. ''Victoria Plantation'', Queensland Places.</ref><br />
<br />
Although Victoria was established principally as a vertically integrated plantation mill, CSR also purchased some cane from independent growers from its earliest years.<ref name="CSRChronology" /><br />
<br />
=== Plantation labour ===<br />
The early Victoria estate relied heavily on indentured South Sea Islander labour for clearing, planting and cultivation.<br />
<br />
This reflected the broader labour system then operating throughout the Queensland sugar industry. Pacific Island labourers formed a substantial component of the workforce on the large plantation estates of the Herbert River district.<ref name="QMlabour">Queensland Museum. ''Hard Labour for Sweet Fields''.</ref><br />
<br />
At the same time, independent farmers in the Herbert district began pressing for access to Victoria Mill as cane suppliers. The Herbert River Farmers' Association was established in 1882 and became an important advocate for the district's small cane growers.<ref name="CSRAct" /><br />
<br />
=== Transition to independent growers ===<br />
During the late nineteenth century the Queensland sugar industry progressively moved away from large company-operated plantations towards independent cane farming.<br />
<br />
In '''1892''' CSR began subdividing the Victoria Estate and leasing or making land available to independent farmers.<ref name="QldPlaces" /><br />
<br />
Contemporary accounts noted that Victoria Estate was being divided among farmers and predicted that the Herbert mills would ultimately cease growing their own cane and instead rely on independent suppliers.<ref name="QAJ1892">Queensland Department of Agriculture. ''Queensland Agricultural Journal'', historical notes on the Queensland sugar industry.</ref><br />
<br />
The plantation system subsequently disappeared and Victoria developed into a large central mill supplied by independent cane growers.<br />
<br />
=== Expansion ===<br />
Victoria Mill underwent repeated expansion and modernisation throughout the twentieth century.<br />
<br />
Following the Second World War, increased sugar demand led to a major expansion of cane-growing land in the Herbert district, including development of the Abergowrie area.<br />
<br />
As part of this expansion, Victoria's milling capacity was substantially increased during the early 1950s. The factory developed into one of Australia's largest sugar mills.<br />
<br />
By the 1950s the Herbert district was approaching a one-million-tonne cane crop, and Victoria subsequently continued to expand as cane production increased.<br />
<br />
For many years Victoria was regarded as Australia's largest sugar mill. Queensland Places records that it retained this position until [[Invicta Mill]] at Giru overtook it following major expansion in 1999.<ref name="QldPlaces" /><br />
<br />
=== Steam to diesel ===<br />
Victoria used steam locomotives on its cane railway for much of its history.<br />
<br />
Diesel locomotives were progressively introduced during the post-war period, including Baguley-Drewry locomotives in the early 1950s and larger Clyde and E.M. Baldwin diesel-hydraulic locomotives during the 1960s and 1970s.<ref name="LRRSARoster">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Australian Sugar Industry Locomotives – Victoria Mill''.</ref><br />
<br />
Despite its early adoption of diesel traction, Victoria retained several steam locomotives in commercial cane-haulage service until the end of the '''1976 crushing season'''.<ref name="Steam1976">Queensland Museum. ''Homebush turns 100''.</ref><br />
<br />
Several former Victoria steam locomotives were subsequently preserved. The Hudswell Clarke locomotive '''Homebush''', built in 1914 and transferred to Victoria after the closure of Homebush Mill near Mackay, was retained at Victoria Mill and has subsequently operated on special occasions.<ref name="Steam1976" /><br />
<br />
== Ownership ==<br />
Victoria remained associated with CSR and its successor sugar operations for more than 125 years.<br />
<br />
During the late 2000s CSR reorganised its sugar and renewable-energy businesses under the name '''Sucrogen'''.<br />
<br />
In July 2010 CSR agreed to sell Sucrogen to Singapore-based [[Wilmar International]] for an enterprise value of $1.75 billion. The transaction was completed in December 2010.<ref name="WilmarSale">Wilmar International. ''Acquisition of Sucrogen Limited''. 5 July 2010.</ref><br />
<br />
Sucrogen was subsequently renamed Wilmar Sugar Australia. Victoria Mill remains part of Wilmar's Australian sugar milling operations.<br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Milling ===<br />
Victoria is a '''dual-milling-train factory'''.<ref name="WilmarMills" /><br />
<br />
Wilmar states that Victoria crushes an average of approximately '''3 million tonnes of sugarcane each year''' and manufactures about '''400,000 tonnes of raw sugar'''.<ref name="WilmarMills" /><br />
<br />
The dual milling trains are commonly referred to operationally as the A-side and B-side mills.<br />
<br />
Victoria and [[Invicta Mill]] regularly vie for the position of Australia's largest sugar mill by annual throughput.<ref name="WilmarMills" /><br />
<br />
=== Cane railway ===<br />
Victoria and [[Macknade Mill]] share an interconnected 610 mm (2 ft) gauge railway network serving the Herbert River cane-growing district.<br />
<br />
Wilmar's 2025 regional figures give the combined Herbert network as approximately '''567 kilometres of cane railway''', operated with 23 locomotives and 4,059 cane bins.<ref name="HerbertFacts">Wilmar Sugar and Renewables. ''Herbert Region – At a Glance'', May 2025.</ref><br />
<br />
The interconnection allows locomotives, rolling stock and cane to be transferred between Victoria and Macknade when operational requirements demand it. Railway maintenance equipment is also shared between the two mill systems.<ref name="LRRSARoster" /><br />
<br />
The railway serves growing districts including Victoria Plantation, Ingham, Abergowrie, Stone River, Long Pocket, Halifax, Macknade and the lower Herbert River district.<br />
<br />
Wilmar has progressively replaced older four-tonne cane bins with larger 11-tonne units in the Herbert region.<ref name="NewBins">Wilmar Sugar Australia. ''New cane bins''. 25 June 2020.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Raw sugar railway ===<br />
Finished raw sugar from Victoria is transported by 610 mm gauge railway to the [[Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal]].<br />
<br />
The Herbert mills use specialised '''11-tonne bogie sugar boxes''' for this traffic.<ref name="LRRSARail">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Queensland sugar cane railways today''.</ref><br />
<br />
Sugar trains run from Victoria through the Herbert district to Lucinda, where the loaded boxes are transferred to the terminal's receival yard for unloading into bulk storage.<br />
<br />
Victoria and Macknade are unusual among Australian sugar mills in retaining a narrow-gauge railway specifically for transport of finished raw sugar from the factory to an export terminal.<br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
Wilmar publishes Victoria's long-term average throughput as approximately '''3 million tonnes of cane per year''', producing around '''400,000 tonnes of raw sugar'''.<ref name="WilmarMills" /><br />
<br />
Recent production has varied considerably with seasonal conditions.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Selected recent production<br />
! Season<br />
! Victoria cane crushed<br />
! Herbert region total<br />
! Herbert CCS<br />
! Notes<br />
|-<br />
| 2023<br />
| approximately 2.73 million tonnes<br />
| 3.99 million tonnes<br />
| 13.02<br />
| The Herbert season finished at Victoria Mill on 26 November 2023.<ref name="Wilmar2023">Wilmar Sugar Australia. ''Fifth season update for 2023''. 6 December 2023.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 2,573,824 tonnes<br />
| 3,820,145 tonnes<br />
| 12.36<br />
| Wet weather and factory interruptions contributed to an extended season.<ref name="QCAR2024">Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables. ''Crush Statistics and Production Figures'', January 2025.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2025<br />
| 2,668,633 tonnes<br />
| 3,822,510 tonnes<br />
| 12.82<br />
| Victoria tipped the final bin of the Herbert season at 2:27 pm on 23 November 2025.<ref name="Wilmar2025">Wilmar Sugar Australia. ''Herbert Production Report – Week 24 ending 22 November 2025''.</ref><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-18.64997, 146.20096</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Victoria%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Victoria%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
| <tr><br />
<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{model}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{serial}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{year}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{current_mill}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{notes}}}</td><br />
</tr><br />
}}<br />
</table><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Macknade_Mill&diff=895Macknade Mill2026-10-05T01:50:51Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Macknade Sugar Mill<br />
| image = MacknadeMill.png<br />
| caption = Macknade Mill, September 2025.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-18.58893256950519,146.25890330150386 18.58893° S, 146.25890° E]<br />
| region = [[Herbert & Burdekin Region|Herbert River]]<br />
| lga = [[Hinchinbrook Shire Council]]<br />
| established = 1873 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1873}} years ago)<br />
| closed =<br />
| owner = [[Wilmar Sugar Australia]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 1,500,000 tonnes (average)<br />
}}<br />
'''Macknade Sugar Mill''' is a sugar mill located on the banks of the [[Herbert River]], approximately 12 kilometres north-east of [[Ingham]], [[Queensland]]. Established in 1873, it is the '''oldest continuously operating sugar mill in Australia'''.<ref name="Wilmar150">Wilmar Sugar Australia. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/media-centre/latest-news/macknade-mill-turns-150 ''Virtual tour marks 150th birthday'']. 20 December 2023.</ref><br />
<br />
Macknade is one of two operating sugar mills in the Herbert River district, together with [[Victoria Mill]]. Both are operated by [[Wilmar Sugar Australia]] and are connected by an integrated 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway system.<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
English brothers Arthur and Frank Neame explored the lower Herbert River district during 1871 and selected an initial 1,280-acre property on the northern side of the river.<ref name="NeameHistory">Vidonja Balanzategui, B. [https://interpretinginghamhistory.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-early-history-of-macknade.html ''The early history of Macknade Plantation and Mill'']. 2023.</ref><br />
<br />
The property was named '''Macknade''' after the Neame family's home near Faversham in Kent, England.<ref name="QldPlaces">Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. [https://queenslandplaces.com.au/macknade ''Macknade'', Queensland Places].</ref><br />
<br />
The Neames established sugar cultivation and constructed a small mill on the estate. Historical research undertaken for the mill's 150th anniversary confirmed that Macknade first crushed cane in '''1873'''. Earlier histories frequently gave 1874 as the commencement date, including a plaque installed at the mill in 1964, but Wilmar's subsequent examination of historical records established the earlier date.<ref name="Wilmar150" /><br />
<br />
By 1875 approximately 210 acres of the estate were under cane and the mill had already been enlarged.<ref name="NeameHistory" /><br />
<br />
Macknade became one of the pioneering sugar estates of the Herbert River district, together with Gairloch and Bemerside.<br />
<br />
=== Fanning, Nankivell & Co. ===<br />
In September 1882, the Neames sold Macknade to the Melbourne firm '''Fanning, Nankivell & Co.''' for £60,000. The property comprised approximately 6,856 acres.<ref name="FanningADB">Australian Dictionary of Biography. [https://adb.online.anu.edu.au/biography/fanning-edward-368 ''Fanning, Edward''].</ref><br />
<br />
Fanning, Nankivell & Co. also owned the nearby Gairloch plantation and invested heavily in its Herbert River sugar interests. The enterprise subsequently suffered severe financial losses.<br />
<br />
In 1886 Frank Neame returned to Australia after learning that conditions at Macknade had deteriorated. With Fanning, Nankivell & Co. unable to meet its obligations, Macknade was handed back to the Neames in lieu of the money still owing on the purchase.<ref name="FanningADB" /><br />
<br />
The Neames resumed operation of the plantation and mill.<br />
<br />
=== Small farmers ===<br />
The transition from large plantation agriculture to independent cane farming at Macknade had begun before CSR ownership.<br />
<br />
Arthur and Frank Neame supported the development of small-scale farming in the Herbert district and leased portions of the Macknade estate to independent farmers, including Italian settlers. Frank Neame was an early supporter and president of the Herbert River Farmers' Association, established in 1882.<ref name="NeameHistory" /><br />
<br />
These developments formed part of the wider transition away from the plantation system which occurred throughout the Queensland sugar industry during the late nineteenth century.<br />
<br />
=== CSR ownership ===<br />
The [[Colonial Sugar Refining Company]] acquired Macknade Mill and plantation from the Neames in '''1896'''.<ref name="CSRHistory">CSR Limited. ''The Colonial Sugar Refining Company 1855–1955'', historical chronology.</ref><ref name="Griggs">Griggs, Peter D. ''Global Industry, Local Innovation: The History of Cane Sugar Production in Australia, 1820–1995''. Peter Lang, 2011.</ref><br />
<br />
CSR accelerated the subdivision of the estate and the transition toward cane supplied by independent farmers. Under the company's settlement schemes, portions of former plantation land were leased or sold to growers who supplied cane to the mill.<ref name="LRRSAHistory">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. [https://www.lrrsa.org.au/LRR_SGRa.htm ''Australia's sugar industry''].</ref><br />
<br />
By 1898, Macknade was already receiving cane from numerous independent farmers.<br />
<br />
CSR subsequently undertook repeated expansions and modernisation of the factory. Macknade remained under CSR ownership for more than a century.<br />
<br />
=== Wilmar ownership ===<br />
During the 2000s CSR's sugar and renewable energy operations were reorganised under the name '''Sucrogen'''.<br />
<br />
On 5 July 2010, CSR announced an agreement to sell Sucrogen to Singapore-based [[Wilmar International]] for an enterprise value of $1.75 billion.<ref name="WilmarAcquisition">Wilmar International. [https://www.wilmar-international.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/highlights/media-releases/2010/05-jul-2010-acquisition-of-sucrogen-limited.pdf ''Wilmar International Limited acquires CSR Limited's Sugar and Renewable Energy business'']. 5 July 2010.</ref><br />
<br />
The transaction was completed on '''22 December 2010'''.<ref name="CSRCompletion">CSR Limited. ''Preliminary Final Report for the year ended 31 March 2011''.</ref><br />
<br />
Sucrogen was subsequently renamed Wilmar Sugar Australia, and Macknade remains part of Wilmar's Australian sugar milling operations.<br />
<br />
In August 2023, Macknade reached '''150 years of continuous operation'''. Wilmar marked the anniversary by creating a detailed virtual tour of the factory.<ref name="Wilmar150" /><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Milling ===<br />
Macknade is the smaller of the two Herbert River mills.<br />
<br />
Wilmar currently states that the factory processes an average of approximately '''1.5 million tonnes of sugarcane annually''' and manufactures about '''191,000 tonnes of raw sugar'''.<ref name="WilmarMills">Wilmar Sugar Australia. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/what-we-do/mills ''Our Mills''].</ref><br />
<br />
The mill operates continuously during the crushing season, normally from approximately June until November, subject to crop size, weather and factory performance.<br />
<br />
[[Victoria Mill]], approximately 3 kilometres east of Ingham, processes around twice Macknade's annual throughput.<br />
<br />
=== Cane railway ===<br />
Macknade is served by an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway.<br />
<br />
The Macknade and [[Victoria Mill]] railway systems are interconnected, allowing cane, locomotives and other rolling stock to be transferred between the two mills. This provides operational flexibility during factory or railway disruptions.<ref name="LRRSARail">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. [https://lrrsa.org.au/LRR_SGRz.htm ''Queensland sugar cane railways today''].</ref><br />
<br />
The railway serves the northern and lower Herbert River cane-growing districts, including areas around Macknade, Halifax, Cordelia, Bemerside and surrounding farming districts.<br />
<br />
Modern cane is transported in four-wheel and bogie bins hauled by diesel-hydraulic locomotives.<br />
<br />
=== Raw sugar railway ===<br />
Macknade is unusual among Australian sugar mills in that its finished raw sugar is also transported by '''610 mm gauge railway'''.<br />
<br />
Raw sugar is loaded into purpose-built bogie sugar boxes and hauled east through the lower Herbert district to the [[Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal]]. [[Victoria Mill]] uses the same system.<ref name="LRRSARail" /><br />
<br />
The two Herbert mills are among the last Australian mills to transport finished raw sugar directly to an export terminal over a 610 mm gauge railway.<br />
<br />
At Lucinda, the sugar boxes are delivered to the terminal rail yard and unloaded into the bulk storage system before the sugar is conveyed along the 5.76-kilometre offshore jetty for loading into export vessels.<br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
Wilmar publishes Macknade's long-term average throughput as approximately '''1.5 million tonnes of cane per year''', producing about '''191,000 tonnes of raw sugar'''.<ref name="WilmarMills" /><br />
<br />
Recent seasons have been below that long-term average.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Selected recent production<br />
! Season<br />
! Macknade cane crushed<br />
! Herbert region total<br />
! Herbert CCS<br />
! Notes<br />
|-<br />
| 2023<br />
| 1,262,633 tonnes<br />
| 3,993,793 tonnes<br />
| 13.02<br />
| Macknade crushed out on 25 November. The Herbert region produced approximately 498,000 tonnes of raw sugar.<ref name="Wilmar2023">Wilmar Sugar Australia. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/media-centre/latest-news/fifth-season-update-for-2023 ''Fifth season update for 2023'']. 6 December 2023.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 1,246,321 tonnes<br />
| 3,820,145 tonnes<br />
| 12.36<br />
| The season was heavily affected by wet weather and factory interruptions.<ref name="Wilmar2024">Wilmar Sugar Australia. ''Herbert Production Report – Week 25 ending 14 December 2024''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2025<br />
| 1,153,877 tonnes<br />
| 3,822,510 tonnes<br />
| 12.82<br />
| Macknade crushed out at 2:20 am on 20 November 2025. The Herbert season ended when Victoria crushed its final bin on 23 November.<ref name="Wilmar2025">Wilmar Sugar Australia. [https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/media-centre/production-reports/herbert/2122-herbert-production-report-wk-24-we-22nov25/file ''Herbert Production Report – Week 24 ending 22 November 2025''].</ref><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-18.58893, 146.25890</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
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<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
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<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Lucinda_Bulk_Sugar_Terminal&diff=894Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal2026-10-05T01:46:50Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal<br />
| image = DJI 0061.jpg<br />
| caption = Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal, 2025.<br />
| coordinates = 18.52518° S, 146.33090° E<br />
| region = [[Herbert & Burdekin Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Hinchinbrook Shire Council]]<br />
| established = 1958 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1958}} years ago)<br />
| closed =<br />
| owner = [[Sugar Terminals Limited]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 235,000 tonnes storage capacity<br />
}}<br />
'''Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal''' is a bulk raw sugar storage and export facility located at [[Lucinda, Queensland|Lucinda]], approximately 110 kilometres north of [[Townsville]]. Opened in 1958, it serves the [[Herbert River]] sugar district and receives raw sugar from [[Victoria Mill]] and [[Macknade Mill]] by 610 mm (2 ft) gauge railway.<br />
<br />
The terminal is owned and operated by [[Sugar Terminals Limited]] (STL). It contains three bulk sugar storage sheds with a current published capacity of approximately 235,000 tonnes.<br />
<br />
Lucinda is particularly notable for its 5.76-kilometre offshore conveyor jetty, one of the longest structures of its type in the world. The jetty carries raw sugar from the onshore terminal to a deep-water berth and shiploader in the Coral Sea.<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Early sugar port ===<br />
The Herbert River sugar industry used coastal and river transport extensively during the late nineteenth century.<br />
<br />
Before the development of Lucinda Point, raw sugar from mills including Victoria and Macknade was transported from local wharves in punts or lighters to Dungeness for transfer to larger vessels.<br />
<br />
Increasing silting in the Herbert River encouraged the development of a more reliable outlet. In 1896, CSR extended its 610 mm gauge tramway from Halifax to Lucinda Point, constructed a jetty and transferred its sugar storage shed from Halifax to the new port.<br />
<br />
From that time, bagged raw sugar from Victoria and Macknade was transported by rail directly to Lucinda Point. The sugar was carried on flat-top bogie wagons and loaded onto ships at the jetty.<br />
<br />
=== Bulk terminal ===<br />
Queensland's sugar industry began changing from bagged to bulk raw sugar handling during the 1950s.<br />
<br />
A completely new bulk sugar terminal was constructed at Lucinda Point and commenced operation in '''1958'''. Raw sugar was thereafter transported from the mills in purpose-built bulk sugar boxes rather than jute bags.<br />
<br />
Lucinda was one of the first Queensland ports converted to bulk sugar handling, following Mackay in 1957 and opening in the same year as the Bundaberg terminal.<br />
<br />
The terminal initially also handled raw sugar from [[Tully Mill]]. Tully sugar, which had previously been transported to Townsville, was directed to Lucinda after the terminal opened in 1958. From 1961, Tully raw sugar was instead transported by road to [[Mourilyan Bulk Sugar Terminal]].<br />
<br />
A second storage shed was constructed at Lucinda in '''1965'''.<br />
<br />
Despite the introduction of bulk handling, Lucinda remained restricted by shallow water and bends in the Hinchinbrook Channel. Ships using the original facility generally carried comparatively small cargoes, and the changing economics of international bulk shipping increasingly favoured much larger vessels.<br />
<br />
=== Deep-water development ===<br />
By the 1970s the limitations of the original port had become increasingly significant.<br />
<br />
In 1974 the Queensland Sugar Board commissioned Macdonald Wagner & Priddle, working in association with CSR, to examine alternatives for the future of Lucinda.<br />
<br />
The principal options considered were:<br />
<br />
* closing Lucinda and transporting Herbert River sugar to Townsville;<br />
* undertaking continuing dredging to allow larger ships to use the existing berth; or<br />
* constructing a new offshore berth in naturally deep water, connected to the shore by a long conveyor jetty.<br />
<br />
The offshore option was selected.<br />
<br />
In November 1975 the Bulk Sugar Consultative Committee formally supported development of an offshore loading facility together with increased storage capacity.<br />
<br />
Construction took place between 1976 and 1979. The project was financed by the Queensland sugar industry, with the Sugar Board and Department of Harbours and Marine involved in its development. CSR acted as project manager, Macdonald Wagner & Priddle as consulting engineers and Transfield (Queensland) as head contractor.<br />
<br />
The project included:<br />
<br />
* a third bulk sugar storage shed with a capacity of approximately 79,000 tonnes;<br />
* a 5.76-kilometre conveyor jetty extending from Lucinda Point to naturally deep water;<br />
* an offshore wharf and shiploader capable of handling substantially larger export vessels.<br />
<br />
The deep-water berth and associated facilities were officially opened by Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser on '''2 July 1979'''.<br />
<br />
The development transformed Lucinda from a terminal limited largely to smaller coastal ships into a major overseas export port.<br />
<br />
== Ownership and operation ==<br />
The original bulk terminals were developed within Queensland's regulated sugar industry and were held through government and port authority arrangements.<br />
<br />
During industry restructuring in the late 1990s, [[Sugar Terminals Limited]] was established as an industry-owned company. Ownership of Queensland's bulk sugar terminal assets, including Lucinda, was transferred to STL in August 2000.<br />
<br />
For many years Queensland Sugar Limited operated the terminals on behalf of STL.<br />
<br />
From '''1 July 2026''', STL brought terminal operations in-house and became both owner and operator of the Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal.<br />
<br />
The marine port itself is administered by the Port of Townsville Limited.<br />
<br />
== Cyclone Yasi ==<br />
Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi crossed the North Queensland coast near Mission Beach during the early hours of 3 February 2011, with the centre of the cyclone passing approximately 40 kilometres north of Lucinda.<br />
<br />
The offshore jetty, wharf, conveyors, electrical equipment and shiploading infrastructure sustained extensive damage from extreme waves and storm surge.<br />
<br />
Damage to the terminal was subsequently valued at approximately '''$50 million'''.<br />
<br />
Repair work included replacement or repair of approximately one kilometre of steel structures and cladding, major electrical reconstruction, repairs to the wharf and shiploader, replacement of damaged concrete and structural components, and strengthening intended to improve resilience to future cyclones.<br />
<br />
Abergeldie was the principal construction contractor and Aurecon provided engineering, design, supervision and commissioning services.<br />
<br />
While Lucinda was unavailable, approximately 400,000 tonnes of Herbert River raw sugar was transported south to Townsville for shipment.<br />
<br />
The first vessel to use the restored terminal was the ''New Ambition'', which began loading approximately 27,000 tonnes of raw sugar on '''27 August 2012'''. The terminal was formally reopened on 1 November 2012.<br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Storage ===<br />
Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal contains '''three bulk sugar storage sheds'''.<br />
<br />
Sugar Terminals Limited currently publishes a combined storage capacity of approximately '''235,000 tonnes'''. Earlier industry publications commonly gave the capacity as approximately 231,000 tonnes.<br />
<br />
The third shed, constructed as part of the 1976–1979 deep-water development, added approximately 79,000 tonnes of storage.<br />
<br />
=== Rail receival ===<br />
Unlike most Queensland bulk sugar terminals, Lucinda continues to receive raw sugar by narrow-gauge railway.<br />
<br />
Raw sugar from [[Victoria Mill]] and [[Macknade Mill]] is transported in purpose-built bogie sugar boxes over the Herbert River district's 610 mm (2 ft) gauge railway.<br />
<br />
The routes from the two mills converge east of Cordelia before continuing through the Halifax district and across the coastal mangrove flats to Lucinda.<br />
<br />
Mill locomotives deliver loaded sugar boxes to the terminal railway yard. The terminal's own shunting locomotive then moves the wagons through the unloading facility.<br />
<br />
Lucinda is one of the few surviving examples in Australia of raw sugar being transported directly from sugar mills to an export terminal by 610 mm gauge railway.<br />
<br />
=== Deep-water jetty ===<br />
The offshore jetty extends '''5.76 kilometres''' from Lucinda Point to the deep-water loading berth.<br />
<br />
It is supported by more than 660 concrete and steel piles or pylons and carries an enclosed conveyor together with access and service infrastructure.<br />
<br />
The structure follows the curvature of the Earth. The Port of Townsville currently describes the jetty as dipping approximately '''1.2 metres''' over its length.<br />
<br />
Raw sugar takes approximately '''22 minutes''' to travel by conveyor from the onshore storage sheds to the offshore shiploader.<br />
<br />
The original 1979 installation was designed to load at approximately 1,400 tonnes per hour. Following subsequent improvements and the Cyclone Yasi reconstruction, STL reported loading capability exceeding 1,800 tonnes per hour.<br />
<br />
=== Shipping ===<br />
Current Sugar Terminals Limited shipping limits for Lucinda are:<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Statistic<br />
! Value<br />
|-<br />
| Storage capacity<br />
| 235,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Number of sheds<br />
| 3<br />
|-<br />
| Receival method<br />
| 610 mm light rail<br />
|-<br />
| Jetty length<br />
| 5.76 kilometres<br />
|-<br />
| Maximum vessel length (LOA)<br />
| 225 metres<br />
|-<br />
| Maximum beam<br />
| 32.5 metres<br />
|-<br />
| Berth depth at LAT<br />
| 13.60 metres<br />
|-<br />
| Channel depth at LAT<br />
| 13.20 metres<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-18.52518, 146.33090</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal maintains its own 610 mm gauge shunting locomotive for movement of sugar boxes between the receival yard and unloading facilities.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
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<br />
== Image Gallery ==<br />
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:EricMPlomley-PreResto.png|Eric M. Plomley (ComEng AD, G1023 of 1958), before rebuilding, crossing the road into the bulk sugar terminal yard. October 2014.<br />
File:EricMPlomley.jpg|Eric M. Plomley (ComEng AD, G1023 of 1958), after rebuilding, in the terminal yard. September 2020.<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Northern_Region&diff=893Northern Region2026-10-05T01:40:00Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>The '''Northern Region''' encompasses the Far North Queensland sugar districts from [[Mossman]] and the [[Douglas Shire]] in the north through Cairns and the Johnstone River districts to [[Tully]] in the south, together with the elevated sugar-growing areas of the [[Atherton Tableland]].<br />
<br />
The region includes some of Queensland's highest-rainfall cane-growing districts as well as the distinctly different climate and farming conditions of the Tableland. Its sugar industry has included privately owned plantation mills, Queensland Government central mills, grower-owned companies and cooperatives, and modern corporate milling groups.<br />
<br />
Industry rationalisation progressively reduced the number of operating mills during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The closures of [[Goondi Mill|Goondi]], [[Hambledon Mill|Hambledon]], [[Mourilyan Mill|Mourilyan]], [[Babinda Mill|Babinda]] and, most recently, [[Mossman Central Mill|Mossman]] resulted in the consolidation of cane supply and transport infrastructure around the surviving mills.<br />
<br />
The region currently contains four operating sugar mills: [[Tableland Mill|Tableland]], [[Mulgrave Mill|Mulgrave]], [[South Johnstone Mill|South Johnstone]] and [[Tully Mill|Tully]]. Raw sugar is exported principally through the bulk sugar terminals at [[Cairns Bulk Sugar Terminal|Cairns]] and [[Mourilyan Bulk Sugar Terminal|Mourilyan]].<ref name="ASMCNorth">Australian Sugar Milling Council. ''Australian Sugar Milling – Northern Region''. https://asmc.com.au/</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Mossman Central Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
Mossman Mill commenced crushing in 1897 and completed its final crushing season on '''26 November 2023'''. Far Northern Milling had entered voluntary administration six days earlier, and the mill's operating companies subsequently entered liquidation in March 2024.<ref name="Mossman2023">CANEGROWERS Queensland. [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/QCGO-2023-24-Annual-Report.pdf ''Annual Report 2023–24''], Mossman district report.</ref><br />
<br />
Following the closure, coastal Mossman cane was transported south for processing. In 2024 it was crushed at [[Mulgrave Mill]] and, late in the season, [[South Johnstone Mill]], while Julatten cane was supplied to [[Tableland Mill]]. The 2025 coastal crop was transported to Mulgrave at Gordonvale with Queensland Government assistance. The final truckload was delivered in November 2025 after growers and processors were unable to reach a commercial agreement for seasons beyond 2025.<ref name="Mossman2024">CANEGROWERS Queensland. [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/Annual-report-2024-25.pdf ''Annual Report 2024–25''], Mossman district report.</ref><ref name="Mossman2025">CANEGROWERS. [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/news-media/media-releases/future-uncertain-as-final-mossman-cane-delivered-to-mulgrave ''Future uncertain as final Mossman cane delivered to Mulgrave'']. 4 November 2025.</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Hambledon Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
Hambledon Mill commenced crushing in '''1883''' after Thomas Swallow established the associated plantation near present-day [[Edmonton]]. The mill was acquired by [[CSR]] in 1897 and remained under CSR ownership until its closure.<br />
<br />
Increasing residential development in the southern Cairns district progressively reduced Hambledon's available cane land. The mill completed its final season and closed in '''1991''', after which its cane assignments were transferred to [[Mulgrave Mill]].<ref name="HambledonClosure">Queensland Parliament. [https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/1991/911127ha.pdf ''Legislative Assembly Hansard'', 27 November 1991].</ref><br />
<br />
Sugarworld had already been established by CSR on part of the Hambledon property before the mill closed. Parts of the former estate were subsequently incorporated into Sugarworld Gardens, the waterpark and surrounding residential development.<br />
<br />
=== [[Tableland Mill]] ===<br />
Located at Arriga, south-west of [[Mareeba]], Tableland Mill is the only operating Northern Region mill situated on the [[Atherton Tableland]] rather than the coastal plain.<br />
<br />
The mill commenced operation in '''1998''' and is Australia's newest operating sugar mill. Originally built by Bundaberg Sugar, it is now operated by [[MSF Sugar]]. Unlike most Queensland mills, it receives cane entirely by road.<br />
<br />
The site also contains MSF Sugar's '''24 MW Tableland Green Energy Power Plant''', which uses bagasse, the fibrous residue from sugarcane processing, to generate renewable electricity.<ref name="TablelandGreen">MSF Sugar. [https://www.msfsugar.com.au/tableland-green-energy-power-plant/ ''Tableland Green Energy Power Plant''].</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Cairns Bulk Sugar Terminal]] ===<br />
The Cairns Bulk Sugar Terminal at [[Portsmith]] opened in '''1964''' as part of Queensland's transition from bagged sugar handling to bulk storage and export.<br />
<br />
The terminal historically handled raw sugar from several Far North Queensland milling districts, including Mossman, Hambledon and Mulgrave. It contains two storage sheds with a combined capacity of '''250,000 tonnes''' and receives sugar entirely by road.<ref name="CairnsBST">Sugar Terminals Limited. [https://sugarterminals.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/STL-Cairns-Fact-Sheet.pdf ''Cairns Bulk Sugar Terminal Fact Sheet''].</ref><br />
<br />
Following the closure of Mossman, [[Mulgrave Mill]] is the principal operating mill supplying raw sugar through Cairns. In February 2026, raw sugar produced at Mulgrave was exported to Japan through the terminal.<ref name="Cairns2026">CANEGROWERS. [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/news-media/media-releases/msf-sugar-shipment-breaks-new-ground-in-sustainable-exports ''MSF Sugar shipment breaks new ground in sustainable exports'']. 4 February 2026.</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Mulgrave Mill]] ===<br />
Mulgrave Mill at [[Gordonvale]] commenced crushing in '''1896'''. Originally established as a grower-owned central mill, it is now operated by [[MSF Sugar]].<br />
<br />
Its supply area expanded considerably after the closure of [[Hambledon Mill]] in 1991 and again following later rationalisation of the Far North Queensland milling industry. The modern 610 mm gauge cane railway incorporates sections of several former mill networks.<br />
<br />
Mulgrave also played a major role in processing cane from the former Mossman district after Mossman ceased crushing. Coastal Mossman cane was processed at Mulgrave during 2024, with some late-season cane continuing to South Johnstone, while the 2025 coastal crop was transported to Mulgrave for processing.<ref name="Mossman2024" /><ref name="Mossman2025" /><br />
<br />
=== [[Babinda Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
Babinda Mill commenced crushing in '''1915''' as a Queensland Government central mill. It was transferred to grower control in 1924 and later acquired by Bundaberg Sugar in 1989.<br />
<br />
Babinda completed its final crushing season in '''2010''' and closed in February 2011. Although the closure announcement followed Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi, the mill's owners identified the longer-term decline in regional cane supply and excess milling capacity as the principal reasons the factory was no longer viable.<ref name="BabindaClose">ABC News. [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-02-08/sugar-mill-to-close-in-blow-to-cyclone-town/1935236 ''Sugar mill to close in blow to cyclone town'']. 8 February 2011.</ref><br />
<br />
Cane previously supplied to Babinda was transferred principally to [[Mulgrave Mill]] and [[South Johnstone Mill]]. The former factory was progressively demolished during 2013.<br />
<br />
=== [[Mourilyan Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
The Mourilyan Sugar Company was established in 1882 and Mourilyan Mill commenced crushing in '''1884''', making it one of the oldest sugar mills in Far North Queensland.<br />
<br />
The mill completed its final crushing season in '''2005'''. Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry struck the Innisfail district in March 2006 and caused substantial damage to Mourilyan Mill. The factory did not reopen for the 2006 season, and owner [[Bundaberg Sugar]] subsequently decided not to rebuild it.<br />
<br />
Industry rationalisation had already been under consideration before the cyclone, with Larry acting as the immediate catalyst for the permanent closure. Former Mourilyan cane was redirected to [[South Johnstone Mill]] and [[Babinda Mill]], both of which were upgraded to accommodate additional throughput.<ref name="MourilyanClose">Australian Cane Farmers Association. [https://www.acfa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2006-09-ACF-e.pdf ''The End of an Era – Mourilyan closes'', Australian Cane Farmer], September 2006.</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Mourilyan Bulk Sugar Terminal]] ===<br />
The Mourilyan Bulk Sugar Terminal opened in '''1960''' within the sheltered natural harbour at the mouth of the Moresby River.<br />
<br />
The terminal was constructed as part of the Queensland sugar industry's transition from bagged sugar and lighterage to bulk storage and shiploading. It historically received raw sugar by both road and 610 mm gauge railway, but rail sugar haulage ceased after the 1996 season and the harbour railway connection closed in 1997.<br />
<br />
Today the terminal receives sugar entirely by road and has one storage shed with a capacity of '''178,000 tonnes'''. The Port of Mourilyan exports raw sugar and molasses from the Innisfail, Babinda, Tully and Atherton Tableland sugar-growing districts.<ref name="MourilyanPort">Ports North. [https://www.portsnorth.com.au/mourilyan/ ''Port of Mourilyan''].</ref><ref name="MourilyanBST">Sugar Terminals Limited. [https://sugarterminals.com.au/locations/ ''Mourilyan Bulk Sugar Terminal''].</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Goondi Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
Goondi Mill was established by [[CSR]] near [[Innisfail]] and commenced crushing in '''1885'''. CSR remained the owner and operator throughout the mill's working life.<br />
<br />
Goondi completed its final crushing season in '''1986'''. The statutory rationalisation of its cane supply area and disposal of its assets took place during 1987.<br />
<br />
Under the ''Sugar Milling Rationalization (Far Northern Region) Act 1987'', former Goondi cane assignments were redistributed between '''[[Babinda Mill]] and [[Mourilyan Mill]]'''. [[South Johnstone Mill]] sought access to the former Goondi crop but was excluded from the final redistribution arrangement.<ref name="GoondiRationalisation">Queensland Parliament. [https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/1987/1987_03_17.pdf ''Sugar Milling Rationalization (Far Northern Region) Bill'', Legislative Assembly Hansard, 17 March 1987].</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[South Johnstone Mill]] ===<br />
South Johnstone Mill commenced crushing in '''1916''' as a Queensland Government central mill. Growers acquired the mill in 1927 and operated it as the South Johnstone Co-operative Sugar Milling Association until the cooperative entered receivership in 2001.<br />
<br />
The mill was subsequently acquired by Bundaberg Sugar and is now operated by [[MSF Sugar]].<br />
<br />
South Johnstone's modern supply area and extensive 610 mm gauge cane railway incorporate infrastructure and cane-growing districts formerly associated with [[Goondi Mill]], [[Mourilyan Mill]] and [[Babinda Mill]]. The mill remains one of the principal processing centres of the Cassowary Coast sugar industry.<ref name="SouthJohnstone">Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. [https://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/south-johnstone ''South Johnstone'', Queensland Places].</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Tully Mill]] ===<br />
Tully Mill commenced its trial crushing season on '''5 November 1925''' and was the last Queensland Government-built sugar mill. Apart from the much later [[Tableland Mill]], it was also the last new sugar mill constructed in Queensland.<ref name="TullyHistory">Tully Sugar Limited. [https://www.tullysugar.com/about/ ''About Tully Sugar''].</ref><br />
<br />
The mill was transferred to grower cooperative ownership in 1931 and became the public company Tully Sugar Limited in 1990. In 2011 it was acquired by the Chinese agribusiness [[COFCO]], of which Tully Sugar is now a wholly owned subsidiary.<ref name="TullyHistory" /><br />
<br />
Tully is one of Australia's largest sugar mills. Its 610 mm gauge cane railway comprises more than 200 kilometres of main line together with approximately 80 kilometres of delivery sidings and loops, serving the high-rainfall Tully, Murray River and surrounding cane-growing districts.<ref name="TullyRail">Tully Sugar Limited. [https://www.tullysugar.com/processes/ ''Processes – The Cane Rail Network''].</ref><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Northern_Region&diff=892Northern Region2026-10-05T01:39:23Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>The '''Northern Region''' encompasses the Far North Queensland sugar districts from [[Mossman]] and the [[Douglas Shire]] in the north through Cairns and the Johnstone River districts to [[Tully]] in the south, together with the elevated sugar-growing areas of the [[Atherton Tableland]].<br />
<br />
The region includes some of Queensland's highest-rainfall cane-growing districts as well as the distinctly different climate and farming conditions of the Tableland. Its sugar industry has included privately owned plantation mills, Queensland Government central mills, grower-owned companies and cooperatives, and modern corporate milling groups.<br />
<br />
Industry rationalisation progressively reduced the number of operating mills during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The closures of [[Goondi Mill|Goondi]], [[Hambledon Mill|Hambledon]], [[Mourilyan Mill|Mourilyan]], [[Babinda Mill|Babinda]] and, most recently, [[Mossman Central Mill|Mossman]] resulted in the consolidation of cane supply and transport infrastructure around the surviving mills.<br />
<br />
The region currently contains four operating sugar mills: [[Tableland Mill|Tableland]], [[Mulgrave Mill|Mulgrave]], [[South Johnstone Mill|South Johnstone]] and [[Tully Mill|Tully]]. Raw sugar is exported principally through the bulk sugar terminals at [[Cairns Bulk Sugar Terminal|Cairns]] and [[Mourilyan Bulk Sugar Terminal|Mourilyan]].<ref name="ASMCNorth">Australian Sugar Milling Council. ''Australian Sugar Milling – Northern Region''. https://asmc.com.au/</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Mossman Central Mill]] (Closed) ===<br />
Mossman Mill commenced crushing in 1897 and completed its final crushing season on '''26 November 2023'''. Far Northern Milling had entered voluntary administration six days earlier, and the mill's operating companies subsequently entered liquidation in March 2024.<ref name="Mossman2023">CANEGROWERS Queensland. [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/QCGO-2023-24-Annual-Report.pdf ''Annual Report 2023–24''], Mossman district report.</ref><br />
<br />
Following the closure, coastal Mossman cane was transported south for processing. In 2024 it was crushed at [[Mulgrave Mill]] and, late in the season, [[South Johnstone Mill]], while Julatten cane was supplied to [[Tableland Mill]]. The 2025 coastal crop was transported to Mulgrave at Gordonvale with Queensland Government assistance. The final truckload was delivered in November 2025 after growers and processors were unable to reach a commercial agreement for seasons beyond 2025.<ref name="Mossman2024">CANEGROWERS Queensland. [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/Annual-report-2024-25.pdf ''Annual Report</div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Tully_Mill&diff=891Tully Mill2026-10-05T01:36:45Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Tully Mill<br />
| image = Steam rising from the Tully Sugar Mill with loaded cane train in foreground, 2016.jpg<br />
| caption = Steam rising from Tully Sugar Mill with a loaded cane train in the foreground, 2016.<br />
| coordinates = 17.93480° S, 145.92674° E<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cassowary Coast Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1925 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1925}} years ago)<br />
| closed =<br />
| owner = [[COFCO]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 2,162,130 tonnes (2024)<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Tully Sugar Mill''' is a sugar mill located at [[Tully]], approximately 140 kilometres south of [[Cairns]], [[Queensland]]. The mill commenced crushing in 1925 and was the last Queensland Government-built sugar mill.<br />
<br />
Tully is now operated by Tully Sugar Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chinese agribusiness [[COFCO]]. It is one of Australia's largest sugar mills and operates an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) cane railway serving the Tully district.<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
The development of a central sugar mill in the Tully district followed decades of proposals for expanded sugar cultivation in the Tully River valley.<br />
<br />
Investigations by Queensland Government commissions identified the district as suitable for large-scale cane production. Under the Theodore Government, construction of a mill at Tully was approved under the ''Sugar Works Act 1922''.<br />
<br />
The Tully Sugar Works Area was proclaimed on 19 June 1923. The mill site was selected beside Banyan Creek and an adjoining township was surveyed as part of the development.<ref name="TullyHistory">Tully Sugar Limited. ''About Tully Sugar Limited – The Early Days of Tully Sugar''.</ref><br />
<br />
The construction contract was awarded to Walkers Limited of Maryborough in August 1923. Bundaberg Foundry supplied additional machinery and equipment, while F.E. Barbat & Sons undertook construction of the factory.<ref name="TullyHistory" /><br />
<br />
The mill's trial crushing season commenced on '''5 November 1925''' and continued until 16 January 1926. A total of 32,075 tonnes of cane was crushed to produce 3,946 tonnes of raw sugar.<ref name="TullyHistory" /><br />
<br />
The first full crushing season began on 5 July 1926 and finished on 19 January 1927. During the 28-week season the mill processed 148,006 tonnes of cane and produced 19,754 tonnes of raw sugar. There were 256 supplying growers, including 74 returned-soldier settlers.<ref name="TullyHistory" /><br />
<br />
In 1927, Tully became the first Australian sugar mill to crush more than 200,000 tonnes of cane in a single season.<ref name="Tully100">Tully 100 Centenary Committee. ''Tully Sugar 1925–2025''.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Cooperative ownership ===<br />
The mill was initially owned and operated by the Queensland Government.<br />
<br />
The ''Tully Sugar Works Act 1930'', assented to on 13 November 1930, authorised the transfer of management and control of the government mill to a cooperative association of growers.<ref name="TullyAct">Queensland Government. ''The Tully Sugar Works Act of 1930''.</ref><br />
<br />
The Tully Co-operative Sugar Milling Association was formed on 13 March 1931. In May 1931 the association took over the mill, with all 383 growers then supplying Tully applying for shares.<ref name="Tully100" /><br />
<br />
The mill remained grower-controlled for almost six decades.<br />
<br />
Tully's rapid development continued during the cooperative era. In 1933 it became the first Australian sugar mill to process more than 300,000 tonnes of cane in a season.<ref name="Tully100" /><br />
<br />
=== Expansion and modernisation ===<br />
Expansion of the Tully cane district required continuing increases in factory and transport capacity.<br />
<br />
The mill underwent its first major upgrade in '''1963'''. The following year, 54 new cane assignments were granted as part of the Riversdale expansion, with most of the new growers beginning to supply Tully in 1965.<ref name="Tully100" /><br />
<br />
On 18 September 1983, Tully celebrated its first '''one-million-tonne crushing season'''.<ref name="Tully100" /><br />
<br />
Further growth continued through the following decades. On 28 October 2002, the mill reached a two-million-tonne crop for the first time.<ref name="Tully100" /><br />
<br />
Two of Tully's largest seasons occurred in 2015 and 2016. The mill processed 2,897,999 tonnes in the 2015 season and approximately 2.936 million tonnes in 2016.<ref name="TullyRecords">CANEGROWERS Queensland. ''Annual Report 2022–23'', Tully district report.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Tully Sugar Limited ===<br />
On 28 March 1990 the cooperative structure was replaced by a public company, '''Tully Sugar Limited'''.<ref name="Tully100" /><br />
<br />
The change ended almost 60 years of operation as the Tully Co-operative Sugar Milling Association, although ownership remained predominantly in the hands of local growers and industry participants.<br />
<br />
== COFCO ownership ==<br />
In 2011 Tully Sugar became the subject of a competitive takeover involving the Chinese agribusiness COFCO, international agribusiness Bunge and the Australian grower-owned Mackay Sugar.<br />
<br />
COFCO offered $44 per Tully Sugar share. In July 2011 it obtained a controlling interest of more than 60 per cent, and within weeks its holding had increased to approximately 99 per cent, allowing compulsory acquisition of the remaining shares.<ref name="COFCO2011">ABC Rural. ''COFCO takes controlling interest in Tully Sugar Mill''. 5 July 2011.</ref><ref name="COFCO99">ABC Rural. ''COFCO moves to compulsorily acquire final one per cent of Tully Sugar''. 20 July 2011.</ref><br />
<br />
The acquisition valued Tully Sugar at approximately $136 million.<ref name="COFCOValue">ABC Rural. ''China sweet on Aussie sugar''. 2 September 2011.</ref><br />
<br />
Tully Sugar Limited is now a wholly owned subsidiary of COFCO.<ref name="TullyCurrent">Tully Sugar Limited. ''About Tully Sugar Limited''.</ref><br />
<br />
== Cyclone Yasi ==<br />
Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi crossed the Far North Queensland coast on 3 February 2011, with its eye passing through the Tully district.<br />
<br />
Tully and the surrounding cane-growing areas sustained severe structural and crop damage. A post-cyclone assessment by BSES estimated major infrastructure damage at Tully Mill at approximately $10 million. Cane bins were blown from railway tracks and the district also suffered damage to crossings and other transport infrastructure.<ref name="YasiAssessment">BSES Limited. ''Post-cyclone crop assessment – Tully mill area'', 2011.</ref><br />
<br />
Local centenary records subsequently placed the value of infrastructure destroyed at the mill at more than $12 million.<ref name="Tully100" /><br />
<br />
Despite the damage, the mill was repaired and returned to operation.<br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Cane railway ===<br />
Tully Sugar operates one of Australia's largest 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway systems.<br />
<br />
The company's current network comprises more than '''200 kilometres of main-line railway''' together with approximately '''80 kilometres of delivery sidings and loops'''. Main lines are predominantly constructed with 60 lb rail.<ref name="TullyRail">Tully Sugar Limited. ''Processes – The Cane Rail Network''.</ref><br />
<br />
The railway serves cane-growing districts including Tully, Euramo, Riversdale, Murray River, Kennedy and El Arish.<br />
<br />
Tully Sugar aims to deliver freshly harvested cane to the mill within approximately 12 hours of harvesting. Cane grown beyond the direct railway network may be transported by road semi-tipper to a rail siding before completing its journey to the mill by train.<ref name="TullyRail" /><br />
<br />
The system uses 4-tonne cane bins, normally coupled in pairs to form nominal 8-tonne units.<ref name="TullyRail" /><br />
<br />
=== Tully River crossing ===<br />
The railway network crosses the Tully River to reach the major cane-growing districts south of the river. These southern districts account for a substantial proportion of the mill's crop; in 2022, the Murray, Riversdale, Euramo and Kennedy districts supplied more than two million tonnes, or approximately 72 per cent of the total crop.<ref name="Tully2022">CANEGROWERS Queensland. ''Annual Report 2022–23'', Tully district report.</ref><br />
<br />
During the 2020s Tully Sugar invested in a new cane railway bridge across the Tully River at Euramo. The new bridge entered use by the beginning of the 2026 crushing season and has been referred to locally as the '''Centenary Bridge'''.<ref name="NewBridge">Tully Sugar Limited. ''Paddock to Port – Rail Infrastructure and Network Improvements''.</ref><br />
<br />
The company also introduced a new '''Tully 2''' locomotive and new 10-tonne cane units as part of its recent railway investment.<br />
<br />
=== Town running ===<br />
Sections of the cane railway pass through the built-up area of Tully and cross a number of local roads and the [[Bruce Highway]].<br />
<br />
The close interaction between the railway and township is a distinctive feature of Tully's cane transport system.<br />
<br />
== Power generation ==<br />
Bagasse, the fibrous residue remaining after cane crushing, is burnt in the mill's boilers to produce steam and electricity.<br />
<br />
Tully Sugar states that approximately 99 per cent of the mill's energy during crushing is derived from renewable bagasse. The mill has exported surplus renewable electricity to the Queensland grid since the late 1990s, with export capacity of approximately 10 MW.<ref name="TullyEnergy">Tully Sugar Limited. ''About Tully Sugar Limited''.</ref><br />
<br />
As part of a major generator replacement and bagasse utilisation project, Tully installed a new '''18 MW extraction-condensing steam turbine generator''' alongside an existing 10 MW steam turbine generator.<br />
<br />
The new 18 MW unit reached full operating capacity in December 2023.<ref name="Generator">Tully 100 Centenary Committee. ''Tully Sugar 1925–2025''.</ref><br />
<br />
The generating plant also contains emergency diesel generators. Although installed generation capacity exceeds 18 MW, electricity export to the Ergon Energy distribution network is limited to approximately 10 MW.<ref name="EnergyApproval">Queensland Government. ''Tully Sugar Limited generating plant information paper''.</ref><br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
Tully's annual crop varies substantially due to rainfall, cyclone impacts, crop yields and seasonal harvesting conditions.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Selected documented production<br />
! Season<br />
! Cane crushed<br />
! CCS<br />
! Notes<br />
|-<br />
| 1925–26<br />
| 32,075 tonnes<br />
| —<br />
| Trial crushing season from 5 November 1925 to 16 January 1926.<ref name="TullyHistory" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1926–27<br />
| 148,006 tonnes<br />
| —<br />
| First full crushing season.<ref name="TullyHistory" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1927<br />
| More than 200,000 tonnes<br />
| —<br />
| First Australian sugar mill to exceed 200,000 tonnes in a season.<ref name="Tully100" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1983<br />
| More than 1,000,000 tonnes<br />
| —<br />
| First million-tonne season.<ref name="Tully100" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2015<br />
| 2,897,999 tonnes<br />
| 12.81<br />
| Record crop at the time.<ref name="ABC2015">ABC Rural. ''Largest, longest cane season ends at Tully Sugar''. 4 January 2016.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2016<br />
| 2,935,957 tonnes<br />
| —<br />
| Largest crop recorded in Tully's history to that time.<ref name="TullyRecords" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2019<br />
| 2,179,083 tonnes<br />
| 13.56<br />
| CANEGROWERS production statistics.<ref name="CG2020">CANEGROWERS Queensland. ''Annual Report 2020–21''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2020<br />
| 2,463,558 tonnes<br />
| 12.95<br />
| CANEGROWERS production statistics.<ref name="CG2021">CANEGROWERS Queensland. ''Annual Report 2021–22''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2021<br />
| 2,513,802 tonnes<br />
| 12.38<br />
| CANEGROWERS production statistics.<ref name="CG2021" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2022<br />
| 2,879,289 tonnes<br />
| 12.27<br />
| Third-largest crop in the mill's history.<ref name="Tully2022" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2023<br />
| 2,536,921 tonnes<br />
| 12.70<br />
| CANEGROWERS production statistics.<ref name="CG2023">CANEGROWERS Queensland. ''Annual Report 2023–24''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 2,162,130 tonnes<br />
| 12.57<br />
| Wet conditions reduced yield. The season finished at 12:18 am on 11 December.<ref name="CG2024">CANEGROWERS Queensland. ''Annual Report 2024–25'', Tully district report.</ref><br />
|}<br />
<br />
The five-season average for 2020–2024 was approximately '''2.51 million tonnes''' of cane per year.<br />
<br />
== Products and export ==<br />
Tully Mill produces raw sugar, molasses, bagasse, mill mud and ash.<br />
<br />
All raw sugar produced by Tully Sugar is exported through the [[Mourilyan Bulk Sugar Terminal]].<ref name="TullyProducts">Tully Sugar Limited. ''Products''.</ref><br />
<br />
The company reports typical raw-sugar production of approximately 277,000 to 300,000 tonnes per year, although output varies with crop size and CCS. Peak raw-sugar production was 366,000 tonnes in 2018.<ref name="TullyProducts" /><br />
<br />
The mill also produces more than 65,000 tonnes of final molasses annually, approximately half of which is sold domestically for livestock feed while the balance is exported through Mourilyan Harbour.<ref name="TullyProducts" /><br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.93480, 145.92674</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
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|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
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<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{model}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{serial}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{year}}}</td><br />
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<td>{{{notes}}}</td><br />
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}}<br />
</table><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=South_Johnstone_Mill&diff=890South Johnstone Mill2026-10-05T01:32:44Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = South Johnstone Mill<br />
| image = DJI 0051.jpg<br />
| caption = South Johnstone Mill, 2025.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.605336471562488,145.99218995159404 17.60533° S, 145.99218° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cassowary Coast Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1916 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1916}} years ago)<br />
| closed =<br />
| owner = [[MSF Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 1,136,276 tonnes (2024 throughput)<br />
}}<br />
'''South Johnstone Sugar Mill''' is a sugar mill located at [[South Johnstone]], approximately 10 kilometres south of [[Innisfail]], [[Queensland]]. The government-established mill commenced crushing in 1916 and was transferred to grower ownership in 1927.<br />
<br />
Today the mill is operated by [[MSF Sugar]], part of the Thai-based Mitr Phol Group. Its cane supply area incorporates parts of the former [[Babinda Mill]], [[Mourilyan Mill]] and [[Goondi Mill]] districts, and its extensive 610 mm (2 ft) cane railway includes sections of several former mill and government tramway systems.<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
In 1911 a Queensland Royal Commission investigated proposals for additional central sugar mills. South Johnstone was selected as one of the sites, together with [[Babinda Mill|Babinda]]. The mills were subsequently authorised under the ''Sugar Works Act 1911''.<ref name="QAJHistory">Queensland Department of Agriculture and Stock. [https://era.dpi.qld.gov.au/id/eprint/15636/1/Vol_34NS_Part_2.pdf ''Queensland Agricultural Journal'', historical account of the government sugar mills].</ref><br />
<br />
The contract for construction of South Johnstone Mill was awarded to George Fletcher and Company of Derby, England, which also supplied the neighbouring Babinda Mill.<ref name="Fletcher1914">''West India Committee Circular'', 24 March 1914.</ref><br />
<br />
Construction commenced during the First World War. By 1915 erection of the mill was underway, but wartime disruption delayed the delivery of machinery and considerably slowed completion. Government accounts anticipated that the mill would be ready to crush around the end of September 1916.<ref name="QAJHistory" /><br />
<br />
South Johnstone Mill commenced crushing in '''1916'''. Its first season processed 56,205 tons of cane and produced 4,729 tons of raw sugar.<ref name="QAJ1927">Queensland Department of Agriculture and Stock. [https://era.dpi.qld.gov.au/id/eprint/15388/1/Vol_27NS_Part_6.pdf ''Queensland Agricultural Journal'', 1 June 1927].</ref><ref name="QLDPlaces_SJ">Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. [https://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/south-johnstone ''South Johnstone'', Queensland Places].</ref><br />
<br />
Approximately 100 growers supplied cane during the first season. By 1930 the number of supplying farms had increased to around 300.<ref name="SouthJohnstoneHeritage">Queensland heritage historical material relating to South Johnstone and St Saviour's Anglican Church.</ref><br />
<br />
=== 1918 cyclone ===<br />
A severe cyclone struck the Innisfail and South Johnstone districts on 10 March 1918.<br />
<br />
Most buildings in South Johnstone township were destroyed and several people were killed. Contemporary accounts indicate that the mill itself remained standing and provided shelter following the cyclone.<ref name="Cyclone1918">Queensland Government. [https://hardenup.org/umbraco/customContent/media/632_Innisfail_Cyclone_1918.pdf ''Innisfail Cyclone, March 1918''].</ref><br />
<br />
The cane crop was severely affected. South Johnstone's crush fell from 81,584 tons in 1917 to 47,106 tons in 1918, with contemporary government statistics specifically attributing the reduction to the cyclone.<ref name="QAJ1927" /><br />
<br />
=== Grower ownership and the 1927 strike ===<br />
South Johnstone remained a Queensland Government mill during its first decade of operation.<br />
<br />
In 1927 growers acquired the mill and established the '''South Johnstone Co-operative Sugar Milling Association Limited'''.<ref name="DaltonSJ">Dalton's Sources for North Queensland History. [https://paulturnbull.org/project/nqhistory/records/E003058b.html ''South Johnstone Co-operative Sugar Milling Association Limited''].</ref><br />
<br />
The transfer was immediately accompanied by a major industrial dispute. The new management altered employment arrangements and did not re-engage all workers previously employed under government control. Mill employees struck, and the dispute widened when railway workers refused to handle sugar declared "black".<ref name="Strike1927">Kennedy, K.H. ''The South Johnstone Strike and Railway Lockout, 1927'', ''Labour History'', No. 31, November 1976.</ref><br />
<br />
The dispute became one of Queensland's most significant industrial conflicts of the period and involved both the mill workforce and Queensland railway employees.<ref name="Hansard1927">Queensland Parliament. [https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/1927/1927_09_20_A.pdf ''Legislative Assembly Hansard'', September 1927].</ref><br />
<br />
=== Weil's disease strike ===<br />
South Johnstone was also involved in the major North Queensland cane-cutters' strike of 1935.<br />
<br />
The dispute concerned the danger of Weil's disease, a potentially fatal infection associated with rats in unburnt cane. Cane cutters sought compulsory burning of cane before manual harvesting to reduce exposure to rats and contaminated material.<br />
<br />
Workers at South Johnstone joined those in the Mourilyan, Goondi and Tully mill districts during the wider industrial campaign.<ref name="WeilsStrike">Kennedy, K.H. and contemporary labour histories of the North Queensland 1935 cane cutters' strike.</ref><br />
<br />
The dispute contributed to the eventual adoption of widespread pre-harvest cane burning during the manual cutting era.<br />
<br />
=== Expansion ===<br />
The South Johnstone supply area expanded considerably during the twentieth century.<br />
<br />
Soldier settlement schemes established after the First World War brought additional cane production to areas including [[El Arish]]. Development also expanded through the Japoon Valley, Liverpool Creek, Maria Creek and surrounding districts.<ref name="QLDPlaces_SJ" /><br />
<br />
The mill itself underwent substantial modernisation, particularly during the 1960s, when much of the early factory plant was replaced or rebuilt.<ref name="JCUHistory">James Cook University ResearchOnline. [https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/63662/1/Tropical%20Queensland%20Sugar%20Cane%20Industry.pdf ''Tropical Queensland Sugar Cane Industry''].</ref><br />
<br />
== Corporate ownership ==<br />
<br />
=== Receivership and Bundaberg Sugar ===<br />
During the late 1990s the cooperative experienced severe financial difficulties amid weak sugar prices and difficult seasonal conditions.<br />
<br />
South Johnstone Mill entered receivership in 2001 and was subsequently acquired by [[Bundaberg Sugar]].<ref name="Receivership">Centre for the Government of Queensland. [https://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/south-johnstone ''South Johnstone'', Queensland Places].</ref><br />
<br />
The acquisition ended approximately 74 years of direct grower ownership.<br />
<br />
=== Northern Milling Joint Venture ===<br />
In 2010 Bundaberg Sugar and the Maryborough Sugar Factory Limited, later renamed [[MSF Sugar]], agreed to combine their Far North Queensland milling assets in the '''Northern Milling Joint Venture'''.<br />
<br />
The joint venture commenced on 1 January 2011. Bundaberg Sugar contributed South Johnstone, [[Babinda Mill|Babinda]] and [[Tableland Mill|Tableland]], while MSF contributed [[Mulgrave Mill]].<ref name="NMJV">MSF Sugar Limited. ''Preliminary Final Report – Year Ended 31 December 2011''.</ref><br />
<br />
On 25 February 2011, MSF exercised its option to acquire Bundaberg Sugar's remaining 50 per cent interest in the joint venture. The assets acquired included South Johnstone and Tableland mills together with land and infrastructure associated with Mourilyan and Babinda. The Northern Milling Joint Venture was subsequently terminated.<ref name="MSFAcquisition">MSF Sugar Limited. [https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20120229/pdf/424pvhz5czwxtx.pdf ''Preliminary Final Report'', 2011].</ref><br />
<br />
In February 2012, Thailand's Mitr Phol Group acquired MSF Sugar.<ref name="MitrPhol">ABC News. ''MSF Sugar takeover complete in far north Qld''. 23 February 2012.</ref><br />
<br />
South Johnstone remains an operating MSF Sugar mill.<ref name="MSFCurrent">MSF Sugar. [https://www.msfsugar.com.au/seasonal-employment/jobs-at-south-johnstone-mill/ ''South Johnstone Mill''].</ref><br />
<br />
== Regional mill rationalisation ==<br />
South Johnstone's modern cane supply and railway system have been strongly influenced by the closure of neighbouring mills.<br />
<br />
Following the closure of [[Mourilyan Mill]] after Cyclone Larry in 2006, portions of its former cane supply and railway infrastructure were incorporated into the South Johnstone system.<br />
<br />
When [[Babinda Mill]] closed in 2011, former Babinda cane was divided principally between South Johnstone and [[Mulgrave Mill]]. Subsequent railway upgrading allowed cane to be transferred over sections of the former Babinda, Goondi and Mourilyan systems.<br />
<br />
The modern South Johnstone mill area therefore includes farms historically associated with South Johnstone, Babinda and Mourilyan.<ref name="SRAData">Sugar Research Australia. ''Sugar Industry Productivity Data Project'', South Johnstone data entity.</ref><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Cane railway ===<br />
South Johnstone operates an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway network.<br />
<br />
Its railway history is unusual because part of the network originated not as a private mill tramway but as the Queensland Government-operated '''Innisfail Tramway'''.<br />
<br />
The Geraldton Shire Tramway had constructed a 610 mm gauge public railway serving the district before South Johnstone Mill opened. In 1914 the Queensland Government acquired the local tramways and operated them as the Innisfail Tramway.<ref name="LRRSAInnisfail">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. [https://www.lrrsa.org.au/govt_ng.htm ''Government railways in Australia of less than 1067 mm gauge – Innisfail Tramway''].</ref><br />
<br />
The railway carried passengers and general freight as well as cane for South Johnstone and Mourilyan mills and raw sugar from both factories to [[Mourilyan Harbour]].<br />
<br />
In 1977 Queensland Railways sold the Innisfail Tramway to South Johnstone and Mourilyan mills. Following the sale, rail transport of raw sugar from South Johnstone to Mourilyan Harbour ceased immediately and was replaced by road transport.<ref name="LRRSAInnisfail" /><br />
<br />
The acquired railway was incorporated into the two mills' cane transport systems.<br />
<br />
=== Modern network ===<br />
Following later mill closures, South Johnstone's rail system absorbed or connected with substantial portions of the former [[Mourilyan Mill]], [[Goondi Mill]] and [[Babinda Mill]] networks.<br />
<br />
The system includes major lines through the Japoon Valley, Silkwood, Mena Creek, the former Mourilyan district and portions of the former Babinda supply area.<br />
<br />
Cane railway tracks remain a prominent feature of South Johnstone township, where the line passes through the town close to houses, businesses and public roads before entering the mill.<br />
<br />
The railway network is approximately 470 kilometres in route length.<ref name="SRA2019">Sugar Research Australia / industry production statistics, South Johnstone mill area.</ref><br />
<br />
== Cyclones ==<br />
South Johnstone operates within one of Australia's highest-rainfall and cyclone-prone sugar districts.<br />
<br />
'''Cyclone Larry''' crossed the coast near Innisfail on 20 March 2006 and caused extensive crop and transport infrastructure damage. In the wider Bundaberg Sugar rail network approximately 1,200 cane bins were severely damaged or destroyed, while railway bridges, crossings, signs and other infrastructure required substantial repair.<ref name="LarryRail">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Light Railways'', No. 190, August 2006.</ref><br />
<br />
The closure of nearby Mourilyan Mill after Larry led to further restructuring of South Johnstone's cane supply and rail network.<br />
<br />
'''Cyclone Yasi''' crossed the coast south of the district in February 2011 and caused further crop damage across Far North Queensland during the first year of the Northern Milling Joint Venture.<br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
South Johnstone's throughput varies considerably between seasons because of weather, crop size and the transfer of cane between MSF mills.<br />
<br />
Recent statistics also require a distinction between cane assigned to the '''South Johnstone mill area''' and cane physically crushed at South Johnstone, as significant quantities have at times been transferred to [[Mulgrave Mill]] for processing.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Selected documented production<br />
! Year<br />
! Cane<br />
! CCS<br />
! Notes<br />
|-<br />
| 1916<br />
| 56,205 tons<br />
| —<br />
| First crushing season; 4,729 tons of raw sugar produced.<ref name="QAJ1927" /><ref name="QLDPlaces_SJ" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1917<br />
| 81,584 tons<br />
| —<br />
| Government mill statistics.<ref name="QAJ1927" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1918<br />
| 47,106 tons<br />
| —<br />
| Reduction attributed to the March 1918 cyclone.<ref name="QAJ1927" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1991<br />
| 794,551 tonnes<br />
| —<br />
| Queensland Sugar Corporation statistics.<ref name="QSC1993">Queensland Sugar Corporation. ''Annual Report'', Appendix A: Cane Crushed.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1992<br />
| 1,025,108 tonnes<br />
| —<br />
| Queensland Sugar Corporation statistics.<ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1993<br />
| 1,091,588 tonnes<br />
| 11.98<br />
| Queensland Sugar Corporation statistics.<ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2016<br />
| 1,721,223 tonnes<br />
| 11.14<br />
| Record mill crush at the time.<ref name="MSF2017">MSF Sugar. ''Crushing Season a Success Despite Reduced Tonnages''. 21 December 2017.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2017<br />
| 1,522,493 tonnes<br />
| 12.08<br />
| MSF Sugar final mill result.<ref name="MSF2017" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2019<br />
| 1,246,832 tonnes physically crushed;<br />1,517,376 tonnes supplied under South Johnstone contracts<br />
| —<br />
| 270,544 tonnes of South Johnstone contract cane was transferred to Mulgrave for crushing.<ref name="CG201920">CANEGROWERS. ''Annual Report 2019–20''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2020<br />
| 1,770,781 tonnes mill-area cane<br />
| 12.23<br />
| Sugar industry production statistics.<ref name="CG2020">CANEGROWERS / Sugar Research Australia. 2020 production statistics.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2021<br />
| 1,476,833 tonnes mill-area cane<br />
| 11.41<br />
| Approximately 250,000 tonnes was transferred to Mulgrave for processing.<ref name="CG202122">CANEGROWERS. ''Annual Report 2021–22''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2023<br />
| 1,316,680 tonnes physically crushed;<br />1,488,316 tonnes South Johnstone-area cane<br />
| 11.6205 district average<br />
| A further 171,635 tonnes of South Johnstone cane was crushed at Mulgrave.<ref name="CG202324">CANEGROWERS. [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/QCGO-2023-24-Annual-Report.pdf ''Annual Report 2023–24''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 1,136,276 tonnes<br />
| 11.89<br />
| Physical South Johnstone Mill throughput. Season completed 24 November.<ref name="QCAR2024">Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables. [https://qcar.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2024-dec-01-weekly-crush-statistics-1.pdf ''Crush Statistics'', 1 December 2024].</ref><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.60533, 145.99218</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%South Johnstone%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%South Johnstone%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
| <tr><br />
<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{model}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{serial}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{year}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{current_mill}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{notes}}}</td><br />
</tr><br />
}}<br />
</table><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Goondi_Mill&diff=889Goondi Mill2026-10-05T01:27:11Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Goondi Mill<br />
| image = StateLibQld 2 258841 Goondi Sugar Mill, near Innisfail, 1930.jpg<br />
| caption = Goondi Sugar Mill, near Innisfail, 1930.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.50910767369478,146.0036952708505 17.50910° S, 146.00369° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cassowary Coast Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1885 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1885}} years ago)<br />
| closed = 1986 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1986}} years ago)<br />
| owner = [[CSR]] (at closure)<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = approximately 600,000 tonnes (near closure)<br />
}}<br />
'''Goondi Sugar Mill''' was a sugar mill located on the banks of the North Johnstone River near [[Innisfail]] in [[Far North Queensland]]. Established by the Colonial Sugar Refining Company (CSR), the mill first crushed cane in 1885 and remained a CSR operation throughout its working life.<br />
<br />
Goondi completed its final crushing season in 1986. Its cane supply area and railway network were subsequently divided between [[Babinda Mill]] and [[Mourilyan Mill]] as part of the Queensland sugar industry's Far Northern rationalisation programme in 1987.<ref name="ClosureChronology">Australian sugar industry historical chronology. ''Current and Future Arrangements for the Marketing of Australian Sugar'', submission to the Australian Parliament, 2010. https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=d4c3986b-b927-4204-b026-180ea5e97cd3</ref><br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
CSR entered the Johnstone River district in 1882, when its board authorised the acquisition of approximately 5,000 acres of land. Charles Edward Adams was sent north to establish the estate, which became known as Goondi.<ref name="GoondiAccounting">Funnell, W. and Robertson, J. ''A genealogy of calculations at an early Queensland sugar mill''.</ref><br />
<br />
A mill was not initially planned for the property. CSR originally intended for cane grown at Goondi to be processed at the nearby Innisfail Estate Mill. Uncertainty over the future of that mill led CSR to establish its own factory.<ref name="JCUHistory">James Cook University ResearchOnline. ''Tropical Queensland Sugar Cane Industry''. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/63662/1/Tropical%20Queensland%20Sugar%20Cane%20Industry.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
In 1884 CSR approved the dismantling of its former Southgate Mill on the Clarence River in New South Wales, with part of its machinery transported north for incorporation into the new Goondi factory.<ref name="JCUHistory" /><br />
<br />
Goondi Mill commenced crushing in '''1885'''.<ref name="CSRHistory">CSR Limited. ''The Colonial Sugar Refining Company 1855–1955'', historical chronology.</ref><ref name="JCUHistory" /><br />
<br />
The mill became one of CSR's principal North Queensland operations, alongside [[Victoria Mill]] on the Herbert River and the former Homebush Mill near Mackay.<br />
<br />
=== Plantation and labour ===<br />
The original Goondi operation combined a large company-owned plantation with the sugar factory.<br />
<br />
South Sea Islander labour formed a major part of the early workforce. CSR actively recruited Pacific Island labourers for its Goondi operations from the early 1880s, employing them in clearing, cultivation and other plantation work.<ref name="GoondiAccounting" /><br />
<br />
CSR records relating to the mill include extensive material concerning the employment of South Sea Islanders and other workers.<ref name="NBAC">Noel Butlin Archives Centre, Australian National University. [https://archivescollection.anu.edu.au/index.php/csr-limited-goondi-mill-deposit-1 ''CSR Limited Goondi Mill deposit 1'', AU NBAC N126].</ref><br />
<br />
The plantation system was progressively replaced by independent cane farming. By the end of the nineteenth century an increasing proportion of Goondi's cane was being supplied by independent growers rather than produced directly by CSR.<br />
<br />
Italian migrants began settling in the Johnstone River district during the 1890s and were recorded among Goondi tenant farmers. Italian settlement expanded considerably during the early twentieth century and became an important part of the Innisfail district's sugar industry.<ref name="JCUHistory" /><br />
<br />
=== River transport ===<br />
Goondi Mill was advantageously located directly on the North Johnstone River.<br />
<br />
Raw sugar was originally packed in bags and loaded at the mill's river wharf. The Adelaide Steamship Company and associated small steamers and lighters carried sugar down the Johnstone River for transhipment and coastal transport.<ref name="JCUTransport">James Cook University ResearchOnline. ''Tropical Queensland Sugar Cane Industry'', section on transportation from mill to port.</ref><br />
<br />
The practice was sometimes described as sugar being sold or shipped "on the river bank".<br />
<br />
The final shipment of raw sugar from the Goondi Mill wharf was loaded on '''9 April 1960'''. Following the opening of the [[Mourilyan Bulk Sugar Terminal]] later that year, Goondi's raw sugar was transported to Mourilyan Harbour by road.<ref name="JCUTransport" /><br />
<br />
=== Closure ===<br />
By the mid-1980s the Australian sugar industry was experiencing severe financial pressure associated with exceptionally low world sugar prices and excess milling capacity.<br />
<br />
CSR made the commercial decision to close Goondi following the '''1986 crushing season'''. Contemporary Queensland parliamentary records state that approximately 600,000 tonnes of cane then assigned to Goondi became available for redistribution.<ref name="Hansard1987">Queensland Parliament. [https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/1987/1987_03_17.pdf ''Sugar Milling Rationalization (Far Northern Region) Bill'', Legislative Assembly Hansard, 17 March 1987].</ref><br />
<br />
The Queensland and Commonwealth governments subsequently supported a regional rationalisation programme involving the surviving Babinda and Mourilyan mills.<br />
<br />
The ''Sugar Milling Rationalization (Far Northern Region) Act 1987'' provided for former Goondi growers to be rezoned between:<br />
<br />
* '''[[Babinda Mill]]''', principally receiving the northern portion of the former Goondi supply area; and<br />
* '''[[Mourilyan Mill]]''', receiving part of the southern supply area.<br />
<br />
The allocation was controversial. [[South Johnstone Mill]] had sought access to former Goondi cane and the Central Sugar Cane Prices Board had expressed reservations about excluding South Johnstone from the redistribution arrangement.<ref name="Hansard1987April">Queensland Parliament. [https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/1987/1987_04_09.pdf ''Legislative Assembly Hansard'', 9 April 1987].</ref><br />
<br />
Government assistance totalling approximately $12.84 million in Commonwealth and State loans and grants was made available for the rationalisation, including upgrades to Babinda and Mourilyan mills and their cane railway systems.<ref name="Hansard1987" /><br />
<br />
=== Ownership clarification ===<br />
Goondi Mill remained a '''CSR operation through its final crushing season in 1986'''.<br />
<br />
The Noel Butlin Archives Centre holds Goondi's operational records as part of the CSR Limited collection, covering the mill from its establishment through the closure and disposal process.<ref name="NBAC" /><br />
<br />
Some later secondary sources incorrectly state that Goondi was taken over by Bundaberg Sugar before it closed. Contemporary records instead show that, following CSR's decision to close the mill, Goondi assets were divided and sold during the 1987 rationalisation process.<br />
<br />
Parliamentary records describe agreements under which CSR sold Goondi land, tramway property and mill equipment to the Babinda Co-operative and to interests associated with Babinda and Howard Smith, then the owner of Mourilyan Mill.<ref name="Hansard1987April" /><br />
<br />
Bundaberg Sugar did not operate Goondi Mill.<br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Cane railway ===<br />
Goondi operated an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway network serving farms on both sides of the North Johnstone River.<br />
<br />
The railway system expanded progressively as CSR subdivided plantation land and independent cane farming developed.<br />
<br />
A significant feature of the system was the mill's bridge across the North Johnstone River, which linked the northern and southern parts of the cane railway network.<ref name="NBACBridge">Noel Butlin Archives Centre. ''Goondi Mill – North Johnstone River Bridge'', CSR Limited Head Office photographs, AU NBAC 171-630.</ref><br />
<br />
The bridge was sufficiently important to the district that, before completion of the Queensland Government's permanent North Coast railway bridge in 1924, government railway passengers were for a period conveyed across the river using the Goondi mill tramway bridge.<ref name="CairnsHistory">Cairns Regional Council. ''Cairns Thematic History''.</ref><br />
<br />
Other parts of the network included branches through the Daradgee, Garradunga and Jogo districts.<br />
<br />
=== Post-closure railway network ===<br />
Following Goondi's closure, its cane railway was divided between Babinda and Mourilyan mills along with the former cane supply area.<ref name="LRRSA">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Queensland sugar cane railways today''. https://www.lrrsa.org.au/LRR_SGRz.htm</ref><br />
<br />
Former Goondi lines north of the North Johnstone River initially became part of the Babinda system, while other lines were operated by Mourilyan. The North Johnstone River bridge was retained, allowing flexibility in moving cane between the former mill territories.<ref name="LRRSA1997">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Light Railway News'', No. 121, December 1997.</ref><br />
<br />
The surviving former Goondi railway infrastructure later became incorporated into the wider interconnected Far North Queensland cane railway system.<br />
<br />
== Production ==<br />
Goondi's annual throughput varied considerably during its century of operation.<br />
<br />
The previously quoted figure of 900,000 tonnes as a historical average is not supported by available records. Contemporary parliamentary discussion following the closure described Goondi as having crushed approximately '''600,000 tonnes of cane''' in its later years, broadly corresponding with the quantity of assigned cane redistributed after closure.<ref name="Hansard1988">Queensland Parliament. [https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/1988/1988_10_25.pdf ''Legislative Assembly Hansard'', 25 October 1988].</ref><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Statistic<br />
! Value<br />
|-<br />
| First crushing season<br />
| 1885<br />
|-<br />
| Approximate throughput near closure<br />
| 600,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Final crushing season<br />
| 1986<br />
|-<br />
| Rationalisation and reassignment<br />
| 1987<br />
|-<br />
| Cane railway gauge<br />
| 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Legacy ==<br />
The factory was dismantled following closure and little of the original mill complex survives at the site.<br />
<br />
A major surviving piece of Goondi machinery is a 500 hp steam-driven crushing engine built by A. & W. Smith of Glasgow in 1950. The engine drove the No. 3 crushing unit at Goondi and completed its final crush in 1986 before being preserved for museum display.<ref name="SugarMuseum">Lahney, K. ''The Australian Sugar Industry Museum'', eTropic, James Cook University, 2004.</ref><br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.50910, 146.00369</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Goondi%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Goondi%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
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<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
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</table><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Mourilyan_Bulk_Sugar_Terminal&diff=888Mourilyan Bulk Sugar Terminal2026-10-05T01:14:44Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Mourilyan Bulk Sugar Terminal<br />
| image = Mourilyan Harbour port facilities, 2023.jpg<br />
| caption = Mourilyan Bulk Sugar Terminal, 2023.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.598032550769048,146.12033622657796 17.59803° S, 146.12033° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cassowary Coast Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1960 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1960}} years ago)<br />
| closed =<br />
| owner = [[Sugar Terminals Limited]]<br />
| gauge = Nil. Road receival; formerly served by 610 mm (2 ft) railway.<br />
| crush = 178,000 tonnes storage capacity<br />
}}<br />
'''Mourilyan Bulk Sugar Terminal''' is a bulk sugar storage and export facility located at [[Mourilyan Harbour]], approximately 20 kilometres south of [[Innisfail]], [[Queensland]]. Opened in 1960, the terminal serves the sugar-growing districts of Innisfail, Babinda, Tully and the [[Atherton Tableland]].<ref name="PortsNorth">Ports North. [https://www.portsnorth.com.au/mourilyan/ ''Port of Mourilyan''].</ref><br />
<br />
The terminal is owned and operated by [[Sugar Terminals Limited]] (STL). It contains one bulk sugar storage shed with a capacity of 178,000 tonnes and currently receives all raw sugar by road.<ref name="STL">Sugar Terminals Limited. [https://sugarterminals.com.au/locations/ ''Mourilyan Bulk Sugar Terminal''].</ref><br />
<br />
Raw sugar exported through Mourilyan is principally produced by [[South Johnstone Mill]], [[Tully Mill]] and [[Tableland Mill]].<ref name="PortsNorth" /><ref name="TullyProducts">Tully Sugar Limited. [https://www.tullysugar.com.au/products/ ''Products''].</ref><br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Bagged sugar and lighterage ===<br />
Before development of bulk handling facilities, raw sugar from the Johnstone River district was exported in bags.<br />
<br />
The shallow bar and navigational limitations at the mouth of the Johnstone River prevented larger ocean-going ships from routinely reaching the Innisfail wharves. Small shallow-draught vessels and lighters were therefore used to carry bagged sugar from the district to larger ships or other ports.<ref name="JCUTransport">James Cook University ResearchOnline. [https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/63662/1/Tropical%20Queensland%20Sugar%20Cane%20Industry.pdf ''Tropical Queensland Sugar Cane Industry''], section on transportation from mill to port.</ref><br />
<br />
Mourilyan Harbour was progressively developed as an alternative deep-water outlet. In 1921 the wharf was lengthened and widened, sugar storage sheds were constructed and tramway tracks were laid along the wharf.<ref name="JCUTransport" /><br />
<br />
Following the Second World War, Queensland's sugar industry progressively changed from bagged sugar handling to bulk storage and shipment. During the 1950s a decision was made to develop Mourilyan Harbour as a dedicated overseas bulk sugar port.<ref name="JCUTransport" /><br />
<br />
=== Bulk terminal ===<br />
The Mourilyan bulk sugar facilities opened in October 1960.<ref name="JCUTransport" /> The development included bulk storage, conveying equipment and shiploading facilities, allowing raw sugar to be handled without the labour-intensive bagging and lighterage system previously used in the region.<br />
<br />
The establishment of the terminal changed regional sugar transport arrangements considerably. Babinda sugar began moving to Mourilyan Harbour in 1960, while Tully sugar, which had initially been directed to the Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal after its opening in 1958, began being transported by road to Mourilyan in 1961.<ref name="JCUTransport" /><br />
<br />
Mourilyan and [[South Johnstone Mill|South Johnstone]] also had direct connections with the 610 mm (2 ft) gauge Innisfail Tramway, allowing raw sugar to be transported by rail to the harbour.<br />
<br />
The terminal subsequently handled sugar from a changing group of mills including Mourilyan, South Johnstone, Tully, Babinda and, following development of the Tableland sugar industry, [[Tableland Mill]]. A Queensland port report from the early 2000s identified Mourilyan, South Johnstone, Tully and Babinda as supplying mills at that time.<ref name="PortProfile">Queensland Government. ''Port of Mourilyan Environmental Management Plan'', port profile.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Ownership and operation ===<br />
Queensland's bulk sugar terminals were originally developed within the regulated Queensland sugar industry.<br />
<br />
[[Sugar Terminals Limited]] ultimately became the owner of Queensland's six bulk sugar terminal assets at Cairns, Mourilyan, Lucinda, Townsville, Mackay and Bundaberg.<br />
<br />
For many years terminal operations were undertaken under contractual arrangements with Queensland Sugar Limited. From 1 July 2026, STL brought operation of all six terminals in-house and became both owner and operator of the Mourilyan facility.<ref name="STL2026">CANEGROWERS. [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/news-media/media-releases/clear-expectations-as-stl-takes-over-terminal-operations ''Clear expectations as STL takes over terminal operations'']. 1 July 2026.</ref><br />
<br />
== Regional sugar supply ==<br />
Mourilyan's sugar catchment has changed substantially as mills have opened, closed and consolidated.<br />
<br />
* '''[[Goondi Mill]]:''' Following Goondi's closure in 1987, its cane assignments were divided between Mourilyan and [[Babinda Mill]]. Sugar produced from the reassigned cane continued to contribute to regional exports through Mourilyan.<br />
* '''[[Mourilyan Mill]]:''' Raw sugar was transported directly from the nearby mill to the harbour by 610 mm gauge railway until the mill's final operating years. Mourilyan Mill completed its last crushing season in 2005 and was permanently closed following Cyclone Larry in 2006.<br />
* '''[[Babinda Mill]]:''' Babinda sugar was transported to Mourilyan Harbour for much of the bulk-handling era. After Babinda closed in 2011, its cane was redistributed principally to Mulgrave and South Johnstone.<br />
* '''[[South Johnstone Mill]]:''' Remains one of the principal mills whose raw sugar is exported through Mourilyan.<br />
* '''[[Tully Mill]]:''' Tully raw sugar has been transported by road to Mourilyan Harbour since 1961 and continues to be exported through the terminal.<ref name="TullyProducts" /><br />
* '''[[Tableland Mill]]:''' Raw sugar produced at Arriga is transported by road from the Atherton Tableland to Mourilyan for export. Ports North identifies the Atherton Tableland as one of the port's current sugar-producing districts.<ref name="PortsNorth" /><br />
<br />
== Rail to road transition ==<br />
<br />
=== Innisfail Tramway ===<br />
The railway history of Mourilyan Harbour predates the bulk sugar terminal by many decades.<br />
<br />
The original 610 mm gauge line between Mourilyan Harbour and Mourilyan Mill was constructed in 1883 to carry machinery and construction materials inland and later carried raw sugar back to the harbour.<ref name="LRRSA">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. [https://www.lrrsa.org.au/govt_ng.htm ''Government railways in Australia of less than 1067 mm gauge – Innisfail Tramway''].</ref><br />
<br />
The Queensland Government acquired this line and the wider district tramway network in 1914. As the '''Innisfail Tramway''', the system carried passengers, general freight, cane and raw sugar.<br />
<br />
By the later years of government operation, raw sugar haulage from [[Mourilyan Mill]] and [[South Johnstone Mill]] to Mourilyan Harbour had become an important part of the railway's traffic.<ref name="LRRSA" /><br />
<br />
The Queensland Government sold the Innisfail Tramway to the local sugar mills in 1977. Following the sale, rail transport of South Johnstone raw sugar to the harbour ceased immediately, with its sugar subsequently transported by road.<ref name="LRRSA" /><br />
<br />
Mourilyan Mill continued to transport raw sugar to the harbour over the former tramway. The last rail sugar haulage took place during the 1996 season, and the harbour railway connection was subsequently closed in 1997 as road transport replaced it.<ref name="LRRSA" /><ref name="QldPlaces">Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. [https://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/mourilyan ''Mourilyan'', Queensland Places].</ref><br />
<br />
The terminal has since received raw sugar entirely by road.<br />
<br />
== Cyclone Larry ==<br />
Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry crossed the coast near Innisfail on 20 March 2006 and caused widespread damage throughout the district.<br />
<br />
The nearby [[Mourilyan Mill]] sustained substantial structural damage and did not reopen for the 2006 crushing season. Bundaberg Sugar subsequently decided not to rebuild the mill.<br />
<br />
The bulk sugar terminal, however, remained part of the regional export network and continued handling sugar produced by surviving mills.<br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Storage and receival ===<br />
Mourilyan Bulk Sugar Terminal contains one bulk storage shed with a capacity of '''178,000 tonnes'''.<ref name="STL" /><br />
<br />
Raw sugar is received entirely by road. Incoming loads are weighed and sampled before the sugar is transferred by enclosed conveyors into bulk storage.<ref name="STLServices">Sugar Terminals Limited. [https://sugarterminals.com.au/expertise/ ''Services''].</ref><br />
<br />
=== Shiploading ===<br />
Sugar is conveyed from storage to a dedicated wharf and loaded into vessels using a travelling rail-mounted shiploader.<br />
<br />
Maritime Safety Queensland lists the shiploading capacity at approximately '''1,900 tonnes per hour'''.<ref name="MSQ">Maritime Safety Queensland. [https://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Shipping/Port-procedures/Port-procedures-mourilyan ''Mourilyan Port Procedures and Information for Shipping''].</ref><br />
<br />
Current STL shipping restrictions are:<ref name="STL" /><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Statistic<br />
! Value<br />
|-<br />
| Storage capacity<br />
| 178,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Number of sheds<br />
| 1<br />
|-<br />
| Receival method<br />
| Road<br />
|-<br />
| Maximum vessel length (LOA)<br />
| 195 metres<br />
|-<br />
| Maximum beam<br />
| 34 metres<br />
|-<br />
| Berth depth at LAT<br />
| 10.20 metres<br />
|-<br />
| Channel depth at LAT<br />
| 9.60 metres<br />
|-<br />
| Shiploader capacity<br />
| approximately 1,900 tonnes per hour<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Port diversification ==<br />
The '''Port of Mourilyan''' handles commodities in addition to raw sugar and molasses.<br />
<br />
Ports North operates a livestock export facility and an adjacent approximately two-hectare open bulk storage area used for mineral exports. Magnetite from the Mount Garnet area was first exported through Mourilyan in May 2016. Other trades have included pine logs, woodchips and minerals.<ref name="PortsNorthTrade">Ports North. [https://www.portsnorth.com.au/trade-property-development/port-capability/ ''Trade Development – Port of Mourilyan''].</ref><br />
<br />
These facilities form part of the wider Port of Mourilyan and should be distinguished from STL's dedicated bulk sugar storage terminal.<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.59803, 146.12033</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
''Mourilyan Bulk Sugar Terminal currently receives raw sugar entirely by road and does not operate a locomotive fleet. Raw sugar was formerly delivered from Mourilyan Mill by the 610 mm gauge former Innisfail Tramway, with the final rail haulage occurring in 1996 and the harbour connection closing in 1997.''<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Mourilyan_Mill&diff=887Mourilyan Mill2026-10-05T01:09:53Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Mourilyan Mill<br />
| image = Mourilyan mill destruction.jpg<br />
| caption = Mourilyan Mill following Cyclone Larry, March 2006.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.580401270270208,146.03445853173326 17.58040° S, 146.03445° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cassowary Coast Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1884 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1884}} years ago)<br />
| closed = 2006 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-2006}} years ago)<br />
| owner = [[Bundaberg Sugar]] (at closure)<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = approximately 820,000 tonnes (early-2000s average)<br />
}}<br />
'''Mourilyan Sugar Mill''' was a sugar mill located at [[Mourilyan]], approximately 10 kilometres south of [[Innisfail]], [[Queensland]]. The Mourilyan Sugar Company was established in 1882 and the mill commenced crushing in 1884.<br />
<br />
Mourilyan operated for more than 120 years before severe damage from [[Cyclone Larry]] in March 2006 resulted in the mill being taken out of service. After initially deciding not to operate the mill for the 2006 season, owner [[Bundaberg Sugar]] subsequently decided not to rebuild it and Mourilyan was permanently closed later that year.<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
The Mourilyan Sugar Company was formed in 1882 and acquired approximately 5,000 acres of land for the establishment of a sugar plantation and mill.<ref name="Dalton">Dalton's Sources for North Queensland History. [https://paulturnbull.org/project/nqhistory/records/E003050b.html ''Sugar Mills – Mourilyan''].</ref><br />
<br />
Construction of a 610 mm (2 ft) gauge tramway between the plantation and [[Mourilyan Harbour]] began in 1883. The line was initially used to transport machinery and construction materials from the harbour to the mill site and subsequently carried raw sugar from the mill to the harbour.<ref name="LRRSAGovt">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. [https://www.lrrsa.org.au/govt_ng.htm ''Government railways in Australia of less than 1067 mm gauge – Innisfail Tramway''].</ref><br />
<br />
Mourilyan Mill first crushed cane in 1884.<ref name="JCUHistory">James Cook University ResearchOnline. [https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/63662/1/Tropical%20Queensland%20Sugar%20Cane%20Industry.pdf ''Tropical Queensland Sugar Cane Industry''].</ref> The mill became the industrial centre around which the township of Mourilyan developed.<ref name="QueenslandPlaces">Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. [https://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/mourilyan ''Mourilyan'', Queensland Places].</ref><br />
<br />
=== Early ownership and development ===<br />
The original plantation system underwent substantial change during the early twentieth century as large estates were progressively subdivided and cane production shifted towards independent growers.<br />
<br />
The Mourilyan estate and mill were acquired by the Mourilyan Syndicate in 1907. The business subsequently became the Australian Sugar Company Ltd. Howard Smith & Co held a substantial interest in the enterprise and ultimately acquired control of the Australian Sugar Company in 1964.<ref name="Dalton" /><br />
<br />
During this period the mill was progressively modernised and its cane supply area expanded.<br />
<br />
=== Innisfail Tramway ===<br />
Mourilyan's transport history was closely associated with the unusual 610 mm gauge public tramway system serving the Innisfail district.<br />
<br />
In 1914, the Queensland Government acquired the Mourilyan Harbour tramway together with the Geraldton Shire tramway system. The lines were linked and operated by Queensland Railways as the '''Innisfail Tramway'''.<ref name="LRRSAGovt" /><br />
<br />
The government tramway carried passengers and general freight as well as cane and raw sugar. Raw sugar from Mourilyan continued to be hauled to Mourilyan Harbour, while the system also carried cane for Mourilyan and [[South Johnstone Mill]].<br />
<br />
Queensland Railways sold the Innisfail Tramway to the local sugar mills in 1977. The remaining network was subsequently integrated into the cane railway systems operated by Mourilyan and South Johnstone.<ref name="LRRSAGovt" /><br />
<br />
=== Goondi rationalisation ===<br />
The closure of [[Goondi Mill]] in 1987 resulted in a major redistribution of cane assignments within the Innisfail district.<br />
<br />
Under the ''Sugar Milling Rationalization (Far Northern Region) Act 1987'', former Goondi cane assignments were divided between [[Babinda Mill]] and Mourilyan. This increased the available crop for both mills and required changes to the regional cane transport network.<ref name="Goondi1987">Queensland Parliament. [https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/1987/1987_03_17.pdf ''Sugar Milling Rationalization (Far Northern Region) Bill'', Legislative Assembly Hansard, 17 March 1987].</ref><br />
<br />
The rationalisation formed part of a broader restructuring of sugar milling in the Innisfail district during the late 1980s.<br />
<br />
=== Bundaberg Sugar ownership ===<br />
In early 1988, Howard Smith Limited sold its Mourilyan and Moreton sugar milling interests to [[Bundaberg Sugar]].<ref name="Bundaberg1988">Australian Parliament. ''Submission concerning the Australian sugar industry'', historical industry chronology: Howard Smith Limited sold Mourilyan and Moreton mills to Bundaberg Sugar Company Limited in early 1988.</ref><br />
<br />
Mourilyan subsequently operated as one of Bundaberg Sugar's Far North Queensland mills. Bundaberg Sugar also acquired [[Babinda Mill]] in 1989 and [[South Johnstone Mill]] in 2001.<br />
<br />
Bundaberg Sugar itself was acquired by the Belgian sugar group Finasucre in 2000, with Mourilyan remaining part of the Bundaberg Sugar operation until its closure.<ref name="Finasucre2006">Finasucre. ''Annual Report 2006–2007''.</ref><br />
<br />
== Mourilyan Harbour ==<br />
<br />
=== Bulk sugar terminal ===<br />
Mourilyan Harbour had been used for shipping sugar since the earliest years of the mill.<br />
<br />
Following the move by the Queensland sugar industry from bagged to bulk handling, Mourilyan Harbour was selected as one of Queensland's bulk sugar export ports. Major harbour and terminal works were completed in 1960 and the Mourilyan Bulk Sugar Terminal commenced operation that year.<ref name="QldPlacesHarbour">Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. [https://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/mourilyan ''Mourilyan'', Queensland Places].</ref><br />
<br />
The terminal allowed raw sugar to be stored in bulk and loaded directly into ships by conveyor.<br />
<br />
Mourilyan Harbour subsequently became an export terminal not only for Mourilyan Mill but for raw sugar produced elsewhere in the Far North. The port continues to export raw sugar and molasses from the Innisfail, Babinda, Tully and Atherton Tableland growing districts.<ref name="PortsNorth">Ports North. [https://www.portsnorth.com.au/mourilyan/ ''Port of Mourilyan''].</ref><br />
<br />
=== End of rail sugar haulage ===<br />
For many decades raw sugar from Mourilyan Mill was transported to the harbour over the former Innisfail Tramway.<br />
<br />
Rail haulage of raw sugar to the terminal ceased in 1997 and was replaced by road transport. The seaward section of the former tramway was subsequently abandoned, while inland sections remained in use for cane haulage.<ref name="QueenslandPlaces" /><ref name="LRRSAGovt" /><br />
<br />
Bulk sugar was carried to the harbour in specialised road containers and transferred into the terminal's bulk storage system.<br />
<br />
== Cyclone Larry and closure ==<br />
Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry crossed the Far North Queensland coast near Innisfail at approximately 7:00 am on 20 March 2006.<br />
<br />
Larry had reached Category 5 intensity while over the Coral Sea but weakened slightly before landfall and officially crossed the coast at '''Category 4 intensity'''.<ref name="BOMLarry">Bureau of Meteorology. [https://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/larry.shtml ''Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry, 14–21 March 2006''].</ref><br />
<br />
The cyclone caused extensive damage throughout the Innisfail district and severely affected the regional cane crop. Mourilyan Mill sustained significant structural damage, including damage to its boiler chimney and other mill structures.<ref name="LarryInitial">ABC News. [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-03-23/cyclone-ravaged-farmers-welcome-grants/825656 ''Cyclone-ravaged farmers welcome grants'']. 23 March 2006.</ref><br />
<br />
On 30 March 2006, Bundaberg Sugar announced that Mourilyan would not reopen for the 2006 crushing season. The company stated that it was not feasible to repair and operate the mill in time for that year's crush, while approximately 60 permanent employees were to be redeployed to other mills.<ref name="LarryClosure">ABC News. [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-03-30/govt-boosts-funds-for-larry-victims/1720148 ''Govt boosts funds for Larry victims'']. 30 March 2006.</ref><br />
<br />
At that stage the mill's permanent future remained undecided. As late as July 2006, Bundaberg Sugar was still publicly considering whether Mourilyan should be rebuilt or whether additional capacity should instead be provided at Babinda and South Johnstone.<ref name="July2006">ABC News. [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-07-06/bundaberg-sugar-may-close-mourilyan-mill-for-good/1795338 ''Bundaberg Sugar may close Mourilyan mill for good'']. 6 July 2006.</ref><br />
<br />
Later in 2006 Bundaberg Sugar decided not to rebuild the mill. Industry reporting noted that mill rationalisation in Far North Queensland had been under consideration for several years and described Cyclone Larry as the catalyst which brought the issue to a head.<ref name="ACFAClosure">Australian Cane Farmers Association. [https://www.acfa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2006-09-ACF-e.pdf ''The End of an Era – Mourilyan closes'', Australian Cane Farmer, September 2006].</ref><br />
<br />
Approximately $8 million was subsequently planned for upgrades to [[South Johnstone Mill]] and [[Babinda Mill]] so that the two mills could process cane previously supplied to Mourilyan.<ref name="ACFAClosure" /><br />
<br />
Mourilyan therefore completed its final crushing season in '''2005''' and did not crush cane during 2006.<br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Cane railway ===<br />
Mourilyan operated an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway network through the Innisfail district.<br />
<br />
By the early 2000s, the Mourilyan cane-growing region covered approximately 12,160 hectares and was served by a rail network extending about 45 kilometres from north to south, incorporating 143 sidings. A peer-reviewed transport study published in 2005 described the district as producing an average of approximately 820,000 tonnes of cane annually.<ref name="TransportStudy">Higgins, A. and Davies, I. [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168169904001553 ''A simulation model for capacity planning in sugarcane transport''], ''Computers and Electronics in Agriculture'', Vol. 47, 2005, pp. 85–102.</ref><br />
<br />
The locomotive fleet was predominantly diesel-hydraulic by the latter decades of operation and included Clyde, Commonwealth Engineering and Walkers locomotives.<ref name="LRRSARoster">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. [https://lrrsa.org.au/LRR_SGRe.htm ''Australian Sugar Industry Locomotives – Mourilyan Mill''].</ref><br />
<br />
The Mourilyan and Babinda systems were interconnected, with locomotives and maintenance equipment at times moving between the two Bundaberg Sugar operations.<ref name="LRRSARoster" /><br />
<br />
Following Mourilyan's closure, much of its former cane supply area and surviving railway infrastructure became associated with the South Johnstone system.<br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
Mourilyan's annual crop varied considerably with seasonal conditions, changes to assigned cane areas and the effects of the exceptionally wet Innisfail climate.<br />
<br />
A study based on the early-2000s Mourilyan transport system recorded average annual production of approximately '''820,000 tonnes of cane'''.<ref name="TransportStudy" /><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Statistic<br />
! Value<br />
|-<br />
| First crush<br />
| 1884<br />
|-<br />
| Approximate early-2000s annual average<br />
| 820,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Final completed crushing season<br />
| 2005<br />
|-<br />
| Mill closed<br />
| 2006<br />
|-<br />
| Cane railway gauge<br />
| 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Legacy ==<br />
The closure ended more than 120 years of sugar milling at Mourilyan.<br />
<br />
The '''Australian Sugar Heritage Centre''' at Mourilyan subsequently preserved and interpreted the history of the Australian sugar industry through displays of machinery, photographs, documents and other artefacts. The centre's official website currently states that the museum is permanently closed.<ref name="SugarMuseum">Australian Sugar Heritage Centre. [https://sugarmuseum.com.au/ ''Australian Sugar Heritage Centre''].</ref><br />
<br />
The nearby [[Mourilyan Bulk Sugar Terminal]] continues to operate and remains an important export facility for raw sugar produced elsewhere in Far North Queensland.<ref name="PortsNorth" /><br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.58040, 146.03445</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
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|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
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<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
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<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Babinda_Mill&diff=886Babinda Mill2026-10-05T00:30:22Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Babinda Mill<br />
| image = FL1284900.jpg<br />
| caption = Babinda Mill following Cyclone Larry, 2006.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.34191205393374,145.92387590737934 17.34191° S, 145.92387° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cairns Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1915 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1915}} years ago)<br />
| closed = 2011 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-2011}} years ago)<br />
| owner = Northern Milling Joint Venture (at closure)<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 630,072 tonnes (2010 final crush)<br />
}}<br />
'''Babinda Sugar Mill''' was a sugar mill located at [[Babinda]], approximately 50 kilometres south of [[Cairns]], [[Queensland]]. The mill commenced crushing in 1915 and completed its final crushing season in 2010 before closing in February 2011.<br />
<br />
For much of its history Babinda was the principal industrial enterprise of the district and played a major role in the development of the surrounding town and sugar-growing area.<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
Agitation for a central sugar mill in the Babinda district began during the early years of the twentieth century. Following investigations into the suitability of the district for expanded cane production, the Queensland Government authorised construction under the ''Sugar Works Act 1911''.<ref name="BabindaHistory">Bain, Lee. [https://www.babindainfocentre.com.au/Pictures/Babinda-Mill-Memorabilia-Project-Report-by-Lee-Bain.pdf ''Mill Memorabilia Project Report – Babinda Sugar Mill 1915–2011'']. Babinda Information Centre, 2012.</ref><br />
<br />
Tenders for construction were called following government approval of the scheme. The successful contractor was George Fletcher and Company of Derby, England. Clearing and construction of the mill site commenced during 1914.<ref name="QAJBabinda">Queensland Department of Agriculture and Stock. ''Queensland Agricultural Journal'', historical account of Babinda Central Mill.</ref><br />
<br />
Babinda Central Mill commenced operations as a government mill on 15 December 1915.<ref name="JCUArchive">James Cook University. [https://nqheritage.jcu.edu.au/1022/ ''Babinda Mill Archive''].</ref><br />
<br />
The arrival of the mill transformed Babinda. The town's population increased from 195 in 1911 to approximately 980 in 1921. The developing district attracted a culturally diverse population including Italian, Danish, Greek, Maltese and Asian migrants as well as Anglo-Irish settlers.<ref name="JCUArchive" /><br />
<br />
=== Grower ownership ===<br />
Babinda was initially managed by the Queensland Government's Bureau of Government Sugar Mills.<br />
<br />
In 1924, legislation was passed enabling local cane growers to acquire the mill from the government. Under the ''Babinda Sugar Works Act 1924'', cane credits accumulated by growers were recognised as part of their equity in the new organisation.<ref name="BabindaAct1924">Queensland Parliament. ''Babinda Sugar Works Bill'', Legislative Assembly Hansard, October 1924.</ref><br />
<br />
The mill subsequently operated under grower control as the Babinda Central Mill Company Ltd and later the Babinda Co-operative Sugar Milling Association Ltd.<ref name="JCUIndustry">James Cook University ResearchOnline. ''Tropical Queensland Sugar Cane Industry''.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Goondi rationalisation ===<br />
A major expansion of Babinda's supply area occurred following the closure of [[Goondi Mill]] in 1987.<br />
<br />
Under the ''Sugar Milling Rationalization (Far Northern Region) Act 1987'', cane assignments formerly attached to Goondi were redistributed between Babinda and [[Mourilyan Mill]]. Former Goondi growers rezoned to Babinda supplied 249,140 tonnes of cane during the 1987 season, representing approximately one-quarter of Babinda's crop.<ref name="Babinda1987">Babinda Co-operative Sugar Milling Association Ltd. ''Annual Report 1987–88''.</ref><br />
<br />
Initially, some of this cane required road haulage between separated sections of the railway system. A three-kilometre tramway connection was completed on 24 August 1987, providing a direct rail connection for the transferred cane.<ref name="Babinda1987" /><br />
<br />
The redistribution substantially increased Babinda's available crop. The mill processed 979,132 tonnes during the 1987 season.<ref name="Babinda1987" /><br />
<br />
=== Bundaberg Sugar ownership ===<br />
The co-operative experienced considerable financial difficulty during the 1980s. In 1988 the association received competing acquisition proposals, including an offer from Bundaberg Sugar and another from a consortium involving Mulgrave, Mossman and South Johnstone mills.<ref name="Babinda1989Report">Babinda Co-operative Sugar Milling Association Ltd. ''Annual Report 1988–89''.</ref><br />
<br />
[[Bundaberg Sugar]] acquired Babinda Mill in 1989, ending approximately 65 years of direct grower ownership.<ref name="Griggs">Griggs, Peter D. [https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/17344/ ''Global Industry, Local Innovation: The History of Cane Sugar Production in Australia, 1820–1995'']. Peter Lang, 2011.</ref><br />
<br />
During Bundaberg Sugar ownership Babinda formed part of the company's Far North Queensland milling operations, together at various times with Mourilyan, South Johnstone and Tableland mills.<br />
<br />
=== Northern Milling Joint Venture ===<br />
In April 2010, Bundaberg Sugar and the Maryborough Sugar Factory Limited announced the formation of the '''Northern Milling Joint Venture'''.<br />
<br />
Under the arrangement, Bundaberg Sugar contributed its Babinda, [[South Johnstone Mill|South Johnstone]] and [[Tableland Mill|Tableland]] operations, while Maryborough Sugar contributed [[Mulgrave Mill]]. The joint venture became effective following completion of the 2010 crushing season.<ref name="NMJV">ABC News. [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-04-20/sugar-giants-move-towards-joint-venture/402650 ''Sugar giants move towards joint venture'']. 20 April 2010.</ref><br />
<br />
== Cyclones and closure ==<br />
<br />
=== Cyclone Larry ===<br />
Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry crossed the Far North Queensland coast on 20 March 2006 and caused extensive damage throughout Babinda and the surrounding sugar district.<br />
<br />
Approximately 80 per cent of buildings in Babinda were reported as damaged and regional sugar production was substantially reduced. Babinda Mill nevertheless returned to operation for the 2006 crushing season.<ref name="Larry">James Cook University. [https://nqheritage.jcu.edu.au/1022/ ''Babinda Mill Archive''].</ref><br />
<br />
=== Final years ===<br />
By the late 2000s the regional cane supply had declined substantially as agricultural land was transferred to other uses including bananas, forestry and cattle production.<br />
<br />
Babinda's final crushing season was 2010. The mill processed 630,072 tonnes of cane at an average CCS of 10.33.<ref name="BSES2011">BSES Limited. ''Post-cyclone crop assessment'', 2011, Appendix 5: Former Babinda Mill area.</ref><br />
<br />
Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi crossed the Queensland coast on 3 February 2011, approximately 100 kilometres south of Babinda. The cyclone caused further crop and infrastructure damage across the wider region.<br />
<br />
Five days later, on 8 February, the Northern Milling Joint Venture announced a proposal to close Babinda Mill.<br />
<br />
The owners stated that the principal causes were the long-term decline in available cane and excess regional crushing capacity rather than cyclone damage alone. Approximately 14,000 hectares of cane-growing land had been lost across the region over preceding decades. The immediate outlook was further affected by the transfer of approximately 300,000 tonnes of cane from the Upper Murray and Kennedy areas to Tully Mill and a reduced forecast crop for the 2011 season.<ref name="ClosureABC">ABC News. [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-02-08/sugar-mill-to-close-in-blow-to-cyclone-town/1935236 ''Sugar mill to close in blow to cyclone town'']. 8 February 2011.</ref><ref name="ClosureReasons">Just Food. ''Maryborough and Bundaberg Sugar to close JV mill''. February 2011.</ref><br />
<br />
Cane previously intended for Babinda was subsequently allocated for crushing at [[Mulgrave Mill]] and [[South Johnstone Mill]], both of which had available processing capacity.<br />
<br />
Babinda Mill was decommissioned during February 2011. JCU records the decommissioning date as 23 February, while the mill's gates closed for the final time on 25 February.<ref name="JCUArchive" /><ref name="FinalClosure">ABC News. [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-02-25/sugar-workers-offered-other-jobs-as-mill-closes/1957244 ''Sugar workers offered other jobs as mill closes'']. 25 February 2011.</ref><br />
<br />
== Demolition and legacy ==<br />
The mill had been identified as historically significant within a character precinct under the Cairns planning scheme from 2005. It was not, however, entered on the Queensland Heritage Register.<br />
<br />
Following the closure, the former mill was considered for inclusion on Cairns Regional Council's Local Heritage Register. Council subsequently recommended that it remain recognised through the existing character precinct rather than proceed to local heritage registration.<ref name="CRCheritage">Cairns Regional Council. ''Local Heritage Register – Report on Submissions Received'', 2011.</ref><br />
<br />
The mill buildings were progressively demolished during 2013.<ref name="Demolition">ABC News. [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-07/crews-douse-fire-at-old-babinda-sugar-mill/4674042 ''Crews douse fire at old Babinda sugar mill'']. 7 May 2013.</ref><br />
<br />
Historical records, documents and memorabilia from the mill were preserved through the Babinda Mill Memorabilia Project and the Babinda Mill Archive held by James Cook University.<ref name="JCUArchive" /><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Tramway ===<br />
Babinda Mill operated an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway system. The network was approximately 142 kilometres in length and used steam, petrol and diesel locomotives during its operating history.<ref name="BrowningRail">Browning, John. ''Queensland Private and Industrial Railways''. Modelling the Railways of Queensland Convention, 2016.</ref><br />
<br />
The system expanded southwards following the 1987 closure of Goondi Mill and was interconnected with the former Goondi and Mourilyan networks.<br />
<br />
Following Babinda's closure, its railway infrastructure remained important to the regional industry. The former Babinda system was divided operationally between Mulgrave and South Johnstone mills, allowing cane from the former Babinda supply area to be transported north to Mulgrave or south to South Johnstone.<ref name="LRRSAClosure">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Light Railways'', No. 218, April 2011.</ref><br />
<br />
During 2011 most Babinda-area cane was initially expected to travel south to South Johnstone. Further track upgrading was subsequently undertaken so that cane from the northern portion of the former Babinda area could be transported to Mulgrave.<ref name="LRRSA220">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Light Railways'', No. 220, August 2011.</ref><br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
Babinda's throughput varied substantially during its operating life as the mill's assigned area expanded and contracted.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Season<br />
! Cane<br />
! CCS<br />
! Notes<br />
|-<br />
| 1987<br />
| 979,132 tonnes<br />
| 11.91<br />
| First season following the redistribution of former Goondi assignments. Ex-Goondi growers supplied 249,140 tonnes.<ref name="Babinda1987" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1988<br />
| 1,008,364 tonnes crushed at Babinda<br />
| 11.02<br />
| Babinda's assigned crop totalled 1,056,042 tonnes; a further 47,678 tonnes was processed at Mourilyan.<ref name="Babinda1989Report" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2010<br />
| 630,072 tonnes<br />
| 10.33<br />
| Final crushing season.<ref name="BSES2011" /><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Former Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.34191, 145.92387</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Babinda%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Babinda%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
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<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
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<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Mulgrave_Mill&diff=885Mulgrave Mill2026-10-05T00:07:43Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Mulgrave Mill<br />
| image = DJI 0186.jpg<br />
| caption = Mulgrave Mill 2025.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.091838703068213,145.7895939841861 17.09183° S, 145.78959° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cairns Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1896 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1896}} years ago)<br />
| closed = <br />
| owner = [[MSF Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 968,391 tonnes (2024 throughput)<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Mulgrave Sugar Mill''' (also known as '''Mulgrave Central Mill''') is a sugar mill located in [[Gordonvale]], approximately 20 kilometres south of [[Cairns]], [[Queensland]]. The mill commenced crushing in 1896 and for most of its independent history was operated by the grower-owned Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited. It is now owned by [[MSF Sugar]], a subsidiary of the Thai-based Mitr Phol Group.<br />
<br />
The mill has remained an important processing centre for the Cairns sugar district and subsequently absorbed cane supply and railway infrastructure following the closure of neighbouring [[Hambledon Mill]] in 1991 and [[Babinda Mill]] in 2011.<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
The establishment of Mulgrave Central Mill followed the passage of the ''Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893''. The original company comprised 44 local farmers who mortgaged their properties to secure a £44,000 Queensland Government advance for construction of the mill and its tramways.<ref name="QAJ1931">Queensland Department of Agriculture and Stock. ''Queensland Agricultural Journal'', 1 May 1931, p. 287.</ref><br />
<br />
The memorandum of association of the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited was drawn up in 1893 and the company was registered in Brisbane in 1895. Pioneer settler Richard Blackwell was among the early directors and reportedly provided part of his land for the mill site.<br />
<br />
Construction was undertaken by A. & W. Smith and Company of Glasgow in 1896 under a contract valued at £26,850. The mill's first crushing season ran from October 1896 until March 1897. During that season, 13,000 tons of cane were processed to produce 1,351 tons of sugar.<ref name="QAJ1931" /><br />
<br />
=== Early transport ===<br />
The mill's 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane tramway system developed separately from the public tramway connecting Gordonvale with Cairns.<br />
<br />
The Cairns Divisional Board constructed a 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge tramway south from Cairns after the proposed Mulgrave mill created demand for a reliable transport route to the port. The first section reached Mulgrave Mill in 1897 and carried sugar and other agricultural produce as well as passengers.<ref name="CairnsThematic">Cairns Regional Council. ''Cairns Thematic History''.</ref><br />
<br />
Parts of the public tramway incorporated mixed-gauge track, allowing the mill's 610 mm gauge locomotives to use sections of the route for local cane and firewood traffic.<br />
<br />
In 1911, the Queensland Government purchased the Cairns–Mulgrave Tramway from Cairns Shire Council and incorporated it into the developing state railway system and North Coast railway. This 1,067 mm gauge public railway remained distinct from Mulgrave Mill's own 610 mm cane railway network.<ref name="QGR1912">Queensland Commissioner for Railways. ''Report for the Year Ended 30 June 1912''.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Operational history ===<br />
Mulgrave developed into one of the most successful central mills established under the Sugar Works Guarantee legislation. Its cane railway network expanded progressively through the surrounding districts as cultivation increased.<br />
<br />
During the Second World War, Gordonvale became a major military centre. Approximately 3,000 American paratroopers were stationed and trained in the district before deployment to New Guinea. The wartime presence had a substantial effect on the town in which the mill remained the dominant industrial enterprise.<br />
<br />
A major change occurred following the closure of [[Hambledon Mill]] at Edmonton in 1991. The Central Sugar Cane Prices Board approved the transfer of all Hambledon assignment holders to Mulgrave, together with arrangements intended to preserve the former Hambledon cane transport system.<ref name="Hansard1991Closure">Queensland Parliament. ''Legislative Assembly Hansard'', 31 October 1991.</ref><br />
<br />
Mulgrave crushed 592,435 tonnes of cane in 1991. In 1992, the first full season after taking over the former Hambledon supply area, throughput increased to 1,327,981 tonnes.<ref name="QSC1993">Queensland Sugar Corporation. ''Annual Report'', Appendix A: Cane Crushed.</ref> The additional cane required changes to factory operation and transport arrangements and substantially enlarged Mulgrave's supply area.<br />
<br />
=== Ownership ===<br />
Mulgrave Central Mill remained grower-owned for more than a century.<br />
<br />
In 2008, the Maryborough Sugar Factory Limited acquired the Mulgrave Central Mill Company. By the close of its takeover offer in July, Maryborough Sugar had received acceptances representing 98.52 per cent of Mulgrave's A-class shares, with the remaining shares subsequently subject to compulsory acquisition.<ref name="MSF2008">The Maryborough Sugar Factory Limited. ''Annual Report 2008''.</ref><br />
<br />
In 2010, Maryborough Sugar Factory and Bundaberg Sugar agreed to combine their Far North Queensland milling interests in the Northern Milling Joint Venture. The venture commenced on 1 January 2011 and comprised Mulgrave Mill together with Bundaberg Sugar's [[Babinda Mill]], [[Tableland Mill]] and [[South Johnstone Mill]].<ref name="NMJV">The Maryborough Sugar Factory Limited. ''2011 Results Presentation''.</ref><br />
<br />
Babinda Mill ceased operations in February 2011 because of insufficient cane supply and excess milling capacity in the region. Cane previously processed at Babinda was redistributed between Mulgrave and South Johnstone, with associated investment in the mills and cane railway system to allow cane to be moved between the former mill areas.<ref name="MSF2011">MSF Sugar. ''2011 Half Year Results and CEO Address''.</ref><br />
<br />
MSF subsequently exercised its option to acquire Bundaberg Sugar's remaining interest in the Northern Milling Joint Venture, giving it full ownership of the Tableland, South Johnstone and former Babinda milling assets.<br />
<br />
In February 2012, Thai sugar producer Mitr Phol completed its takeover of MSF Sugar. Mulgrave has since remained an MSF Sugar mill under Mitr Phol ownership.<ref name="MitrPhol">ABC News. ''MSF Sugar takeover complete in far north Qld''. 23 February 2012.</ref><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Tramway ===<br />
Mulgrave Mill operates an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway network.<br />
<br />
Following regional mill closures and consolidation, the Mulgrave system incorporated substantial sections of the former [[Hambledon Mill]] network to the north and [[Babinda Mill]] network to the south. Investment following the closure of Babinda enabled cane to be transferred through the wider MSF rail network between former mill areas and the operating mills at Mulgrave and South Johnstone.<br />
<br />
The mill railway is separate from the 1,067 mm gauge public railway through Gordonvale, although the two systems have historically crossed or operated alongside each other at a number of locations.<br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
<br />
Published production figures are not available on a consistent basis for every season. Earlier sources generally report total cane crushed at the mill, while recent CANEGROWERS statistics are normally organised by ''mill area''. These measures can differ when cane assigned to another district is processed at Mulgrave.<br />
<br />
Following the cessation of crushing at [[Mossman]] after the 2023 season, Mulgrave began processing road-hauled Mossman cane in 2024. In that season, the Mulgrave mill area produced 782,739 tonnes, while total physical throughput at Mulgrave was 968,391 tonnes after cane from outside the mill area was included.<ref name="CG2024">CANEGROWERS, ''Annual Report 2024–25'', table of Australian cane and sugar production.</ref><ref name="QCAR2024">Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables. ''Crush Statistics and Production Figures'', December 2024.</ref><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Documented annual production<br />
! Year<br />
! Cane tonnage<br />
! CCS<br />
! Basis and notes<br />
|-<br />
| 1990<br />
| 705,932<br />
| —<br />
| Queensland Sugar Corporation mill throughput figure.<ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1991<br />
| 592,435<br />
| —<br />
| Final season of the nearby Hambledon Mill. Hambledon crushed 464,813 tonnes before closing.<ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1992<br />
| 1,327,981<br />
| —<br />
| First full season after Mulgrave assumed the processing of cane formerly supplied to Hambledon.<ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1993<br />
| 1,392,103<br />
| 11.82<br />
| CANEGROWERS season statistics. A Queensland Sugar Corporation table gives the slightly different figure of 1,390,396 tonnes.<ref name="CG1993">CANEGROWERS. ''1993 Season Statistics''.</ref><ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1997<br />
| 1,275,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce">Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force. ''Statistical Picture of the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry in 1999''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1998<br />
| 1,430,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1999<br />
| 1,330,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2001<br />
| 1,011,249<br />
| 13.77<br />
| Yield averaged 74.00 tonnes per hectare. Greyback cane grub damage was estimated to have reduced the crop by approximately 68,000 tonnes.<ref name="Mulgrave2001">Mulgrave Central Mill Company. ''Annual Report, January 2001–June 2002''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2010<br />
| 1,086,000<br />
| 11.79<br />
| Final crop figure reported in an industry assessment; approximately 6,000 tonnes was condemned.<ref name="SRA2011Assessment">BSES Limited. Post-cyclone crop assessment, Appendix 4: Mulgrave Mill area.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2014<br />
| approximately 1,032,251<br />
| approximately 12.72<br />
| End-of-season estimate published shortly after Mulgrave completed crushing on 16 November.<ref name="ACFA2014">Australian Cane Farmers Association. Northern region report, December 2014.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2015<br />
| 1,443,444<br />
| 12.77<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201617">CANEGROWERS. ''Annual Report 2016–17''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2016<br />
| 1,521,612<br />
| 11.23<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series. This was reported as a record crop at the time.<ref name="CG201617" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2017<br />
| 1,300,066<br />
| 12.16<br />
| Final mill result reported by MSF Sugar.<ref name="MSF2017">MSF Sugar. ''Crushing Season a Success Despite Reduced Tonnages''. December 2017.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2018<br />
| 976,449<br />
| 14.49<br />
| Sugar Research Australia figure compiled from data supplied by Australian sugar mills. The CANEGROWERS annual report gives a slightly different CCS figure of 14.29.<ref name="SRA2018">Sugar Research Australia. ''Harvesting Details — 2018 Season''.</ref><ref name="CG201920">CANEGROWERS. ''Annual Report 2019–20''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2019<br />
| 888,878<br />
| 12.94<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201920" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2020<br />
| 1,002,143<br />
| 12.41<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202021">CANEGROWERS. ''Annual Report 2020–21''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2021<br />
| 943,354<br />
| 11.62<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202122">CANEGROWERS. ''Annual Report 2021–22''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2022<br />
| 1,016,543<br />
| 12.48<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202223">CANEGROWERS. ''Annual Report 2022–23''.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2023<br />
| 1,004,086 mill-area cane;<br />approximately 1,175,721 total throughput<br />
| 11.98 for Mulgrave-area cane<br />
| In addition to the Mulgrave-area crop, Mulgrave processed 171,635 tonnes assigned to South Johnstone. Cyclone Jasper occurred after the crush and affected the following crop; it did not terminate Mulgrave's 2023 season.<ref name="CG202324">CANEGROWERS. ''Annual Report 2023–24'', production table and Innisfail district report.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 782,739 mill-area cane;<br />968,391 total throughput<br />
| 12.49 mill-area;<br />12.41 total throughput<br />
| First season processing cane transported from the former Mossman supply area. Total mill throughput was reported separately by Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables.<ref name="CG2024" /><ref name="QCAR2024" /><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.09183, 145.78959</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
Mulgrave has operated both steam and internal-combustion locomotives during its history. Dieselisation produced a fleet incorporating locomotives built by Commonwealth Engineering, Clyde Engineering and E.M. Baldwin.<br />
<br />
A number of former Hambledon locomotives were transferred to Mulgrave following Hambledon's closure in 1991. These included Commonwealth Engineering and Clyde diesel-hydraulic locomotives that continued to operate within the enlarged Mulgrave cane railway system.<ref name="LRRSARoster">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Australian Sugar Industry Locomotives – Mulgrave Mill roster''.</ref><br />
<br />
The mill's larger bogie locomotives include '''Gordonvale''' and '''Mulgrave''', former Queensland Railways DH-class locomotives converted from 1,067 mm to 610 mm gauge and rebuilt by Bundaberg Foundry in 1995.<ref name="LRRSA1995">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Light Railway News'', No. 108, October 1995.</ref><br />
<br />
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}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
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</table><br />
<br />
== Image Gallery ==<br />
These images are from [https://www.facebook.com/freekzngeekz/ Corey Seaton]<br />
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:Mulgrave-5-1.jpg|5 (ComEng. AA. A1005 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-7-1.jpg|7 (ComEng. AA. B1010 of 1956).<br />
File:Mulgrave-11-1.jpg|11 (E.M. Baldwin. DH18 Mk2. 4413-2-8-72 of 1972).<br />
File:Mulgrave-Mulgrave-6.jpg|Mulgrave (Walkers. GH500. 613 of 1969).<br />
File:Mulgrave-14-2.jpg|14 (Clyde. DHI-71. 56-86 of 1956).<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
These images are courtesy of [https://www.facebook.com/william.thomson.14606 William Thomson]<br />
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:484491458 966381822309524 2321302883769471630 n.jpg<br />
File:484510821 966381785642861 5909945423851582522 n.jpg<br />
File:484513943 965721022375604 2847404582435939205 n.jpg<br />
File:484583550 966384885642551 7220609306433719869 n.jpg<br />
File:484638591 966382095642830 8969771050919498491 n.jpg<br />
File:484844214 966382118976161 5371859803932554605 n.jpg<br />
File:484847514 966381655642874 3424311509743047823 n.jpg<br />
File:484855198 966385255642514 6581266257402085301 n.jpg<br />
File:484857733 966384995642540 7352160566734432249 n.jpg<br />
File:485013367 966385398975833 8961496500969628662 n.jpg<br />
File:485020132 967037862243920 6982799017018824347 n.jpg<br />
File:485095403 966384838975889 1627793308274177356 n.jpg<br />
File:485362136 966384882309218 2538336588531202895 n.jpg<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category:Sugar mills in Queensland]]<br />
[[Category:Gordonvale, Queensland]]</div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Cairns_Bulk_Sugar_Terminal&diff=884Cairns Bulk Sugar Terminal2026-10-04T23:58:11Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Cairns Bulk Sugar Terminal<br />
| image = Inlet to Bulk Sugar Terminal, Cairns QUT-7290.jpg<br />
| caption = View to Cairns Bulk Sugar Terminal. Jack Bain.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-16.9396934457083,145.7764804431049 16.93963° S, 145.77640° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cairns Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1964 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1964}} years ago)<br />
| closed =<br />
| owner = [[Sugar Terminals Limited]]<br />
| gauge = Nil. Sugar received by road.<br />
| crush = 250,000 tonnes storage capacity<br />
}}<br />
'''Cairns Bulk Sugar Terminal''' is a bulk sugar storage and export facility located at [[Portsmith]], [[Cairns]]. Opened in 1964, the terminal serves the Cairns sugar district and historically also handled raw sugar from the Mossman district and other Far North Queensland mills.<br />
<br />
The terminal is owned and operated by [[Sugar Terminals Limited]] (STL). It has two bulk storage sheds with a combined capacity of 250,000 tonnes and receives sugar entirely by road.<ref name="STLCairns">Sugar Terminals Limited. ''Cairns Bulk Sugar Terminal Fact Sheet''. https://sugarterminals.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/STL-Cairns-Fact-Sheet.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
Following the final crushing season at [[Mossman Mill]] in 2023, [[Mulgrave Mill]] at Gordonvale is the remaining operating sugar mill in the immediate Cairns coastal district. Mulgrave sugar continues to be exported through the Cairns terminal.<ref name="VIVE2026">CANEGROWERS. ''MSF Sugar shipment breaks new ground in sustainable exports''. 2026. https://www.canegrowers.com.au/news-media/media-releases/msf-sugar-shipment-breaks-new-ground-in-sustainable-exports</ref><br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Bagged sugar era ===<br />
Before construction of the bulk terminal, sugar exports from Cairns were handled at the city wharves on Trinity Inlet.<br />
<br />
A dedicated sugar storage building, later known as '''White's Shed''', was constructed in 1923. An electrically powered conveyor system was subsequently installed to transfer bagged sugar between railway wagons, the storage shed and ships. The system was fully operational by 1926 and incorporated conveyors and chutes capable of stacking approximately 80 long tons of bagged sugar per hour.<ref name="WharfHeritage">Queensland Government. ''Cairns Wharf Complex – Cultural Heritage Report'', Cairns Shipping Development Project. https://eisdocs.dsdip.qld.gov.au/Cairns%20Shipping%20Development/Revised%20draft%20EIS/Appendices/appendix-u-cultural-heritage-report.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
The handling of bagged raw sugar was labour-intensive. The development of bulk sugar storage and loading terminals in Queensland during the post-war period substantially reduced the manual handling required at ports.<ref name="SugarTransportHistory">James Cook University ResearchOnline. ''Tropical Queensland Sugar Cane Industry'', section on sugar transport. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/63662/1/Tropical%20Queensland%20Sugar%20Cane%20Industry.pdf</ref><br />
<br />
White's Shed ceased being used for sugar handling after the opening of the new bulk sugar terminal at Portsmith in 1964.<ref name="WhitesShed">Ports North. ''White's Shed planned deconstruction''. 15 July 2024. https://www.portsnorth.com.au/white-s-shed-planned-deconstruction/</ref><br />
<br />
By 2024 the building had deteriorated substantially. Following consultation concerning its heritage-significant bag-stacking machinery, Ports North commenced preparations for deconstruction in July 2024, with demolition work scheduled to begin in August.<ref name="WhitesShed" /><br />
<br />
=== Bulk terminal ===<br />
The Cairns Bulk Sugar Terminal opened at Portsmith in 1964.<ref name="CairnsHistory">Cairns Regional Council. ''History of Cairns from the 1870s''. https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/facilities-sport-leisure/facts-figures-history/history</ref><br />
<br />
The introduction of bulk handling allowed raw sugar to be delivered directly into large storage sheds and transferred to ships by conveyor, eliminating the need to package and manually handle sugar in jute bags.<br />
<br />
The first bulk sugar shipment from the new Cairns terminal departed for Japan aboard the ''Sally Stove'' in 1964. The final shipment of bagged sugar also left the Cairns wharves during that year.<ref name="CairnsChamber">Cairns Chamber of Commerce. ''History of the Cairns Chamber of Commerce''.</ref><br />
<br />
The terminal handled sugar from several mills and districts over its history. These included:<br />
<br />
* '''[[Mossman Mill]]:''' Sugar from Mossman had been transported by road to Cairns since the end of regular sugar shipments through Port Douglas in 1958. Following the opening of the bulk terminal in 1964, Mossman raw sugar was delivered to Portsmith by road.<ref name="MossmanTransport">Douglas Shire Historical Society. ''Mossman & District''. https://www.douglashistory.org.au/time-lines/mossman</ref><br />
* '''[[Hambledon Mill]]:''' Located at Edmonton and operated by CSR until its final season in 1991.<br />
* '''[[Mulgrave Mill]]:''' Raw sugar from Mulgrave at Gordonvale continues to be transported by road to the Cairns terminal.<ref name="MulgraveTransport">Maryborough Sugar Factory Limited. ''Annual Report 2009''.</ref><br />
* '''[[Babinda Mill]]:''' Babinda sugar also used the Cairns terminal during periods of its operating history. Queensland parliamentary records from 1987 describe Cairns as the traditional shipping terminal for Babinda sugar, although sugar was also routed through Mourilyan at various times.<ref name="BabindaTerminal">Queensland Parliament. ''Sugar Milling Rationalization (Far Northern Region) Bill'', Legislative Assembly Hansard, 17 March 1987.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Ownership and operation ===<br />
Queensland's bulk sugar terminals were originally held through government and port authority arrangements and managed as part of the regulated Queensland sugar industry.<br />
<br />
Sugar Terminals Limited was established during industry restructuring in the late 1990s. On 2 August 2000, ownership of the bulk sugar terminal assets at Cairns and the other Queensland export ports was transferred to STL as an industry-owned company whose shareholders comprise sugar growers and millers.<ref name="STLOwnership">Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. ''Sugar Terminals Limited submission'', 6 April 2017.</ref><br />
<br />
For many years terminal operations were undertaken by Queensland Sugar Limited under contractual arrangements with STL. From 1 July 2026, STL brought operation of Queensland's six bulk terminals in-house and became both owner and operator of the Cairns facility.<ref name="STL2026">CANEGROWERS. ''Clear expectations as STL takes over terminal operations''. 1 July 2026.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Industry rationalisation ===<br />
Changes in the regional milling industry progressively reduced the number of mills supplying sugar through Cairns.<br />
<br />
* '''1991:''' [[Hambledon Mill]] completed its final crushing season and closed.<br />
* '''2011:''' [[Babinda Mill]] ceased crushing, ending another potential source of sugar from the southern Cairns district.<br />
* '''2023:''' [[Mossman Mill]] completed its final crushing season on 26 November. Its operating companies subsequently entered liquidation in March 2024.<br />
<br />
By 2026, Mulgrave Mill remained the principal active mill supplying raw sugar for export through Cairns. A January 2026 shipment of VIVE-verified raw sugar produced at Mulgrave was loaded at Cairns for export to Japan.<ref name="VIVE2026" /><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Storage ===<br />
Cairns Bulk Sugar Terminal contains two bulk storage sheds with a combined storage capacity of 250,000 tonnes.<ref name="STLCairns" /><br />
<br />
The terminal forms part of STL's network of six Queensland bulk terminals at Cairns, Mourilyan, Lucinda, Townsville, Mackay and Bundaberg.<br />
<br />
=== Receival ===<br />
Sugar is received at Cairns entirely by road.<ref name="STLCairns" /><br />
<br />
Historically, Mossman raw sugar was carried approximately 75 kilometres by road to Cairns. Far Northern Milling reported that approximately 40-tonne sugar trucks made around 2,600 return trips between Mossman and Cairns during a typical crushing season.<ref name="FNMMossman">Far Northern Milling. ''Mossman Mill – History''. https://www.fnmilling.com.au/mossman-mill.html</ref><br />
<br />
Mulgrave sugar is likewise transported by road from Gordonvale to Portsmith.<br />
<br />
The receival station weighs and samples incoming loads before sugar is conveyed into the storage sheds. STL's terminals use enclosed conveyors between receival facilities and storage.<ref name="STLServices">Sugar Terminals Limited. ''Services''. https://sugarterminals.com.au/expertise/</ref><br />
<br />
=== Shiploading ===<br />
The terminal uses '''Wharf 12''' at the Port of Cairns. The wharf is owned and operated by Sugar Terminals Limited and is equipped with a bulk sugar outloading conveyor.<ref name="PortsNorthBerth">Ports North. ''Cairns Port Berths / Wharves''. https://www.portsnorth.com.au/cp/cairns-port-services-facilities/cairns-port-berths-wharves/</ref><br />
<br />
STL publishes the following operational shipping restrictions for Cairns:<ref name="STLCairns" /><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Statistic<br />
! Value<br />
|-<br />
| Storage Capacity<br />
| 250,000 tonnes<br />
|-<br />
| Number of Sheds<br />
| 2<br />
|-<br />
| Receival Method<br />
| Road<br />
|-<br />
| Maximum Vessel Length (LOA)<br />
| 183 metres<br />
|-<br />
| Maximum Beam<br />
| 36 metres<br />
|-<br />
| Published Berth Depth at LAT<br />
| 9.10 metres<br />
|-<br />
| Published Channel Depth at LAT<br />
| 9.10 metres<br />
|}<br />
<br />
Ports North separately lists Wharf 12 as having a structural design depth of 10.5 metres LAT. The shallower 9.10 metre figure published by STL represents the terminal's current shipping restriction and corresponds with the published Cairns channel depth.<ref name="PortsNorthBerth" /><ref name="STLCairns" /><br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-16.93963, 145.77640</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
''Cairns Bulk Sugar Terminal receives raw sugar by road and does not operate a sugar railway locomotive fleet.''<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Tableland_Mill&diff=883Tableland Mill2026-10-04T23:48:35Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Tableland Mill<br />
| image = Tableland Sugar Mill, 2016.jpg<br />
| caption = Tableland Sugar Mill, 2016. Kerry Raymond.<br />
| coordinates = 17.12026° S, 145.34653° E<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Mareeba Shire Council]]<br />
| established = 1998 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1998}} years ago)<br />
| closed =<br />
| owner = [[MSF Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = Nil. Cane transported by road.<br />
| crush = 742,377 tonnes (2024)<br />
}}<br />
'''Tableland Mill''' is a sugar mill located at [[Arriga]], south-west of [[Mareeba]], [[Queensland]]. Commissioned in 1998, it is Australia's newest operating sugar mill. The mill is owned by [[MSF Sugar]], part of the Thai-based Mitr Phol Group.<br />
<br />
Unlike most Queensland sugar mills, Tableland Mill does not operate a cane railway network and receives its cane entirely by road.<ref name="BITRE">Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics. ''Freightline 3 – Australian sugar freight transport''. 2015.</ref><br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
Tableland Mill was constructed for [[Bundaberg Sugar]] and commenced operations in 1998. It was the first new sugar mill commissioned in Queensland for more than 70 years and remains Australia's newest sugar mill.<ref name="BundabergWalkers">Bundaberg Walkers Engineering. ''Aussie Sugar Mill Refresh – Tableland Mill Capacity Upgrade''.</ref><br />
<br />
The development established a local processing outlet for the expanding sugarcane industry on the [[Atherton Tableland]]. Cane had already been grown commercially in the district before construction of the mill, with Tableland-grown cane previously transported considerable distances to coastal mills including [[Mossman Mill]].<br />
<br />
The mill was officially opened in November 1998.<ref name="CG1998">CANEGROWERS Queensland. ''1998 Annual Report'', Tableland district report.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Technical and operational history ===<br />
Tableland Mill was unusual in its original design. Its crushing tandem consisted entirely of two-roll Bundaberg High Extraction Mills (BHEMs), rather than conventional three or four-roll milling units. The system was noted for comparatively low final bagasse moisture and modest specific power consumption.<ref name="BHEM">Chohan, P. and Garson, C. ''Performance of a tandem of Bundaberg two-roll mills''. International Sugar Journal, Vol. 111, No. 1330, 2009.</ref><br />
<br />
When commissioned, Tableland was not equipped to manufacture crystal sugar. Cane was crushed at Arriga and processed into syrup, which was transported by road to coastal mills for crystallisation.<ref name="BITRE" /><br />
<br />
In 2012, MSF Sugar commenced a major expansion of the factory to enable raw sugar to be manufactured on site. Following an upgrade valued at more than $40 million, Tableland Mill produced its first batch of raw sugar in August 2013. Until that time, syrup produced at Tableland had principally been transported to [[South Johnstone Mill]] for crystallisation.<ref name="FirstSugar">ABC Rural. ''Historic first sugar for Queensland's newest mill''. 16 August 2013.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Cane supply ===<br />
Prior to construction of Tableland Mill, substantial quantities of cane grown on the Atherton Tableland were supplied to [[Mossman Mill]]. Mossman had encouraged the development of Tableland cane from 1989, and by 1996 approximately one-third of Mossman's record throughput originated on the Tableland.<br />
<br />
In 2005, following changes to sugar industry regulation and amid increased transport costs and depressed returns, Tableland-area suppliers who had been supplying Mossman elected instead to supply the nearby Tableland Mill at Arriga. The loss of this cane significantly reduced Mossman's throughput.<ref name="MossmanSupply">Far Northern Milling. ''Mossman Mill – History''.</ref><br />
<br />
Following the closure of Mossman Mill after the 2023 crushing season, growers in the [[Julatten]] district signed a multi-year cane supply agreement with MSF Sugar's Tableland Mill. Julatten growers supplied 18,632 tonnes of cane to Tableland during the 2024 season.<ref name="CG2024">CANEGROWERS Queensland. ''Annual Report 2024–2025'', Mossman and Tableland district reports.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Ownership ===<br />
Tableland Mill was originally developed and operated by Bundaberg Sugar.<br />
<br />
In 2010, Bundaberg Sugar and Maryborough Sugar Factory Limited, later renamed MSF Sugar, formed the Northern Milling Joint Venture covering Bundaberg Sugar's Tableland and South Johnstone milling assets.<br />
<br />
MSF subsequently exercised its option to acquire Bundaberg Sugar's remaining interest in the joint venture. The acquisition was completed in April 2011, giving MSF full ownership of Tableland Mill and [[South Johnstone Mill]].<ref name="MSFAcquisition">MSF Sugar Limited. ''Appendix 4E Preliminary Final Report – Year Ended 31 December 2011''.</ref><br />
<br />
In 2012, Thailand's Mitr Phol Group acquired MSF Sugar. Tableland Mill has remained part of MSF Sugar under Mitr Phol ownership.<ref name="MitrPhol">CANEGROWERS. ''Submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Regulation of Australian Agriculture''. 2016.</ref><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Green Energy Power Plant ===<br />
Construction of the Tableland Green Energy Power Plant began in May 2017. The bagasse-fired cogeneration plant was commissioned during 2018 and has a generating capacity of 24 megawatts.<ref name="GEPP2018">MSF Sugar. ''MSF Sugar's Green Energy Power Plant on Track for Mid-Year Completion''. 16 February 2018.</ref><br />
<br />
The plant burns bagasse, the fibrous residue remaining after sugarcane crushing, to produce steam and electricity. Electricity is used by the mill and surplus generation is exported to the electricity grid. MSF Sugar currently describes the development as a $100 million investment capable of producing 24 MW of electricity.<ref name="GEPP">MSF Sugar. ''Tableland Green Energy Power Plant''.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Transport and logistics ===<br />
Tableland Mill has no cane railway. All harvested cane is transported from farms to the mill by road.<ref name="BITRE" /><br />
<br />
Road haulage is coordinated to maintain a continuous supply of freshly harvested cane to the factory during the crushing season. Heavy articulated vehicles, including multi-lift and B-double configurations, are among the types of vehicles used within the road-based Queensland cane transport system.<ref name="BITRE" /><br />
<br />
Unlike mills with extensive cane railway yards, Tableland's cane supply system is based around direct road haulage between growing areas and the factory.<br />
<br />
=== Capacity expansion ===<br />
In 2024, MSF Sugar announced a $13 million upgrade intended to increase Tableland Mill's annual crushing capacity from approximately 850,000 tonnes to one million tonnes. The project included upgrades to the milling train, juice and syrup processing equipment and cooling-water systems, and was scheduled for completion before the 2025 crushing season.<ref name="Capacity2024">The Express. ''Mill expands crushing capacity''. 29 August 2024.</ref><br />
<br />
The expansion was undertaken in response to additional cane plantings and interest from new and existing growers in increasing supply.<br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
Tableland Mill generally operates from approximately May or June until November, depending on crop size and seasonal conditions.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Season<br />
! Cane crushed<br />
! CCS<br />
! Notes<br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 742,377 tonnes<br />
| 13.86<br />
| Season completed 23 November.<ref name="QCAR2024">Queensland Cane Agriculture & Renewables. ''Crush Statistics'', 13 January 2025.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2026<br />
| 900,000 tonnes<br />
| —<br />
| Season estimate; crushing commenced 18 May 2026.<ref name="Season2026">Cairns Local News. ''Big crush gets started''. 13 June 2026.</ref><br />
|}<br />
<br />
The 2024 season ran for approximately 28 weeks and was the lowest crop recorded for the Tableland district at that time.<ref name="CG2024" /><br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.12026, 145.34653</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
''Tableland Mill does not operate a cane railway and has no cane locomotive fleet.''<br />
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<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Hambledon_Mill&diff=882Hambledon Mill2026-10-04T23:20:27Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Hambledon Mill<br />
| image = Queensland State Archives 1221 Hambledon Sugar Mill near Cairns c 1935.png<br />
| caption = Hambledon Sugar Mill near Cairns, c. 1935.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.02044230579757,145.72625500667067 17.02044° S, 145.72625° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cairns Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1883 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1883}} years ago)<br />
| closed = 1991 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1991}} years ago)<br />
| owner = [[CSR]] (at closure)<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 464,813 tonnes (1991 final season)<ref name="QSCStats">Queensland Sugar Corporation. ''Annual Report 1999–2000'', Appendix B: Cane Crushed. Source: Australian Sugar Milling Council.</ref><br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Hambledon Sugar Mill''' was a sugar mill located at [[Edmonton]], approximately 10 kilometres south of central [[Cairns]]. The associated Hambledon plantation was established by Thomas Swallow in 1881, with the mill commencing operations in 1883. The [[Colonial Sugar Refining Company]] (CSR) acquired the property in 1897 and operated Hambledon until its closure in October 1991.<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
Thomas Swallow, a Melbourne businessman and co-founder of the Swallow and Ariell biscuit company, established the Hambledon sugar plantation near Cairns in 1881.<ref name="ADB_Swallow">Australian Dictionary of Biography. ''Swallow, Thomas (1823–1890)'', National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.</ref> The mill commenced crushing in 1883, with local historical sources recording the first crush on 6 August of that year.<ref name="HambledonOpening">Jeremy Hodes. ''Far North Queensland Place Names'', citing D. Jones, ''Trinity Phoenix: A History of Cairns'' and V. Brown, ''North Queensland Place Names Origins''.</ref><br />
<br />
The mill's establishment represented a major investment in the early Cairns sugar industry. Raw sugar was initially transported from the mill by a horse-drawn tramway to Swallow's Wharf at the head of Trinity Inlet for shipment.<ref name="QueenslandPlaces">Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. ''Edmonton'', Queensland Places.</ref><br />
<br />
Thomas and Isabella Swallow lived at Hambledon House and became well known locally for their hospitality.<ref name="IsabellaSS">Isabella State School. ''History''.</ref><br />
<br />
Falling sugar prices after 1884 and mounting financial losses placed the enterprise under increasing pressure. By 1888 Hambledon was heavily indebted.<ref name="ADB_Swallow" /> In 1890, Richard Ash Kingsford purchased the Hambledon plantation from Thomas Swallow and leased it back to Swallow's sons, who continued its operation.<ref name="ADB_Kingsford">Australian Dictionary of Biography. ''Kingsford, Richard Ash (1821–1902)'', National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.</ref><br />
<br />
=== CSR ownership ===<br />
In 1897 the Colonial Sugar Refining Company acquired Hambledon for approximately £60,000.<ref name="QueenslandPlaces" /> CSR subsequently operated the mill for the remainder of its working life.<br />
<br />
Hambledon's early workforce reflected the ethnically diverse labour system of the Queensland sugar industry during the late 19th century. In 1888 the plantation employed 32 European, 29 Chinese, six Javanese and 176 South Sea Islander workers. Chinese labourers were extensively employed in land clearing, while South Sea Islanders performed much of the field work.<ref name="QAGOMA">Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art. ''Daniel Boyd's Untitled (HNDFWMIAFN) 2017''.</ref><br />
<br />
Other workers employed at Hambledon during the plantation era included Japanese, Malay and Sinhalese labourers, with different groups commonly assigned different agricultural, mill and domestic occupations.<ref name="LabourHistory">Queensland Historical Atlas. ''The Pacific Islander labour trade, c1889''.</ref> The Commonwealth's ''Pacific Island Labourers Act 1901'' subsequently brought the large-scale employment of indentured Pacific Island labour in the Australian sugar industry to an end.<br />
<br />
=== Modernisation ===<br />
The mill and its transport system underwent extensive modernisation during CSR ownership. Steam locomotives were initially the principal form of motive power on the 610 mm gauge cane railway, although internal combustion locomotives were experimented with from an early date.<br />
<br />
Hambledon trialled a diesel locomotive in 1937, but reliability problems led to its replacement by steam after two years. A 10-ton Planet diesel locomotive was acquired in 1949, followed by an 18-ton Gardner-Drewry locomotive in 1953. Further diesel locomotives were subsequently acquired and steam traction was progressively withdrawn.<ref name="JCURail">James Cook University ResearchOnline. ''Tropical Queensland Sugar Cane Industry'', section on sugar mill railway transport.</ref><br />
<br />
The mill's last steam locomotive in regular service, Hudswell Clarke No. 4, was withdrawn in 1959 and later preserved at Sugarworld Gardens.<ref name="JCURail" /><br />
<br />
Mechanical harvesting and bulk cane-handling systems progressively replaced manual cane cutting and older transport methods during the post-war period.<br />
<br />
=== Closure ===<br />
By the 1970s and 1980s, expanding residential development in the southern Cairns district was progressively reducing the amount of cane land available to Hambledon and neighbouring [[Mulgrave Mill]].<br />
<br />
Hambledon's assigned cane area declined from approximately 10,600 hectares during the 1970s to about 8,000 hectares by 1991. The mill crushed approximately 694,000 tonnes in its record 1988 season, but throughput fell to 567,846 tonnes in 1990 and 464,813 tonnes in its final 1991 season.<ref name="Hansard1991">Queensland Parliament. ''Legislative Assembly Hansard'', 27 November 1991.</ref><ref name="QSCStats" /><br />
<br />
CSR closed Hambledon Mill in October 1991. Contemporary Queensland parliamentary records attributed the closure principally to the continuing loss of cane land to urban development and the resulting decline in mill throughput.<ref name="Hansard1991" /><br />
<br />
Following the closure, cane previously assigned to Hambledon was transferred to [[Mulgrave Mill]]. Parts of Hambledon's cane railway network and associated easements were also retained and incorporated into the Mulgrave system.<ref name="Hansard1991" /><br />
<br />
== Legacy ==<br />
CSR had begun developing '''Sugarworld''' on part of the Hambledon property as a tourist attraction in 1987, several years before the mill closed. The development included tropical fruit plantings and a waterslide complex, with the waterpark opening in 1989.<ref name="SugarworldMasterplan">Cairns City Council. ''Sugarworld Masterplan – Edmonton'', 13 July 2006.</ref><br />
<br />
After Hambledon ceased crushing in 1991, CSR decided to redevelop the wider 300-hectare property. Mulgrave Shire Council subsequently purchased approximately eight hectares of the original Sugarworld gardens, including the waterslide complex.<ref name="SugarworldMasterplan" /><br />
<br />
Several reminders of the Hambledon era remain in the Edmonton district:<br />
<br />
* '''Sugarworld Gardens:''' Retains mature tropical plantings and historical associations with the former Hambledon estate and mill.<br />
* '''Isabella Falls:''' Named after Isabella Swallow, wife of Thomas Swallow.<ref name="IsabellaSS" /><br />
* '''Hambledon State School:''' Established in 1887 as Black Fellow Creek Provisional School with 23 pupils. It was relocated and renamed Hambledon State School in 1910.<ref name="HambledonSchool">Hambledon State School. ''Our School''.</ref><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
<br />
=== Tramway ===<br />
Hambledon operated an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge railway network serving the cane-growing districts surrounding Edmonton.<br />
<br />
In the plantation's earliest years, a horse-drawn tramway connected Hambledon with Swallow's Wharf at the head of Trinity Inlet, allowing raw sugar to be transported to navigable water.<ref name="QueenslandPlaces" /><br />
<br />
The cane railway expanded considerably during CSR ownership. Surviving CSR photographic and archival records document Hambledon railway lines and operations at locations including North Hambledon, Walkers, Sawmill Pocket, Jungara, Freshwater and the Greenhill Estate.<ref name="NBAC">Noel Butlin Archives Centre, Australian National University. ''CSR Limited Head Office photographs – Hambledon Mill''.</ref><br />
<br />
Hambledon's 610 mm cane railway should not be confused with the Cairns Divisional Board tramway which passed through the district. By 1897 the Board had constructed a 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) line toward Gordonvale, with the CSR system connecting with it at Hambledon Junction.<ref name="QueenslandPlaces" /><br />
<br />
Following Hambledon's closure, substantial portions of the former railway system were incorporated into the Mulgrave Mill network. In the mid-1990s, for example, the former Hambledon Sawmill Pocket line was connected to the Mulgrave system by a new link across Wrights Creek and the Bruce Highway.<ref name="LRRSA139">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Light Railways'', No. 139, February 1998.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Rolling stock ===<br />
Hambledon used steam, petrol and diesel locomotives during its operating history. Diesel traction progressively replaced steam from the late 1940s and 1950s, with locomotives from builders including Planet, Drewry and Clyde Engineering.<ref name="JCURail" /><br />
<br />
When Hambledon closed in 1991, a number of its diesel locomotives were transferred to [[Mulgrave Mill]], where they continued in cane railway service.<br />
<br />
== Former Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.02044, 145.72625</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
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<br />
<ref>John Browning. ''Australian Sugar Industry Locomotives'', February 2000.</ref><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Mossman_Central_Mill&diff=881Mossman Central Mill2026-10-04T22:49:43Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Mossman Central Mill<br />
| image = Mossman Mill.png<br />
| caption = Mossman Central Mill. January 2025.<br />
| coordinates = 16.45786° S, 145.37836° E<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Douglas Shire Council]]<br />
| established = 1894 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1894}} years ago)<br />
| closed = 2023 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-2023}} years ago)<br />
| owner = [[Far Northern Milling]] (at closure)<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 754,403 tonnes (2022)<ref name="CG2022">CANEGROWERS Queensland. ''Annual Report 2022–2023'', Mossman district report.</ref><br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Mossman Central Mill''' was a sugar mill located in the [[Douglas Shire]] of [[Far North Queensland]]. Until its final crushing season in 2023, it was Australia's most northerly operating sugar mill. The mill operated for more than 125 years and was notable for its extensive 610 mm (2 ft) cane railway network and its early adoption of computerised process control.<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
The Mossman River Central Mill League was formed in 1893 following the passage of the ''[[Sugar Works Guarantee Act]]''. The Mossman Central Mill Company Ltd was registered in Brisbane on 4 December 1894.<ref name="DouglasTimeline">Douglas Shire Historical Society. ''Mossman & District''.</ref> Construction of the mill began on 27 April 1896 and the first cane was crushed on 23 August 1897, supplied from Annie Rose's Bonnie Doon property.<ref name="DouglasHistory">Douglas Shire Historical Society. ''Early Days of Sugar Industry''.</ref><br />
<br />
A 610 mm (2 ft) gauge tramway network was constructed to convey cane to the mill and also carried passengers and general freight. When the mill opened in 1897, raw sugar was transported by rail from the mill to Thooleer wharf on the Mossman River and transferred by lighter to Port Douglas for shipment.<ref name="DouglasTimeline" /><br />
<br />
In 1900, following a government grant to the Douglas Divisional Board, a tramway extension was completed between Mossman and the Board's wharf at Port Douglas. The line officially opened on 1 August 1900 and was used for sugar, freight and passenger traffic.<ref name="PortDouglasHistory">Douglas Shire Historical Society. ''Port Douglas''.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Operational history ===<br />
Steam locomotives initially provided motive power on the cane and passenger tramways. Diesel locomotives progressively replaced steam traction during the mid-20th century, with Mossman's diesel fleet eventually including locomotives built by Commonwealth Engineering and E.M. Baldwin.<ref name="LRRSALocos">Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ''Australian Sugar Tramways – Mossman Mill locomotive roster''.</ref><br />
<br />
Mossman Mill was also an early adopter of computer technology. In 1967, mill data was processed through IBM's Brisbane data centre, with punched tape flown from Mossman to Brisbane and the resulting printouts returned by air. In 1971 an IBM 1800 process-control computer was installed at the mill. The Douglas Shire Historical Society records Mossman as the first sugar mill in the world to use computer-managed process control.<ref name="DouglasHistory" /><br />
<br />
=== Ownership ===<br />
The mill's ownership changed several times during its operating life:<br />
<br />
* '''1894 to 2012:''' Operated by the grower-owned Mossman Central Mill Company Ltd. Although commonly described as a cooperative, contemporary archival descriptions note that the company operated on cooperative principles without technically being structured as a cooperative.<ref name="Dalton">Dalton's Sources for North Queensland History. ''Mossman Central Mill Company Limited''.</ref><br />
* '''2012 to 2019:''' Mackay Sugar Limited acquired the milling and related assets of Mossman Central Mill for $25.3 million. The transaction was completed on 4 June 2012.<ref name="MackaySale">Newsport. ''Mill deal sealed''. 6 June 2012.</ref><br />
* '''2019 to 2024:''' Far Northern Milling Pty Ltd, formed by Mossman and Tableland growers, completed its acquisition of the mill from Mackay Sugar on 5 July 2019. The acquisition formed part of plans to develop the wider Daintree Bio Precinct, including renewable energy and higher-value products derived from sugar cane and mill infrastructure.<ref name="FNM">Far Northern Milling. ''Daintree Bio Precinct''.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Closure and liquidation ===<br />
During its final years the mill experienced continuing financial and operational pressure. CANEGROWERS identified reduced throughput, flooding, workforce shortages and the effects of the COVID-19 period among the challenges facing Far Northern Milling.<ref name="AdminAnnouncement">CANEGROWERS. ''Growers need clarity on Mossman future''. 20 November 2023.</ref><br />
<br />
* '''20 November 2023:''' Far Northern Milling and the other Daintree Bio Precinct companies entered voluntary administration.<ref name="Worrells">Worrells. ''Daintree Bio Precinct Group & Mossman Mill enters liquidation''. 22 March 2024.</ref><br />
* '''26 November 2023:''' Mossman Mill completed its final crushing season, six days after the appointment of the administrator.<ref name="CG2023">CANEGROWERS Queensland. ''Annual Report 2023–2024'', Mossman district report.</ref><br />
* '''December 2023:''' Tropical Cyclone Jasper and subsequent flooding affected the Mossman district while the companies were already under administration. The administrator subsequently dealt with the effects of the cyclone and flooding while continuing attempts to restructure the group.<ref name="Worrells" /><br />
* '''29 February 2024:''' Creditors agreed to a proposed Deed of Company Arrangement intended to restructure and recapitalise the group.<ref name="Worrells" /><br />
* '''22 March 2024:''' The companies entered liquidation after the proponents of the proposed restructuring advised that they had been unable to secure the investment required to proceed.<ref name="Worrells" /><br />
<br />
For the first time since 1897, the 2024 crop was not crushed at Mossman. Julatten growers entered a supply agreement with MSF Sugar's Tableland Mill, while coastal Mossman growers supplied Mulgrave Mill at Gordonvale. When Mulgrave completed its season in November, remaining Mossman coastal cane continued by rail to South Johnstone Mill until 23 November 2024. In total, 206,920 tonnes of coastal cane was supplied to Mulgrave and South Johnstone, while 18,632 tonnes of Julatten cane went to Tableland Mill.<ref name="CG2024">CANEGROWERS Queensland. ''Annual Report 2024–2025'', Mossman district report.</ref><br />
<br />
For the 2025 season, Queensland Government funding supported the transport of the Mossman crop to Mulgrave Mill at Gordonvale. In October 2025 the government confirmed that growers and processors had been unable to reach a commercial agreement extending the arrangement beyond the 2025 season.<ref name="Qld2025">Queensland Government. ''Commitment to Mossman community unwavering''. 17 October 2025.</ref><br />
<br />
== Asset disposition ==<br />
Following liquidation, mill equipment and railway assets were progressively offered for sale. Expressions of interest for the Mossman locomotive fleet and associated spares were conducted through Grays in October 2024, with offers closing on 25 October.<ref name="Grays">Grays. ''EOI – Mossman Mill Locomotives & Spares''. October 2024.</ref><br />
<br />
The former Mossman locomotive fleet was purchased by [[MSF Sugar]]. Removal of the locomotives commenced on 10 December 2024, with '''Daintree''', the largest locomotive in the fleet, transported inland via Mareeba to South Johnstone. The smaller locomotives were transported south by the coastal route.<ref name="LocoMove">Newsport. ''Mossman Mill locos on the move''. 10 December 2024.</ref><br />
<br />
Subsequent locomotive movements included:<br />
<br />
* '''Daintree''' and '''Habana:''' Reported in service at South Johnstone.<br />
* '''Cook''' and '''Ivy:''' Acquired by South Johnstone and subsequently reported stored at the Mourilyan locomotive depot.<br />
* '''Douglas''' and '''Faugh-a-Ballagh:''' Subsequently sold to a private owner in Victoria.<br />
* '''Mossman:''' Acquired by the Australian Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Society at Woodford after initially being transferred to MSF Sugar. The locomotive was overhauled and returned to operational condition.<ref name="MossmanWoodford">Newsport. ''Our Mossman loco now working in Woodford Railway''. 5 January 2026.</ref><br />
* '''Mowbray:''' Subsequently transferred to the Kerosene Creek Tramway in New South Wales.<br />
<br />
The post-Mossman dispositions of Douglas, Faugh-a-Ballagh, Cook, Ivy, Daintree, Habana and Mowbray have been recorded by Australian locomotive enthusiast sources.<ref name="LocoRoster2026">Australian Locomotive Rosters. ''Mossman Mill – January 2026''. Updated 13 January 2026.</ref><br />
<br />
Dismantling of railway assets continued into 2025, with dozens of cane bins and other rail stock scrapped on site.<ref name="RailScrapping">Newsport. ''Cane cages scrapped in latest mill closure move''. 19 February 2025.</ref><br />
<br />
The 42-hectare mill site at 34 Mill Street was placed on the market in February 2025, with the factory, installed plant, industrial buildings, residential properties and associated land and infrastructure initially offered for sale as a whole or in sections.<ref name="MillSale">Newsport. ''Mossman Mill hits the market''. 24 February 2025.</ref><br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-16.45786, 145.37836</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
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<td>{{{notes}}}</td><br />
</tr><br />
}}<br />
</table><br />
<br />
== Images ==<br />
The following images are by Corey Seaton.<br />
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:Daintree.jpg|Daintree. (E.M. Baldwin. DH28B. 7303-1-7-77 of 1977).<br />
File:Picture 017(3).jpg|Mossman. (ComEng. AA. B1719 of 1957).<br />
File:Douglas.jpeg|Douglas. (ComEng. AL. 2562 of 1963).<br />
File:Cook & Ivy.jpeg|Cook & Ivy. (ComEng. AL. 3372 & 4181 of 1964 & 1965).<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
The following images are courtesy of William Thomson.<br />
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:518274005 1056004876680551 6595987753576110576 n.jpg|Daintree. (E.M. Baldwin. DH28B. 7303-1-7-77 of 1977).<br />
File:518307856 1056005283347177 4412401318964280432 n.jpg|Daintree. (E.M. Baldwin. DH28B. 7303-1-7-77 of 1977).<br />
File:518328723 1056004793347226 7699377648305206276 n.jpg|Daintree. (E.M. Baldwin. DH28B. 7303-1-7-77 of 1977).<br />
File:518324609 1056004800013892 4268202970740820630 n.jpg|Daintree. (E.M. Baldwin. DH28B. 7303-1-7-77 of 1977).<br />
File:484520426 967037428910630 6556970899692121943 n.jpg|Douglas. (ComEng. AL. 2562 of 1963).<br />
File:484523903 967037495577290 448171698679712853 n.jpg|Daintree, Douglas & Habana at South Johnstone's Mourilyan depot.<br />
File:484857752 967037818910591 201660704357042564 n.jpg|Ivy. (ComEng. AL. 4181 of 1965).<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Mossman_Central_Mill&diff=880Mossman Central Mill2026-10-04T22:39:05Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Mossman Central Mill<br />
| image = Mossman Mill.png<br />
| caption = Mossman Central Mill. January 2025.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-16.45786,145.37836 16.45786° S, 145.37836° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Douglas Shire Council]]<br />
| established = 1894 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1894}} years ago)<br />
| closed = 2023 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-2023}} years ago)<br />
| owner = [[Far Northern Milling]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 700,000 tonnes (5yr average)<br />
}}<br />
'''Mossman Central Mill''' was a sugar mill located in the [[Douglas Shire]] of [[Far North Queensland]]. Until its closure in 2023, it was Australia's most northerly sugar mill. Operating for over 125 years, it was a pioneer in both rail transport and industrial automation within the Australian sugar industry.<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
Founded in 1894 under the ''[[Sugar Works Guarantee Act]]'', the mill commenced its first crush on 23 August 1897.<ref name="DouglasHistory">Douglas Shire Historical Society. "Early Days of Sugar Industry". https://www.douglashistory.org.au/local-stories/early-days-of-sugar-industry</ref> Because Mossman lacked a deep water port, the mill established a comprehensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge tramway network. This network served a dual purpose: transporting raw sugar 12 kilometres to the Port Douglas wharf for shipping, and providing a vital transport link for passengers and freight in the pre-motorised era.<br />
<br />
=== Operational History ===<br />
By the mid 20th century, the tramway system had evolved from steam power to modern diesel hydraulic locomotives. The mill gained international recognition in 1971 as the first sugar mill in the world to implement a process control computer to automate crushing operations, a move that set a global standard for the industry.<ref name="ProcessControl">Wikipedia. "Mossman, Queensland". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mossman,_Queensland</ref><br />
<br />
=== Ownership ===<br />
The mill's ownership history reflects the broader economic shifts in the Queensland sugar industry:<br />
* '''1897 to 2012:''' Operated as a grower owned cooperative, the Mossman Central Mill Company Ltd.<br />
* '''2012 to 2019:''' Purchased by [[Mackay Sugar]] Limited for approximately 25 million dollars.<ref name="MackaySale">Rail Express. "Mackay Sugar moves on Mossman sale". 25 July 2018.</ref> This period saw the mill integrated into a larger corporate structure, though financial pressures eventually led Mackay Sugar to divest its northernmost asset.<br />
* '''2019 to 2024:''' Successfully bought back by local growers under the banner of '''Far Northern Milling Pty Ltd''' (FNM). This return to local control was intended to facilitate the transition of the site into the Daintree Bio Precinct, focusing on renewable energy and bio products.<br />
<br />
=== Closure and Liquidation ===<br />
Despite the 2019 buy back, the mill faced terminal challenges. A declining cane supply (often falling below the 500,000 tonne viability threshold) and the impacts of extreme weather events, including Cyclone Jasper in late 2023, placed the company under extreme financial duress.<br />
<br />
* '''November 2023:''' FNM entered voluntary administration after the 2023 crush, which would ultimately be its last.<br />
* '''March 2024:''' After a potential rescue deal with a private investor fell through, the mill was placed into formal liquidation.<ref name="Liquidation">CANEGROWERS. "Mossman devastated as mystery investor walks away". 22 March 2024.</ref><br />
* '''2024 to 2025:''' For the first time in over a century, no cane was crushed at Mossman. Growers were forced to truck their 2024 and 2025 crops to the [[Mulgrave Mill]] in [[Gordonvale]] and [[South Johnstone Mill]] near [[Innisfail]], supported by state government transport subsidies.<ref name="Transport">Queensland Government. "Commitment to Mossman community unwavering". 17 October 2025.</ref><br />
<br />
== Asset Disposition ==<br />
In December 2024, the liquidation reached a definitive stage with the auction of the mill's rolling stock and infrastructure via Grays Auction.<ref name="Grays">Newsport. "Mossman Mill locos on the move". 10 December 2024.</ref> The fleet of locomotives was purchased by [[MSF Sugar]] for use at their South Johnstone operations.<br />
<br />
Notable locomotive movements in December 2024 included:<br />
* '''Daintree:''' The fleet's flagship and largest locomotive was transported via a heavy haulage low loader over the Rex Range via Mareeba to reach South Johnstone.<br />
* '''Douglas, Faugh-a-Ballagh, Cook and Ivy:''' These locomotives were among the last seen leaving the township on trucks to Mourilyan. From there, Douglas and Faugh-a-Ballagh are now in Victoria with a private owner, and Cook and Ivy remain in storage.<br />
* '''Rolling Stock:''' Hundreds of cane bins were either sold to other mills or scrapped on site throughout early 2025.<br />
<br />
The 42 hectare mill site was listed for sale in late 2025, with the iconic 610 mm gauge tracks through Mill Street now largely silent and disconnected from the industry that built the town.<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-16.45786, 145.37836</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Mossman%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Mossman%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
| <tr><br />
<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{model}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{serial}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{year}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{current_mill}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{notes}}}</td><br />
</tr><br />
}}<br />
</table><br />
<br />
== Images ==<br />
Below images are by [https://www.facebook.com/freekzngeekz/ Corey Seaton]"<br />
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:Daintree.jpg|Daintree. (E.M. Baldwin. DH28B. 7303-1-7-77 of 1977).<br />
File:Picture 017(3).jpg|Mossman. (ComEng. AA. B1719 of 1957).<br />
File:Douglas.jpeg|Douglas. (ComEng. AL. 2562 of 1963).<br />
File:Cook & Ivy.jpeg|Cook & Ivy. (ComEng. AL. 3372 & 4181 of 1964 & 1965).<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
These images are courtesy of [https://www.facebook.com/william.thomson.14606 William Thomson]<br />
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:518274005 1056004876680551 6595987753576110576 n.jpg|Daintree. (E.M. Baldwin. DH28B. 7303-1-7-77 of 1977). <ref>https://www.facebook.com/william.thomson.14606</ref><br />
File:518307856 1056005283347177 4412401318964280432 n.jpg|Daintree. (E.M. Baldwin. DH28B. 7303-1-7-77 of 1977). <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/william.thomson.14606]</ref><br />
File:518328723 1056004793347226 7699377648305206276 n.jpg|Daintree. (E.M. Baldwin. DH28B. 7303-1-7-77 of 1977). <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/william.thomson.14606]</ref><br />
File:518324609 1056004800013892 4268202970740820630 n.jpg|Daintree. (E.M. Baldwin. DH28B. 7303-1-7-77 of 1977). <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/william.thomson.14606]</ref><br />
File:484520426 967037428910630 6556970899692121943 n.jpg|Douglas. (ComEng. AL. 2562 of 1963).<br />
File:484523903 967037495577290 448171698679712853 n.jpg|Daintree, Douglas & Habana at South Johnstone's Mourilyan depot.<br />
File:484857752 967037818910591 201660704357042564 n.jpg|(ComEng. AL. 4181 of 1965)<br />
</gallery><br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Mulgrave_Mill&diff=879Mulgrave Mill2026-08-26T09:31:04Z<p>Bmhcjs: /* Rollingstock */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Mulgrave Mill<br />
| image = DJI 0186.jpg<br />
| caption = Mulgrave Mill 2025.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.091838703068213,145.7895939841861 17.09183° S, 145.78959° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cairns Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1896 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1893}} years ago)<br />
| closed = <br />
| owner = [[MSF Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 968,391 tonnes (2024 throughput)}}<br />
<br />
'''Mulgrave Sugar Mill''' (also known as the '''Mulgrave Central Mill''') is a sugar mill located in [[Gordonvale]], approximately 20 kilometres south of [[Cairns]], [[Queensland]]. Established in 1893, it served as a cornerstone of the Cairns district economy for over a century as a grower owned cooperative.<ref name="MSF_History">MSF Sugar. "Mulgrave Mill History". http://www.msfsugar.com.au/our-company/mulgrave-mill/history/</ref> The mill is notable for its survival and growth following the closure of neighbouring facilities at [[Hambledon Mill|Hambledon]] (1991) and [[Babinda Mill|Babinda]] (2011).<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
Following the enactment of the ''Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893'', local farmers in the Mulgrave district petitioned the Queensland Government for a loan to establish a central mill. Richard Blackwell donated 15 acres of land for the mill site, and the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited was registered in 1895.<ref name="Trove_1895">The Brisbane Courier. "Sugar Works Guarantee Act". 14 November 1895.</ref><br />
<br />
The contract for the mill's construction was awarded to the Scottish engineering firm A & W Smith of Glasgow. The first crushing season commenced in late 1896, processing 16,000 tons of cane for a yield of 1,311 tons of sugar. Early operations were hampered by the lack of a government railway connection, necessitating the construction of an extensive tramway system to transport sugar to the Cairns wharves.<ref name="QHR_Mulgrave">Queensland Heritage Register. "Mulgrave Settlers Museum". https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=602558</ref><br />
<br />
=== Operational History ===<br />
By the early 1900s, the Mulgrave Mill was recognised as one of the most successful projects funded under the 1893 Act. In 1911, the Queensland Government purchased the 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cairns–Mulgrave Tramway from the Cairns Shire Council and incorporated it into the developing North Coast railway. This public railway should not be confused with the mill's separate 610 mm gauge cane tramway network.<ref>Queensland Commissioner for Railways, ''Report for the Year Ended 30 June 1912''.</ref><br />
<br />
During the Second World War, the mill and the town of Gordonvale became a significant hub for American military forces. The mill's logistical infrastructure was utilised to support the war effort in the South West Pacific.<ref name="Gordonvale_War">Mulgrave Settlers Museum. "Gordonvale and the Americans". Exhibition Records, 2014.</ref><br />
<br />
The mill's supply area expanded significantly in 1991 following the closure of the Hambledon Mill in [[Edmonton]]. This closure resulted in approximately 400,000 tonnes of cane being diverted to Mulgrave, requiring substantial capital investment in the milling train and transport infrastructure to handle the increased throughput.<br />
<br />
=== Ownership ===<br />
In 2008, the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited ceased to be a grower cooperative when it was acquired by the Maryborough Sugar Factory (MSF).<ref name="ABC_MSF_2008">ABC News. "Mulgrave shareholders vote for MSF merger". 15 May 2008.</ref><br />
<br />
In 2011, MSF Sugar acquired the former Bundaberg Sugar milling assets in far north Queensland, including Babinda and South Johnstone. Babinda Mill was subsequently closed, following a period of declining crop supply, prolonged wet weather and damage associated with Cyclone Yasi. Cane from parts of the former Babinda supply area was transferred to Mulgrave and South Johnstone. In 2012, the entire MSF Sugar group was acquired by the Thai multinational Mitr Phol.<ref name="MitrPhol">Australian Financial Review. "Mitr Phol completes MSF Sugar takeover". 23 February 2012.</ref><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
=== Tramway ===<br />
Mulgrave Mill operates an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge tramway network. The system is highly interconnected, linking with the former Hambledon Mill network to the north and the Babinda Mill network to the south.<br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
<br />
Published production figures are not available on a consistent basis for every season. Earlier sources generally report total cane crushed at the mill, while recent CANEGROWERS statistics are normally organised by ''mill area''. These measures can differ when cane assigned to another district is processed at Mulgrave.<br />
<br />
Following the cessation of crushing at [[Mossman]] after the 2023 season, Mulgrave began processing road-hauled Mossman cane in 2024. In that season, the Mulgrave mill area produced 782,739 tonnes, while total physical throughput at Mulgrave was 968,391 tonnes after cane from outside the mill area was included.<ref name="CG2024">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/Annual-report-2024-25.pdf ''Annual Report 2024–25''], table of Australian cane and sugar production.</ref><ref name="QCAR2024">Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables, [https://qcar.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Crush-Statistics-22-January-2025.pdf ''Crush Statistics and Production Figures'', 22 January 2025].</ref><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Documented annual production<br />
! Year<br />
! Cane tonnage<br />
! CCS<br />
! Basis and notes<br />
|-<br />
| 1990<br />
| approximately 706,000<br />
| —<br />
| Contemporary Queensland Parliamentary reporting stated that Mulgrave crushed approximately 706,000 tonnes in 1990.<ref name="Hansard1991">Queensland Parliament, [https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/1991/911127ha.pdf ''Parliamentary Debates'', 27 November 1991], discussion of the Hambledon closure and Mulgrave throughput.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1991<br />
| 592,435<br />
| —<br />
| Final season of the nearby Hambledon Mill. Hambledon crushed 464,813 tonnes before closing.<ref name="QSC1993">Queensland Sugar Corporation, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4795t5679/4795t5679.pdf annual report], Appendix A: Cane Crushed.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1992<br />
| 1,327,981<br />
| —<br />
| First season after Mulgrave assumed the processing of cane formerly supplied to Hambledon.<ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1993<br />
| 1,392,103<br />
| 11.82<br />
| CANEGROWERS season statistics. A Queensland Sugar Corporation table gives the slightly different figure of 1,390,396 tonnes.<ref name="CG1993">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4794t4458/4794t4458.pdf ''1993 Season Statistics''].</ref><ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1997<br />
| 1,275,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce">Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/e11303ee-2b2c-4ebf-a118-1bcd4ba46542/download ''Statistical Picture of the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry in 1999''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1998<br />
| 1,430,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1999<br />
| 1,330,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2001<br />
| 1,011,249<br />
| 13.77<br />
| Yield averaged 74.00 tonnes per hectare. Greyback cane grub damage was estimated to have reduced the crop by approximately 68,000 tonnes.<ref name="Mulgrave2001">Mulgrave Central Mill Company, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/5002T3927/5002t3927.pdf ''Annual Report, January 2001–June 2002''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2010<br />
| 1,086,000<br />
| 11.79<br />
| Final crop figure reported in an industry assessment; approximately 6,000 tonnes was condemned.<ref name="SRA2011Assessment">BSES Limited, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/66c1c83e-0426-46c8-9954-7f6d2a1e763f/download post-cyclone crop assessment], Appendix 4: Mulgrave Mill area.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2014<br />
| approximately 1,032,251<br />
| approximately 12.72<br />
| End-of-season estimate published shortly after Mulgrave completed crushing on 16 November.<ref name="ACFA2014">Australian Cane Farmers Association, [https://www.acfa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Northern_Gerard-Puglisi_FINAL.pdf northern region report], December 2014.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2015<br />
| 1,443,444<br />
| 12.77<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201617">CANEGROWERS, [https://wetlandinfo.detsi.qld.gov.au/resources/static/pdf/ecology/catchment-stories/lower-burdekin/canegrowers2017.pdf ''Annual Report 2016–17''], table of Australian production in the 2015 and 2016 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2016<br />
| 1,521,612<br />
| 11.23<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series. This was reported as a record crop at the time.<ref name="CG201617" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2017<br />
| 1,300,066<br />
| 12.16<br />
| Final mill result reported by MSF Sugar. The crop was lower than the 2016 result.<ref name="MSF2017">MSF Sugar, [https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/MSF-Sugar-Crushing-Season-a-Success-Despite-Reduced-Tonnages-25702947/ ''Crushing Season a Success Despite Reduced Tonnages''], December 2017.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2018<br />
| 976,449<br />
| 14.49<br />
| Sugar Research Australia figure compiled from data supplied by Australian sugar mills. The CANEGROWERS annual report gives a slightly different CCS figure of 14.29.<ref name="SRA2018">Sugar Research Australia, [https://sugarresearch.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Harvesting-details-for-Qld-and-NSW-2018-season.pdf ''Harvesting Details — 2018 Season''].</ref><ref name="CG201920">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/321340_canegrowers-annual-report-2019-20.pdf ''Annual Report 2019–20''], table of Australian production in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2019<br />
| 888,878<br />
| 12.94<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201920" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2020<br />
| 1,002,143<br />
| 12.41<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202021">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/328044_canegrowers-annual-report-2020-21.pdf ''Annual Report 2020–21''], table of Australian production in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2021<br />
| 943,354<br />
| 11.62<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202122">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/334371_canegrowers-annual-report-2021-22.pdf ''Annual Report 2021–22''], table of Australian production in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2022<br />
| 1,016,543<br />
| 12.48<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202223">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/338770_canegrowers-annual-report-2022-23.pdf ''Annual Report 2022–23''], table of Australian production in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2023<br />
| 1,004,086 mill-area cane;<br />approximately 1,175,721 total throughput<br />
| 11.98 for Mulgrave-area cane<br />
| In addition to the Mulgrave-area crop, Mulgrave processed 171,635 tonnes assigned to South Johnstone. Cyclone Jasper occurred after the crush and affected the following crop; it did not terminate Mulgrave's 2023 season.<ref name="CG202324">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/QCGO-2023-24-Annual-Report.pdf ''Annual Report 2023–24''], production table and Innisfail district report.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 782,739 mill-area cane;<br />968,391 total throughput<br />
| 12.49 mill-area;<br />12.41 total throughput<br />
| First season processing cane transported from the former Mossman supply area. Total mill throughput was reported separately by Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables.<ref name="CG2024" /><ref name="QCAR2024" /><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.09183, 145.78959</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
The locomotive fleet has historically featured a diverse range of motive power.<br />
* '''Steam:''' In the early 20th century, the mill relied on steam locomotives such as the Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 models.<br />
* '''Diesel:''' The fleet was modernised with Clyde and Com-Eng diesel hydraulic units. Notable locomotives include "Mulgrave" (Walkers GH500), which is one of the largest hydraulic locomotives in the Australian sugar industry.<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
| <tr><br />
<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{model}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{serial}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{year}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{current_mill}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{notes}}}</td><br />
</tr><br />
}}<br />
</table><br />
<br />
== Image Gallery ==<br />
These images are from [https://www.facebook.com/freekzngeekz/ Corey Seaton]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:Mulgrave-5-1.jpg|5 (ComEng. AA. A1005 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-7-1.jpg|7 (ComEng. AA. B1010 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-11-1.jpg|11 (E.M. Baldwin. DH18 Mk2. 4413-2-8-72 of 1972).<br />
File:Mulgrave-Mulgrave-6.jpg|Mulgrave (Walkers. GH500. 613 of 1969).<br />
File:Mulgrave-14-2.jpg|14 (Clyde. DHI-71. 56-86 of 1956).<br />
</gallery><br />
These images are courtesy of [https://www.facebook.com/william.thomson.14606 William Thomson]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:484491458 966381822309524 2321302883769471630 n.jpg<br />
File:484510821 966381785642861 5909945423851582522 n.jpg<br />
File:484513943 965721022375604 2847404582435939205 n.jpg<br />
File:484583550 966384885642551 7220609306433719869 n.jpg<br />
File:484638591 966382095642830 8969771050919498491 n.jpg<br />
File:484844214 966382118976161 5371859803932554605 n.jpg<br />
File:484847514 966381655642874 3424311509743047823 n.jpg<br />
File:484855198 966385255642514 6581266257402085301 n.jpg<br />
File:484857733 966384995642540 7352160566734432249 n.jpg<br />
File:485013367 966385398975833 8961496500969628662 n.jpg<br />
File:485020132 967037862243920 6982799017018824347 n.jpg<br />
File:485095403 966384838975889 1627793308274177356 n.jpg<br />
File:485362136 966384882309218 2538336588531202895 n.jpg<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category:Sugar mills in Queensland]]<br />
[[Category:Gordonvale, Queensland]]</div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Mulgrave_Mill&diff=878Mulgrave Mill2026-08-26T09:30:53Z<p>Bmhcjs: /* Infrastructure */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Mulgrave Mill<br />
| image = DJI 0186.jpg<br />
| caption = Mulgrave Mill 2025.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.091838703068213,145.7895939841861 17.09183° S, 145.78959° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cairns Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1896 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1893}} years ago)<br />
| closed = <br />
| owner = [[MSF Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 968,391 tonnes (2024 throughput)}}<br />
<br />
'''Mulgrave Sugar Mill''' (also known as the '''Mulgrave Central Mill''') is a sugar mill located in [[Gordonvale]], approximately 20 kilometres south of [[Cairns]], [[Queensland]]. Established in 1893, it served as a cornerstone of the Cairns district economy for over a century as a grower owned cooperative.<ref name="MSF_History">MSF Sugar. "Mulgrave Mill History". http://www.msfsugar.com.au/our-company/mulgrave-mill/history/</ref> The mill is notable for its survival and growth following the closure of neighbouring facilities at [[Hambledon Mill|Hambledon]] (1991) and [[Babinda Mill|Babinda]] (2011).<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
Following the enactment of the ''Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893'', local farmers in the Mulgrave district petitioned the Queensland Government for a loan to establish a central mill. Richard Blackwell donated 15 acres of land for the mill site, and the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited was registered in 1895.<ref name="Trove_1895">The Brisbane Courier. "Sugar Works Guarantee Act". 14 November 1895.</ref><br />
<br />
The contract for the mill's construction was awarded to the Scottish engineering firm A & W Smith of Glasgow. The first crushing season commenced in late 1896, processing 16,000 tons of cane for a yield of 1,311 tons of sugar. Early operations were hampered by the lack of a government railway connection, necessitating the construction of an extensive tramway system to transport sugar to the Cairns wharves.<ref name="QHR_Mulgrave">Queensland Heritage Register. "Mulgrave Settlers Museum". https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=602558</ref><br />
<br />
=== Operational History ===<br />
By the early 1900s, the Mulgrave Mill was recognised as one of the most successful projects funded under the 1893 Act. In 1911, the Queensland Government purchased the 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cairns–Mulgrave Tramway from the Cairns Shire Council and incorporated it into the developing North Coast railway. This public railway should not be confused with the mill's separate 610 mm gauge cane tramway network.<ref>Queensland Commissioner for Railways, ''Report for the Year Ended 30 June 1912''.</ref><br />
<br />
During the Second World War, the mill and the town of Gordonvale became a significant hub for American military forces. The mill's logistical infrastructure was utilised to support the war effort in the South West Pacific.<ref name="Gordonvale_War">Mulgrave Settlers Museum. "Gordonvale and the Americans". Exhibition Records, 2014.</ref><br />
<br />
The mill's supply area expanded significantly in 1991 following the closure of the Hambledon Mill in [[Edmonton]]. This closure resulted in approximately 400,000 tonnes of cane being diverted to Mulgrave, requiring substantial capital investment in the milling train and transport infrastructure to handle the increased throughput.<br />
<br />
=== Ownership ===<br />
In 2008, the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited ceased to be a grower cooperative when it was acquired by the Maryborough Sugar Factory (MSF).<ref name="ABC_MSF_2008">ABC News. "Mulgrave shareholders vote for MSF merger". 15 May 2008.</ref><br />
<br />
In 2011, MSF Sugar acquired the former Bundaberg Sugar milling assets in far north Queensland, including Babinda and South Johnstone. Babinda Mill was subsequently closed, following a period of declining crop supply, prolonged wet weather and damage associated with Cyclone Yasi. Cane from parts of the former Babinda supply area was transferred to Mulgrave and South Johnstone. In 2012, the entire MSF Sugar group was acquired by the Thai multinational Mitr Phol.<ref name="MitrPhol">Australian Financial Review. "Mitr Phol completes MSF Sugar takeover". 23 February 2012.</ref><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
=== Tramway ===<br />
Mulgrave Mill operates an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge tramway network. The system is highly interconnected, linking with the former Hambledon Mill network to the north and the Babinda Mill network to the south.<br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
<br />
Published production figures are not available on a consistent basis for every season. Earlier sources generally report total cane crushed at the mill, while recent CANEGROWERS statistics are normally organised by ''mill area''. These measures can differ when cane assigned to another district is processed at Mulgrave.<br />
<br />
Following the cessation of crushing at [[Mossman]] after the 2023 season, Mulgrave began processing road-hauled Mossman cane in 2024. In that season, the Mulgrave mill area produced 782,739 tonnes, while total physical throughput at Mulgrave was 968,391 tonnes after cane from outside the mill area was included.<ref name="CG2024">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/Annual-report-2024-25.pdf ''Annual Report 2024–25''], table of Australian cane and sugar production.</ref><ref name="QCAR2024">Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables, [https://qcar.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Crush-Statistics-22-January-2025.pdf ''Crush Statistics and Production Figures'', 22 January 2025].</ref><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Documented annual production<br />
! Year<br />
! Cane tonnage<br />
! CCS<br />
! Basis and notes<br />
|-<br />
| 1990<br />
| approximately 706,000<br />
| —<br />
| Contemporary Queensland Parliamentary reporting stated that Mulgrave crushed approximately 706,000 tonnes in 1990.<ref name="Hansard1991">Queensland Parliament, [https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/1991/911127ha.pdf ''Parliamentary Debates'', 27 November 1991], discussion of the Hambledon closure and Mulgrave throughput.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1991<br />
| 592,435<br />
| —<br />
| Final season of the nearby Hambledon Mill. Hambledon crushed 464,813 tonnes before closing.<ref name="QSC1993">Queensland Sugar Corporation, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4795t5679/4795t5679.pdf annual report], Appendix A: Cane Crushed.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1992<br />
| 1,327,981<br />
| —<br />
| First season after Mulgrave assumed the processing of cane formerly supplied to Hambledon.<ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1993<br />
| 1,392,103<br />
| 11.82<br />
| CANEGROWERS season statistics. A Queensland Sugar Corporation table gives the slightly different figure of 1,390,396 tonnes.<ref name="CG1993">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4794t4458/4794t4458.pdf ''1993 Season Statistics''].</ref><ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1997<br />
| 1,275,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce">Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/e11303ee-2b2c-4ebf-a118-1bcd4ba46542/download ''Statistical Picture of the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry in 1999''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1998<br />
| 1,430,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1999<br />
| 1,330,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2001<br />
| 1,011,249<br />
| 13.77<br />
| Yield averaged 74.00 tonnes per hectare. Greyback cane grub damage was estimated to have reduced the crop by approximately 68,000 tonnes.<ref name="Mulgrave2001">Mulgrave Central Mill Company, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/5002T3927/5002t3927.pdf ''Annual Report, January 2001–June 2002''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2010<br />
| 1,086,000<br />
| 11.79<br />
| Final crop figure reported in an industry assessment; approximately 6,000 tonnes was condemned.<ref name="SRA2011Assessment">BSES Limited, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/66c1c83e-0426-46c8-9954-7f6d2a1e763f/download post-cyclone crop assessment], Appendix 4: Mulgrave Mill area.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2014<br />
| approximately 1,032,251<br />
| approximately 12.72<br />
| End-of-season estimate published shortly after Mulgrave completed crushing on 16 November.<ref name="ACFA2014">Australian Cane Farmers Association, [https://www.acfa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Northern_Gerard-Puglisi_FINAL.pdf northern region report], December 2014.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2015<br />
| 1,443,444<br />
| 12.77<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201617">CANEGROWERS, [https://wetlandinfo.detsi.qld.gov.au/resources/static/pdf/ecology/catchment-stories/lower-burdekin/canegrowers2017.pdf ''Annual Report 2016–17''], table of Australian production in the 2015 and 2016 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2016<br />
| 1,521,612<br />
| 11.23<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series. This was reported as a record crop at the time.<ref name="CG201617" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2017<br />
| 1,300,066<br />
| 12.16<br />
| Final mill result reported by MSF Sugar. The crop was lower than the 2016 result.<ref name="MSF2017">MSF Sugar, [https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/MSF-Sugar-Crushing-Season-a-Success-Despite-Reduced-Tonnages-25702947/ ''Crushing Season a Success Despite Reduced Tonnages''], December 2017.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2018<br />
| 976,449<br />
| 14.49<br />
| Sugar Research Australia figure compiled from data supplied by Australian sugar mills. The CANEGROWERS annual report gives a slightly different CCS figure of 14.29.<ref name="SRA2018">Sugar Research Australia, [https://sugarresearch.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Harvesting-details-for-Qld-and-NSW-2018-season.pdf ''Harvesting Details — 2018 Season''].</ref><ref name="CG201920">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/321340_canegrowers-annual-report-2019-20.pdf ''Annual Report 2019–20''], table of Australian production in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2019<br />
| 888,878<br />
| 12.94<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201920" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2020<br />
| 1,002,143<br />
| 12.41<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202021">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/328044_canegrowers-annual-report-2020-21.pdf ''Annual Report 2020–21''], table of Australian production in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2021<br />
| 943,354<br />
| 11.62<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202122">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/334371_canegrowers-annual-report-2021-22.pdf ''Annual Report 2021–22''], table of Australian production in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2022<br />
| 1,016,543<br />
| 12.48<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202223">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/338770_canegrowers-annual-report-2022-23.pdf ''Annual Report 2022–23''], table of Australian production in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2023<br />
| 1,004,086 mill-area cane;<br />approximately 1,175,721 total throughput<br />
| 11.98 for Mulgrave-area cane<br />
| In addition to the Mulgrave-area crop, Mulgrave processed 171,635 tonnes assigned to South Johnstone. Cyclone Jasper occurred after the crush and affected the following crop; it did not terminate Mulgrave's 2023 season.<ref name="CG202324">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/QCGO-2023-24-Annual-Report.pdf ''Annual Report 2023–24''], production table and Innisfail district report.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 782,739 mill-area cane;<br />968,391 total throughput<br />
| 12.49 mill-area;<br />12.41 total throughput<br />
| First season processing cane transported from the former Mossman supply area. Total mill throughput was reported separately by Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables.<ref name="CG2024" /><ref name="QCAR2024" /><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.09183, 145.78959</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
| <tr><br />
<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{model}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{serial}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{year}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{current_mill}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{notes}}}</td><br />
</tr><br />
}}<br />
</table><br />
<br />
== Image Gallery ==<br />
These images are from [https://www.facebook.com/freekzngeekz/ Corey Seaton]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:Mulgrave-5-1.jpg|5 (ComEng. AA. A1005 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-7-1.jpg|7 (ComEng. AA. B1010 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-11-1.jpg|11 (E.M. Baldwin. DH18 Mk2. 4413-2-8-72 of 1972).<br />
File:Mulgrave-Mulgrave-6.jpg|Mulgrave (Walkers. GH500. 613 of 1969).<br />
File:Mulgrave-14-2.jpg|14 (Clyde. DHI-71. 56-86 of 1956).<br />
</gallery><br />
These images are courtesy of [https://www.facebook.com/william.thomson.14606 William Thomson]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:484491458 966381822309524 2321302883769471630 n.jpg<br />
File:484510821 966381785642861 5909945423851582522 n.jpg<br />
File:484513943 965721022375604 2847404582435939205 n.jpg<br />
File:484583550 966384885642551 7220609306433719869 n.jpg<br />
File:484638591 966382095642830 8969771050919498491 n.jpg<br />
File:484844214 966382118976161 5371859803932554605 n.jpg<br />
File:484847514 966381655642874 3424311509743047823 n.jpg<br />
File:484855198 966385255642514 6581266257402085301 n.jpg<br />
File:484857733 966384995642540 7352160566734432249 n.jpg<br />
File:485013367 966385398975833 8961496500969628662 n.jpg<br />
File:485020132 967037862243920 6982799017018824347 n.jpg<br />
File:485095403 966384838975889 1627793308274177356 n.jpg<br />
File:485362136 966384882309218 2538336588531202895 n.jpg<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category:Sugar mills in Queensland]]<br />
[[Category:Gordonvale, Queensland]]</div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Mulgrave_Mill&diff=877Mulgrave Mill2026-08-26T09:30:14Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Mulgrave Mill<br />
| image = DJI 0186.jpg<br />
| caption = Mulgrave Mill 2025.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.091838703068213,145.7895939841861 17.09183° S, 145.78959° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cairns Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1896 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1893}} years ago)<br />
| closed = <br />
| owner = [[MSF Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 968,391 tonnes (2024 throughput)}}<br />
<br />
'''Mulgrave Sugar Mill''' (also known as the '''Mulgrave Central Mill''') is a sugar mill located in [[Gordonvale]], approximately 20 kilometres south of [[Cairns]], [[Queensland]]. Established in 1893, it served as a cornerstone of the Cairns district economy for over a century as a grower owned cooperative.<ref name="MSF_History">MSF Sugar. "Mulgrave Mill History". http://www.msfsugar.com.au/our-company/mulgrave-mill/history/</ref> The mill is notable for its survival and growth following the closure of neighbouring facilities at [[Hambledon Mill|Hambledon]] (1991) and [[Babinda Mill|Babinda]] (2011).<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
Following the enactment of the ''Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893'', local farmers in the Mulgrave district petitioned the Queensland Government for a loan to establish a central mill. Richard Blackwell donated 15 acres of land for the mill site, and the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited was registered in 1895.<ref name="Trove_1895">The Brisbane Courier. "Sugar Works Guarantee Act". 14 November 1895.</ref><br />
<br />
The contract for the mill's construction was awarded to the Scottish engineering firm A & W Smith of Glasgow. The first crushing season commenced in late 1896, processing 16,000 tons of cane for a yield of 1,311 tons of sugar. Early operations were hampered by the lack of a government railway connection, necessitating the construction of an extensive tramway system to transport sugar to the Cairns wharves.<ref name="QHR_Mulgrave">Queensland Heritage Register. "Mulgrave Settlers Museum". https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=602558</ref><br />
<br />
=== Operational History ===<br />
By the early 1900s, the Mulgrave Mill was recognised as one of the most successful projects funded under the 1893 Act. In 1911, the Queensland Government purchased the 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cairns–Mulgrave Tramway from the Cairns Shire Council and incorporated it into the developing North Coast railway. This public railway should not be confused with the mill's separate 610 mm gauge cane tramway network.<ref>Queensland Commissioner for Railways, ''Report for the Year Ended 30 June 1912''.</ref><br />
<br />
During the Second World War, the mill and the town of Gordonvale became a significant hub for American military forces. The mill's logistical infrastructure was utilised to support the war effort in the South West Pacific.<ref name="Gordonvale_War">Mulgrave Settlers Museum. "Gordonvale and the Americans". Exhibition Records, 2014.</ref><br />
<br />
The mill's supply area expanded significantly in 1991 following the closure of the Hambledon Mill in [[Edmonton]]. This closure resulted in approximately 400,000 tonnes of cane being diverted to Mulgrave, requiring substantial capital investment in the milling train and transport infrastructure to handle the increased throughput.<br />
<br />
=== Ownership ===<br />
In 2008, the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited ceased to be a grower cooperative when it was acquired by the Maryborough Sugar Factory (MSF).<ref name="ABC_MSF_2008">ABC News. "Mulgrave shareholders vote for MSF merger". 15 May 2008.</ref><br />
<br />
In 2011, MSF Sugar acquired the former Bundaberg Sugar milling assets in far north Queensland, including Babinda and South Johnstone. Babinda Mill was subsequently closed, following a period of declining crop supply, prolonged wet weather and damage associated with Cyclone Yasi. Cane from parts of the former Babinda supply area was transferred to Mulgrave and South Johnstone. In 2012, the entire MSF Sugar group was acquired by the Thai multinational Mitr Phol.<ref name="MitrPhol">Australian Financial Review. "Mitr Phol completes MSF Sugar takeover". 23 February 2012.</ref><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
=== Tramway ===<br />
Mulgrave Mill operates an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge tramway network. The system is highly interconnected, linking with the former Hambledon Mill network to the north and the Babinda Mill network to the south.<br />
<br />
=== Rolling Stock ===<br />
The locomotive fleet has historically featured a diverse range of motive power.<br />
* '''Steam:''' In the early 20th century, the mill relied on steam locomotives such as the Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 models.<br />
* '''Diesel:''' The fleet was modernised with Clyde and Com-Eng diesel hydraulic units. Notable locomotives include "Mulgrave" (Walkers GH500), which is one of the largest hydraulic locomotives in the Australian sugar industry.<br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
<br />
Published production figures are not available on a consistent basis for every season. Earlier sources generally report total cane crushed at the mill, while recent CANEGROWERS statistics are normally organised by ''mill area''. These measures can differ when cane assigned to another district is processed at Mulgrave.<br />
<br />
Following the cessation of crushing at [[Mossman]] after the 2023 season, Mulgrave began processing road-hauled Mossman cane in 2024. In that season, the Mulgrave mill area produced 782,739 tonnes, while total physical throughput at Mulgrave was 968,391 tonnes after cane from outside the mill area was included.<ref name="CG2024">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/Annual-report-2024-25.pdf ''Annual Report 2024–25''], table of Australian cane and sugar production.</ref><ref name="QCAR2024">Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables, [https://qcar.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Crush-Statistics-22-January-2025.pdf ''Crush Statistics and Production Figures'', 22 January 2025].</ref><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Documented annual production<br />
! Year<br />
! Cane tonnage<br />
! CCS<br />
! Basis and notes<br />
|-<br />
| 1990<br />
| approximately 706,000<br />
| —<br />
| Contemporary Queensland Parliamentary reporting stated that Mulgrave crushed approximately 706,000 tonnes in 1990.<ref name="Hansard1991">Queensland Parliament, [https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/1991/911127ha.pdf ''Parliamentary Debates'', 27 November 1991], discussion of the Hambledon closure and Mulgrave throughput.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1991<br />
| 592,435<br />
| —<br />
| Final season of the nearby Hambledon Mill. Hambledon crushed 464,813 tonnes before closing.<ref name="QSC1993">Queensland Sugar Corporation, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4795t5679/4795t5679.pdf annual report], Appendix A: Cane Crushed.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1992<br />
| 1,327,981<br />
| —<br />
| First season after Mulgrave assumed the processing of cane formerly supplied to Hambledon.<ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1993<br />
| 1,392,103<br />
| 11.82<br />
| CANEGROWERS season statistics. A Queensland Sugar Corporation table gives the slightly different figure of 1,390,396 tonnes.<ref name="CG1993">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4794t4458/4794t4458.pdf ''1993 Season Statistics''].</ref><ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1997<br />
| 1,275,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce">Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/e11303ee-2b2c-4ebf-a118-1bcd4ba46542/download ''Statistical Picture of the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry in 1999''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1998<br />
| 1,430,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1999<br />
| 1,330,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2001<br />
| 1,011,249<br />
| 13.77<br />
| Yield averaged 74.00 tonnes per hectare. Greyback cane grub damage was estimated to have reduced the crop by approximately 68,000 tonnes.<ref name="Mulgrave2001">Mulgrave Central Mill Company, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/5002T3927/5002t3927.pdf ''Annual Report, January 2001–June 2002''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2010<br />
| 1,086,000<br />
| 11.79<br />
| Final crop figure reported in an industry assessment; approximately 6,000 tonnes was condemned.<ref name="SRA2011Assessment">BSES Limited, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/66c1c83e-0426-46c8-9954-7f6d2a1e763f/download post-cyclone crop assessment], Appendix 4: Mulgrave Mill area.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2014<br />
| approximately 1,032,251<br />
| approximately 12.72<br />
| End-of-season estimate published shortly after Mulgrave completed crushing on 16 November.<ref name="ACFA2014">Australian Cane Farmers Association, [https://www.acfa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Northern_Gerard-Puglisi_FINAL.pdf northern region report], December 2014.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2015<br />
| 1,443,444<br />
| 12.77<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201617">CANEGROWERS, [https://wetlandinfo.detsi.qld.gov.au/resources/static/pdf/ecology/catchment-stories/lower-burdekin/canegrowers2017.pdf ''Annual Report 2016–17''], table of Australian production in the 2015 and 2016 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2016<br />
| 1,521,612<br />
| 11.23<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series. This was reported as a record crop at the time.<ref name="CG201617" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2017<br />
| 1,300,066<br />
| 12.16<br />
| Final mill result reported by MSF Sugar. The crop was lower than the 2016 result.<ref name="MSF2017">MSF Sugar, [https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/MSF-Sugar-Crushing-Season-a-Success-Despite-Reduced-Tonnages-25702947/ ''Crushing Season a Success Despite Reduced Tonnages''], December 2017.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2018<br />
| 976,449<br />
| 14.49<br />
| Sugar Research Australia figure compiled from data supplied by Australian sugar mills. The CANEGROWERS annual report gives a slightly different CCS figure of 14.29.<ref name="SRA2018">Sugar Research Australia, [https://sugarresearch.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Harvesting-details-for-Qld-and-NSW-2018-season.pdf ''Harvesting Details — 2018 Season''].</ref><ref name="CG201920">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/321340_canegrowers-annual-report-2019-20.pdf ''Annual Report 2019–20''], table of Australian production in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2019<br />
| 888,878<br />
| 12.94<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201920" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2020<br />
| 1,002,143<br />
| 12.41<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202021">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/328044_canegrowers-annual-report-2020-21.pdf ''Annual Report 2020–21''], table of Australian production in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2021<br />
| 943,354<br />
| 11.62<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202122">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/334371_canegrowers-annual-report-2021-22.pdf ''Annual Report 2021–22''], table of Australian production in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2022<br />
| 1,016,543<br />
| 12.48<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202223">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/338770_canegrowers-annual-report-2022-23.pdf ''Annual Report 2022–23''], table of Australian production in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2023<br />
| 1,004,086 mill-area cane;<br />approximately 1,175,721 total throughput<br />
| 11.98 for Mulgrave-area cane<br />
| In addition to the Mulgrave-area crop, Mulgrave processed 171,635 tonnes assigned to South Johnstone. Cyclone Jasper occurred after the crush and affected the following crop; it did not terminate Mulgrave's 2023 season.<ref name="CG202324">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/QCGO-2023-24-Annual-Report.pdf ''Annual Report 2023–24''], production table and Innisfail district report.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 782,739 mill-area cane;<br />968,391 total throughput<br />
| 12.49 mill-area;<br />12.41 total throughput<br />
| First season processing cane transported from the former Mossman supply area. Total mill throughput was reported separately by Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables.<ref name="CG2024" /><ref name="QCAR2024" /><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.09183, 145.78959</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
| <tr><br />
<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{model}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{serial}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{year}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{current_mill}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{notes}}}</td><br />
</tr><br />
}}<br />
</table><br />
<br />
== Image Gallery ==<br />
These images are from [https://www.facebook.com/freekzngeekz/ Corey Seaton]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:Mulgrave-5-1.jpg|5 (ComEng. AA. A1005 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-7-1.jpg|7 (ComEng. AA. B1010 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-11-1.jpg|11 (E.M. Baldwin. DH18 Mk2. 4413-2-8-72 of 1972).<br />
File:Mulgrave-Mulgrave-6.jpg|Mulgrave (Walkers. GH500. 613 of 1969).<br />
File:Mulgrave-14-2.jpg|14 (Clyde. DHI-71. 56-86 of 1956).<br />
</gallery><br />
These images are courtesy of [https://www.facebook.com/william.thomson.14606 William Thomson]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:484491458 966381822309524 2321302883769471630 n.jpg<br />
File:484510821 966381785642861 5909945423851582522 n.jpg<br />
File:484513943 965721022375604 2847404582435939205 n.jpg<br />
File:484583550 966384885642551 7220609306433719869 n.jpg<br />
File:484638591 966382095642830 8969771050919498491 n.jpg<br />
File:484844214 966382118976161 5371859803932554605 n.jpg<br />
File:484847514 966381655642874 3424311509743047823 n.jpg<br />
File:484855198 966385255642514 6581266257402085301 n.jpg<br />
File:484857733 966384995642540 7352160566734432249 n.jpg<br />
File:485013367 966385398975833 8961496500969628662 n.jpg<br />
File:485020132 967037862243920 6982799017018824347 n.jpg<br />
File:485095403 966384838975889 1627793308274177356 n.jpg<br />
File:485362136 966384882309218 2538336588531202895 n.jpg<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category:Sugar mills in Queensland]]<br />
[[Category:Gordonvale, Queensland]]</div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Mulgrave_Mill&diff=876Mulgrave Mill2026-08-26T09:29:39Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Mulgrave Mill<br />
| image = DJI 0186.jpg<br />
| caption = Mulgrave Mill 2025.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.091838703068213,145.7895939841861 17.09183° S, 145.78959° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cairns Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1896 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1893}} years ago)<br />
| closed = <br />
| owner = [[MSF Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| annual_crush = 968,391 tonnes (2024 throughput)}}<br />
<br />
'''Mulgrave Sugar Mill''' (also known as the '''Mulgrave Central Mill''') is a sugar mill located in [[Gordonvale]], approximately 20 kilometres south of [[Cairns]], [[Queensland]]. Established in 1893, it served as a cornerstone of the Cairns district economy for over a century as a grower owned cooperative.<ref name="MSF_History">MSF Sugar. "Mulgrave Mill History". http://www.msfsugar.com.au/our-company/mulgrave-mill/history/</ref> The mill is notable for its survival and growth following the closure of neighbouring facilities at [[Hambledon Mill|Hambledon]] (1991) and [[Babinda Mill|Babinda]] (2011).<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
Following the enactment of the ''Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893'', local farmers in the Mulgrave district petitioned the Queensland Government for a loan to establish a central mill. Richard Blackwell donated 15 acres of land for the mill site, and the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited was registered in 1895.<ref name="Trove_1895">The Brisbane Courier. "Sugar Works Guarantee Act". 14 November 1895.</ref><br />
<br />
The contract for the mill's construction was awarded to the Scottish engineering firm A & W Smith of Glasgow. The first crushing season commenced in late 1896, processing 16,000 tons of cane for a yield of 1,311 tons of sugar. Early operations were hampered by the lack of a government railway connection, necessitating the construction of an extensive tramway system to transport sugar to the Cairns wharves.<ref name="QHR_Mulgrave">Queensland Heritage Register. "Mulgrave Settlers Museum". https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=602558</ref><br />
<br />
=== Operational History ===<br />
By the early 1900s, the Mulgrave Mill was recognised as one of the most successful projects funded under the 1893 Act. In 1911, the Queensland Government purchased the 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cairns–Mulgrave Tramway from the Cairns Shire Council and incorporated it into the developing North Coast railway. This public railway should not be confused with the mill's separate 610 mm gauge cane tramway network.<ref>Queensland Commissioner for Railways, ''Report for the Year Ended 30 June 1912''.</ref><br />
<br />
During the Second World War, the mill and the town of Gordonvale became a significant hub for American military forces. The mill's logistical infrastructure was utilised to support the war effort in the South West Pacific.<ref name="Gordonvale_War">Mulgrave Settlers Museum. "Gordonvale and the Americans". Exhibition Records, 2014.</ref><br />
<br />
The mill's supply area expanded significantly in 1991 following the closure of the Hambledon Mill in [[Edmonton]]. This closure resulted in approximately 400,000 tonnes of cane being diverted to Mulgrave, requiring substantial capital investment in the milling train and transport infrastructure to handle the increased throughput.<br />
<br />
=== Ownership ===<br />
In 2008, the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited ceased to be a grower cooperative when it was acquired by the Maryborough Sugar Factory (MSF).<ref name="ABC_MSF_2008">ABC News. "Mulgrave shareholders vote for MSF merger". 15 May 2008.</ref><br />
<br />
In 2011, MSF Sugar acquired the former Bundaberg Sugar milling assets in far north Queensland, including Babinda and South Johnstone. Babinda Mill was subsequently closed, following a period of declining crop supply, prolonged wet weather and damage associated with Cyclone Yasi. Cane from parts of the former Babinda supply area was transferred to Mulgrave and South Johnstone. In 2012, the entire MSF Sugar group was acquired by the Thai multinational Mitr Phol.<ref name="MitrPhol">Australian Financial Review. "Mitr Phol completes MSF Sugar takeover". 23 February 2012.</ref><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
=== Tramway ===<br />
Mulgrave Mill operates an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge tramway network. The system is highly interconnected, linking with the former Hambledon Mill network to the north and the Babinda Mill network to the south.<br />
<br />
=== Rolling Stock ===<br />
The locomotive fleet has historically featured a diverse range of motive power.<br />
* '''Steam:''' In the early 20th century, the mill relied on steam locomotives such as the Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 models.<br />
* '''Diesel:''' The fleet was modernised with Clyde and Com-Eng diesel hydraulic units. Notable locomotives include "Mulgrave" (Walkers GH500), which is one of the largest hydraulic locomotives in the Australian sugar industry.<br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
<br />
Published production figures are not available on a consistent basis for every season. Earlier sources generally report total cane crushed at the mill, while recent CANEGROWERS statistics are normally organised by ''mill area''. These measures can differ when cane assigned to another district is processed at Mulgrave.<br />
<br />
Following the cessation of crushing at [[Mossman]] after the 2023 season, Mulgrave began processing road-hauled Mossman cane in 2024. In that season, the Mulgrave mill area produced 782,739 tonnes, while total physical throughput at Mulgrave was 968,391 tonnes after cane from outside the mill area was included.<ref name="CG2024">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/Annual-report-2024-25.pdf ''Annual Report 2024–25''], table of Australian cane and sugar production.</ref><ref name="QCAR2024">Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables, [https://qcar.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Crush-Statistics-22-January-2025.pdf ''Crush Statistics and Production Figures'', 22 January 2025].</ref><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Documented annual production<br />
! Year<br />
! Cane tonnage<br />
! CCS<br />
! Basis and notes<br />
|-<br />
| 1990<br />
| approximately 706,000<br />
| —<br />
| Contemporary Queensland Parliamentary reporting stated that Mulgrave crushed approximately 706,000 tonnes in 1990.<ref name="Hansard1991">Queensland Parliament, [https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/1991/911127ha.pdf ''Parliamentary Debates'', 27 November 1991], discussion of the Hambledon closure and Mulgrave throughput.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1991<br />
| 592,435<br />
| —<br />
| Final season of the nearby Hambledon Mill. Hambledon crushed 464,813 tonnes before closing.<ref name="QSC1993">Queensland Sugar Corporation, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4795t5679/4795t5679.pdf annual report], Appendix A: Cane Crushed.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1992<br />
| 1,327,981<br />
| —<br />
| First season after Mulgrave assumed the processing of cane formerly supplied to Hambledon.<ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1993<br />
| 1,392,103<br />
| 11.82<br />
| CANEGROWERS season statistics. A Queensland Sugar Corporation table gives the slightly different figure of 1,390,396 tonnes.<ref name="CG1993">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4794t4458/4794t4458.pdf ''1993 Season Statistics''].</ref><ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1997<br />
| 1,275,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce">Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/e11303ee-2b2c-4ebf-a118-1bcd4ba46542/download ''Statistical Picture of the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry in 1999''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1998<br />
| 1,430,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1999<br />
| 1,330,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2001<br />
| 1,011,249<br />
| 13.77<br />
| Yield averaged 74.00 tonnes per hectare. Greyback cane grub damage was estimated to have reduced the crop by approximately 68,000 tonnes.<ref name="Mulgrave2001">Mulgrave Central Mill Company, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/5002T3927/5002t3927.pdf ''Annual Report, January 2001–June 2002''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2010<br />
| 1,086,000<br />
| 11.79<br />
| Final crop figure reported in an industry assessment; approximately 6,000 tonnes was condemned.<ref name="SRA2011Assessment">BSES Limited, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/66c1c83e-0426-46c8-9954-7f6d2a1e763f/download post-cyclone crop assessment], Appendix 4: Mulgrave Mill area.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2014<br />
| approximately 1,032,251<br />
| approximately 12.72<br />
| End-of-season estimate published shortly after Mulgrave completed crushing on 16 November.<ref name="ACFA2014">Australian Cane Farmers Association, [https://www.acfa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Northern_Gerard-Puglisi_FINAL.pdf northern region report], December 2014.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2015<br />
| 1,443,444<br />
| 12.77<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201617">CANEGROWERS, [https://wetlandinfo.detsi.qld.gov.au/resources/static/pdf/ecology/catchment-stories/lower-burdekin/canegrowers2017.pdf ''Annual Report 2016–17''], table of Australian production in the 2015 and 2016 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2016<br />
| 1,521,612<br />
| 11.23<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series. This was reported as a record crop at the time.<ref name="CG201617" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2017<br />
| 1,300,066<br />
| 12.16<br />
| Final mill result reported by MSF Sugar. The crop was lower than the 2016 result.<ref name="MSF2017">MSF Sugar, [https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/MSF-Sugar-Crushing-Season-a-Success-Despite-Reduced-Tonnages-25702947/ ''Crushing Season a Success Despite Reduced Tonnages''], December 2017.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2018<br />
| 976,449<br />
| 14.49<br />
| Sugar Research Australia figure compiled from data supplied by Australian sugar mills. The CANEGROWERS annual report gives a slightly different CCS figure of 14.29.<ref name="SRA2018">Sugar Research Australia, [https://sugarresearch.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Harvesting-details-for-Qld-and-NSW-2018-season.pdf ''Harvesting Details — 2018 Season''].</ref><ref name="CG201920">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/321340_canegrowers-annual-report-2019-20.pdf ''Annual Report 2019–20''], table of Australian production in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2019<br />
| 888,878<br />
| 12.94<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201920" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2020<br />
| 1,002,143<br />
| 12.41<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202021">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/328044_canegrowers-annual-report-2020-21.pdf ''Annual Report 2020–21''], table of Australian production in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2021<br />
| 943,354<br />
| 11.62<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202122">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/334371_canegrowers-annual-report-2021-22.pdf ''Annual Report 2021–22''], table of Australian production in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2022<br />
| 1,016,543<br />
| 12.48<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202223">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/338770_canegrowers-annual-report-2022-23.pdf ''Annual Report 2022–23''], table of Australian production in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2023<br />
| 1,004,086 mill-area cane;<br />approximately 1,175,721 total throughput<br />
| 11.98 for Mulgrave-area cane<br />
| In addition to the Mulgrave-area crop, Mulgrave processed 171,635 tonnes assigned to South Johnstone. Cyclone Jasper occurred after the crush and affected the following crop; it did not terminate Mulgrave's 2023 season.<ref name="CG202324">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/QCGO-2023-24-Annual-Report.pdf ''Annual Report 2023–24''], production table and Innisfail district report.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 782,739 mill-area cane;<br />968,391 total throughput<br />
| 12.49 mill-area;<br />12.41 total throughput<br />
| First season processing cane transported from the former Mossman supply area. Total mill throughput was reported separately by Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables.<ref name="CG2024" /><ref name="QCAR2024" /><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.09183, 145.78959</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
| <tr><br />
<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{model}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{serial}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{year}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{current_mill}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{notes}}}</td><br />
</tr><br />
}}<br />
</table><br />
<br />
== Image Gallery ==<br />
These images are from [https://www.facebook.com/freekzngeekz/ Corey Seaton]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:Mulgrave-5-1.jpg|5 (ComEng. AA. A1005 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-7-1.jpg|7 (ComEng. AA. B1010 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-11-1.jpg|11 (E.M. Baldwin. DH18 Mk2. 4413-2-8-72 of 1972).<br />
File:Mulgrave-Mulgrave-6.jpg|Mulgrave (Walkers. GH500. 613 of 1969).<br />
File:Mulgrave-14-2.jpg|14 (Clyde. DHI-71. 56-86 of 1956).<br />
</gallery><br />
These images are courtesy of [https://www.facebook.com/william.thomson.14606 William Thomson]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:484491458 966381822309524 2321302883769471630 n.jpg<br />
File:484510821 966381785642861 5909945423851582522 n.jpg<br />
File:484513943 965721022375604 2847404582435939205 n.jpg<br />
File:484583550 966384885642551 7220609306433719869 n.jpg<br />
File:484638591 966382095642830 8969771050919498491 n.jpg<br />
File:484844214 966382118976161 5371859803932554605 n.jpg<br />
File:484847514 966381655642874 3424311509743047823 n.jpg<br />
File:484855198 966385255642514 6581266257402085301 n.jpg<br />
File:484857733 966384995642540 7352160566734432249 n.jpg<br />
File:485013367 966385398975833 8961496500969628662 n.jpg<br />
File:485020132 967037862243920 6982799017018824347 n.jpg<br />
File:485095403 966384838975889 1627793308274177356 n.jpg<br />
File:485362136 966384882309218 2538336588531202895 n.jpg<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category:Sugar mills in Queensland]]<br />
[[Category:Gordonvale, Queensland]]</div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Mulgrave_Mill&diff=875Mulgrave Mill2026-08-26T09:28:10Z<p>Bmhcjs: /* Ownership */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Mulgrave Mill<br />
| image = DJI 0186.jpg<br />
| caption = Mulgrave Mill 2025.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.091838703068213,145.7895939841861 17.09183° S, 145.78959° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cairns Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1896 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1893}} years ago)<br />
| closed = <br />
| owner = [[MSF Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 1,100,000 tonnes, seasonal average<br />
}}<br />
'''Mulgrave Sugar Mill''' (also known as the '''Mulgrave Central Mill''') is a sugar mill located in [[Gordonvale]], approximately 20 kilometres south of [[Cairns]], [[Queensland]]. Established in 1893, it served as a cornerstone of the Cairns district economy for over a century as a grower owned cooperative.<ref name="MSF_History">MSF Sugar. "Mulgrave Mill History". http://www.msfsugar.com.au/our-company/mulgrave-mill/history/</ref> The mill is notable for its survival and growth following the closure of neighbouring facilities at [[Hambledon Mill|Hambledon]] (1991) and [[Babinda Mill|Babinda]] (2011).<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
Following the enactment of the ''Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893'', local farmers in the Mulgrave district petitioned the Queensland Government for a loan to establish a central mill. Richard Blackwell donated 15 acres of land for the mill site, and the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited was registered in 1895.<ref name="Trove_1895">The Brisbane Courier. "Sugar Works Guarantee Act". 14 November 1895.</ref><br />
<br />
The contract for the mill's construction was awarded to the Scottish engineering firm A & W Smith of Glasgow. The first crushing season commenced in late 1896, processing 16,000 tons of cane for a yield of 1,311 tons of sugar. Early operations were hampered by the lack of a government railway connection, necessitating the construction of an extensive tramway system to transport sugar to the Cairns wharves.<ref name="QHR_Mulgrave">Queensland Heritage Register. "Mulgrave Settlers Museum". https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=602558</ref><br />
<br />
=== Operational History ===<br />
By the early 1900s, the Mulgrave Mill was recognised as one of the most successful projects funded under the 1893 Act. In 1911, the Queensland Government purchased the 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cairns–Mulgrave Tramway from the Cairns Shire Council and incorporated it into the developing North Coast railway. This public railway should not be confused with the mill's separate 610 mm gauge cane tramway network.<ref>Queensland Commissioner for Railways, ''Report for the Year Ended 30 June 1912''.</ref><br />
<br />
During the Second World War, the mill and the town of Gordonvale became a significant hub for American military forces. The mill's logistical infrastructure was utilised to support the war effort in the South West Pacific.<ref name="Gordonvale_War">Mulgrave Settlers Museum. "Gordonvale and the Americans". Exhibition Records, 2014.</ref><br />
<br />
The mill's supply area expanded significantly in 1991 following the closure of the Hambledon Mill in [[Edmonton]]. This closure resulted in approximately 400,000 tonnes of cane being diverted to Mulgrave, requiring substantial capital investment in the milling train and transport infrastructure to handle the increased throughput.<br />
<br />
=== Ownership ===<br />
In 2008, the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited ceased to be a grower cooperative when it was acquired by the Maryborough Sugar Factory (MSF).<ref name="ABC_MSF_2008">ABC News. "Mulgrave shareholders vote for MSF merger". 15 May 2008.</ref><br />
<br />
In 2011, MSF Sugar acquired the former Bundaberg Sugar milling assets in far north Queensland, including Babinda and South Johnstone. Babinda Mill was subsequently closed, following a period of declining crop supply, prolonged wet weather and damage associated with Cyclone Yasi. Cane from parts of the former Babinda supply area was transferred to Mulgrave and South Johnstone. In 2012, the entire MSF Sugar group was acquired by the Thai multinational Mitr Phol.<ref name="MitrPhol">Australian Financial Review. "Mitr Phol completes MSF Sugar takeover". 23 February 2012.</ref><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
=== Tramway ===<br />
Mulgrave Mill operates an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge tramway network. The system is highly interconnected, linking with the former Hambledon Mill network to the north and the Babinda Mill network to the south.<br />
<br />
=== Rolling Stock ===<br />
The locomotive fleet has historically featured a diverse range of motive power.<br />
* '''Steam:''' In the early 20th century, the mill relied on steam locomotives such as the Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 models.<br />
* '''Diesel:''' The fleet was modernised with Clyde and Com-Eng diesel hydraulic units. Notable locomotives include "Mulgrave" (Walkers GH500), which is one of the largest hydraulic locomotives in the Australian sugar industry.<br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
<br />
Published production figures are not available on a consistent basis for every season. Earlier sources generally report total cane crushed at the mill, while recent CANEGROWERS statistics are normally organised by ''mill area''. These measures can differ when cane assigned to another district is processed at Mulgrave.<br />
<br />
Following the cessation of crushing at [[Mossman]] after the 2023 season, Mulgrave began processing road-hauled Mossman cane in 2024. In that season, the Mulgrave mill area produced 782,739 tonnes, while total physical throughput at Mulgrave was 968,391 tonnes after cane from outside the mill area was included.<ref name="CG2024">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/Annual-report-2024-25.pdf ''Annual Report 2024–25''], table of Australian cane and sugar production.</ref><ref name="QCAR2024">Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables, [https://qcar.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Crush-Statistics-22-January-2025.pdf ''Crush Statistics and Production Figures'', 22 January 2025].</ref><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Documented annual production<br />
! Year<br />
! Cane tonnage<br />
! CCS<br />
! Basis and notes<br />
|-<br />
| 1990<br />
| approximately 706,000<br />
| —<br />
| Contemporary Queensland Parliamentary reporting stated that Mulgrave crushed approximately 706,000 tonnes in 1990.<ref name="Hansard1991">Queensland Parliament, [https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/1991/911127ha.pdf ''Parliamentary Debates'', 27 November 1991], discussion of the Hambledon closure and Mulgrave throughput.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1991<br />
| 592,435<br />
| —<br />
| Final season of the nearby Hambledon Mill. Hambledon crushed 464,813 tonnes before closing.<ref name="QSC1993">Queensland Sugar Corporation, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4795t5679/4795t5679.pdf annual report], Appendix A: Cane Crushed.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1992<br />
| 1,327,981<br />
| —<br />
| First season after Mulgrave assumed the processing of cane formerly supplied to Hambledon.<ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1993<br />
| 1,392,103<br />
| 11.82<br />
| CANEGROWERS season statistics. A Queensland Sugar Corporation table gives the slightly different figure of 1,390,396 tonnes.<ref name="CG1993">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4794t4458/4794t4458.pdf ''1993 Season Statistics''].</ref><ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1997<br />
| 1,275,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce">Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/e11303ee-2b2c-4ebf-a118-1bcd4ba46542/download ''Statistical Picture of the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry in 1999''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1998<br />
| 1,430,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1999<br />
| 1,330,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2001<br />
| 1,011,249<br />
| 13.77<br />
| Yield averaged 74.00 tonnes per hectare. Greyback cane grub damage was estimated to have reduced the crop by approximately 68,000 tonnes.<ref name="Mulgrave2001">Mulgrave Central Mill Company, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/5002T3927/5002t3927.pdf ''Annual Report, January 2001–June 2002''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2010<br />
| 1,086,000<br />
| 11.79<br />
| Final crop figure reported in an industry assessment; approximately 6,000 tonnes was condemned.<ref name="SRA2011Assessment">BSES Limited, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/66c1c83e-0426-46c8-9954-7f6d2a1e763f/download post-cyclone crop assessment], Appendix 4: Mulgrave Mill area.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2014<br />
| approximately 1,032,251<br />
| approximately 12.72<br />
| End-of-season estimate published shortly after Mulgrave completed crushing on 16 November.<ref name="ACFA2014">Australian Cane Farmers Association, [https://www.acfa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Northern_Gerard-Puglisi_FINAL.pdf northern region report], December 2014.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2015<br />
| 1,443,444<br />
| 12.77<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201617">CANEGROWERS, [https://wetlandinfo.detsi.qld.gov.au/resources/static/pdf/ecology/catchment-stories/lower-burdekin/canegrowers2017.pdf ''Annual Report 2016–17''], table of Australian production in the 2015 and 2016 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2016<br />
| 1,521,612<br />
| 11.23<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series. This was reported as a record crop at the time.<ref name="CG201617" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2017<br />
| 1,300,066<br />
| 12.16<br />
| Final mill result reported by MSF Sugar. The crop was lower than the 2016 result.<ref name="MSF2017">MSF Sugar, [https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/MSF-Sugar-Crushing-Season-a-Success-Despite-Reduced-Tonnages-25702947/ ''Crushing Season a Success Despite Reduced Tonnages''], December 2017.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2018<br />
| 976,449<br />
| 14.49<br />
| Sugar Research Australia figure compiled from data supplied by Australian sugar mills. The CANEGROWERS annual report gives a slightly different CCS figure of 14.29.<ref name="SRA2018">Sugar Research Australia, [https://sugarresearch.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Harvesting-details-for-Qld-and-NSW-2018-season.pdf ''Harvesting Details — 2018 Season''].</ref><ref name="CG201920">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/321340_canegrowers-annual-report-2019-20.pdf ''Annual Report 2019–20''], table of Australian production in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2019<br />
| 888,878<br />
| 12.94<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201920" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2020<br />
| 1,002,143<br />
| 12.41<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202021">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/328044_canegrowers-annual-report-2020-21.pdf ''Annual Report 2020–21''], table of Australian production in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2021<br />
| 943,354<br />
| 11.62<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202122">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/334371_canegrowers-annual-report-2021-22.pdf ''Annual Report 2021–22''], table of Australian production in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2022<br />
| 1,016,543<br />
| 12.48<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202223">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/338770_canegrowers-annual-report-2022-23.pdf ''Annual Report 2022–23''], table of Australian production in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2023<br />
| 1,004,086 mill-area cane;<br />approximately 1,175,721 total throughput<br />
| 11.98 for Mulgrave-area cane<br />
| In addition to the Mulgrave-area crop, Mulgrave processed 171,635 tonnes assigned to South Johnstone. Cyclone Jasper occurred after the crush and affected the following crop; it did not terminate Mulgrave's 2023 season.<ref name="CG202324">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/QCGO-2023-24-Annual-Report.pdf ''Annual Report 2023–24''], production table and Innisfail district report.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 782,739 mill-area cane;<br />968,391 total throughput<br />
| 12.49 mill-area;<br />12.41 total throughput<br />
| First season processing cane transported from the former Mossman supply area. Total mill throughput was reported separately by Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables.<ref name="CG2024" /><ref name="QCAR2024" /><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.09183, 145.78959</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
| <tr><br />
<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{model}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{serial}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{year}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{current_mill}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{notes}}}</td><br />
</tr><br />
}}<br />
</table><br />
<br />
== Image Gallery ==<br />
These images are from [https://www.facebook.com/freekzngeekz/ Corey Seaton]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:Mulgrave-5-1.jpg|5 (ComEng. AA. A1005 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-7-1.jpg|7 (ComEng. AA. B1010 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-11-1.jpg|11 (E.M. Baldwin. DH18 Mk2. 4413-2-8-72 of 1972).<br />
File:Mulgrave-Mulgrave-6.jpg|Mulgrave (Walkers. GH500. 613 of 1969).<br />
File:Mulgrave-14-2.jpg|14 (Clyde. DHI-71. 56-86 of 1956).<br />
</gallery><br />
These images are courtesy of [https://www.facebook.com/william.thomson.14606 William Thomson]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:484491458 966381822309524 2321302883769471630 n.jpg<br />
File:484510821 966381785642861 5909945423851582522 n.jpg<br />
File:484513943 965721022375604 2847404582435939205 n.jpg<br />
File:484583550 966384885642551 7220609306433719869 n.jpg<br />
File:484638591 966382095642830 8969771050919498491 n.jpg<br />
File:484844214 966382118976161 5371859803932554605 n.jpg<br />
File:484847514 966381655642874 3424311509743047823 n.jpg<br />
File:484855198 966385255642514 6581266257402085301 n.jpg<br />
File:484857733 966384995642540 7352160566734432249 n.jpg<br />
File:485013367 966385398975833 8961496500969628662 n.jpg<br />
File:485020132 967037862243920 6982799017018824347 n.jpg<br />
File:485095403 966384838975889 1627793308274177356 n.jpg<br />
File:485362136 966384882309218 2538336588531202895 n.jpg<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category:Sugar mills in Queensland]]<br />
[[Category:Gordonvale, Queensland]]</div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Mulgrave_Mill&diff=874Mulgrave Mill2026-08-26T09:26:57Z<p>Bmhcjs: /* Ownership */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Mulgrave Mill<br />
| image = DJI 0186.jpg<br />
| caption = Mulgrave Mill 2025.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.091838703068213,145.7895939841861 17.09183° S, 145.78959° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cairns Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1896 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1893}} years ago)<br />
| closed = <br />
| owner = [[MSF Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 1,100,000 tonnes, seasonal average<br />
}}<br />
'''Mulgrave Sugar Mill''' (also known as the '''Mulgrave Central Mill''') is a sugar mill located in [[Gordonvale]], approximately 20 kilometres south of [[Cairns]], [[Queensland]]. Established in 1893, it served as a cornerstone of the Cairns district economy for over a century as a grower owned cooperative.<ref name="MSF_History">MSF Sugar. "Mulgrave Mill History". http://www.msfsugar.com.au/our-company/mulgrave-mill/history/</ref> The mill is notable for its survival and growth following the closure of neighbouring facilities at [[Hambledon Mill|Hambledon]] (1991) and [[Babinda Mill|Babinda]] (2011).<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
Following the enactment of the ''Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893'', local farmers in the Mulgrave district petitioned the Queensland Government for a loan to establish a central mill. Richard Blackwell donated 15 acres of land for the mill site, and the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited was registered in 1895.<ref name="Trove_1895">The Brisbane Courier. "Sugar Works Guarantee Act". 14 November 1895.</ref><br />
<br />
The contract for the mill's construction was awarded to the Scottish engineering firm A & W Smith of Glasgow. The first crushing season commenced in late 1896, processing 16,000 tons of cane for a yield of 1,311 tons of sugar. Early operations were hampered by the lack of a government railway connection, necessitating the construction of an extensive tramway system to transport sugar to the Cairns wharves.<ref name="QHR_Mulgrave">Queensland Heritage Register. "Mulgrave Settlers Museum". https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=602558</ref><br />
<br />
=== Operational History ===<br />
By the early 1900s, the Mulgrave Mill was recognised as one of the most successful projects funded under the 1893 Act. In 1911, the Queensland Government purchased the 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cairns–Mulgrave Tramway from the Cairns Shire Council and incorporated it into the developing North Coast railway. This public railway should not be confused with the mill's separate 610 mm gauge cane tramway network.<ref>Queensland Commissioner for Railways, ''Report for the Year Ended 30 June 1912''.</ref><br />
<br />
During the Second World War, the mill and the town of Gordonvale became a significant hub for American military forces. The mill's logistical infrastructure was utilised to support the war effort in the South West Pacific.<ref name="Gordonvale_War">Mulgrave Settlers Museum. "Gordonvale and the Americans". Exhibition Records, 2014.</ref><br />
<br />
The mill's supply area expanded significantly in 1991 following the closure of the Hambledon Mill in [[Edmonton]]. This closure resulted in approximately 400,000 tonnes of cane being diverted to Mulgrave, requiring substantial capital investment in the milling train and transport infrastructure to handle the increased throughput.<br />
<br />
=== Ownership ===<br />
In 2008, the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited ceased to be a grower cooperative when it was acquired by the Maryborough Sugar Factory (MSF).<ref name="ABC_MSF_2008">ABC News. "Mulgrave shareholders vote for MSF merger". 15 May 2008.</ref><br />
<br />
In 2011, MSF Sugar also acquired the [[South Johnstone Mill]]. Following the severe impact of Cyclone Yasi in February 2011, MSF made the strategic decision to close the Babinda Mill. The closure allowed MSF to rationalise operations by transferring the Babinda crop to the Mulgrave and South Johnstone facilities. In 2012, the entire MSF Sugar group was acquired by the Thai multinational Mitr Phol.<ref name="MitrPhol">Australian Financial Review. "Mitr Phol completes MSF Sugar takeover". 23 February 2012.</ref><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
=== Tramway ===<br />
Mulgrave Mill operates an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge tramway network. The system is highly interconnected, linking with the former Hambledon Mill network to the north and the Babinda Mill network to the south.<br />
<br />
=== Rolling Stock ===<br />
The locomotive fleet has historically featured a diverse range of motive power.<br />
* '''Steam:''' In the early 20th century, the mill relied on steam locomotives such as the Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 models.<br />
* '''Diesel:''' The fleet was modernised with Clyde and Com-Eng diesel hydraulic units. Notable locomotives include "Mulgrave" (Walkers GH500), which is one of the largest hydraulic locomotives in the Australian sugar industry.<br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
<br />
Published production figures are not available on a consistent basis for every season. Earlier sources generally report total cane crushed at the mill, while recent CANEGROWERS statistics are normally organised by ''mill area''. These measures can differ when cane assigned to another district is processed at Mulgrave.<br />
<br />
Following the cessation of crushing at [[Mossman]] after the 2023 season, Mulgrave began processing road-hauled Mossman cane in 2024. In that season, the Mulgrave mill area produced 782,739 tonnes, while total physical throughput at Mulgrave was 968,391 tonnes after cane from outside the mill area was included.<ref name="CG2024">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/Annual-report-2024-25.pdf ''Annual Report 2024–25''], table of Australian cane and sugar production.</ref><ref name="QCAR2024">Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables, [https://qcar.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Crush-Statistics-22-January-2025.pdf ''Crush Statistics and Production Figures'', 22 January 2025].</ref><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Documented annual production<br />
! Year<br />
! Cane tonnage<br />
! CCS<br />
! Basis and notes<br />
|-<br />
| 1990<br />
| approximately 706,000<br />
| —<br />
| Contemporary Queensland Parliamentary reporting stated that Mulgrave crushed approximately 706,000 tonnes in 1990.<ref name="Hansard1991">Queensland Parliament, [https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/1991/911127ha.pdf ''Parliamentary Debates'', 27 November 1991], discussion of the Hambledon closure and Mulgrave throughput.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1991<br />
| 592,435<br />
| —<br />
| Final season of the nearby Hambledon Mill. Hambledon crushed 464,813 tonnes before closing.<ref name="QSC1993">Queensland Sugar Corporation, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4795t5679/4795t5679.pdf annual report], Appendix A: Cane Crushed.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1992<br />
| 1,327,981<br />
| —<br />
| First season after Mulgrave assumed the processing of cane formerly supplied to Hambledon.<ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1993<br />
| 1,392,103<br />
| 11.82<br />
| CANEGROWERS season statistics. A Queensland Sugar Corporation table gives the slightly different figure of 1,390,396 tonnes.<ref name="CG1993">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4794t4458/4794t4458.pdf ''1993 Season Statistics''].</ref><ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1997<br />
| 1,275,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce">Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/e11303ee-2b2c-4ebf-a118-1bcd4ba46542/download ''Statistical Picture of the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry in 1999''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1998<br />
| 1,430,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1999<br />
| 1,330,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2001<br />
| 1,011,249<br />
| 13.77<br />
| Yield averaged 74.00 tonnes per hectare. Greyback cane grub damage was estimated to have reduced the crop by approximately 68,000 tonnes.<ref name="Mulgrave2001">Mulgrave Central Mill Company, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/5002T3927/5002t3927.pdf ''Annual Report, January 2001–June 2002''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2010<br />
| 1,086,000<br />
| 11.79<br />
| Final crop figure reported in an industry assessment; approximately 6,000 tonnes was condemned.<ref name="SRA2011Assessment">BSES Limited, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/66c1c83e-0426-46c8-9954-7f6d2a1e763f/download post-cyclone crop assessment], Appendix 4: Mulgrave Mill area.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2014<br />
| approximately 1,032,251<br />
| approximately 12.72<br />
| End-of-season estimate published shortly after Mulgrave completed crushing on 16 November.<ref name="ACFA2014">Australian Cane Farmers Association, [https://www.acfa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Northern_Gerard-Puglisi_FINAL.pdf northern region report], December 2014.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2015<br />
| 1,443,444<br />
| 12.77<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201617">CANEGROWERS, [https://wetlandinfo.detsi.qld.gov.au/resources/static/pdf/ecology/catchment-stories/lower-burdekin/canegrowers2017.pdf ''Annual Report 2016–17''], table of Australian production in the 2015 and 2016 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2016<br />
| 1,521,612<br />
| 11.23<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series. This was reported as a record crop at the time.<ref name="CG201617" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2017<br />
| 1,300,066<br />
| 12.16<br />
| Final mill result reported by MSF Sugar. The crop was lower than the 2016 result.<ref name="MSF2017">MSF Sugar, [https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/MSF-Sugar-Crushing-Season-a-Success-Despite-Reduced-Tonnages-25702947/ ''Crushing Season a Success Despite Reduced Tonnages''], December 2017.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2018<br />
| 976,449<br />
| 14.49<br />
| Sugar Research Australia figure compiled from data supplied by Australian sugar mills. The CANEGROWERS annual report gives a slightly different CCS figure of 14.29.<ref name="SRA2018">Sugar Research Australia, [https://sugarresearch.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Harvesting-details-for-Qld-and-NSW-2018-season.pdf ''Harvesting Details — 2018 Season''].</ref><ref name="CG201920">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/321340_canegrowers-annual-report-2019-20.pdf ''Annual Report 2019–20''], table of Australian production in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2019<br />
| 888,878<br />
| 12.94<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201920" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2020<br />
| 1,002,143<br />
| 12.41<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202021">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/328044_canegrowers-annual-report-2020-21.pdf ''Annual Report 2020–21''], table of Australian production in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2021<br />
| 943,354<br />
| 11.62<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202122">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/334371_canegrowers-annual-report-2021-22.pdf ''Annual Report 2021–22''], table of Australian production in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2022<br />
| 1,016,543<br />
| 12.48<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202223">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/338770_canegrowers-annual-report-2022-23.pdf ''Annual Report 2022–23''], table of Australian production in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2023<br />
| 1,004,086 mill-area cane;<br />approximately 1,175,721 total throughput<br />
| 11.98 for Mulgrave-area cane<br />
| In addition to the Mulgrave-area crop, Mulgrave processed 171,635 tonnes assigned to South Johnstone. Cyclone Jasper occurred after the crush and affected the following crop; it did not terminate Mulgrave's 2023 season.<ref name="CG202324">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/QCGO-2023-24-Annual-Report.pdf ''Annual Report 2023–24''], production table and Innisfail district report.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 782,739 mill-area cane;<br />968,391 total throughput<br />
| 12.49 mill-area;<br />12.41 total throughput<br />
| First season processing cane transported from the former Mossman supply area. Total mill throughput was reported separately by Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables.<ref name="CG2024" /><ref name="QCAR2024" /><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.09183, 145.78959</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
| <tr><br />
<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{model}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{serial}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{year}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{current_mill}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{notes}}}</td><br />
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}}<br />
</table><br />
<br />
== Image Gallery ==<br />
These images are from [https://www.facebook.com/freekzngeekz/ Corey Seaton]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:Mulgrave-5-1.jpg|5 (ComEng. AA. A1005 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-7-1.jpg|7 (ComEng. AA. B1010 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-11-1.jpg|11 (E.M. Baldwin. DH18 Mk2. 4413-2-8-72 of 1972).<br />
File:Mulgrave-Mulgrave-6.jpg|Mulgrave (Walkers. GH500. 613 of 1969).<br />
File:Mulgrave-14-2.jpg|14 (Clyde. DHI-71. 56-86 of 1956).<br />
</gallery><br />
These images are courtesy of [https://www.facebook.com/william.thomson.14606 William Thomson]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:484491458 966381822309524 2321302883769471630 n.jpg<br />
File:484510821 966381785642861 5909945423851582522 n.jpg<br />
File:484513943 965721022375604 2847404582435939205 n.jpg<br />
File:484583550 966384885642551 7220609306433719869 n.jpg<br />
File:484638591 966382095642830 8969771050919498491 n.jpg<br />
File:484844214 966382118976161 5371859803932554605 n.jpg<br />
File:484847514 966381655642874 3424311509743047823 n.jpg<br />
File:484855198 966385255642514 6581266257402085301 n.jpg<br />
File:484857733 966384995642540 7352160566734432249 n.jpg<br />
File:485013367 966385398975833 8961496500969628662 n.jpg<br />
File:485020132 967037862243920 6982799017018824347 n.jpg<br />
File:485095403 966384838975889 1627793308274177356 n.jpg<br />
File:485362136 966384882309218 2538336588531202895 n.jpg<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category:Sugar mills in Queensland]]<br />
[[Category:Gordonvale, Queensland]]</div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Mulgrave_Mill&diff=873Mulgrave Mill2026-08-26T09:26:36Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Mulgrave Mill<br />
| image = DJI 0186.jpg<br />
| caption = Mulgrave Mill 2025.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.091838703068213,145.7895939841861 17.09183° S, 145.78959° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cairns Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1896 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1893}} years ago)<br />
| closed = <br />
| owner = [[MSF Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 1,100,000 tonnes, seasonal average<br />
}}<br />
'''Mulgrave Sugar Mill''' (also known as the '''Mulgrave Central Mill''') is a sugar mill located in [[Gordonvale]], approximately 20 kilometres south of [[Cairns]], [[Queensland]]. Established in 1893, it served as a cornerstone of the Cairns district economy for over a century as a grower owned cooperative.<ref name="MSF_History">MSF Sugar. "Mulgrave Mill History". http://www.msfsugar.com.au/our-company/mulgrave-mill/history/</ref> The mill is notable for its survival and growth following the closure of neighbouring facilities at [[Hambledon Mill|Hambledon]] (1991) and [[Babinda Mill|Babinda]] (2011).<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
Following the enactment of the ''Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893'', local farmers in the Mulgrave district petitioned the Queensland Government for a loan to establish a central mill. Richard Blackwell donated 15 acres of land for the mill site, and the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited was registered in 1895.<ref name="Trove_1895">The Brisbane Courier. "Sugar Works Guarantee Act". 14 November 1895.</ref><br />
<br />
The contract for the mill's construction was awarded to the Scottish engineering firm A & W Smith of Glasgow. The first crushing season commenced in late 1896, processing 16,000 tons of cane for a yield of 1,311 tons of sugar. Early operations were hampered by the lack of a government railway connection, necessitating the construction of an extensive tramway system to transport sugar to the Cairns wharves.<ref name="QHR_Mulgrave">Queensland Heritage Register. "Mulgrave Settlers Museum". https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=602558</ref><br />
<br />
=== Operational History ===<br />
By the early 1900s, the Mulgrave Mill was recognised as one of the most successful projects funded under the 1893 Act. In 1911, the Queensland Government purchased the 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cairns–Mulgrave Tramway from the Cairns Shire Council and incorporated it into the developing North Coast railway. This public railway should not be confused with the mill's separate 610 mm gauge cane tramway network.<ref>Queensland Commissioner for Railways, ''Report for the Year Ended 30 June 1912''.</ref><br />
<br />
During the Second World War, the mill and the town of Gordonvale became a significant hub for American military forces. The mill's logistical infrastructure was utilised to support the war effort in the South West Pacific.<ref name="Gordonvale_War">Mulgrave Settlers Museum. "Gordonvale and the Americans". Exhibition Records, 2014.</ref><br />
<br />
The mill's supply area expanded significantly in 1991 following the closure of the Hambledon Mill in [[Edmonton]]. This closure resulted in approximately 400,000 tonnes of cane being diverted to Mulgrave, requiring substantial capital investment in the milling train and transport infrastructure to handle the increased throughput.<br />
<br />
=== Ownership ===<br />
In 2008, the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited ceased to be a grower cooperative when it was acquired by the Maryborough Sugar Factory (MSF).<ref name="ABC_MSF_2008">ABC News. "Mulgrave shareholders vote for MSF merger". 15 May 2008.</ref> Following this acquisition, the mill was no longer designated as a "central" mill.<br />
<br />
In 2011, MSF Sugar also acquired the [[South Johnstone Mill]]. Following the severe impact of Cyclone Yasi in February 2011, MSF made the strategic decision to close the Babinda Mill. The closure allowed MSF to rationalise operations by transferring the Babinda crop to the Mulgrave and South Johnstone facilities. In 2012, the entire MSF Sugar group was acquired by the Thai multinational Mitr Phol.<ref name="MitrPhol">Australian Financial Review. "Mitr Phol completes MSF Sugar takeover". 23 February 2012.</ref><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
=== Tramway ===<br />
Mulgrave Mill operates an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge tramway network. The system is highly interconnected, linking with the former Hambledon Mill network to the north and the Babinda Mill network to the south.<br />
<br />
=== Rolling Stock ===<br />
The locomotive fleet has historically featured a diverse range of motive power.<br />
* '''Steam:''' In the early 20th century, the mill relied on steam locomotives such as the Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 models.<br />
* '''Diesel:''' The fleet was modernised with Clyde and Com-Eng diesel hydraulic units. Notable locomotives include "Mulgrave" (Walkers GH500), which is one of the largest hydraulic locomotives in the Australian sugar industry.<br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
<br />
Published production figures are not available on a consistent basis for every season. Earlier sources generally report total cane crushed at the mill, while recent CANEGROWERS statistics are normally organised by ''mill area''. These measures can differ when cane assigned to another district is processed at Mulgrave.<br />
<br />
Following the cessation of crushing at [[Mossman]] after the 2023 season, Mulgrave began processing road-hauled Mossman cane in 2024. In that season, the Mulgrave mill area produced 782,739 tonnes, while total physical throughput at Mulgrave was 968,391 tonnes after cane from outside the mill area was included.<ref name="CG2024">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/Annual-report-2024-25.pdf ''Annual Report 2024–25''], table of Australian cane and sugar production.</ref><ref name="QCAR2024">Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables, [https://qcar.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Crush-Statistics-22-January-2025.pdf ''Crush Statistics and Production Figures'', 22 January 2025].</ref><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Documented annual production<br />
! Year<br />
! Cane tonnage<br />
! CCS<br />
! Basis and notes<br />
|-<br />
| 1990<br />
| approximately 706,000<br />
| —<br />
| Contemporary Queensland Parliamentary reporting stated that Mulgrave crushed approximately 706,000 tonnes in 1990.<ref name="Hansard1991">Queensland Parliament, [https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/1991/911127ha.pdf ''Parliamentary Debates'', 27 November 1991], discussion of the Hambledon closure and Mulgrave throughput.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1991<br />
| 592,435<br />
| —<br />
| Final season of the nearby Hambledon Mill. Hambledon crushed 464,813 tonnes before closing.<ref name="QSC1993">Queensland Sugar Corporation, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4795t5679/4795t5679.pdf annual report], Appendix A: Cane Crushed.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1992<br />
| 1,327,981<br />
| —<br />
| First season after Mulgrave assumed the processing of cane formerly supplied to Hambledon.<ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1993<br />
| 1,392,103<br />
| 11.82<br />
| CANEGROWERS season statistics. A Queensland Sugar Corporation table gives the slightly different figure of 1,390,396 tonnes.<ref name="CG1993">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4794t4458/4794t4458.pdf ''1993 Season Statistics''].</ref><ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1997<br />
| 1,275,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce">Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/e11303ee-2b2c-4ebf-a118-1bcd4ba46542/download ''Statistical Picture of the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry in 1999''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1998<br />
| 1,430,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1999<br />
| 1,330,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2001<br />
| 1,011,249<br />
| 13.77<br />
| Yield averaged 74.00 tonnes per hectare. Greyback cane grub damage was estimated to have reduced the crop by approximately 68,000 tonnes.<ref name="Mulgrave2001">Mulgrave Central Mill Company, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/5002T3927/5002t3927.pdf ''Annual Report, January 2001–June 2002''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2010<br />
| 1,086,000<br />
| 11.79<br />
| Final crop figure reported in an industry assessment; approximately 6,000 tonnes was condemned.<ref name="SRA2011Assessment">BSES Limited, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/66c1c83e-0426-46c8-9954-7f6d2a1e763f/download post-cyclone crop assessment], Appendix 4: Mulgrave Mill area.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2014<br />
| approximately 1,032,251<br />
| approximately 12.72<br />
| End-of-season estimate published shortly after Mulgrave completed crushing on 16 November.<ref name="ACFA2014">Australian Cane Farmers Association, [https://www.acfa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Northern_Gerard-Puglisi_FINAL.pdf northern region report], December 2014.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2015<br />
| 1,443,444<br />
| 12.77<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201617">CANEGROWERS, [https://wetlandinfo.detsi.qld.gov.au/resources/static/pdf/ecology/catchment-stories/lower-burdekin/canegrowers2017.pdf ''Annual Report 2016–17''], table of Australian production in the 2015 and 2016 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2016<br />
| 1,521,612<br />
| 11.23<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series. This was reported as a record crop at the time.<ref name="CG201617" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2017<br />
| 1,300,066<br />
| 12.16<br />
| Final mill result reported by MSF Sugar. The crop was lower than the 2016 result.<ref name="MSF2017">MSF Sugar, [https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/MSF-Sugar-Crushing-Season-a-Success-Despite-Reduced-Tonnages-25702947/ ''Crushing Season a Success Despite Reduced Tonnages''], December 2017.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2018<br />
| 976,449<br />
| 14.49<br />
| Sugar Research Australia figure compiled from data supplied by Australian sugar mills. The CANEGROWERS annual report gives a slightly different CCS figure of 14.29.<ref name="SRA2018">Sugar Research Australia, [https://sugarresearch.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Harvesting-details-for-Qld-and-NSW-2018-season.pdf ''Harvesting Details — 2018 Season''].</ref><ref name="CG201920">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/321340_canegrowers-annual-report-2019-20.pdf ''Annual Report 2019–20''], table of Australian production in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2019<br />
| 888,878<br />
| 12.94<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201920" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2020<br />
| 1,002,143<br />
| 12.41<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202021">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/328044_canegrowers-annual-report-2020-21.pdf ''Annual Report 2020–21''], table of Australian production in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2021<br />
| 943,354<br />
| 11.62<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202122">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/334371_canegrowers-annual-report-2021-22.pdf ''Annual Report 2021–22''], table of Australian production in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2022<br />
| 1,016,543<br />
| 12.48<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202223">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/338770_canegrowers-annual-report-2022-23.pdf ''Annual Report 2022–23''], table of Australian production in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2023<br />
| 1,004,086 mill-area cane;<br />approximately 1,175,721 total throughput<br />
| 11.98 for Mulgrave-area cane<br />
| In addition to the Mulgrave-area crop, Mulgrave processed 171,635 tonnes assigned to South Johnstone. Cyclone Jasper occurred after the crush and affected the following crop; it did not terminate Mulgrave's 2023 season.<ref name="CG202324">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/QCGO-2023-24-Annual-Report.pdf ''Annual Report 2023–24''], production table and Innisfail district report.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 782,739 mill-area cane;<br />968,391 total throughput<br />
| 12.49 mill-area;<br />12.41 total throughput<br />
| First season processing cane transported from the former Mossman supply area. Total mill throughput was reported separately by Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables.<ref name="CG2024" /><ref name="QCAR2024" /><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.09183, 145.78959</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
| <tr><br />
<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{model}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{serial}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{year}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{current_mill}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{notes}}}</td><br />
</tr><br />
}}<br />
</table><br />
<br />
== Image Gallery ==<br />
These images are from [https://www.facebook.com/freekzngeekz/ Corey Seaton]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:Mulgrave-5-1.jpg|5 (ComEng. AA. A1005 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-7-1.jpg|7 (ComEng. AA. B1010 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-11-1.jpg|11 (E.M. Baldwin. DH18 Mk2. 4413-2-8-72 of 1972).<br />
File:Mulgrave-Mulgrave-6.jpg|Mulgrave (Walkers. GH500. 613 of 1969).<br />
File:Mulgrave-14-2.jpg|14 (Clyde. DHI-71. 56-86 of 1956).<br />
</gallery><br />
These images are courtesy of [https://www.facebook.com/william.thomson.14606 William Thomson]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:484491458 966381822309524 2321302883769471630 n.jpg<br />
File:484510821 966381785642861 5909945423851582522 n.jpg<br />
File:484513943 965721022375604 2847404582435939205 n.jpg<br />
File:484583550 966384885642551 7220609306433719869 n.jpg<br />
File:484638591 966382095642830 8969771050919498491 n.jpg<br />
File:484844214 966382118976161 5371859803932554605 n.jpg<br />
File:484847514 966381655642874 3424311509743047823 n.jpg<br />
File:484855198 966385255642514 6581266257402085301 n.jpg<br />
File:484857733 966384995642540 7352160566734432249 n.jpg<br />
File:485013367 966385398975833 8961496500969628662 n.jpg<br />
File:485020132 967037862243920 6982799017018824347 n.jpg<br />
File:485095403 966384838975889 1627793308274177356 n.jpg<br />
File:485362136 966384882309218 2538336588531202895 n.jpg<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category:Sugar mills in Queensland]]<br />
[[Category:Gordonvale, Queensland]]</div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Mulgrave_Mill&diff=872Mulgrave Mill2026-08-26T09:26:02Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Mulgrave Mill<br />
| image = DJI 0186.jpg<br />
| caption = Mulgrave Mill 2025.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.091838703068213,145.7895939841861 17.09183° S, 145.78959° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cairns Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1896 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1893}} years ago)<br />
| closed = <br />
| owner = [[MSF Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 1,100,000 tonnes, seasonal average<br />
}}<br />
'''Mulgrave Sugar Mill''' (formerly the '''Mulgrave Central Mill''') is a sugar mill located in [[Gordonvale]], approximately 20 kilometres south of [[Cairns]], [[Queensland]]. Established in 1893, it served as a cornerstone of the Cairns district economy for over a century as a grower owned cooperative.<ref name="MSF_History">MSF Sugar. "Mulgrave Mill History". http://www.msfsugar.com.au/our-company/mulgrave-mill/history/</ref> The mill is notable for its survival and growth following the closure of neighbouring facilities at [[Hambledon Mill|Hambledon]] (1991) and [[Babinda Mill|Babinda]] (2011).<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
Following the enactment of the ''Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893'', local farmers in the Mulgrave district petitioned the Queensland Government for a loan to establish a central mill. Richard Blackwell donated 15 acres of land for the mill site, and the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited was registered in 1895.<ref name="Trove_1895">The Brisbane Courier. "Sugar Works Guarantee Act". 14 November 1895.</ref><br />
<br />
The contract for the mill's construction was awarded to the Scottish engineering firm A & W Smith of Glasgow. The first crushing season commenced in late 1896, processing 16,000 tons of cane for a yield of 1,311 tons of sugar. Early operations were hampered by the lack of a government railway connection, necessitating the construction of an extensive tramway system to transport sugar to the Cairns wharves.<ref name="QHR_Mulgrave">Queensland Heritage Register. "Mulgrave Settlers Museum". https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=602558</ref><br />
<br />
=== Operational History ===<br />
By the early 1900s, the Mulgrave Mill was recognised as one of the most successful projects funded under the 1893 Act. In 1911, the Queensland Government purchased the 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cairns–Mulgrave Tramway from the Cairns Shire Council and incorporated it into the developing North Coast railway. This public railway should not be confused with the mill's separate 610 mm gauge cane tramway network.<ref>Queensland Commissioner for Railways, ''Report for the Year Ended 30 June 1912''.</ref><br />
<br />
During the Second World War, the mill and the town of Gordonvale became a significant hub for American military forces. The mill's logistical infrastructure was utilised to support the war effort in the South West Pacific.<ref name="Gordonvale_War">Mulgrave Settlers Museum. "Gordonvale and the Americans". Exhibition Records, 2014.</ref><br />
<br />
The mill's supply area expanded significantly in 1991 following the closure of the Hambledon Mill in [[Edmonton]]. This closure resulted in approximately 400,000 tonnes of cane being diverted to Mulgrave, requiring substantial capital investment in the milling train and transport infrastructure to handle the increased throughput.<br />
<br />
=== Ownership ===<br />
In 2008, the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited ceased to be a grower cooperative when it was acquired by the Maryborough Sugar Factory (MSF).<ref name="ABC_MSF_2008">ABC News. "Mulgrave shareholders vote for MSF merger". 15 May 2008.</ref> Following this acquisition, the mill was no longer designated as a "central" mill.<br />
<br />
In 2011, MSF Sugar also acquired the [[South Johnstone Mill]]. Following the severe impact of Cyclone Yasi in February 2011, MSF made the strategic decision to close the Babinda Mill. The closure allowed MSF to rationalise operations by transferring the Babinda crop to the Mulgrave and South Johnstone facilities. In 2012, the entire MSF Sugar group was acquired by the Thai multinational Mitr Phol.<ref name="MitrPhol">Australian Financial Review. "Mitr Phol completes MSF Sugar takeover". 23 February 2012.</ref><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
=== Tramway ===<br />
Mulgrave Mill operates an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge tramway network. The system is highly interconnected, linking with the former Hambledon Mill network to the north and the Babinda Mill network to the south.<br />
<br />
=== Rolling Stock ===<br />
The locomotive fleet has historically featured a diverse range of motive power.<br />
* '''Steam:''' In the early 20th century, the mill relied on steam locomotives such as the Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 models.<br />
* '''Diesel:''' The fleet was modernised with Clyde and Com-Eng diesel hydraulic units. Notable locomotives include "Mulgrave" (Walkers GH500), which is one of the largest hydraulic locomotives in the Australian sugar industry.<br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
<br />
Published production figures are not available on a consistent basis for every season. Earlier sources generally report total cane crushed at the mill, while recent CANEGROWERS statistics are normally organised by ''mill area''. These measures can differ when cane assigned to another district is processed at Mulgrave.<br />
<br />
Following the cessation of crushing at [[Mossman]] after the 2023 season, Mulgrave began processing road-hauled Mossman cane in 2024. In that season, the Mulgrave mill area produced 782,739 tonnes, while total physical throughput at Mulgrave was 968,391 tonnes after cane from outside the mill area was included.<ref name="CG2024">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/Annual-report-2024-25.pdf ''Annual Report 2024–25''], table of Australian cane and sugar production.</ref><ref name="QCAR2024">Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables, [https://qcar.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Crush-Statistics-22-January-2025.pdf ''Crush Statistics and Production Figures'', 22 January 2025].</ref><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Documented annual production<br />
! Year<br />
! Cane tonnage<br />
! CCS<br />
! Basis and notes<br />
|-<br />
| 1990<br />
| approximately 706,000<br />
| —<br />
| Contemporary Queensland Parliamentary reporting stated that Mulgrave crushed approximately 706,000 tonnes in 1990.<ref name="Hansard1991">Queensland Parliament, [https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/1991/911127ha.pdf ''Parliamentary Debates'', 27 November 1991], discussion of the Hambledon closure and Mulgrave throughput.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1991<br />
| 592,435<br />
| —<br />
| Final season of the nearby Hambledon Mill. Hambledon crushed 464,813 tonnes before closing.<ref name="QSC1993">Queensland Sugar Corporation, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4795t5679/4795t5679.pdf annual report], Appendix A: Cane Crushed.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1992<br />
| 1,327,981<br />
| —<br />
| First season after Mulgrave assumed the processing of cane formerly supplied to Hambledon.<ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1993<br />
| 1,392,103<br />
| 11.82<br />
| CANEGROWERS season statistics. A Queensland Sugar Corporation table gives the slightly different figure of 1,390,396 tonnes.<ref name="CG1993">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4794t4458/4794t4458.pdf ''1993 Season Statistics''].</ref><ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1997<br />
| 1,275,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce">Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/e11303ee-2b2c-4ebf-a118-1bcd4ba46542/download ''Statistical Picture of the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry in 1999''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1998<br />
| 1,430,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1999<br />
| 1,330,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2001<br />
| 1,011,249<br />
| 13.77<br />
| Yield averaged 74.00 tonnes per hectare. Greyback cane grub damage was estimated to have reduced the crop by approximately 68,000 tonnes.<ref name="Mulgrave2001">Mulgrave Central Mill Company, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/5002T3927/5002t3927.pdf ''Annual Report, January 2001–June 2002''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2010<br />
| 1,086,000<br />
| 11.79<br />
| Final crop figure reported in an industry assessment; approximately 6,000 tonnes was condemned.<ref name="SRA2011Assessment">BSES Limited, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/66c1c83e-0426-46c8-9954-7f6d2a1e763f/download post-cyclone crop assessment], Appendix 4: Mulgrave Mill area.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2014<br />
| approximately 1,032,251<br />
| approximately 12.72<br />
| End-of-season estimate published shortly after Mulgrave completed crushing on 16 November.<ref name="ACFA2014">Australian Cane Farmers Association, [https://www.acfa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Northern_Gerard-Puglisi_FINAL.pdf northern region report], December 2014.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2015<br />
| 1,443,444<br />
| 12.77<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201617">CANEGROWERS, [https://wetlandinfo.detsi.qld.gov.au/resources/static/pdf/ecology/catchment-stories/lower-burdekin/canegrowers2017.pdf ''Annual Report 2016–17''], table of Australian production in the 2015 and 2016 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2016<br />
| 1,521,612<br />
| 11.23<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series. This was reported as a record crop at the time.<ref name="CG201617" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2017<br />
| 1,300,066<br />
| 12.16<br />
| Final mill result reported by MSF Sugar. The crop was lower than the 2016 result.<ref name="MSF2017">MSF Sugar, [https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/MSF-Sugar-Crushing-Season-a-Success-Despite-Reduced-Tonnages-25702947/ ''Crushing Season a Success Despite Reduced Tonnages''], December 2017.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2018<br />
| 976,449<br />
| 14.49<br />
| Sugar Research Australia figure compiled from data supplied by Australian sugar mills. The CANEGROWERS annual report gives a slightly different CCS figure of 14.29.<ref name="SRA2018">Sugar Research Australia, [https://sugarresearch.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Harvesting-details-for-Qld-and-NSW-2018-season.pdf ''Harvesting Details — 2018 Season''].</ref><ref name="CG201920">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/321340_canegrowers-annual-report-2019-20.pdf ''Annual Report 2019–20''], table of Australian production in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2019<br />
| 888,878<br />
| 12.94<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201920" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2020<br />
| 1,002,143<br />
| 12.41<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202021">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/328044_canegrowers-annual-report-2020-21.pdf ''Annual Report 2020–21''], table of Australian production in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2021<br />
| 943,354<br />
| 11.62<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202122">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/334371_canegrowers-annual-report-2021-22.pdf ''Annual Report 2021–22''], table of Australian production in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2022<br />
| 1,016,543<br />
| 12.48<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202223">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/338770_canegrowers-annual-report-2022-23.pdf ''Annual Report 2022–23''], table of Australian production in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2023<br />
| 1,004,086 mill-area cane;<br />approximately 1,175,721 total throughput<br />
| 11.98 for Mulgrave-area cane<br />
| In addition to the Mulgrave-area crop, Mulgrave processed 171,635 tonnes assigned to South Johnstone. Cyclone Jasper occurred after the crush and affected the following crop; it did not terminate Mulgrave's 2023 season.<ref name="CG202324">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/QCGO-2023-24-Annual-Report.pdf ''Annual Report 2023–24''], production table and Innisfail district report.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 782,739 mill-area cane;<br />968,391 total throughput<br />
| 12.49 mill-area;<br />12.41 total throughput<br />
| First season processing cane transported from the former Mossman supply area. Total mill throughput was reported separately by Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables.<ref name="CG2024" /><ref name="QCAR2024" /><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.09183, 145.78959</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
| <tr><br />
<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{model}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{serial}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{year}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{current_mill}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{notes}}}</td><br />
</tr><br />
}}<br />
</table><br />
<br />
== Image Gallery ==<br />
These images are from [https://www.facebook.com/freekzngeekz/ Corey Seaton]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:Mulgrave-5-1.jpg|5 (ComEng. AA. A1005 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-7-1.jpg|7 (ComEng. AA. B1010 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-11-1.jpg|11 (E.M. Baldwin. DH18 Mk2. 4413-2-8-72 of 1972).<br />
File:Mulgrave-Mulgrave-6.jpg|Mulgrave (Walkers. GH500. 613 of 1969).<br />
File:Mulgrave-14-2.jpg|14 (Clyde. DHI-71. 56-86 of 1956).<br />
</gallery><br />
These images are courtesy of [https://www.facebook.com/william.thomson.14606 William Thomson]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:484491458 966381822309524 2321302883769471630 n.jpg<br />
File:484510821 966381785642861 5909945423851582522 n.jpg<br />
File:484513943 965721022375604 2847404582435939205 n.jpg<br />
File:484583550 966384885642551 7220609306433719869 n.jpg<br />
File:484638591 966382095642830 8969771050919498491 n.jpg<br />
File:484844214 966382118976161 5371859803932554605 n.jpg<br />
File:484847514 966381655642874 3424311509743047823 n.jpg<br />
File:484855198 966385255642514 6581266257402085301 n.jpg<br />
File:484857733 966384995642540 7352160566734432249 n.jpg<br />
File:485013367 966385398975833 8961496500969628662 n.jpg<br />
File:485020132 967037862243920 6982799017018824347 n.jpg<br />
File:485095403 966384838975889 1627793308274177356 n.jpg<br />
File:485362136 966384882309218 2538336588531202895 n.jpg<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category:Sugar mills in Queensland]]<br />
[[Category:Gordonvale, Queensland]]</div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Mulgrave_Mill&diff=871Mulgrave Mill2026-08-26T09:25:42Z<p>Bmhcjs: /* Operational History */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Mulgrave Mill<br />
| image = DJI 0186.jpg<br />
| caption = Mulgrave Mill 2025.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.091838703068213,145.7895939841861 17.09183° S, 145.78959° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cairns Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1893 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1893}} years ago)<br />
| closed = <br />
| owner = [[MSF Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 1,100,000 tonnes, seasonal average<br />
}}<br />
'''Mulgrave Sugar Mill''' (formerly the '''Mulgrave Central Mill''') is a sugar mill located in [[Gordonvale]], approximately 20 kilometres south of [[Cairns]], [[Queensland]]. Established in 1893, it served as a cornerstone of the Cairns district economy for over a century as a grower owned cooperative.<ref name="MSF_History">MSF Sugar. "Mulgrave Mill History". http://www.msfsugar.com.au/our-company/mulgrave-mill/history/</ref> The mill is notable for its survival and growth following the closure of neighbouring facilities at [[Hambledon Mill|Hambledon]] (1991) and [[Babinda Mill|Babinda]] (2011).<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
Following the enactment of the ''Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893'', local farmers in the Mulgrave district petitioned the Queensland Government for a loan to establish a central mill. Richard Blackwell donated 15 acres of land for the mill site, and the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited was registered in 1895.<ref name="Trove_1895">The Brisbane Courier. "Sugar Works Guarantee Act". 14 November 1895.</ref><br />
<br />
The contract for the mill's construction was awarded to the Scottish engineering firm A & W Smith of Glasgow. The first crushing season commenced in late 1896, processing 16,000 tons of cane for a yield of 1,311 tons of sugar. Early operations were hampered by the lack of a government railway connection, necessitating the construction of an extensive tramway system to transport sugar to the Cairns wharves.<ref name="QHR_Mulgrave">Queensland Heritage Register. "Mulgrave Settlers Museum". https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=602558</ref><br />
<br />
=== Operational History ===<br />
By the early 1900s, the Mulgrave Mill was recognised as one of the most successful projects funded under the 1893 Act. In 1911, the Queensland Government purchased the 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cairns–Mulgrave Tramway from the Cairns Shire Council and incorporated it into the developing North Coast railway. This public railway should not be confused with the mill's separate 610 mm gauge cane tramway network.<ref>Queensland Commissioner for Railways, ''Report for the Year Ended 30 June 1912''.</ref><br />
<br />
During the Second World War, the mill and the town of Gordonvale became a significant hub for American military forces. The mill's logistical infrastructure was utilised to support the war effort in the South West Pacific.<ref name="Gordonvale_War">Mulgrave Settlers Museum. "Gordonvale and the Americans". Exhibition Records, 2014.</ref><br />
<br />
The mill's supply area expanded significantly in 1991 following the closure of the Hambledon Mill in [[Edmonton]]. This closure resulted in approximately 400,000 tonnes of cane being diverted to Mulgrave, requiring substantial capital investment in the milling train and transport infrastructure to handle the increased throughput.<br />
<br />
=== Ownership ===<br />
In 2008, the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited ceased to be a grower cooperative when it was acquired by the Maryborough Sugar Factory (MSF).<ref name="ABC_MSF_2008">ABC News. "Mulgrave shareholders vote for MSF merger". 15 May 2008.</ref> Following this acquisition, the mill was no longer designated as a "central" mill.<br />
<br />
In 2011, MSF Sugar also acquired the [[South Johnstone Mill]]. Following the severe impact of Cyclone Yasi in February 2011, MSF made the strategic decision to close the Babinda Mill. The closure allowed MSF to rationalise operations by transferring the Babinda crop to the Mulgrave and South Johnstone facilities. In 2012, the entire MSF Sugar group was acquired by the Thai multinational Mitr Phol.<ref name="MitrPhol">Australian Financial Review. "Mitr Phol completes MSF Sugar takeover". 23 February 2012.</ref><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
=== Tramway ===<br />
Mulgrave Mill operates an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge tramway network. The system is highly interconnected, linking with the former Hambledon Mill network to the north and the Babinda Mill network to the south.<br />
<br />
=== Rolling Stock ===<br />
The locomotive fleet has historically featured a diverse range of motive power.<br />
* '''Steam:''' In the early 20th century, the mill relied on steam locomotives such as the Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 models.<br />
* '''Diesel:''' The fleet was modernised with Clyde and Com-Eng diesel hydraulic units. Notable locomotives include "Mulgrave" (Walkers GH500), which is one of the largest hydraulic locomotives in the Australian sugar industry.<br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
<br />
Published production figures are not available on a consistent basis for every season. Earlier sources generally report total cane crushed at the mill, while recent CANEGROWERS statistics are normally organised by ''mill area''. These measures can differ when cane assigned to another district is processed at Mulgrave.<br />
<br />
Following the cessation of crushing at [[Mossman]] after the 2023 season, Mulgrave began processing road-hauled Mossman cane in 2024. In that season, the Mulgrave mill area produced 782,739 tonnes, while total physical throughput at Mulgrave was 968,391 tonnes after cane from outside the mill area was included.<ref name="CG2024">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/Annual-report-2024-25.pdf ''Annual Report 2024–25''], table of Australian cane and sugar production.</ref><ref name="QCAR2024">Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables, [https://qcar.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Crush-Statistics-22-January-2025.pdf ''Crush Statistics and Production Figures'', 22 January 2025].</ref><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Documented annual production<br />
! Year<br />
! Cane tonnage<br />
! CCS<br />
! Basis and notes<br />
|-<br />
| 1990<br />
| approximately 706,000<br />
| —<br />
| Contemporary Queensland Parliamentary reporting stated that Mulgrave crushed approximately 706,000 tonnes in 1990.<ref name="Hansard1991">Queensland Parliament, [https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/1991/911127ha.pdf ''Parliamentary Debates'', 27 November 1991], discussion of the Hambledon closure and Mulgrave throughput.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1991<br />
| 592,435<br />
| —<br />
| Final season of the nearby Hambledon Mill. Hambledon crushed 464,813 tonnes before closing.<ref name="QSC1993">Queensland Sugar Corporation, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4795t5679/4795t5679.pdf annual report], Appendix A: Cane Crushed.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1992<br />
| 1,327,981<br />
| —<br />
| First season after Mulgrave assumed the processing of cane formerly supplied to Hambledon.<ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1993<br />
| 1,392,103<br />
| 11.82<br />
| CANEGROWERS season statistics. A Queensland Sugar Corporation table gives the slightly different figure of 1,390,396 tonnes.<ref name="CG1993">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4794t4458/4794t4458.pdf ''1993 Season Statistics''].</ref><ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1997<br />
| 1,275,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce">Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/e11303ee-2b2c-4ebf-a118-1bcd4ba46542/download ''Statistical Picture of the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry in 1999''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1998<br />
| 1,430,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1999<br />
| 1,330,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2001<br />
| 1,011,249<br />
| 13.77<br />
| Yield averaged 74.00 tonnes per hectare. Greyback cane grub damage was estimated to have reduced the crop by approximately 68,000 tonnes.<ref name="Mulgrave2001">Mulgrave Central Mill Company, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/5002T3927/5002t3927.pdf ''Annual Report, January 2001–June 2002''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2010<br />
| 1,086,000<br />
| 11.79<br />
| Final crop figure reported in an industry assessment; approximately 6,000 tonnes was condemned.<ref name="SRA2011Assessment">BSES Limited, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/66c1c83e-0426-46c8-9954-7f6d2a1e763f/download post-cyclone crop assessment], Appendix 4: Mulgrave Mill area.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2014<br />
| approximately 1,032,251<br />
| approximately 12.72<br />
| End-of-season estimate published shortly after Mulgrave completed crushing on 16 November.<ref name="ACFA2014">Australian Cane Farmers Association, [https://www.acfa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Northern_Gerard-Puglisi_FINAL.pdf northern region report], December 2014.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2015<br />
| 1,443,444<br />
| 12.77<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201617">CANEGROWERS, [https://wetlandinfo.detsi.qld.gov.au/resources/static/pdf/ecology/catchment-stories/lower-burdekin/canegrowers2017.pdf ''Annual Report 2016–17''], table of Australian production in the 2015 and 2016 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2016<br />
| 1,521,612<br />
| 11.23<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series. This was reported as a record crop at the time.<ref name="CG201617" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2017<br />
| 1,300,066<br />
| 12.16<br />
| Final mill result reported by MSF Sugar. The crop was lower than the 2016 result.<ref name="MSF2017">MSF Sugar, [https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/MSF-Sugar-Crushing-Season-a-Success-Despite-Reduced-Tonnages-25702947/ ''Crushing Season a Success Despite Reduced Tonnages''], December 2017.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2018<br />
| 976,449<br />
| 14.49<br />
| Sugar Research Australia figure compiled from data supplied by Australian sugar mills. The CANEGROWERS annual report gives a slightly different CCS figure of 14.29.<ref name="SRA2018">Sugar Research Australia, [https://sugarresearch.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Harvesting-details-for-Qld-and-NSW-2018-season.pdf ''Harvesting Details — 2018 Season''].</ref><ref name="CG201920">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/321340_canegrowers-annual-report-2019-20.pdf ''Annual Report 2019–20''], table of Australian production in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2019<br />
| 888,878<br />
| 12.94<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201920" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2020<br />
| 1,002,143<br />
| 12.41<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202021">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/328044_canegrowers-annual-report-2020-21.pdf ''Annual Report 2020–21''], table of Australian production in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2021<br />
| 943,354<br />
| 11.62<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202122">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/334371_canegrowers-annual-report-2021-22.pdf ''Annual Report 2021–22''], table of Australian production in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2022<br />
| 1,016,543<br />
| 12.48<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202223">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/338770_canegrowers-annual-report-2022-23.pdf ''Annual Report 2022–23''], table of Australian production in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2023<br />
| 1,004,086 mill-area cane;<br />approximately 1,175,721 total throughput<br />
| 11.98 for Mulgrave-area cane<br />
| In addition to the Mulgrave-area crop, Mulgrave processed 171,635 tonnes assigned to South Johnstone. Cyclone Jasper occurred after the crush and affected the following crop; it did not terminate Mulgrave's 2023 season.<ref name="CG202324">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/QCGO-2023-24-Annual-Report.pdf ''Annual Report 2023–24''], production table and Innisfail district report.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 782,739 mill-area cane;<br />968,391 total throughput<br />
| 12.49 mill-area;<br />12.41 total throughput<br />
| First season processing cane transported from the former Mossman supply area. Total mill throughput was reported separately by Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables.<ref name="CG2024" /><ref name="QCAR2024" /><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.09183, 145.78959</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
| <tr><br />
<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{model}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{serial}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{year}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{current_mill}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{notes}}}</td><br />
</tr><br />
}}<br />
</table><br />
<br />
== Image Gallery ==<br />
These images are from [https://www.facebook.com/freekzngeekz/ Corey Seaton]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:Mulgrave-5-1.jpg|5 (ComEng. AA. A1005 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-7-1.jpg|7 (ComEng. AA. B1010 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-11-1.jpg|11 (E.M. Baldwin. DH18 Mk2. 4413-2-8-72 of 1972).<br />
File:Mulgrave-Mulgrave-6.jpg|Mulgrave (Walkers. GH500. 613 of 1969).<br />
File:Mulgrave-14-2.jpg|14 (Clyde. DHI-71. 56-86 of 1956).<br />
</gallery><br />
These images are courtesy of [https://www.facebook.com/william.thomson.14606 William Thomson]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:484491458 966381822309524 2321302883769471630 n.jpg<br />
File:484510821 966381785642861 5909945423851582522 n.jpg<br />
File:484513943 965721022375604 2847404582435939205 n.jpg<br />
File:484583550 966384885642551 7220609306433719869 n.jpg<br />
File:484638591 966382095642830 8969771050919498491 n.jpg<br />
File:484844214 966382118976161 5371859803932554605 n.jpg<br />
File:484847514 966381655642874 3424311509743047823 n.jpg<br />
File:484855198 966385255642514 6581266257402085301 n.jpg<br />
File:484857733 966384995642540 7352160566734432249 n.jpg<br />
File:485013367 966385398975833 8961496500969628662 n.jpg<br />
File:485020132 967037862243920 6982799017018824347 n.jpg<br />
File:485095403 966384838975889 1627793308274177356 n.jpg<br />
File:485362136 966384882309218 2538336588531202895 n.jpg<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category:Sugar mills in Queensland]]<br />
[[Category:Gordonvale, Queensland]]</div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=Mulgrave_Mill&diff=870Mulgrave Mill2026-08-26T08:28:00Z<p>Bmhcjs: /* Production Statistics */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Mill<br />
| name = Mulgrave Mill<br />
| image = DJI 0186.jpg<br />
| caption = Mulgrave Mill 2025.<br />
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.091838703068213,145.7895939841861 17.09183° S, 145.78959° E]<br />
| region = [[Northern Region]]<br />
| lga = [[Cairns Regional Council]]<br />
| established = 1893 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1893}} years ago)<br />
| closed = <br />
| owner = [[MSF Sugar]]<br />
| gauge = 610 mm (2 ft)<br />
| crush = 1,100,000 tonnes, seasonal average<br />
}}<br />
'''Mulgrave Sugar Mill''' (formerly the '''Mulgrave Central Mill''') is a sugar mill located in [[Gordonvale]], approximately 20 kilometres south of [[Cairns]], [[Queensland]]. Established in 1893, it served as a cornerstone of the Cairns district economy for over a century as a grower owned cooperative.<ref name="MSF_History">MSF Sugar. "Mulgrave Mill History". http://www.msfsugar.com.au/our-company/mulgrave-mill/history/</ref> The mill is notable for its survival and growth following the closure of neighbouring facilities at [[Hambledon Mill|Hambledon]] (1991) and [[Babinda Mill|Babinda]] (2011).<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
=== Establishment ===<br />
Following the enactment of the ''Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893'', local farmers in the Mulgrave district petitioned the Queensland Government for a loan to establish a central mill. Richard Blackwell donated 15 acres of land for the mill site, and the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited was registered in 1895.<ref name="Trove_1895">The Brisbane Courier. "Sugar Works Guarantee Act". 14 November 1895.</ref><br />
<br />
The contract for the mill's construction was awarded to the Scottish engineering firm A & W Smith of Glasgow. The first crushing season commenced in late 1896, processing 16,000 tons of cane for a yield of 1,311 tons of sugar. Early operations were hampered by the lack of a government railway connection, necessitating the construction of an extensive tramway system to transport sugar to the Cairns wharves.<ref name="QHR_Mulgrave">Queensland Heritage Register. "Mulgrave Settlers Museum". https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=602558</ref><br />
<br />
=== Operational History ===<br />
By the early 1900s, the Mulgrave Mill was recognised as one of the most successful projects funded under the 1893 Act. In 1911, the mill directors successfully negotiated the purchase of the Cairns to Mulgrave Tramway from the Cairns Shire Council, which was subsequently sold to the Queensland Government for incorporation into the North Coast Line.<ref name="Cairns_Post_1911">Cairns Post. "The Mulgrave Tramway". 12 August 1911.</ref><br />
<br />
During the Second World War, the mill and the town of Gordonvale became a significant hub for American military forces. The mill's logistical infrastructure was utilised to support the war effort in the South West Pacific.<ref name="Gordonvale_War">Mulgrave Settlers Museum. "Gordonvale and the Americans". Exhibition Records, 2014.</ref><br />
<br />
The mill's supply area expanded significantly in 1991 following the closure of the Hambledon Mill in [[Edmonton]]. This closure resulted in approximately 400,000 tonnes of cane being diverted to Mulgrave, requiring substantial capital investment in the milling train and transport infrastructure to handle the increased throughput.<br />
<br />
=== Ownership ===<br />
In 2008, the Mulgrave Central Mill Company Limited ceased to be a grower cooperative when it was acquired by the Maryborough Sugar Factory (MSF).<ref name="ABC_MSF_2008">ABC News. "Mulgrave shareholders vote for MSF merger". 15 May 2008.</ref> Following this acquisition, the mill was no longer designated as a "central" mill.<br />
<br />
In 2011, MSF Sugar also acquired the [[South Johnstone Mill]]. Following the severe impact of Cyclone Yasi in February 2011, MSF made the strategic decision to close the Babinda Mill. The closure allowed MSF to rationalise operations by transferring the Babinda crop to the Mulgrave and South Johnstone facilities. In 2012, the entire MSF Sugar group was acquired by the Thai multinational Mitr Phol.<ref name="MitrPhol">Australian Financial Review. "Mitr Phol completes MSF Sugar takeover". 23 February 2012.</ref><br />
<br />
== Infrastructure ==<br />
=== Tramway ===<br />
Mulgrave Mill operates an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge tramway network. The system is highly interconnected, linking with the former Hambledon Mill network to the north and the Babinda Mill network to the south.<br />
<br />
=== Rolling Stock ===<br />
The locomotive fleet has historically featured a diverse range of motive power.<br />
* '''Steam:''' In the early 20th century, the mill relied on steam locomotives such as the Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 models.<br />
* '''Diesel:''' The fleet was modernised with Clyde and Com-Eng diesel hydraulic units. Notable locomotives include "Mulgrave" (Walkers GH500), which is one of the largest hydraulic locomotives in the Australian sugar industry.<br />
<br />
== Production statistics ==<br />
<br />
Published production figures are not available on a consistent basis for every season. Earlier sources generally report total cane crushed at the mill, while recent CANEGROWERS statistics are normally organised by ''mill area''. These measures can differ when cane assigned to another district is processed at Mulgrave.<br />
<br />
Following the cessation of crushing at [[Mossman]] after the 2023 season, Mulgrave began processing road-hauled Mossman cane in 2024. In that season, the Mulgrave mill area produced 782,739 tonnes, while total physical throughput at Mulgrave was 968,391 tonnes after cane from outside the mill area was included.<ref name="CG2024">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/Annual-report-2024-25.pdf ''Annual Report 2024–25''], table of Australian cane and sugar production.</ref><ref name="QCAR2024">Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables, [https://qcar.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Crush-Statistics-22-January-2025.pdf ''Crush Statistics and Production Figures'', 22 January 2025].</ref><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"<br />
|+ Documented annual production<br />
! Year<br />
! Cane tonnage<br />
! CCS<br />
! Basis and notes<br />
|-<br />
| 1990<br />
| approximately 706,000<br />
| —<br />
| Contemporary Queensland Parliamentary reporting stated that Mulgrave crushed approximately 706,000 tonnes in 1990.<ref name="Hansard1991">Queensland Parliament, [https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/1991/911127ha.pdf ''Parliamentary Debates'', 27 November 1991], discussion of the Hambledon closure and Mulgrave throughput.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1991<br />
| 592,435<br />
| —<br />
| Final season of the nearby Hambledon Mill. Hambledon crushed 464,813 tonnes before closing.<ref name="QSC1993">Queensland Sugar Corporation, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4795t5679/4795t5679.pdf annual report], Appendix A: Cane Crushed.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1992<br />
| 1,327,981<br />
| —<br />
| First season after Mulgrave assumed the processing of cane formerly supplied to Hambledon.<ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1993<br />
| 1,392,103<br />
| 11.82<br />
| CANEGROWERS season statistics. A Queensland Sugar Corporation table gives the slightly different figure of 1,390,396 tonnes.<ref name="CG1993">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/4794t4458/4794t4458.pdf ''1993 Season Statistics''].</ref><ref name="QSC1993" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1997<br />
| 1,275,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce">Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/e11303ee-2b2c-4ebf-a118-1bcd4ba46542/download ''Statistical Picture of the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry in 1999''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 1998<br />
| 1,430,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 1999<br />
| 1,330,000<br />
| —<br />
| Mill throughput reported by the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force.<ref name="FNQTaskForce" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2001<br />
| 1,011,249<br />
| 13.77<br />
| Yield averaged 74.00 tonnes per hectare. Greyback cane grub damage was estimated to have reduced the crop by approximately 68,000 tonnes.<ref name="Mulgrave2001">Mulgrave Central Mill Company, [https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/5002T3927/5002t3927.pdf ''Annual Report, January 2001–June 2002''].</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2010<br />
| 1,086,000<br />
| 11.79<br />
| Final crop figure reported in an industry assessment; approximately 6,000 tonnes was condemned.<ref name="SRA2011Assessment">BSES Limited, [https://elibrary.sugarresearch.com.au/bitstreams/66c1c83e-0426-46c8-9954-7f6d2a1e763f/download post-cyclone crop assessment], Appendix 4: Mulgrave Mill area.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2014<br />
| approximately 1,032,251<br />
| approximately 12.72<br />
| End-of-season estimate published shortly after Mulgrave completed crushing on 16 November.<ref name="ACFA2014">Australian Cane Farmers Association, [https://www.acfa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Northern_Gerard-Puglisi_FINAL.pdf northern region report], December 2014.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2015<br />
| 1,443,444<br />
| 12.77<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201617">CANEGROWERS, [https://wetlandinfo.detsi.qld.gov.au/resources/static/pdf/ecology/catchment-stories/lower-burdekin/canegrowers2017.pdf ''Annual Report 2016–17''], table of Australian production in the 2015 and 2016 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2016<br />
| 1,521,612<br />
| 11.23<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series. This was reported as a record crop at the time.<ref name="CG201617" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2017<br />
| 1,300,066<br />
| 12.16<br />
| Final mill result reported by MSF Sugar. The crop was lower than the 2016 result.<ref name="MSF2017">MSF Sugar, [https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/MSF-Sugar-Crushing-Season-a-Success-Despite-Reduced-Tonnages-25702947/ ''Crushing Season a Success Despite Reduced Tonnages''], December 2017.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2018<br />
| 976,449<br />
| 14.49<br />
| Sugar Research Australia figure compiled from data supplied by Australian sugar mills. The CANEGROWERS annual report gives a slightly different CCS figure of 14.29.<ref name="SRA2018">Sugar Research Australia, [https://sugarresearch.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Harvesting-details-for-Qld-and-NSW-2018-season.pdf ''Harvesting Details — 2018 Season''].</ref><ref name="CG201920">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/321340_canegrowers-annual-report-2019-20.pdf ''Annual Report 2019–20''], table of Australian production in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2019<br />
| 888,878<br />
| 12.94<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG201920" /><br />
|-<br />
| 2020<br />
| 1,002,143<br />
| 12.41<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202021">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/328044_canegrowers-annual-report-2020-21.pdf ''Annual Report 2020–21''], table of Australian production in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2021<br />
| 943,354<br />
| 11.62<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202122">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/334371_canegrowers-annual-report-2021-22.pdf ''Annual Report 2021–22''], table of Australian production in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2022<br />
| 1,016,543<br />
| 12.48<br />
| CANEGROWERS mill-area series.<ref name="CG202223">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Publications/Annual-Reports/338770_canegrowers-annual-report-2022-23.pdf ''Annual Report 2022–23''], table of Australian production in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2023<br />
| 1,004,086 mill-area cane;<br />approximately 1,175,721 total throughput<br />
| 11.98 for Mulgrave-area cane<br />
| In addition to the Mulgrave-area crop, Mulgrave processed 171,635 tonnes assigned to South Johnstone. Cyclone Jasper occurred after the crush and affected the following crop; it did not terminate Mulgrave's 2023 season.<ref name="CG202324">CANEGROWERS, [https://www.canegrowers.com.au/uploads/Annual-Report/QCGO-2023-24-Annual-Report.pdf ''Annual Report 2023–24''], production table and Innisfail district report.</ref><br />
|-<br />
| 2024<br />
| 782,739 mill-area cane;<br />968,391 total throughput<br />
| 12.49 mill-area;<br />12.41 total throughput<br />
| First season processing cane transported from the former Mossman supply area. Total mill throughput was reported separately by Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables.<ref name="CG2024" /><ref name="QCAR2024" /><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Location ==<br />
<display_map>-17.09183, 145.78959</display_map><br />
<br />
== Rollingstock ==<br />
<br />
{{#get_db_data:<br />
|db=locos<br />
|from=locos<br />
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Mulgrave%"<br />
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;"><br />
<tr><br />
<th>Name</th><br />
<th>Builder</th><br />
<th>Model</th><br />
<th>Serial</th><br />
<th>Year</th><br />
<th>Current Mill</th><br />
<th>Notes</th><br />
</tr><br />
{{#for_external_table:<br />
| <tr><br />
<td>{{{name}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{builder}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{model}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{serial}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{year}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{current_mill}}}</td><br />
<td>{{{notes}}}</td><br />
</tr><br />
}}<br />
</table><br />
<br />
== Image Gallery ==<br />
These images are from [https://www.facebook.com/freekzngeekz/ Corey Seaton]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:Mulgrave-5-1.jpg|5 (ComEng. AA. A1005 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-7-1.jpg|7 (ComEng. AA. B1010 of 1955).<br />
File:Mulgrave-11-1.jpg|11 (E.M. Baldwin. DH18 Mk2. 4413-2-8-72 of 1972).<br />
File:Mulgrave-Mulgrave-6.jpg|Mulgrave (Walkers. GH500. 613 of 1969).<br />
File:Mulgrave-14-2.jpg|14 (Clyde. DHI-71. 56-86 of 1956).<br />
</gallery><br />
These images are courtesy of [https://www.facebook.com/william.thomson.14606 William Thomson]<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"><br />
File:484491458 966381822309524 2321302883769471630 n.jpg<br />
File:484510821 966381785642861 5909945423851582522 n.jpg<br />
File:484513943 965721022375604 2847404582435939205 n.jpg<br />
File:484583550 966384885642551 7220609306433719869 n.jpg<br />
File:484638591 966382095642830 8969771050919498491 n.jpg<br />
File:484844214 966382118976161 5371859803932554605 n.jpg<br />
File:484847514 966381655642874 3424311509743047823 n.jpg<br />
File:484855198 966385255642514 6581266257402085301 n.jpg<br />
File:484857733 966384995642540 7352160566734432249 n.jpg<br />
File:485013367 966385398975833 8961496500969628662 n.jpg<br />
File:485020132 967037862243920 6982799017018824347 n.jpg<br />
File:485095403 966384838975889 1627793308274177356 n.jpg<br />
File:485362136 966384882309218 2538336588531202895 n.jpg<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category:Sugar mills in Queensland]]<br />
[[Category:Gordonvale, Queensland]]</div>Bmhcjshttps://canetrains.net/index.php?title=New_South_Wales&diff=869New South Wales2026-08-26T04:51:09Z<p>Bmhcjs: </p>
<hr />
<div>The Northern Rivers district of New South Wales represents the southern boundary of Australia's commercial cane growing belt. Unlike their tropical counterparts in the north, these mills process a two year cane crop, necessitating unique agricultural cycles and milling practices. The region is defined by the historic operations of the [[NSW Sugar Milling Cooperative]] (trading as [[Sunshine Sugar]]), which has diversified into refining and renewable energy to maintain viability in a changing market.<ref name="SunshineHistory">Sunshine Sugar. "History of the NSW Sugar Industry". https://www.nswsugar.com.au/history</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Harwood Mill]] ===<br />
Located on the [[Clarence River]] at Harwood Island, this facility holds the distinction of being the longest continuous operating sugar mill in Australia, having commenced crushing in 1874. Originally established by the [[Colonial Sugar Refining Company]] (CSR), it was purchased by the local growers cooperative in 1978. Today, it operates as a joint venture with the [[Manildra Group]] and features a collocated refinery that supplies sugar to the domestic food and beverage manufacturing sector.<ref name="ManildraHarwood">Manildra Harwood Sugars. "Harwood Refinery Operations".</ref><br />
<br />
=== [[Broadwater Mill]] ===<br />
Commissioned in 1881, Broadwater Mill processes cane from the rich floodplains of the [[Richmond River]] valley. Like its sister mills in the Sunshine Sugar group, it is largely energy self sufficient, utilising a modern cogeneration plant fuelled by cane fibre (bagasse) and camphor laurel timber waste. It serves as the economic hub for the mid North Coast cane growers.<br />
<br />
=== [[Condong Mill]] ===<br />
Situated on the banks of the [[Tweed River]] near [[Murwillumbah]], Condong Mill was established by CSR in 1880. It processes cane from the Tweed Valley and plays a critical role in the local green energy grid through the Cape Byron Power cogeneration facility. The mill is also known for its historical use of river barges for cane transport, a practice that defined its early operations.<ref name="CapeByron">Cape Byron Power. "Condong Cogeneration Project".</ref><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /></div>Bmhcjs