Southern Region - Revision history

Bmhcjs at 04:42, 5 October 2026

2026-10-05T04:42:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:42, 5 October 2026
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	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.		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.

	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		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>

			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.

			=== [[Fairymead Mill]] (Closed) ===
			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.

			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]].

			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>

			=== [[Millaquin Mill]] ===
			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.

			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.

			The Millaquin site also incorporates a sugar refinery producing refined sugar for domestic industrial, retail and hospitality markets.

			=== [[Gin Gin Mill]] (Closed) ===
			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>

			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.

			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>

			=== [[Qunaba Mill]] (Closed) ===
			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.

			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>

			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>

			=== [[Isis Central Sugar Mill\|Isis Central Mill]] ===
			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.

			The factory became the sole operating mill in the Childers district following the closure of CSR's Childers Mill after the 1932 season.

			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.

			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>

			=== [[Childers Sugar Mill\|Childers Mill]] (Closed) ===
			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.

			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.

			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.

			=== [[Moreton Central Mill]] (Closed) ===
			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>

			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.

			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.

			=== [[Rocky Point Mill]] ===
			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.

			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.

			Rocky Point also contains a 30 MW biomass cogeneration plant using [[bagasse]] and other biomass fuels to produce steam and electricity.

			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>

			== References ==
			<references />

Bmhcjs at 04:41, 5 October 2026

2026-10-05T04:41:38Z

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-The Southern Region encompasses the subtropical cane growing districts of [[Bundaberg]], [[Childers]] and formerly the [[Sunshine Coast]] and [[Maryborough]]. This area is historically significant as the birthplace of major plantation enterprises and cooperative milling ventures, though it faces cooler climatic conditions compared to the northern districts and relies heavily on irrigation. The industry here has undergone immense rationalisation, transitioning from dozens of small juice mills in the late nineteenth century to a highly centralised network dominated today by [[Bundaberg Sugar]] and the grower controlled [[Isis Central Sugar Mill|Isis Central Mill]].
+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>
 === [[Bingera Mill]] (Closed) ===
-Founded by the Gibson family in 1885, this mill was a cornerstone of the Bundaberg industry for over a century and is situated on the [[Burnett River]]. It was acquired by Bundaberg Sugar in the late 20th century and ceased crushing operations in 2020, with its cane supply consolidated to [[Millaquin Sugar Mill|Millaquin]].
+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.
 === [[Maryborough Mill]] (Closed) ===
-The Maryborough Sugar Factory (MSF) operated on the banks of the [[Mary River (Queensland)|Mary River]] for over 125 years, having been established in 1894. For much of its history, it was the central processing facility for the Fraser Coast district. In its final years, the mill was owned by the Thai-based company [[Mitr Phol]]. The facility was closed following the 2020 crushing season due to declining cane supply and a strategic shift by the owners. The cane harvest from the Maryborough district is now transported by road to the [[Isis Central Sugar Mill]] for processing.<ref name="MSFClose">ABC News. "Maryborough sugar mill to close after 2020 season". 2020.</ref>
+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.
-=== [[Rocky Point Mill]] ===
+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

Bmhcjs at 04:50, 26 August 2026

2026-08-26T04:50:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:50, 26 August 2026
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	The Southern Region encompasses the subtropical cane growing districts of [[Bundaberg]], [[Childers]] and formerly the [[Sunshine Coast]] and [[Maryborough]]. This area is historically significant as the birthplace of major plantation enterprises and cooperative milling ventures, though it faces cooler climatic conditions compared to the northern districts and relies heavily on irrigation. The industry here has undergone immense rationalisation, transitioning from dozens of small juice mills in the late nineteenth century to a highly centralised network dominated today by [[Bundaberg Sugar]] and the grower controlled [[Isis Central Sugar Mill\|Isis Central Mill]].		The Southern Region encompasses the subtropical cane growing districts of [[Bundaberg]], [[Childers]] and formerly the [[Sunshine Coast]] and [[Maryborough]]. This area is historically significant as the birthplace of major plantation enterprises and cooperative milling ventures, though it faces cooler climatic conditions compared to the northern districts and relies heavily on irrigation. The industry here has undergone immense rationalisation, transitioning from dozens of small juice mills in the late nineteenth century to a highly centralised network dominated today by [[Bundaberg Sugar]] and the grower controlled [[Isis Central Sugar Mill\|Isis Central Mill]].

	~~== Self-Drive Heritage Tours ==~~
	Journey through the "Red Soil" districts of the south, where the history of the sugar industry is written in the landscape. These tours take you from the heritage listed streetscapes of Childers to the burning heart of the industry in Bundaberg. Discover the legacy of the great plantation families, the resilience of the grower cooperatives, and the sites of the former mills that once powered the Sunshine Coast and Maryborough economies.

	~~=== Southbound Tour ===~~
	~~[https://www.google.com/maps?q=-19.557319823729664,147.3306923818051 Plan a Southbound Southern Mill Tour (Bundaberg to Childers)]~~

	~~=== Northbound Tour ===~~
	~~[https://www.google.com/maps?q=-19.557319823729664,147.3306923818052 Plan a Northbound Southern Mill Tour (Childers to Bundaberg)]~~

	=== [[Bingera Mill]] (Closed) ===		=== [[Bingera Mill]] (Closed) ===

Bmhcjs at 09:34, 17 January 2026

2026-01-17T09:34:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:34, 17 January 2026
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	=== [[Moreton Central Mill]] (Closed) ===		=== [[Moreton Central Mill]] (Closed) ===
	Located in the centre of [[Nambour]], this mill commenced operations in 1897 and was the anchor of the Sunshine Coast agricultural economy for more than a century. It closed in 2003 due to the pressure of urban development and the declining profitability of small scale cane farming in the region.		Located in the centre of [[Nambour]], this mill commenced operations in 1897 and was the anchor of the Sunshine Coast agricultural economy for more than a century. It closed in 2003 due to the pressure of urban development and the declining profitability of small scale cane farming in the region.

			=== [[Rocky Point Mill]] ===
			Located in the Woongoolba district near [[Beenleigh]], Rocky Point is unique as the only independently owned and operated sugar mill remaining in Australia. Established by the Heck family in 1878, it processes cane from the expanding urban fringe between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The mill has been a pioneer in the production of green power and continues to operate under the stewardship of the Heck Group.<ref name="HeckRockyPoint">Heck Group. "Our History: Rocky Point". http://www.heckgroup.com.au/</ref>

Bmhcjs: /* Moreton Central Mill (Closed) */

2026-01-16T10:44:14Z

Moreton Central Mill (Closed)

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:44, 16 January 2026
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	Established by the [[Colonial Sugar Refining Company]] (CSR) in 1894, this mill operated in competition with the nearby Isis Central Mill for several decades. It was closed in 1932 following the amalgamation of the two factory areas, marking an early example of industry consolidation.		Established by the [[Colonial Sugar Refining Company]] (CSR) in 1894, this mill operated in competition with the nearby Isis Central Mill for several decades. It was closed in 1932 following the amalgamation of the two factory areas, marking an early example of industry consolidation.

	=== [[~~Moreton Central Sugar Mill\|~~Moreton Central Mill]] (Closed) ===		=== [[Moreton Central Mill]] (Closed) ===
	Located in the centre of [[Nambour]], this mill commenced operations in 1897 and was the anchor of the Sunshine Coast agricultural economy for more than a century. It closed in 2003 due to the pressure of urban development and the declining profitability of small scale cane farming in the region.		Located in the centre of [[Nambour]], this mill commenced operations in 1897 and was the anchor of the Sunshine Coast agricultural economy for more than a century. It closed in 2003 due to the pressure of urban development and the declining profitability of small scale cane farming in the region.

Bmhcjs: /* Isis Central Mill */

2026-01-16T10:43:35Z

Isis Central Mill

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:43, 16 January 2026
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	Originally known as Mon Repos, this mill was renamed Qunaba (an acronym for The Queensland National Bank) after being taken over by financial interests in the late 19th century. It was closed by Bundaberg Sugar in 1985 as part of a rationalisation program, with its supply area divided between Millaquin and Fairymead.		Originally known as Mon Repos, this mill was renamed Qunaba (an acronym for The Queensland National Bank) after being taken over by financial interests in the late 19th century. It was closed by Bundaberg Sugar in 1985 as part of a rationalisation program, with its supply area divided between Millaquin and Fairymead.

	=== [[~~Isis Central Sugar Mill\|~~Isis Central Mill]] ===		=== [[Isis Central Mill]] ===
	Commissioned in 1897 to serve the Childers district, Isis Central remains a locally owned public company and is the furthest south of Queensland's operating sugar mills. It has significantly expanded its supply network in recent years, taking on cane from the former Maryborough and Moreton districts.		Commissioned in 1897 to serve the Childers district, Isis Central remains a locally owned public company and is the furthest south of Queensland's operating sugar mills. It has significantly expanded its supply network in recent years, taking on cane from the former Maryborough and Moreton districts.

Bmhcjs: /* Qunaba Mill (Closed) */

2026-01-16T10:42:57Z

Qunaba Mill (Closed)

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:42, 16 January 2026
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	Situated at [[Wallaville]] on the Burnett River, this mill served the inland growers of the Gin Gin district from 1896 until its closure in 1974. The cooperative that owned the facility was merged into Bundaberg Sugar, and the cane supply was diverted via a dedicated railway line to Bingera.		Situated at [[Wallaville]] on the Burnett River, this mill served the inland growers of the Gin Gin district from 1896 until its closure in 1974. The cooperative that owned the facility was merged into Bundaberg Sugar, and the cane supply was diverted via a dedicated railway line to Bingera.

	=== [[~~Qunaba Sugar Mill\|~~Qunaba Mill]] (Closed) ===		=== [[Qunaba Mill]] (Closed) ===
	Originally known as Mon Repos, this mill was renamed Qunaba (an acronym for The Queensland National Bank) after being taken over by financial interests in the late 19th century. It was closed by Bundaberg Sugar in 1985 as part of a rationalisation program, with its supply area divided between Millaquin and Fairymead.		Originally known as Mon Repos, this mill was renamed Qunaba (an acronym for The Queensland National Bank) after being taken over by financial interests in the late 19th century. It was closed by Bundaberg Sugar in 1985 as part of a rationalisation program, with its supply area divided between Millaquin and Fairymead.

Bmhcjs: /* Gin Gin Mill (Closed) */

2026-01-16T10:42:45Z

Gin Gin Mill (Closed)

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:42, 16 January 2026
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	Located on the edge of the Bundaberg city centre, Millaquin is the only remaining operational mill in the town and features an integrated refinery that produces white sugar for the domestic market. It processes the entire cane harvest for the Bundaberg Sugar group following the closure of the Bingera and Fairymead factories.		Located on the edge of the Bundaberg city centre, Millaquin is the only remaining operational mill in the town and features an integrated refinery that produces white sugar for the domestic market. It processes the entire cane harvest for the Bundaberg Sugar group following the closure of the Bingera and Fairymead factories.

	=== [[~~Gin Gin Sugar Mill\|~~Gin Gin Mill]] (Closed) ===		=== [[Gin Gin Mill]] (Closed) ===
	Situated at [[Wallaville]] on the Burnett River, this mill served the inland growers of the Gin Gin district from 1896 until its closure in 1974. The cooperative that owned the facility was merged into Bundaberg Sugar, and the cane supply was diverted via a dedicated railway line to Bingera.		Situated at [[Wallaville]] on the Burnett River, this mill served the inland growers of the Gin Gin district from 1896 until its closure in 1974. The cooperative that owned the facility was merged into Bundaberg Sugar, and the cane supply was diverted via a dedicated railway line to Bingera.

Bmhcjs: /* Millaquin Mill */

2026-01-16T10:42:34Z

Millaquin Mill

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:42, 16 January 2026
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	Established by the Young family in 1879, Fairymead was the first major raw sugar factory in the Bundaberg district and operated for 126 years. It was closed by Bundaberg Sugar in 2005 to improve operational efficiency, with the site subsequently cleared for redevelopment.		Established by the Young family in 1879, Fairymead was the first major raw sugar factory in the Bundaberg district and operated for 126 years. It was closed by Bundaberg Sugar in 2005 to improve operational efficiency, with the site subsequently cleared for redevelopment.

	=== [[~~Millaquin Sugar Mill\|~~Millaquin Mill]] ===		=== [[Millaquin Mill]] ===
	Located on the edge of the Bundaberg city centre, Millaquin is the only remaining operational mill in the town and features an integrated refinery that produces white sugar for the domestic market. It processes the entire cane harvest for the Bundaberg Sugar group following the closure of the Bingera and Fairymead factories.		Located on the edge of the Bundaberg city centre, Millaquin is the only remaining operational mill in the town and features an integrated refinery that produces white sugar for the domestic market. It processes the entire cane harvest for the Bundaberg Sugar group following the closure of the Bingera and Fairymead factories.

Bmhcjs: /* Fairymead Mill (Closed) */

2026-01-16T10:41:47Z

Fairymead Mill (Closed)

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:41, 16 January 2026
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	The Maryborough Sugar Factory (MSF) operated on the banks of the [[Mary River (Queensland)\|Mary River]] for over 125 years, having been established in 1894. For much of its history, it was the central processing facility for the Fraser Coast district. In its final years, the mill was owned by the Thai-based company [[Mitr Phol]]. The facility was closed following the 2020 crushing season due to declining cane supply and a strategic shift by the owners. The cane harvest from the Maryborough district is now transported by road to the [[Isis Central Sugar Mill]] for processing.<ref name="MSFClose">ABC News. "Maryborough sugar mill to close after 2020 season". 2020.</ref>		The Maryborough Sugar Factory (MSF) operated on the banks of the [[Mary River (Queensland)\|Mary River]] for over 125 years, having been established in 1894. For much of its history, it was the central processing facility for the Fraser Coast district. In its final years, the mill was owned by the Thai-based company [[Mitr Phol]]. The facility was closed following the 2020 crushing season due to declining cane supply and a strategic shift by the owners. The cane harvest from the Maryborough district is now transported by road to the [[Isis Central Sugar Mill]] for processing.<ref name="MSFClose">ABC News. "Maryborough sugar mill to close after 2020 season". 2020.</ref>

	=== [[~~Fairymead Sugar Mill\|~~Fairymead Mill]] (Closed) ===		=== [[Fairymead Mill]] (Closed) ===
	Established by the Young family in 1879, Fairymead was the first major raw sugar factory in the Bundaberg district and operated for 126 years. It was closed by Bundaberg Sugar in 2005 to improve operational efficiency, with the site subsequently cleared for redevelopment.		Established by the Young family in 1879, Fairymead was the first major raw sugar factory in the Bundaberg district and operated for 126 years. It was closed by Bundaberg Sugar in 2005 to improve operational efficiency, with the site subsequently cleared for redevelopment.