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History and Development
{{Infobox Mill
The Tableland Mill is the youngest sugar mill in Australia. Constructed by Bundaberg Sugar in 1998, it was the first new sugar factory built in Queensland since the expansion of the industry in the mid 1920s. Its establishment marked a significant shift in the geography of cane growing in Far North Queensland, proving that sugar cane could be successfully cultivated and processed on the Atherton Tableland, an area previously dominated by tobacco, dairy and other horticultural crops.
| name        = Tableland Mill
| image      = Tableland Sugar Mill, 2016.jpg
| caption    = Tableland Sugar Mill, 2016. Kerry Raymond.
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.12026640827563,145.3465349975541 17.12026° S, 145.34653° E]
| region      = [[Northern Region]]
| lga        = [[Mareeba Shire Council]]
| established = 1998 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1998}} years ago)
| closed      =
| owner      = [[MSF Sugar]]
| gauge      = Nil. Road transport only.
| crush      = 775,000 tonnes
}}
'''Tableland Mill''' is a sugar mill located at Arriga, approximately 20 kilometres south west of [[Mareeba]], [[Queensland]]. It is currently owned by [[MSF Sugar]] and is unique among Australian sugar mills for operating exclusively via road transport, without a cane railway network.


The mill was located at Arriga, south west of Mareeba, to service the growing number of cane farms in the region. Unlike the coastal mills which relied heavily on extensive 610 mm gauge railway networks, the Tableland Mill was designed from the outset to utilise road transport exclusively. This decision was driven by the dispersed nature of the cane farms on the Tableland and the flexibility offered by modern heavy haulage vehicles.
== History ==
=== Establishment ===
The Tableland Mill is the youngest sugar mill in Australia. Constructed by [[Bundaberg Sugar]] in 1998, it was the first new sugar factory built in Queensland since the expansion of the industry in the mid 1920s. Its establishment marked a significant shift in the geography of cane growing in Far North Queensland, proving that sugar cane could be successfully cultivated and processed on the [[Atherton Tableland]], an area previously dominated by tobacco, dairy, and other horticultural crops.<ref name="BundabergHistory">Bundaberg Sugar. "History of Bundaberg Sugar". http://www.bundabergsugar.com.au/history.html</ref>


From a technical perspective, the mill was unique upon its commissioning. It featured a crushing tandem consisting solely of two roll Bundaberg High Extraction Mills (BHEMs), rather than the conventional three or four roll mills found elsewhere in the state. This design was intended to maximise extraction efficiency while reducing maintenance and energy consumption.
=== Technical and Operational History ===
From a technical perspective, the mill was unique upon its commissioning. It featured a crushing tandem consisting solely of two roll Bundaberg High Extraction Mills (BHEMs), rather than the conventional three or four roll mills found elsewhere in the state. This design was intended to maximise extraction efficiency while reducing maintenance and energy consumption.<ref name="BHEM">Bundaberg Walkers. "Two Roll Mill Modules". https://www.bundabergwalkers.com.au/products/sugar-factory/mills/two-roll-mill-modules/</ref>


In 2005, the mill expanded its cane supply base significantly when growers in the Julatten area (traditionally suppliers to the Mossman Mill) elected to send their cane to the Tableland Mill. This shift was driven by economic factors and transport logistics, placing pressure on the coastal Mossman Mill but bolstering the throughput at Arriga.
In 2005, the mill expanded its cane supply base significantly when growers in the [[Julatten]] area (traditionally suppliers to the [[Mossman Mill]]) elected to send their cane to the Tableland Mill. This shift was driven by economic factors and transport logistics, placing pressure on the coastal Mossman Mill but bolstering the throughput at Arriga.<ref name="Julatten">ABC News. "Growers vote to supply Tableland mill". 30 November 2004.</ref>


Ownership of the mill changed in 2012 when Bundaberg Sugar sold its Tableland assets, including the mill and associated farms, to MSF Sugar (a subsidiary of the Thai based Mitr Phol Group). This acquisition consolidated MSF Sugar's position in the region, as they also operated the Mulgrave and South Johnstone mills.
=== Ownership ===
Ownership of the mill changed in 2012 when Bundaberg Sugar sold its Tableland assets, including the mill and associated farms, to MSF Sugar (a subsidiary of the Thai based Mitr Phol Group). This acquisition consolidated MSF Sugar's position in the region, as they also operated the [[Mulgrave Mill]] and [[South Johnstone Mill]].<ref name="MSFSale">Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. "Mitr Phol Sugar Corp - proposed acquisition of Bundaberg Sugar's Tableland assets". 16 February 2012.</ref>


Green Energy Power Plant
== Infrastructure ==
In recent years, the mill has evolved beyond simple sugar production. In 2018, MSF Sugar completed the construction of a Green Energy Power Plant (GEPP) at the site. This 24 megawatt biomass facility cost approximately $75 million to $100 million and was designed to burn bagasse (sugar cane fibre) to generate electricity.
=== Green Energy Power Plant ===
In recent years, the mill has evolved beyond simple sugar production. In 2018, MSF Sugar completed the construction of a Green Energy Power Plant (GEPP) at the site. This 24 megawatt biomass facility cost approximately 75 million to 100 million dollars and was designed to burn bagasse (sugar cane fibre) to generate electricity.<ref name="GreenEnergy">MSF Sugar. "Tableland Green Energy Power Plant". http://www.msfsugar.com.au/our-company/projects/green-energy-power-plant/</ref>


Unlike traditional mill power stations that only operate during the crushing season, the Tableland GEPP allows the mill to generate renewable baseload power for the national grid year round. This project made the Tableland Mill one of the most energy efficient sugar processing sites in Australia.
Unlike traditional mill power stations that only operate during the crushing season, the Tableland GEPP allows the mill to generate renewable baseload power for the national grid year round. This project made the Tableland Mill one of the most energy efficient sugar processing sites in Australia.


Transport and Logistics
=== Transport and Logistics ===
The mill does not operate a railway. Cane is delivered 100 per cent by road transport. The logistics operation relies on a fleet of B Double trucks that haul bins from pads located on farms directly to the mill weighbridge. The tipping station at the mill is designed to handle these road vehicles rapidly to ensure a continuous supply of cane to the carrier.
The mill does not operate a railway. Cane is delivered 100 per cent by road transport. The logistics operation relies on a fleet of B Double trucks that haul bins from pads located on farms directly to the mill weighbridge. The tipping station at the mill is designed to handle these road vehicles rapidly to ensure a continuous supply of cane to the carrier.


Production Statistics
== Production Statistics ==
The Tableland Mill processes cane harvested from the Atherton Tableland and Julatten regions. The crushing season generally runs from June to November.
The Tableland Mill processes cane harvested from the Atherton Tableland and Julatten regions. The crushing season generally runs from June to November. Sugar produced is transported by road to the bulk sugar terminal at [[Mourilyan Harbour]] for export.<ref name="MourilyanLogistics">Sugar Terminals Limited. "Terminal Locations: Mourilyan". https://www.sugarterminals.com.au/operations/terminal-locations/mourilyan/</ref>


Average Annual Crush: Approximately 700,000 to 850,000 tonnes.
{| class="wikitable"
! Statistic
! Value
|-
| Average Annual Crush
| 700,000 to 850,000 tonnes
|-
| 2024 Season Crush
| 742,377 tonnes (CCS 13.86)
|}


2024 Season Crush: 742,377 tonnes (CCS 13.86).
== Location ==
<display_map>-17.12026, 145.34653</display_map>


Sugar Production: Produces raw sugar which is transported by road to the bulk sugar terminal at Cairns for export.
== Rollingstock ==
''Note: Tableland Mill operates exclusively via road transport and does not possess a locomotive fleet.''
 
{{#get_db_data:
|db=locos
|from=locos
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Tableland%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Tableland%"
|data=name=name,builder=builder,model=model,serial=serial_number,year=year,current_mill=current_mill,notes=notes
}}
 
<table class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%;">
  <tr>
    <th>Name</th>
    <th>Builder</th>
    <th>Model</th>
    <th>Serial</th>
    <th>Year</th>
    <th>Current Mill</th>
    <th>Notes</th>
  </tr>
{{#for_external_table:
  | <tr>
      <td>{{{name}}}</td>
      <td>{{{builder}}}</td>
      <td>{{{model}}}</td>
      <td>{{{serial}}}</td>
      <td>{{{year}}}</td>
      <td>{{{current_mill}}}</td>
      <td>{{{notes}}}</td>
    </tr>
}}
</table>
 
== References ==
<references />

Latest revision as of 20:22, 11 January 2026

Tableland Mill

Tableland Sugar Mill, 2016. Kerry Raymond.
Tableland Sugar Mill, 2016. Kerry Raymond.

Location
Coordinates 17.12026° S, 145.34653° E
State Queensland
Region Northern Region
LGA Mareeba Shire Council
Details
Established 1998 (28 years ago)
Owner MSF Sugar
Gauge Nil. Road transport only.
Annual Crush 775,000 tonnes

Tableland Mill is a sugar mill located at Arriga, approximately 20 kilometres south west of Mareeba, Queensland. It is currently owned by MSF Sugar and is unique among Australian sugar mills for operating exclusively via road transport, without a cane railway network.

History

Establishment

The Tableland Mill is the youngest sugar mill in Australia. Constructed by Bundaberg Sugar in 1998, it was the first new sugar factory built in Queensland since the expansion of the industry in the mid 1920s. Its establishment marked a significant shift in the geography of cane growing in Far North Queensland, proving that sugar cane could be successfully cultivated and processed on the Atherton Tableland, an area previously dominated by tobacco, dairy, and other horticultural crops.[1]

Technical and Operational History

From a technical perspective, the mill was unique upon its commissioning. It featured a crushing tandem consisting solely of two roll Bundaberg High Extraction Mills (BHEMs), rather than the conventional three or four roll mills found elsewhere in the state. This design was intended to maximise extraction efficiency while reducing maintenance and energy consumption.[2]

In 2005, the mill expanded its cane supply base significantly when growers in the Julatten area (traditionally suppliers to the Mossman Mill) elected to send their cane to the Tableland Mill. This shift was driven by economic factors and transport logistics, placing pressure on the coastal Mossman Mill but bolstering the throughput at Arriga.[3]

Ownership

Ownership of the mill changed in 2012 when Bundaberg Sugar sold its Tableland assets, including the mill and associated farms, to MSF Sugar (a subsidiary of the Thai based Mitr Phol Group). This acquisition consolidated MSF Sugar's position in the region, as they also operated the Mulgrave Mill and South Johnstone Mill.[4]

Infrastructure

Green Energy Power Plant

In recent years, the mill has evolved beyond simple sugar production. In 2018, MSF Sugar completed the construction of a Green Energy Power Plant (GEPP) at the site. This 24 megawatt biomass facility cost approximately 75 million to 100 million dollars and was designed to burn bagasse (sugar cane fibre) to generate electricity.[5]

Unlike traditional mill power stations that only operate during the crushing season, the Tableland GEPP allows the mill to generate renewable baseload power for the national grid year round. This project made the Tableland Mill one of the most energy efficient sugar processing sites in Australia.

Transport and Logistics

The mill does not operate a railway. Cane is delivered 100 per cent by road transport. The logistics operation relies on a fleet of B Double trucks that haul bins from pads located on farms directly to the mill weighbridge. The tipping station at the mill is designed to handle these road vehicles rapidly to ensure a continuous supply of cane to the carrier.

Production Statistics

The Tableland Mill processes cane harvested from the Atherton Tableland and Julatten regions. The crushing season generally runs from June to November. Sugar produced is transported by road to the bulk sugar terminal at Mourilyan Harbour for export.[6]

Statistic Value
Average Annual Crush 700,000 to 850,000 tonnes
2024 Season Crush 742,377 tonnes (CCS 13.86)

Location

Loading map...

Rollingstock

Note: Tableland Mill operates exclusively via road transport and does not possess a locomotive fleet.


Name Builder Model Serial Year Current Mill Notes

References

  1. ↑ Bundaberg Sugar. "History of Bundaberg Sugar". http://www.bundabergsugar.com.au/history.html
  2. ↑ Bundaberg Walkers. "Two Roll Mill Modules". https://www.bundabergwalkers.com.au/products/sugar-factory/mills/two-roll-mill-modules/
  3. ↑ ABC News. "Growers vote to supply Tableland mill". 30 November 2004.
  4. ↑ Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. "Mitr Phol Sugar Corp - proposed acquisition of Bundaberg Sugar's Tableland assets". 16 February 2012.
  5. ↑ MSF Sugar. "Tableland Green Energy Power Plant". http://www.msfsugar.com.au/our-company/projects/green-energy-power-plant/
  6. ↑ Sugar Terminals Limited. "Terminal Locations: Mourilyan". https://www.sugarterminals.com.au/operations/terminal-locations/mourilyan/
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