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| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.934808375957864,145.9267456345267 17.93480° S, 145.92674° E]
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-17.934808375957864,145.9267456345267 17.93480° S, 145.92674° E]
| region      = [[Northern Region]]
| region      = [[Northern Region]]
| lga        = [[Cassowary Regional Council]]
| lga        = [[Cassowary Coast Regional Council]]
| established = 1925 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1925}} years ago)
| established = 1925 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1925}} years ago)
| closed      =  
| closed      =  
| owner      = [[Cofco]]
| owner      = [[COFCO]]
| gauge      = 610 mm (2 ft)
| gauge      = 610 mm (2 ft)
| crush      = 2,400,000 tonnes average
| crush      = 2,400,000 tonnes (average)
}}The Tully Sugar Mill was the last of the government-built mills in Queensland. Following the ''Sugar Works Act of 1922'', the Theodore State Government approved the construction of a mill on the banks of Banyan Creek. The site was selected by the Bureau of Central Mills, and the township of Tully (originally surveyed as Banyan) was established specifically to support the mill workers and service the facility.
}}
'''Tully Sugar Mill''' is a sugar mill located in [[Tully]], approximately 140 kilometres south of [[Cairns]]. It was the last of the government built mills in [[Queensland]] and operates one of the largest cane railway networks in the country. Since 2011, it has been owned by the Chinese agribusiness [[COFCO]].
 
== History ==
=== Establishment ===
Following the ''Sugar Works Act of 1922'', the Theodore State Government approved the construction of a mill on the banks of Banyan Creek. The site was selected by the Bureau of Central Mills, and the township of Tully (originally surveyed as Banyan) was established specifically to support the mill workers and service the facility.<ref name="QLDPlaces_Tully">Queensland Places. "Tully". Centre for the Government of Queensland. https://queenslandplaces.com.au/tully</ref>
 
The tender for construction was awarded to [[Walkers Limited]] of [[Maryborough]] in August 1923. The mill conducted a trial crushing starting on 5 November 1925, with its first full season commencing in July 1926. It quickly proved efficient, becoming the first Australian sugar mill to crush over 200,000 tonnes of cane in a single season in 1927.
 
=== Operational History ===
In 1930, the ''Tully Sugar Works Act'' authorised the transfer of the mill from government control to a grower owned cooperative. The Tully Co-operative Sugar Milling Association was formed in March 1931, and the growers purchased the mill from the government later that year.


The tender for construction was awarded to Walkers Ltd of Maryborough in August 1923. The mill conducted a trial crushing starting on 5 November 1925, with its first full season commencing in July 1926. It quickly proved efficient, becoming the first Australian sugar mill to crush over 200,000 tonnes of cane in a single season in 1927.
The mill underwent its first major technical upgrade in 1963 to handle increased cane supply from the Riversdale expansion area. By 1983, the mill celebrated its first million tonne crush season.


In 1930, the ''Tully Sugar Works Act'' authorised the transfer of the mill from government control to a grower-owned cooperative. The Tully Co-operative Sugar Milling Association was formed in March 1931, and the growers purchased the mill from the government later that year.
In 1990, the cooperative was dissolved, and the entity was incorporated as an unlisted public company named Tully Sugar Limited. This change allowed for greater capital investment and modernisation of the milling train.<ref name="TullySugarHistory">Tully Sugar Limited. "Our History". https://www.tullysugar.com/about-us/history/</ref>


=== Expansion and Modernisation (1960s to 1990s) ===
The early 21st century brought challenges, including severe weather events. In February 2011, Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi (Category 5) crossed the coast near Mission Beach. The mill suffered significant structural damage to the cooling towers and storage sheds, and the surrounding crop was devastated.
The mill underwent its first major technical upgrade in 1963 to handle increased cane supply from the Riversdale expansion area. This expansion saw new assignments granted to soldier settlers and new farmers. By 1983, the mill celebrated its first million-tonne crush season.


In 1990, the structure of the organisation changed significantly. The cooperative was dissolved, and the entity was incorporated as an unlisted public company named Tully Sugar Limited. This change allowed for greater capital investment and modernisation of the milling train and transport infrastructure.
=== Ownership ===
Following the cyclone, the mill became the target of a takeover bid. In July 2011, the Chinese state owned agribusiness COFCO (via its subsidiary Top Glory) acquired Tully Sugar Limited for approximately 136 million dollars, outbidding competitors such as Bunge and Wilmar. This ended 80 years of local grower ownership.<ref name="COFCO">ABC News. "Tully Sugar shareholders vote for COFCO offer". 5 July 2011.</ref>


=== Recent History and Foreign Acquisition (2000s to Present) ===
== Infrastructure ==
The early 21st century brought challenges, including severe weather events. In February 2011, Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi (Category 5) crossed the coast near Mission Beach. The mill suffered significant structural damage, and the surrounding crop was devastated, with losses estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars for the district.
=== Tramway ===
Tully Mill operates one of the largest cane railway networks in Australia, utilising 610 mm (2 ft) gauge. The network extends over 200 kilometres and services the high rainfall areas of the Tully Valley, Euramo, Riversdale, and El Arish.


Following the cyclone, the mill became the target of a takeover bid. In July 2011, the Chinese state-owned agribusiness COFCO (via its subsidiary Top Glory) acquired Tully Sugar Limited for approximately AUD 136 million, outbidding competitors such as Bunge and Wilmar. This ended 80 years of local grower ownership.
A significant engineering feature of the network is the bridge crossing the Tully River, which allows cane to be transported from the southern sectors. The network is known for its "town running" sections where cane trains navigate through the built up areas and across the [[Bruce Highway]].


Under COFCO, the mill has continued to upgrade its infrastructure, including the installation of a new 18MW steam turbine generator in 2023 to export renewable power to the grid.
=== Technical Upgrades ===
Under COFCO ownership, significant investment has been made into the boiler station and power generation capabilities. A new 18 MW steam turbine generator was installed to improve energy efficiency and export renewable power to the national grid.
 
== Production Statistics ==
Tully Mill consistently ranks as one of the highest throughput mills in the Northern Region.
{| class="wikitable"
! Statistic
! Value
|-
| Average Annual Crush
| 2,400,000 tonnes
|-
| Primary Transport Mode
| 610 mm Tramway
|-
| Network Length
| >200 kilometres
|}


== Location ==
== Location ==
<display_map>Tully Sugar Mill, Tully, QLD, Australia</display_map>
<display_map>-17.93480, 145.92674</display_map>


== Rollingstock ==
== Rollingstock ==
Line 63: Line 91:
}}
}}
</table>
</table>
== References ==
<references />

Latest revision as of 20:42, 11 January 2026

Tully Mill

Steam rising from the Tully Sugar Mill with loaded cane train in foreground, 2016
Steam rising from the Tully Sugar Mill with loaded cane train in foreground, 2016

Location
Coordinates 17.93480° S, 145.92674° E
State Queensland
Region Northern Region
LGA Cassowary Coast Regional Council
Details
Established 1925 (101 years ago)
Owner COFCO
Gauge 610 mm (2 ft)
Annual Crush 2,400,000 tonnes (average)

Tully Sugar Mill is a sugar mill located in Tully, approximately 140 kilometres south of Cairns. It was the last of the government built mills in Queensland and operates one of the largest cane railway networks in the country. Since 2011, it has been owned by the Chinese agribusiness COFCO.

History

Establishment

Following the Sugar Works Act of 1922, the Theodore State Government approved the construction of a mill on the banks of Banyan Creek. The site was selected by the Bureau of Central Mills, and the township of Tully (originally surveyed as Banyan) was established specifically to support the mill workers and service the facility.[1]

The tender for construction was awarded to Walkers Limited of Maryborough in August 1923. The mill conducted a trial crushing starting on 5 November 1925, with its first full season commencing in July 1926. It quickly proved efficient, becoming the first Australian sugar mill to crush over 200,000 tonnes of cane in a single season in 1927.

Operational History

In 1930, the Tully Sugar Works Act authorised the transfer of the mill from government control to a grower owned cooperative. The Tully Co-operative Sugar Milling Association was formed in March 1931, and the growers purchased the mill from the government later that year.

The mill underwent its first major technical upgrade in 1963 to handle increased cane supply from the Riversdale expansion area. By 1983, the mill celebrated its first million tonne crush season.

In 1990, the cooperative was dissolved, and the entity was incorporated as an unlisted public company named Tully Sugar Limited. This change allowed for greater capital investment and modernisation of the milling train.[2]

The early 21st century brought challenges, including severe weather events. In February 2011, Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi (Category 5) crossed the coast near Mission Beach. The mill suffered significant structural damage to the cooling towers and storage sheds, and the surrounding crop was devastated.

Ownership

Following the cyclone, the mill became the target of a takeover bid. In July 2011, the Chinese state owned agribusiness COFCO (via its subsidiary Top Glory) acquired Tully Sugar Limited for approximately 136 million dollars, outbidding competitors such as Bunge and Wilmar. This ended 80 years of local grower ownership.[3]

Infrastructure

Tramway

Tully Mill operates one of the largest cane railway networks in Australia, utilising 610 mm (2 ft) gauge. The network extends over 200 kilometres and services the high rainfall areas of the Tully Valley, Euramo, Riversdale, and El Arish.

A significant engineering feature of the network is the bridge crossing the Tully River, which allows cane to be transported from the southern sectors. The network is known for its "town running" sections where cane trains navigate through the built up areas and across the Bruce Highway.

Technical Upgrades

Under COFCO ownership, significant investment has been made into the boiler station and power generation capabilities. A new 18 MW steam turbine generator was installed to improve energy efficiency and export renewable power to the national grid.

Production Statistics

Tully Mill consistently ranks as one of the highest throughput mills in the Northern Region.

Statistic Value
Average Annual Crush 2,400,000 tonnes
Primary Transport Mode 610 mm Tramway
Network Length >200 kilometres

Location

Loading map...

Rollingstock

Name Builder Model Serial Year Current Mill Notes
1 / Charlotte E.M. Baldwin DH8-PS 6-1082-3-2-65 1965 Tully Mill Workshop shunter. 2025.
Tully 2 / Priscilla E.M. Baldwin DH8-PS 6-1082-2-2-65 1965 Tully Mill Navvy duties. 2025
3 / Coolies E.M. Baldwin DH8-PS 6-1082-1-2-65 1965 Out of service Static display at mill gates
Tully 4 Walkers GH500 622 1965 Tully Mill Converted by Walkers - 1996
Tully 5 Walkers GH500 650 1969 Tully Mill Converted by Walkers - 1993
Tully 6 Walkers GH500 653 1970 Tully Mill Converted by Walkers - 1993
Balmoral E.M Baldwin DH32B 10684-1-4-83 1983 Marian Mill Was Tully 7. Swapped 2008.
10 Commonwealth Engineering AD AD1341 1960 Tully Mill Navvy duties. 2025.
Tully 11 Commonwealth Engineering AD AD1347 1960 Tully Mill Paired with Tully 16. 2024
Tully 12 Commonwealth Engineering AD AD1351 1961 Out of service Stored at Tully Mill. 2025
Tully 14 Commonwealth Engineering AK AK2663 1963 Tully Mill Navvy duties. 2025
Tully 16 Commonwealth Engineering AH4484 AH 1964 Tully Mill Paired with Tully 11. 2024.
Tully 17 Commonwealth Engineering AH AH42100 1966 Out of service Stored at Tully Mill. 2025
Tully 18 Commonwealth Engineering AO AO60113 1977 Tully Mill Navvy duties. 2025
No. 9 Clyde DHI DHI.4 1954 Out of service Converted to brake van BV1
Tully 3 Walkers GH500 643 1970 Tully Mill Converted by Tully Mill - 2013
Tully 7 Walkers GH500 657 1970 Tully Mill Converted by Tulk Goninan - 1994
Tully 8 Walkers GH500 606 1969 Tully Mill Converted by Bundaberg Foundry - 2004.
Tully 9 Walkers GH500 618 1969 Tully Mill Converted by Tully Mill - 2010
Tully 15 Commonwealth Engineering AK AK3574 1964 Out of service Stored at Tully Mill. 2025
Tully 2 Walkers GH500 586 1968 Tully Mill Converted by Tully Mill 2024.
No. 1 E.M. Baldwin DH8-PS 6-1064-4-2-65 1965 Out of service
No. 2 E.M. Baldwin DH8-PS 6-1064-3-2-65 1965 Out of service
No.3 E.M. Baldwin DH8-PS 6-1064-2-2-65 1965 Out of service
No. 8 John Fowler 21912 1936 Out of service Rebuilt by E.M. Baldwin - 5-90-9-63
No. 17 Commonwealth Engineering AH AH52100 1966 Out of service

References

  1. ↑ Queensland Places. "Tully". Centre for the Government of Queensland. https://queenslandplaces.com.au/tully
  2. ↑ Tully Sugar Limited. "Our History". https://www.tullysugar.com/about-us/history/
  3. ↑ ABC News. "Tully Sugar shareholders vote for COFCO offer". 5 July 2011.
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