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Operated by Wilmar Sugar Australia. Opened 1896.
{{Infobox Mill
| name        = Racecourse Mill
| image      = Racecourse Sugar Mill, 2016.jpg
| caption    = Racecourse Mill. 2016. [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Kerry%20Raymond (Kerry Raymond)]
| coordinates = [https://www.google.com/maps?q=-21.164474532632777,149.13422366506873 21.16447° S, 149.13422° E]
| region      = [[Central Queensland Region|Mackay]]
| lga        = [[Mackay Regional Council]]
| established = 1886 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1886}} years ago)
| closed      =
| owner      = [[Mackay Sugar]]
| gauge      = 610 mm (2 ft)
| crush      = 1,600,000 tonnes, seasonal average
}}'''Plane Creek Sugar Mill''' is a sugar mill located in [[Sarina]], approximately 37 kilometres south of [[Mackay]], [[Queensland]]. It is currently owned by [[Wilmar Sugar]] and operates a 610mm gauge tramway network to transport sugar cane from surrounding farms to the mill.
 
== History ==
=== Establishment ===
The Plane Creek area was first settled by pastoralists Edmund Atherton and Henry Bell in the 1860s.<ref>Mackay History, ''Plane Creek Sugar Mill, 1896-'', http://www.mackayhistory.org/research/sugar_mills/plane_creek.html</ref> By the 1890s, local farmers sought to establish a central sugar mill to process cane crops in the district. The '''Plane Creek Central Mill Company Limited''' was formed in March 1894 under the ''Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893'', which allowed the company to mortgage land to the Queensland Government in exchange for a loan of £65,000 to construct the mill.<ref>Queensland Government, ''Sarina Community History'', https://www.qld.gov.au/firstnations/cultural-awareness-heritage-arts/community-histories/community-histories-s-t/community-histories-sarina</ref>
 
The contract for the mill machinery was awarded to [[Walkers Limited]] of [[Maryborough]]. Construction began under the supervision of G. Wolfe and J.B. Wood, and the first crushing season commenced on 4 November 1896. During this inaugural season, the mill processed 3,579 tonnes of cane to produce 371 tonnes of raw sugar.<ref>Mackay History, ''Plane Creek Sugar Mill, 1896-'', http://www.mackayhistory.org/research/sugar_mills/plane_creek.html</ref>
 
=== Operational History ===
Initially, the mill struggled financially, leading to the appointment of government guarantor directors. However, operations stabilised by the early 20th century. A significant development occurred in 1925 with the construction of the Plane Creek Power Alcohol Company plant adjacent to the mill. This facility was designed to process molasses (a byproduct of sugar production) into ethanol, a project supported by then Queensland Premier [[Edward Theodore]].<ref>Wikipedia, ''Plane Creek Sugar Mill'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plane_Creek_Sugar_Mill</ref>
 
The mill's water supply was secured through the construction of weirs on Plane Creek in 1926 and 1935. The extension of the [[North Coast railway line]] in the 1920s allowed cane to be transported from as far south as [[Flaggy Rock]].<ref>Wikipedia, ''Plane Creek Sugar Mill'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plane_Creek_Sugar_Mill</ref>
 
In 1995, Plane Creek Mill commenced the production of Very High Pol (VHP) sugar, also known as VLC (Very Low Colour) sugar.<ref>Australian Cane Farmers Association, ''Historical Events'', https://www.acfa.com.au/sugar-industry/historical-events/</ref>
 
=== Ownership ===
The mill remained a grower-owned cooperative for much of its history.
* '''1974:''' The mill was acquired by [[Pioneer Sugar]] Mills Limited.
* '''1987:''' [[CSR Limited]] acquired Pioneer Sugar, bringing Plane Creek under its control.
* '''2010:''' CSR sold its sugar milling division, Sucrogen, to the Singapore-based agribusiness [[Wilmar International]]. The mill is currently operated by Wilmar Sugar Australia.<ref>Wilmar Sugar, ''Mills: Plane Creek'', https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/what-we-do/mills</ref>
 
== Infrastructure ==
=== Tramway ===
The mill operates an extensive 610mm (2 ft) gauge tramway network. Original proposals in 1896 included a 15-mile line to a wharf at Louisa Creek for sugar export.<ref>Mackay History, ''Plane Creek Sugar Mill, 1896-'', http://www.mackayhistory.org/research/sugar_mills/plane_creek.html</ref> Today, the network extends south to Carmilla and is known for its long haulage distances.
 
A unique feature of the Plane Creek railway operations is the use of Distributed Power (DP) trains, where a second locomotive is placed mid-train to assist with braking and traction on long consists. This system is used on the run from the Karloo siding, approximately 65km from the mill.<ref>YouTube, ''Queensland's Cane Trains - Plane Creek Part 1'', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUoP2cVdrJI</ref>
 
=== Rolling Stock ===
The locomotive fleet has historically included both steam and diesel traction.
* '''Steam:''' Early motive power included locomotives from [[John Fowler & Co.]] and [[Maffei]]. Notable units included "Coronation" and "Billy" (Maffei 0-6-0WT, built 1911).<ref>Mackay History, ''Mackay Cane Railway Steam Locomotives'', http://www.mackayhistory.org/research/sugar_cane_trains/037_steam_1911_JA%20Maffei.html</ref>
* '''Diesel:''' The mill began dieselisation in the mid-20th century. The fleet has included:
** [[Clyde Engineering]] 0-6-0DH units (e.g., D1, D2, No. 3, No. 4).
** [[Commonwealth Engineering]] (Com-Eng) 0-6-0DH units.
** Rebuilt ex-government locomotives, such as the "Carmilla" (ex-NSWGR [[73 class]]) and "Victoria" (ex-Queensland Rail [[DH class]]).<ref>Light Railway Research Society of Australia, ''Australian sugar industry locomotives - 2000'', https://www.lrrsa.org.au/LRR_SGRe.htm</ref>
 
== Production Statistics ==
As of the 2020s, Plane Creek Mill has the following average annual production statistics:<ref>Wilmar Sugar, ''Refined sugar - Wilmar Sugar'', https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/what-we-do/mills?view=article&id=22</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! Commodity
! Average Annual Output
|-
| Sugar Cane Crushed
| 1,200,000 tonnes
|-
| Raw Sugar Produced
| 180,000 tonnes
|}
 
== See Also ==
* [[List of sugar mills in Queensland]]
* [[Sugar tramways in Queensland]]
 
== Location ==
<display_map>-21.164594429714306, 149.1348323906588</display_map>
 
== Rollingstock ==
 
{{#get_db_data:
|db=locos
|from=locos
|where=current_mill LIKE "%Racecourse%" OR purchasing_mill LIKE "%Racecourse%"
|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 />

Revision as of 16:21, 11 January 2026

Racecourse Mill

Racecourse Mill. 2016. (Kerry Raymond)
Racecourse Mill. 2016. (Kerry Raymond)

Location
Coordinates 21.16447° S, 149.13422° E
State Queensland
Region Mackay
LGA Mackay Regional Council
Details
Established 1886 (140 years ago)
Owner Mackay Sugar
Gauge 610 mm (2 ft)
Annual Crush 1,600,000 tonnes, seasonal average

Plane Creek Sugar Mill is a sugar mill located in Sarina, approximately 37 kilometres south of Mackay, Queensland. It is currently owned by Wilmar Sugar and operates a 610mm gauge tramway network to transport sugar cane from surrounding farms to the mill.

History

Establishment

The Plane Creek area was first settled by pastoralists Edmund Atherton and Henry Bell in the 1860s.[1] By the 1890s, local farmers sought to establish a central sugar mill to process cane crops in the district. The Plane Creek Central Mill Company Limited was formed in March 1894 under the Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893, which allowed the company to mortgage land to the Queensland Government in exchange for a loan of £65,000 to construct the mill.[2]

The contract for the mill machinery was awarded to Walkers Limited of Maryborough. Construction began under the supervision of G. Wolfe and J.B. Wood, and the first crushing season commenced on 4 November 1896. During this inaugural season, the mill processed 3,579 tonnes of cane to produce 371 tonnes of raw sugar.[3]

Operational History

Initially, the mill struggled financially, leading to the appointment of government guarantor directors. However, operations stabilised by the early 20th century. A significant development occurred in 1925 with the construction of the Plane Creek Power Alcohol Company plant adjacent to the mill. This facility was designed to process molasses (a byproduct of sugar production) into ethanol, a project supported by then Queensland Premier Edward Theodore.[4]

The mill's water supply was secured through the construction of weirs on Plane Creek in 1926 and 1935. The extension of the North Coast railway line in the 1920s allowed cane to be transported from as far south as Flaggy Rock.[5]

In 1995, Plane Creek Mill commenced the production of Very High Pol (VHP) sugar, also known as VLC (Very Low Colour) sugar.[6]

Ownership

The mill remained a grower-owned cooperative for much of its history.

  • 1974: The mill was acquired by Pioneer Sugar Mills Limited.
  • 1987: CSR Limited acquired Pioneer Sugar, bringing Plane Creek under its control.
  • 2010: CSR sold its sugar milling division, Sucrogen, to the Singapore-based agribusiness Wilmar International. The mill is currently operated by Wilmar Sugar Australia.[7]

Infrastructure

Tramway

The mill operates an extensive 610mm (2 ft) gauge tramway network. Original proposals in 1896 included a 15-mile line to a wharf at Louisa Creek for sugar export.[8] Today, the network extends south to Carmilla and is known for its long haulage distances.

A unique feature of the Plane Creek railway operations is the use of Distributed Power (DP) trains, where a second locomotive is placed mid-train to assist with braking and traction on long consists. This system is used on the run from the Karloo siding, approximately 65km from the mill.[9]

Rolling Stock

The locomotive fleet has historically included both steam and diesel traction.

  • Steam: Early motive power included locomotives from John Fowler & Co. and Maffei. Notable units included "Coronation" and "Billy" (Maffei 0-6-0WT, built 1911).[10]
  • Diesel: The mill began dieselisation in the mid-20th century. The fleet has included:

Production Statistics

As of the 2020s, Plane Creek Mill has the following average annual production statistics:[12]

Commodity Average Annual Output
Sugar Cane Crushed 1,200,000 tonnes
Raw Sugar Produced 180,000 tonnes

See Also

Location

Loading map...

Rollingstock

Name Builder Model Serial Year Current Mill Notes
Tully 7 Walkers GH500 657 1970 Tully Mill Converted by Tulk Goninan - 1994
Sunnyside Clyde DHI-71 57-160 1957 Racecourse Mill
Seaforth Clyde HG-3R 61-233 1961 Racecourse Mill
Victoria Plains Clyde HG-3R 66-490 1966 Racecourse Mill
Broadsound Clyde DHI-71HS 70-710 1970 Racecourse Mill Fitted with hydrostatic drive. Converted to hydraulic.
22 Pinnacle Commonwealth Engineering AN AN5849 1975 Racecourse Mill Rebuilt 1975 from ComEng, AA, AA1549
North Eton E.M. Baldwin DH24B Mk9 6780-2-8-76 1976 Racecourse Mill
Shannon E.M. Baldwin DH24B 7126-1-5-77 1977 Racecourse Mill
Mia Mia E.M. Baldwin DH28B 9815-1-10-81 1981 Racecourse Mill
Melba E.M. Baldwin 12512-1-7-1985 1985 Racecourse Mill Rebuilt by E.M. Baldwin from Clyde HG-3R, 64-377, 1964
Conningsby Clyde HG-3R 61-232 1961 Racecourse Mill Stored
Bassett Clyde HG-3R 67-596 1967 Racecourse Mill Stored
Munbura Clyde DHI-71 67-570 1967 Racecourse Mill
Chelona Clyde DHI-7 59-201 1959 Out of service Stored at North Eton Depot
52 Racecourse Clyde DHI-71 65-440 1965 Out of service Stored at North Eton Depot
Homebush Clyde DHI-71 55-58 1955 Out of service Unknown location
Rosella Clyde DHI-71 64-317 1964 Out of service Unknown location
(Blank) Motor Rail 21622 1957 Out of service
(Blank) Ruston Hornsby 48DLG 392120 1955 Out of service
(Blank) E.M. Baldwin DH8T 6-2612-1-10-68 1968 Out of service
(Blank) E.M. Baldwin DH8T 6-2612-2-11-68 1968 Out of service

References

  1. ↑ Mackay History, Plane Creek Sugar Mill, 1896-, http://www.mackayhistory.org/research/sugar_mills/plane_creek.html
  2. ↑ Queensland Government, Sarina Community History, https://www.qld.gov.au/firstnations/cultural-awareness-heritage-arts/community-histories/community-histories-s-t/community-histories-sarina
  3. ↑ Mackay History, Plane Creek Sugar Mill, 1896-, http://www.mackayhistory.org/research/sugar_mills/plane_creek.html
  4. ↑ Wikipedia, Plane Creek Sugar Mill, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plane_Creek_Sugar_Mill
  5. ↑ Wikipedia, Plane Creek Sugar Mill, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plane_Creek_Sugar_Mill
  6. ↑ Australian Cane Farmers Association, Historical Events, https://www.acfa.com.au/sugar-industry/historical-events/
  7. ↑ Wilmar Sugar, Mills: Plane Creek, https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/what-we-do/mills
  8. ↑ Mackay History, Plane Creek Sugar Mill, 1896-, http://www.mackayhistory.org/research/sugar_mills/plane_creek.html
  9. ↑ YouTube, Queensland's Cane Trains - Plane Creek Part 1, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUoP2cVdrJI
  10. ↑ Mackay History, Mackay Cane Railway Steam Locomotives, http://www.mackayhistory.org/research/sugar_cane_trains/037_steam_1911_JA%20Maffei.html
  11. ↑ Light Railway Research Society of Australia, Australian sugar industry locomotives - 2000, https://www.lrrsa.org.au/LRR_SGRe.htm
  12. ↑ Wilmar Sugar, Refined sugar - Wilmar Sugar, https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/what-we-do/mills?view=article&id=22
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