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| region      = [[Central Queensland Region|Mackay]]
| region      = [[Central Queensland Region|Mackay]]
| lga        = [[Mackay Regional Council]]
| lga        = [[Mackay Regional Council]]
| established = 1888 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1888}} years ago)
| established = 1889 ({{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-1889}} years ago)
| closed      =  
| closed      =  
| owner      = [[Mackay Sugar]]
| owner      = [[Mackay Sugar]]
| gauge      = 610 mm (2 ft)
| gauge      = 610 mm (2 ft)
| crush      = 1,600,000 tonnes (seasonal average)
| crush      = 1,700,000 tonnes (maximum production)
}}
}}
'''Racecourse Mill''' is a raw sugar factory located at Racecourse, approximately 6 kilometres south-west of [[Mackay, Queensland|Mackay]]. It is one of three sugar mills operated by [[Mackay Sugar]] (majority owned by [[Nordzucker]]) in the region. The site is a significant industrial hub, hosting not only the raw sugar mill but also the Racecourse Refinery (operated by [[Sugar Australia]]) and a major cogeneration plant.
'''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>


== History ==
== History ==
=== Establishment ===
=== Establishment ===
The Racecourse Central Sugar Company Limited was registered on 14 October 1886. It was established as a central mill under the Queensland Government's ''Central Sugar Mills Act'', which provided loans to groups of farmers to erect their own milling infrastructure, breaking the monopoly of plantation owned mills.<ref name="MackayHistory">Mackay Historical Society. "Racecourse Sugar Mill, 1888-". http://www.mackayhistory.org/research/sugar_mills/racecourse.html</ref>
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.


The mill was constructed by [[A. & W. Smith]] of [[Glasgow]] and commenced its first crushing season in 1888. In its inaugural years, the mill struggled with supply but expanded its cane area by purchasing the nearby Meadowlands Mill in 1914 and extending its tramway network into the Homebush district following the closure of the [[CSR]] [[Homebush Mill]].<ref name="Kerr_Century">Kerr, J. (1988). "A Century of Sugar". Mackay Sugar Co-operative Association Limited.</ref>
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>


=== Cooperative Era ===
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>
In 1927, the company transitioned to a grower owned cooperative, becoming the Racecourse Co-operative Sugar Association Limited. Throughout the mid 20th century, the mill underwent significant expansion to accommodate cane from closing mills in the [[Pioneer Valley]]. The mill ceased rail transport of sugar to the harbour in favour of road transport, although it maintains an extensive narrow gauge cane railway network.


=== Amalgamation and Modern Operations ===
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.
In 1988, to rationalise the industry during a period of low global sugar prices, the Racecourse Co-operative merged with the [[North Eton Mill|North Eton]], [[Marian Mill|Marian]], [[Cattle Creek Cooperative Mill|Cattle Creek]], and [[Farleigh Mill|Farleigh]] cooperatives to form the Mackay Sugar Co-operative Association Limited. Following this merger, Racecourse became a pivotal site for the new entity, receiving significant capital investment.


In 2019, the German sugar manufacturer Nordzucker acquired a 70 per cent controlling interest in Mackay Sugar, ending the mill's long history as a purely grower owned cooperative.<ref name="Nordzucker">Nordzucker AG. "Nordzucker signs agreement to acquire majority stake in Mackay Sugar". Press Release. 2019.</ref>
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"/>
 
=== Co-operative era ===
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"/>
 
The mill was progressively reconstructed and modernised during the twentieth century as its crushing capacity and cane supply area increased.
 
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"/>
 
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>


== Infrastructure ==
== Infrastructure ==
=== Refinery ===
=== Milling ===
In 1994, a white sugar refinery was constructed adjacent to the mill. It is currently operated by Sugar Australia, a joint venture between [[Wilmar Sugar]] and Mackay Sugar. The refinery has the capacity to produce approximately 350,000 to 450,000 tonnes of refined sugar annually.<ref name="SugarAustralia">Sugar Australia. "Our Operations: Racecourse Refinery".</ref>
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>
 
On average, the mill produces approximately 213,000 tonnes of raw sugar and 58,000 tonnes of molasses annually.<ref name="MkySugarFactories"/>
 
=== Racecourse Refinery ===
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"/>
 
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>
 
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.


=== Cogeneration Plant ===
=== Cogeneration Plant ===
A 38 megawatt cogeneration plant was commissioned at the mill in 2013 at a cost of 120 million dollars. The plant burns bagasse (cane fibre) to generate steam and electricity. It supplies the energy requirements of the mill and refinery, with excess electricity (approx. 27 megawatts) exported to the National Electricity Market.<ref name="MkySugarCogen">Mackay Sugar. "Sustainable Production: Cogeneration".</ref>
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>
 
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.
 
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"/>


=== Tramway ===
=== Tramway ===
The mill is serviced by an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge tramway network that brings cane from the surrounding farms in the central and southern districts of the Pioneer Valley.
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.
 
The Racecourse system forms part of Mackay Sugar's interconnected cane railway network, allowing cane movements between mill supply areas when required.


== Production Statistics ==
== Production Statistics ==
Racecourse Mill typically processes between 1.5 and 1.7 million tonnes of cane per season.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Statistic
! Statistic
! Value
! Value
|-
|-
| Average Annual Crush
| Maximum Cane Production
| 1,600,000 tonnes
| 1,700,000 tonnes
|-
|-
| Raw Sugar Production
| Average Raw Sugar Production
| 213,000 tonnes
| 213,000 tonnes
|-
|-
| Molasses Production
| Average Molasses Production
| 52,000 tonnes
| 58,000 tonnes
|-
| Average Electricity Generated
| 156,000 MWh
|-
| Average Electricity Exported
| 108,000 MWh
|-
|-
| Electricity Exported
| Refinery Capacity
| 130,000 MWh
| Up to 450,000 tonnes
|-
|-
| Refining Capacity
| Railway Gauge
| ~400,000 tonnes
| 610 mm (2 ft)
|}
|}


Latest revision as of 14:10, 5 October 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 1889 (137 years ago)
Owner Mackay Sugar
Gauge 610 mm (2 ft)
Annual Crush 1,700,000 tonnes (maximum production)

Racecourse Mill is a raw sugar factory located at Racecourse, approximately 6 kilometres south-west of 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.[1]

History

Establishment

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.

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.[2]

The original milling plant was purchased from Mirrlees, Tait & Watson of Glasgow. The mill was completed in 1889 and began operations that year.[2][3]

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.

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.[3]

Co-operative era

In 1927, the Racecourse Co-operative Sugar Association Limited was formed to acquire the assets of the Racecourse Central Sugar Company Limited.[3]

The mill was progressively reconstructed and modernised during the twentieth century as its crushing capacity and cane supply area increased.

In November 1987, Racecourse growers voted in favour of amalgamation with the other Mackay district milling co-operatives. On 1 February 1988, Racecourse, Farleigh, Marian, North Eton and Cattle Creek amalgamated to form the Mackay Sugar Co-operative Association Limited. The new organisation also purchased Pleystowe Mill from CSR Limited.[3]

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.[4]

Infrastructure

Milling

Racecourse Mill has a stated maximum production capacity of approximately 1.7 million tonnes of cane per crushing season.[5]

On average, the mill produces approximately 213,000 tonnes of raw sugar and 58,000 tonnes of molasses annually.[1]

Racecourse Refinery

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.[3]

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.[6]

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.

Cogeneration Plant

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.[7]

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.

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.[1]

Tramway

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.

The Racecourse system forms part of Mackay Sugar's interconnected cane railway network, allowing cane movements between mill supply areas when required.

Production Statistics

Statistic Value
Maximum Cane Production 1,700,000 tonnes
Average Raw Sugar Production 213,000 tonnes
Average Molasses Production 58,000 tonnes
Average Electricity Generated 156,000 MWh
Average Electricity Exported 108,000 MWh
Refinery Capacity Up to 450,000 tonnes
Railway Gauge 610 mm (2 ft)

Location

Loading map...

Rollingstock

Name Builder Model Serial Year Current Mill Notes
Tully 7 Walkers GH500 657 1970 Tully Mill Ex QR DH70; rebuilt in 1994. Ex Balberra, Racecourse Mill; transferred to Tully in 2008.
Te Kowai Clyde DHI-71 56-103 1956 Racecourse Mill Available for service in the Mackay Sugar fleet as of April 2024.
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 1971 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 6780.1 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 as of 2024.
52 Racecourse Clyde DHI-71 65-440 1965 Out of service Stored at North Eton as of 2024.
Homebush Clyde DHI-71 55-58 1955 Out of service Stored in the Mackay Sugar fleet (2024).
Rosella Clyde DHI-71 64-317 1964 Out of service Stored in the Mackay Sugar fleet (2024).
(Blank) Motor Rail 21622 1957 Out of service Out of use by 1983 and later derelict. Acquired by Peter McFarlane for the Sugar Bowl Museum at Septimus in early 2003 after lying derelict for at least 13 years.
Old Smokey Ruston Hornsby 48DLG 392120 1955 Out of service Ex Racecourse. Later with B&S Radic at Coolum. Advertised for sale in November 2014 and reported sold by December 2014. Later disposition not established.
Leo E.M. Baldwin DH8T 6-2612-1-10-68 1968 Out of service Ex Pearson Bridge; rebuilt at Racecourse. Sold at the 2003 Mackay Sugar auction to Kenneth Petts, Walkerston, and subsequently recorded there in preservation.
Road Runner E.M. Baldwin DH8T 6-2612-2-11-68 1968 Out of service Ex Pearson Bridge; rebuilt at Racecourse. Preserved at Red Cliffs Historical Steam Railway, Victoria.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mackay Sugar. "Our Factories". https://www.mkysugar.com.au/expertise/factories
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Queensland Parliament. Report of the Sugar Industry Commission. 1889.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Mackay Sugar. "Our History". https://www.mkysugar.com.au/expertise/history
  4. ↑ 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/
  5. ↑ Mackay Sugar. "Our Mills". https://www.mackaysugar.com.au/business/Pages/Our-Mills.aspx
  6. ↑ Sugar Australia. "Manufacturing Sites". https://sugaraustralia.com.au/our-business/operations/manufacturing-sites
  7. ↑ Hodgson, John; Sievers, Des; Doolan, Terry. "Racecourse Cogeneration Project". Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, 2014.
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