Babinda Mill
| Babinda Mill | |
|---|---|
|
| |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 17.34191° S, 145.92387° E |
| State | Queensland |
| Region | Northern Region |
| LGA | Mulgrave Shire Council |
| Details | |
| Established | 1915 (111 years ago) |
| Closed | 2011. Demolished 2013. (15 years ago) |
| Owner | Babinda Mill Joint Venture |
| Gauge | 610 mm (2 ft) |
| Annual Crush | 950,000 - 1,000,000 tonnes historical average |
The Babinda Mill was the industrial and economic heart of its district for nearly a century, operating from 1915 until its closure in 2011. Situated in the high rainfall belt of Far North Queensland, the mill played a fundamental role in the growth of the town and the development of the regional sugar industry. [1]
Early History and Construction
The mill was established under the Sugar Works Act of 1911, which was designed to support independent growers through the creation of central mills. Construction commenced in 1914 with machinery supplied by the English firm George Fletcher and Company. The mill began operations on 15 December 1915 and quickly became the primary employer and largest building in the town. [2]
Growth and Community
Following the opening of the mill, Babinda experienced a significant population boom. Between 1911 and 1921, the population increased fivefold as immigrants arrived from Italy, Greece, Malta, and Denmark to work alongside Anglo Irish settlers. In 1924, the facility transitioned from government control to a grower owned co-operative under the Primary Producers Co-operative Association Act. This was a landmark event, as it was the first mill in Queensland to be handed over to local farmers, giving the community direct control over its economic future. [3]
Corporate Transition and Industry Consolidation
The status of the mill changed significantly in the late 20th century. Following the closure of the Goondi Mill in 1987, the assigned cane crop from that area was shared between the Mourilyan and Babinda mills. It is noted in local records that South Johnstone was not part of this specific arrangement. [4]
The era of the local co-operative ended in 1989 when the mill was purchased by Bundaberg Sugar. This mirrored changes at other regional facilities, such as the Mulgrave Mill, which was purchased by Maryborough Sugar Factory (MSF) around 2008. Both the Babinda and South Johnstone mills eventually came under the MSF umbrella. With these acquisitions, both Babinda and Mulgrave ceased to be central mills in the traditional co-operative sense. [5]
Natural Disasters and Rationalisation
The mill faced ongoing challenges from the extreme weather of the region. Cyclone Larry caused approximately 10 million dollars in damage to the mill buildings in 2006. While the facility was repaired, the arrival of the category 5 Cyclone Yasi in 2011 became a turning point. [6]
At the time of the MSF acquisition, there was significant local speculation that the company intended to rationalise its operations by closing Babinda and moving its crushing requirements to the South Johnstone and Mulgrave mills. Many in the community believe that Cyclone Yasi provided the necessary catalyst for this planned closure. The mill officially ceased operations on 23 February 2011, ending 96 years of production. [7]
Legacy and Demolition
Despite its inclusion on the Queensland Heritage Register in 2005, the mill was demolished in 2013. The removal of the industrial skeleton and the iconic chimney changed the skyline of the town permanently. Today, the history of the mill and its workforce is preserved by the Babinda Information Centre, which maintains memorabilia and records of the families who built the local industry. [8]
References
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babinda_Sugar_Mill
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babinda_Sugar_Mill
- ↑ https://nqheritage.jcu.edu.au/1022/
- ↑ User provided information regarding Goondi Mill crop distribution
- ↑ User provided information regarding corporate acquisitions and MSF
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babinda_Sugar_Mill
- ↑ User provided information regarding rationalisation and Cyclone Yasi
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babinda_Sugar_Mill
Location
Rollingstock
| Name | Builder | Model | Serial | Year | Current Mill | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fishery | Baguley | BG8 | 3387 | 1954 | Out of service | Preserved - B Baker, Parkes |
| 1 | Commonwealth Engineering | AA | A1821 | 1957 | South Johnstone Mill | Was Josephine at Babinda |
| 10 | Commonwealth Engineering | AA | A2027 | 1958 | South Johnstone Mill | Was Russell |
| 6 | Commonwealth Engineering | AG | C2234 | 1959 | South Johnstone Mill | Paired with 7. Was Allison |
| 4 | Commonwealth Engineering | AD | AD1138 | 1960 | South Johnstone Mill | Was Harvey at Babinda |
| 7 | Commonwealth Engineering | AD | AD1239 | 1960 | South Johnstone Mill | Paired with 6. Was Morrison |
| 5 | Commonwealth Engineering | AH | AH22460 | 1962 | South Johnstone Mill | Was Bramston at Babinda |
| 9 | Commonwealth Engineering | AH | AH3979 | 1964 | South Johnstone Mill | Was Bartle-Frere |
| 19 | Malcolm Moore | 1011 | 1943 | Out of service | Unknown location | |
| 20 | Malcolm Moore | 1057 | 1943 | Out of service | Unknown location |