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South Johnstone Mill

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South Johnstone Mill

South Johnstone Mill, 2025.
South Johnstone Mill, 2025.

Location
Coordinates 17.60533° S, 145.99218° E
State Queensland
Region Northern Region
LGA Cassowary Coast Regional Council
Details
Established 1916 (110 years ago)
Owner MSF Sugar
Gauge 610 mm (2 ft)
Annual Crush 1,136,276 tonnes (2024 throughput)

South Johnstone Sugar Mill is a sugar mill located at South Johnstone, approximately 10 kilometres south of Innisfail, Queensland. The government-established mill commenced crushing in 1916 and was transferred to grower ownership in 1927.

Today the mill is operated by MSF Sugar, part of the Thai-based Mitr Phol Group. Its cane supply area incorporates parts of the former Babinda Mill, Mourilyan Mill and Goondi Mill districts, and its extensive 610 mm (2 ft) cane railway includes sections of several former mill and government tramway systems.

History

Establishment

In 1911 a Queensland Royal Commission investigated proposals for additional central sugar mills. South Johnstone was selected as one of the sites, together with Babinda. The mills were subsequently authorised under the Sugar Works Act 1911.[1]

The contract for construction of South Johnstone Mill was awarded to George Fletcher and Company of Derby, England, which also supplied the neighbouring Babinda Mill.[2]

Construction commenced during the First World War. By 1915 erection of the mill was underway, but wartime disruption delayed the delivery of machinery and considerably slowed completion. Government accounts anticipated that the mill would be ready to crush around the end of September 1916.[1]

South Johnstone Mill commenced crushing in 1916. Its first season processed 56,205 tons of cane and produced 4,729 tons of raw sugar.[3][4]

Approximately 100 growers supplied cane during the first season. By 1930 the number of supplying farms had increased to around 300.[5]

1918 cyclone

A severe cyclone struck the Innisfail and South Johnstone districts on 10 March 1918.

Most buildings in South Johnstone township were destroyed and several people were killed. Contemporary accounts indicate that the mill itself remained standing and provided shelter following the cyclone.[6]

The cane crop was severely affected. South Johnstone's crush fell from 81,584 tons in 1917 to 47,106 tons in 1918, with contemporary government statistics specifically attributing the reduction to the cyclone.[3]

Grower ownership and the 1927 strike

South Johnstone remained a Queensland Government mill during its first decade of operation.

In 1927 growers acquired the mill and established the South Johnstone Co-operative Sugar Milling Association Limited.[7]

The transfer was immediately accompanied by a major industrial dispute. The new management altered employment arrangements and did not re-engage all workers previously employed under government control. Mill employees struck, and the dispute widened when railway workers refused to handle sugar declared "black".[8]

The dispute became one of Queensland's most significant industrial conflicts of the period and involved both the mill workforce and Queensland railway employees.[9]

Weil's disease strike

South Johnstone was also involved in the major North Queensland cane-cutters' strike of 1935.

The dispute concerned the danger of Weil's disease, a potentially fatal infection associated with rats in unburnt cane. Cane cutters sought compulsory burning of cane before manual harvesting to reduce exposure to rats and contaminated material.

Workers at South Johnstone joined those in the Mourilyan, Goondi and Tully mill districts during the wider industrial campaign.[10]

The dispute contributed to the eventual adoption of widespread pre-harvest cane burning during the manual cutting era.

Expansion

The South Johnstone supply area expanded considerably during the twentieth century.

Soldier settlement schemes established after the First World War brought additional cane production to areas including El Arish. Development also expanded through the Japoon Valley, Liverpool Creek, Maria Creek and surrounding districts.[4]

The mill itself underwent substantial modernisation, particularly during the 1960s, when much of the early factory plant was replaced or rebuilt.[11]

Corporate ownership

Receivership and Bundaberg Sugar

During the late 1990s the cooperative experienced severe financial difficulties amid weak sugar prices and difficult seasonal conditions.

South Johnstone Mill entered receivership in 2001 and was subsequently acquired by Bundaberg Sugar.[12]

The acquisition ended approximately 74 years of direct grower ownership.

Northern Milling Joint Venture

In 2010 Bundaberg Sugar and the Maryborough Sugar Factory Limited, later renamed MSF Sugar, agreed to combine their Far North Queensland milling assets in the Northern Milling Joint Venture.

The joint venture commenced on 1 January 2011. Bundaberg Sugar contributed South Johnstone, Babinda and Tableland, while MSF contributed Mulgrave Mill.[13]

On 25 February 2011, MSF exercised its option to acquire Bundaberg Sugar's remaining 50 per cent interest in the joint venture. The assets acquired included South Johnstone and Tableland mills together with land and infrastructure associated with Mourilyan and Babinda. The Northern Milling Joint Venture was subsequently terminated.[14]

In February 2012, Thailand's Mitr Phol Group acquired MSF Sugar.[15]

South Johnstone remains an operating MSF Sugar mill.[16]

Regional mill rationalisation

South Johnstone's modern cane supply and railway system have been strongly influenced by the closure of neighbouring mills.

Following the closure of Mourilyan Mill after Cyclone Larry in 2006, portions of its former cane supply and railway infrastructure were incorporated into the South Johnstone system.

When Babinda Mill closed in 2011, former Babinda cane was divided principally between South Johnstone and Mulgrave Mill. Subsequent railway upgrading allowed cane to be transferred over sections of the former Babinda, Goondi and Mourilyan systems.

The modern South Johnstone mill area therefore includes farms historically associated with South Johnstone, Babinda and Mourilyan.[17]

Infrastructure

Cane railway

South Johnstone operates an extensive 610 mm (2 ft) gauge cane railway network.

Its railway history is unusual because part of the network originated not as a private mill tramway but as the Queensland Government-operated Innisfail Tramway.

The Geraldton Shire Tramway had constructed a 610 mm gauge public railway serving the district before South Johnstone Mill opened. In 1914 the Queensland Government acquired the local tramways and operated them as the Innisfail Tramway.[18]

The railway carried passengers and general freight as well as cane for South Johnstone and Mourilyan mills and raw sugar from both factories to Mourilyan Harbour.

In 1977 Queensland Railways sold the Innisfail Tramway to South Johnstone and Mourilyan mills. Following the sale, rail transport of raw sugar from South Johnstone to Mourilyan Harbour ceased immediately and was replaced by road transport.[18]

The acquired railway was incorporated into the two mills' cane transport systems.

Modern network

Following later mill closures, South Johnstone's rail system absorbed or connected with substantial portions of the former Mourilyan Mill, Goondi Mill and Babinda Mill networks.

The system includes major lines through the Japoon Valley, Silkwood, Mena Creek, the former Mourilyan district and portions of the former Babinda supply area.

Cane railway tracks remain a prominent feature of South Johnstone township, where the line passes through the town close to houses, businesses and public roads before entering the mill.

The railway network is approximately 470 kilometres in route length.[19]

Cyclones

South Johnstone operates within one of Australia's highest-rainfall and cyclone-prone sugar districts.

Cyclone Larry crossed the coast near Innisfail on 20 March 2006 and caused extensive crop and transport infrastructure damage. In the wider Bundaberg Sugar rail network approximately 1,200 cane bins were severely damaged or destroyed, while railway bridges, crossings, signs and other infrastructure required substantial repair.[20]

The closure of nearby Mourilyan Mill after Larry led to further restructuring of South Johnstone's cane supply and rail network.

Cyclone Yasi crossed the coast south of the district in February 2011 and caused further crop damage across Far North Queensland during the first year of the Northern Milling Joint Venture.

Production statistics

South Johnstone's throughput varies considerably between seasons because of weather, crop size and the transfer of cane between MSF mills.

Recent statistics also require a distinction between cane assigned to the South Johnstone mill area and cane physically crushed at South Johnstone, as significant quantities have at times been transferred to Mulgrave Mill for processing.

Selected documented production
Year Cane CCS Notes
1916 56,205 tons — First crushing season; 4,729 tons of raw sugar produced.[3][4]
1917 81,584 tons — Government mill statistics.[3]
1918 47,106 tons — Reduction attributed to the March 1918 cyclone.[3]
1991 794,551 tonnes — Queensland Sugar Corporation statistics.[21]
1992 1,025,108 tonnes — Queensland Sugar Corporation statistics.[21]
1993 1,091,588 tonnes 11.98 Queensland Sugar Corporation statistics.[21]
2016 1,721,223 tonnes 11.14 Record mill crush at the time.[22]
2017 1,522,493 tonnes 12.08 MSF Sugar final mill result.[22]
2019 1,246,832 tonnes physically crushed;
1,517,376 tonnes supplied under South Johnstone contracts 		— 270,544 tonnes of South Johnstone contract cane was transferred to Mulgrave for crushing.[23]
2020 1,770,781 tonnes mill-area cane 12.23 Sugar industry production statistics.[24]
2021 1,476,833 tonnes mill-area cane 11.41 Approximately 250,000 tonnes was transferred to Mulgrave for processing.[25]
2023 1,316,680 tonnes physically crushed;
1,488,316 tonnes South Johnstone-area cane 		11.6205 district average A further 171,635 tonnes of South Johnstone cane was crushed at Mulgrave.[26]
2024 1,136,276 tonnes 11.89 Physical South Johnstone Mill throughput. Season completed 24 November.[27]

Location

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Rollingstock

Name Builder Model Serial Year Current Mill Notes
28 / Daintree E.M. Baldwin DH28B 7303-1-7-77 1977 South Johnstone Mill Ex Mossman. Sold to South Johnstone after Mossman closure; operational as South Johnstone #28 (Jan 2026).
22 / Aloomba Professional Engineering B-B DH P.S.L.25.01 1990 Mulgrave Mill Built by Professional Engineering, Harare, to an Eimco design as South Johnstone #33 Nyleta; also carries Eimco serial L253. Rebuilt by South Johnstone in 1993. Transferred to Mulgrave and renamed Aloomba; extensively rebuilt by Mulgrave in 2014/15.
1 / Josephine Commonwealth Engineering AA A1821 1957 South Johnstone Mill Ex Babinda. Fitted for multiple operation.
10 / Russell Commonwealth Engineering AA A2027 1958 South Johnstone Mill Ex Babinda. Fitted for multiple operation.
6 / Allison Commonwealth Engineering AB C2234 1959 South Johnstone Mill Ex Babinda. Fitted for multiple operation.
4 Commonwealth Engineering AD AD1138 1960 South Johnstone Mill Was Harvey at Babinda. Rebuilt by IBS Engineering Supplies in 2015 and fitted for multiple operation.
7 / Morrison Commonwealth Engineering AD AD1239 1960 South Johnstone Mill Ex Babinda. Fitted for multiple operation.
5 Commonwealth Engineering AH AH2460 1962 South Johnstone Mill Was Bramston at Babinda. Rebuilt by IBS Engineering Supplies in 2015 and fitted for multiple operation.
9 / Bartle-Frere Commonwealth Engineering AH AH3979 1964 South Johnstone Mill Ex Babinda. Fitted for multiple operation.
2 Clyde DHI-71 55-56 1955 South Johnstone Mill Ex Goondi; later Mulgrave #23 Behana. Returned to South Johnstone and rebuilt in 2016.
3 Clyde DHI-71 56-90 1956 South Johnstone Mill Ex Goondi; later Mulgrave #24 Pyramid. Returned to South Johnstone and rebuilt in 2016.
8 / Miriwinni Commonwealth Engineering AA AA1543 1960 South Johnstone Mill Ex Mourilyan #6; formerly Queensland Railways Innisfail Tramway DL16 Korabine. Converted from diesel-mechanical to diesel-hydraulic in 1983 and fitted for multiple operation in 1999.
11 Clyde DHI-71 55-64 1955 South Johnstone Mill
12 Clyde DHI-71 55-60 1955 South Johnstone Mill Rebuilt by South Johnstone Mill in 2014.
14 Clyde DHI-71 63-288 1963 South Johnstone Mill
15 Clyde DHI-71 66-491 1966 South Johnstone Mill
16 Clyde DHI-71 56-93 1956 South Johnstone Mill Fitted for multiple operation.
17 Clyde DHI-71 55-57 1955 South Johnstone Mill Fitted for multiple operation.
18 Clyde DHI-71 56-83 1956 South Johnstone Mill Stored as of May 2024.
26 / Meringa Commonwealth Engineering AK AK3675 1964 Mulgrave Mill Was South Johnstone #2
12 / Riverstone Commonwealth Engineering AD AD1452 1961 Mulgrave Mill Ex South Johnstone #23; rebuilt by Mulgrave in 2016.
24 E.M. Baldwin DH24B Mk1 5477-1-8-74 1974 South Johnstone Mill Rebuilt at Mulgrave Mill in 2015 with Mulgrave-style cab, hood and fuel tank; RSU remote-control equipment fitted.
25 E.M. Baldwin DH24B Mk7 6470-1-1-76 1976 South Johnstone Mill RSU remote-control equipment commissioned at Mulgrave Mill in March 2015.
26 E.M. Baldwin DH24B 7244-1-8-77 1977 South Johnstone Mill Rebuilt at Mulgrave Mill in 2015 with Mulgrave-style cab, hood and fuel tank; RSU remote-control equipment fitted.
27 Commonwealth Engineering AI AI57111 1975 South Johnstone Mill Ex Queensland Railways DL20 Pin Gin. Generally used for navvy duties as of May 2024.
28 Commonwealth Engineering AA AA1544 1960 Out of service Ex Queensland Railways Innisfail Tramway DL17 CURRAJAH. Dismantled in 2021.
9 Baguley 2395 1952 Out of service Ex South Johnstone #9. Sold to the Welsh Highland Railway in 2009, rebuilt at Dinas and returned to service as No. 9. The proposed name CASTELL CIDWM was not adopted.
10 Baguley BG8 3390 1954 Out of service Ex Queensland Railways Innisfail Tramway DL12 MOURILYAN. Acquired by Lake Macquarie Light Rail in 2010 after being stored out of use at Mourilyan; subsequently restored.
31 Commonwealth Engineering AB C1125 1957 Out of service Stored out of use at Babinda in 2006 awaiting rebuilding. By late 2006 it had been stripped of useful parts; the remains were placed near the locoshed and reported destined for a tourist resort. Later disposition not established.
32 / Liverpool E.M. Baldwin DH32B 10385-1-8-82 1982 South Johnstone Mill Rebuilt by Mulgrave in 2016.
15 Baguley 2520 1954 Out of service Preserved at the Locos Function Centre, Mourilyan.
36 Commonwealth Engineering AA A1102 1955 Out of service Former South Johnstone #16; renumbered #36 after 2001. Stored out of use at Babinda in 2006, stripped of remaining useful parts and removed as scrap by late October 2006.
17 Malcolm Moore 1060 1943 Out of service Preserved at Newington, Sydney.
39 Commonwealth Engineering AH AH4688 1965 South Johnstone Mill Paired with #38; rebuilt by South Johnstone in 2017.
38 Commonwealth Engineering AH AH4695 1965 South Johnstone Mill Paired with #39; rebuilt by South Johnstone in 2017.
(5) Baguley 2396 1952 Out of service Former South Johnstone #14, Baguley 2396. Converted in 1986 to unpowered brake wagon RS0014; recorded out of use at Mourilyan in 2007.
17 / Deeral Commonwealth Engineering AD AD1453 1962 Mulgrave Mill
9 Perry 9737.45.1 1945 Out of service Originally South Johnstone #6; later Millaquin #9. Retired from cane haulage in 1974. Donated to Gisborne Vintage Machinery Society in 1990 and restored to operation in 1994; preserved operational at Gisborne Steam Park.
12 Malcolm Moore 4wDM TBA-12 1943 Out of service Ex Australian Army Malcolm Moore; petrol engine replaced by diesel. Out of use by 1978 and retained to provide spare parts for #13. Later disposition not established.
13 Malcolm Moore 4wDM TBA-14 1943 Out of service Ex Australian Army Malcolm Moore; petrol engine replaced by diesel. #12 and #17 were reported retained as spare-parts donors for this locomotive in 1978. Later disposition not established.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Queensland Department of Agriculture and Stock. Queensland Agricultural Journal, historical account of the government sugar mills.
  2. ↑ West India Committee Circular, 24 March 1914.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Queensland Department of Agriculture and Stock. Queensland Agricultural Journal, 1 June 1927.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. South Johnstone, Queensland Places.
  5. ↑ Queensland heritage historical material relating to South Johnstone and St Saviour's Anglican Church.
  6. ↑ Queensland Government. Innisfail Cyclone, March 1918.
  7. ↑ Dalton's Sources for North Queensland History. South Johnstone Co-operative Sugar Milling Association Limited.
  8. ↑ Kennedy, K.H. The South Johnstone Strike and Railway Lockout, 1927, Labour History, No. 31, November 1976.
  9. ↑ Queensland Parliament. Legislative Assembly Hansard, September 1927.
  10. ↑ Kennedy, K.H. and contemporary labour histories of the North Queensland 1935 cane cutters' strike.
  11. ↑ James Cook University ResearchOnline. Tropical Queensland Sugar Cane Industry.
  12. ↑ Centre for the Government of Queensland. South Johnstone, Queensland Places.
  13. ↑ MSF Sugar Limited. Preliminary Final Report – Year Ended 31 December 2011.
  14. ↑ MSF Sugar Limited. Preliminary Final Report, 2011.
  15. ↑ ABC News. MSF Sugar takeover complete in far north Qld. 23 February 2012.
  16. ↑ MSF Sugar. South Johnstone Mill.
  17. ↑ Sugar Research Australia. Sugar Industry Productivity Data Project, South Johnstone data entity.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Light Railway Research Society of Australia. Government railways in Australia of less than 1067 mm gauge – Innisfail Tramway.
  19. ↑ Sugar Research Australia / industry production statistics, South Johnstone mill area.
  20. ↑ Light Railway Research Society of Australia. Light Railways, No. 190, August 2006.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Queensland Sugar Corporation. Annual Report, Appendix A: Cane Crushed.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 MSF Sugar. Crushing Season a Success Despite Reduced Tonnages. 21 December 2017.
  23. ↑ CANEGROWERS. Annual Report 2019–20.
  24. ↑ CANEGROWERS / Sugar Research Australia. 2020 production statistics.
  25. ↑ CANEGROWERS. Annual Report 2021–22.
  26. ↑ CANEGROWERS. Annual Report 2023–24.
  27. ↑ Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables. Crush Statistics, 1 December 2024.
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