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Bingera Mill

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Bingera Mill

Bingera Sugar Mill. 1907. State Library of Queensland.
Bingera Sugar Mill. 1907. State Library of Queensland.

Location
Coordinates 24.92941° S, 152.19909° E
State Queensland
Region Bundaberg
LGA Bundaberg Regional Council
Details
Established 1885 (141 years ago)
Closed 2020 (6 years ago)
Owner Bundaberg Sugar
Gauge 610 mm (2ft)
Annual Crush 450,000 tonnes, seasonal average prior to closure.

Bingera Mill

Bingera Mill was a raw sugar factory located on the north side of the Burnett River, approximately 20 kilometres southwest of Bundaberg, Queensland. Established in 1885 by the Gibson family, it became one of the largest sugar mills in the district and operated for 135 years before its closure in 2020.[1] Throughout its operational life, the mill was serviced by an extensive 610 millimetre (2 foot) gauge tramway network which remains in use to transport cane to the Millaquin Mill.[2]

Origins and Establishment

The history of Bingera Mill is closely tied to the Gibson family. William Gibson, a sugar grower who had previously operated at Hemmant near Brisbane, sought new land in the Bundaberg region in the early 1880s.[3] In 1883, Gibson purchased land on the northern bank of the Burnett River. To finance the venture, his sons formed a partnership with John Howes and Brothers, leading to the establishment of the Bingera Plantation. The name Bingera is believed to be derived from an Aboriginal word indicating bony bream (a type of fish).[4]

Construction of the mill proceeded rapidly between 1883 to 1885. The facility was equipped with a large crushing plant, a sawmill, and water pumping machinery. The first crushing season occurred in 1885. Unlike many other mills in the region which subdivided their plantations into smaller farms, Bingera maintained a large estate structure for many years. By 1889, the partnership had invested significantly in the site, employing nearly 100 Europeans and approximately 200 South Sea Islanders (Kanakas).[5]

Expansion and Modernisation

In 1897, the government railway siding serving the mill, previously known as Gibsons Siding, was renamed Bingera. The mill grew to become the largest in the Bundaberg district during the early 20th century. In 1904, the partnership was formally floated as a company named Gibson and Howes Limited.[6]

The mill underwent continual technical upgrades to increase crushing capacity. In 1909, the company took delivery of three distinctive steam locomotives from Glasgow to work their expanding tramway network: The Rose, The Thistle, and The Crown.[7]

Following the passing of the founders, descendants of the Gibson and Howes families continued to manage the mill for decades. The surrounding community thrived, with the mill serving as the economic and social hub of the locality.[8]

Bundaberg Sugar Era

In 1972, Gibson and Howes Limited was acquired by Bundaberg Sugar Limited, marking the end of independent family ownership.[9] Under Bundaberg Sugar, Bingera was integrated into a wider regional strategy.

The closure of the Fairymead Mill in 2002 resulted in a significant redistribution of cane supply. Bingera absorbed a portion of the cane supply that had previously gone to Fairymead, ensuring the mill remained viable despite the closure of other factories in the region.[10] By 2010, the site had expanded its operations to include a joint venture with Bundaberg Macadamias, diversifying the land use around the mill.[11]

Closure

In October 2020, Bundaberg Sugar announced that Bingera Mill would close following the conclusion of the 2020 crushing season. The decision was driven by declining cane tonnage in the Bundaberg region, which had dropped from 1.8 million tonnes in 2016 to just over 1 million tonnes in 2020. The company determined that running two mills (Bingera and Millaquin) was no longer economically sustainable.[12]

Following the closure, all cane previously crushed at Bingera was diverted to the Millaquin Mill, located on the south side of the Burnett River. This consolidation required significant logistical changes to the cane railway network to transport cane across the river.[13]

Tramway Network

Bingera Mill was served by an extensive 610 mm gauge tramway system that connected the mill to farms in the Kolan, Gin Gin, and Bingera districts. The network was renowned for its scenic lines and substantial infrastructure.

Historically, the system operated a fleet of steam locomotives, eventually transitioning to diesel-hydraulic locomotives in the mid-20th century. Notable preserved steam locomotives from Bingera include the German-built Koppel locomotives and the aforementioned Scottish locos.[14]

Upon the mill's closure in 2020, the tramway network remained active but was repurposed to feed the Millaquin Mill. To facilitate this, Bundaberg Sugar invested in a new rail bridge crossing over the Burnett River to link the northern cane fields (formerly Bingera's territory) directly to the Millaquin network.[15]

Location

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Rollingstock

Name Builder Model Serial Year Current Mill Notes
Moorland E.M. Baldwin DH15B 5565-1-10-74 1974 Bingera Mill Was Coolum. Based at Fairymead depot
Calavos E.M. Baldwin DH24B 4983-1-7-73 1973 Millaquin Mill
Invicta Commonwealth Engineering AA A1513 1956 Bingera Mill Navvy duties.
Sharon Commonwealth Engineering AE A1935 1959 Millaquin Mill Stored at Millaquin
Wattle Commonwealth Engineering FD FD4789 1965 Bingera Mill Used as backup for breakdowns. Last seen in service Oct 2025.
Manoo E.M. Baldwin DH20 3875-1-7-71 1971 Bingera Mill Stored. Last in service 2021.
Oakwood E.M. Baldwin DH26B 5800-1-5-75 1975 Bingera Mill In service
Givelda E.M. Baldwin DH26B 5800-2-6-75 1975 Bingera Mill Stored. Last seen in service 2023.
Delan E.M. Baldwin DH26B 5800-3-7-75 1975 Millaquin Mill
Kolan Walkers GH500 633 1969 Bingera Mill Converted by Bundaberg Foundry - 1996
Miara E.M. Baldwin DH26B 8988-1-6-80 1980 Bingera Mill Based out of Fairymead depot.
Booyan Bundaberg Foundry SDH650 001 1991 Bingera Mill Being rebuilt as of 2024
Hydro Malcolm Moore 1025 1943 Bingera Mill Unknown status
Burnett Commonwealth Engineering AH AH2967 1963 Bingera Mill Stored? Last seen in service 2024
St Kilda Ruston Hornsby DH12 6-2179-1-6-67 1967 Out of service Rebuilt by E.M. Baldwin. Unknown location

References

  1. ↑ Queensland Places, Bingera and South Bingera, Centre for the Government of Queensland, 2018.
  2. ↑ Light Railway Research Society of Australia, Queensland sugar cane railways today, LRRSA, 2020.
  3. ↑ Australian Dictionary of Biography, Gibson, Angus (1842–1920), National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, 1983.
  4. ↑ Queensland Places, Bingera and South Bingera, Centre for the Government of Queensland, 2018.
  5. ↑ Australian Dictionary of Biography, Gibson, Angus (1842–1920), National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, 1983.
  6. ↑ Fryer Library Manuscripts, UQFL357 Brenda Martin Collection, University of Queensland, 2010.
  7. ↑ Fryer Library Manuscripts, UQFL357 Brenda Martin Collection, University of Queensland, 2010.
  8. ↑ Queensland Places, Bingera and South Bingera, Centre for the Government of Queensland, 2018.
  9. ↑ Bundaberg Sugar, Company History, Bundaberg Sugar Ltd, 2018.
  10. ↑ Queensland Places, Bingera and South Bingera, Centre for the Government of Queensland, 2018.
  11. ↑ Queensland Places, Bingera and South Bingera, Centre for the Government of Queensland, 2018.
  12. ↑ Food & Drink Business, Bundaberg Sugar to close Bingera mill, Yaffa Media, 28 October 2020.
  13. ↑ Bundaberg Regional Council, Bingera Mill closure reflects ongoing transition, Bundaberg Regional Council, 25 October 2020.
  14. ↑ Australian Steam, Sugar Industry Preserved Locomotives, Australian Steam, 2014.
  15. ↑ Our Bundaberg Region, FAQs: Bundaberg Sugar Cane Rail Bridge, Bundaberg Regional Council, 2021.
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