Farleigh Mill

Farleigh Mill
Farleigh Mill.
Location
Coordinates	21.09992° S, 149.10205° E
State	Queensland
Region	Mackay
LGA	Mackay Regional Council
Details
Established	1883 (143 years ago)
Owner	Mackay Sugar
Gauge	610 mm (2 ft)
Annual Crush	1,600,000 tonnes (seasonal average)

Farleigh Mill is a sugar mill located in the township of Farleigh, approximately 12 kilometres north-west of Mackay. Established in 1883, it has a long history of evolution from a plantation estate to a grower owned cooperative, and is now part of the Mackay Sugar group (majority owned by Nordzucker). The mill is notable for its extensive northern railway network that extends to the Proserpine district boundary.

History

Establishment

The mill was established in 1883 by Sir John Bennett Lawes, a wealthy English agricultural scientist and entrepreneur best known for founding the Rothamsted Experimental Station. Lawes purchased the Farleigh estate and several surrounding properties with the intention of establishing a large scale sugar plantation. The mill was constructed at a cost of approximately 25,000 to 30,000 pounds, with the erection overseen by engineer George Wolfe.

The early years were marked by difficulties. The mill relied on estate grown cane, but the site selection proved problematic as it was distant from the most productive growing areas. Despite the acquisition of the Ashburton and Pioneer plantations in 1893, the operation was deemed unviable by 1900. Lawes closed the mill after the 1900 crushing season.

The Company Era (1905–1926)

The mill did not remain closed for long. In December 1904, the Farleigh Estate Sugar Company Ltd was formed by a group of investors including Frederic Buss and John Cran, experienced sugar men from the Bundaberg district. They purchased the estate at a depressed price and shifted the operating model from plantation to central mill, subdividing the land for lease to small hold farmers. The mill was refurbished and recommenced crushing in 1905.

The Cooperative Era (1926–1988)

In 1926, the local growers formed the Farleigh Co-operative Sugar Milling Association Ltd to purchase the mill. This period saw a significant rationalisation of cane supply. The distant Homebush Mill cane was transferred to Racecourse Mill, and North Eton Mill took the Oakenden cane. In exchange, Farleigh acquired cane lands along the North Coast railway line, extending north to the Calen and Wagoora districts.

Modern Ownership

In 1988, Farleigh Mill joined with Racecourse, Marian Mill, Cattle Creek, and North Eton mills to form the Mackay Sugar Co-operative Association Limited. This merger was designed to rationalise milling capacity in the district.

In February 2019, the ownership structure changed dramatically when the German sugar giant Nordzucker acquired a 70.9 per cent majority stake in Mackay Sugar Limited. This investment provided the capital necessary to secure the long term future of the mill.

Infrastructure

Tramway

The Farleigh railway network is one of the most extensive in the Mackay district, characterised by its long northern main line.

• The Summit: The northern line is famous for 'The Summit', a steep grade near the mill that historically acted as a bottleneck. Steam and early diesel locomotives were unable to haul full loads over the grade and had to resort to 'doubling' (splitting the train). In 1997, Mackay Sugar invested 14 million dollars to realign this section, significantly reducing the grade.
• Wagoora Extension: The network extends approximately 70 kilometres north to Wagoora, which serves as the northernmost terminus, bordering the Proserpine Mill area.

Production Statistics

Statistic	Value
Average Annual Crush	1,600,000 tonnes
Railway Gauge	610 mm (2 ft)
Network Reach	North to Wagoora (~70km)

Location

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Rollingstock

Name	Builder	Model	Serial	Year	Current Mill	Notes
Seaforth	Clyde	HG-3R	61-233	1961	Racecourse Mill
Conningsby	Clyde	HG-3R	61-232	1961	Racecourse Mill	Stored
Bassett	Clyde	HG-3R	67-596	1967	Racecourse Mill	Stored
Calen	Walkers	GH700V	692	1972	Marian Mill	Rebuilt by Walkers 1995
Miclere	Walkers	GH700V	664	1970	Marian Mill
Pleystowe	Clyde	HG-3R	64-321	1964	Farleigh Mill
Palmyra	Clyde	HG-3R	63-273	1963	Farleigh Mill
Foulden	E.M. Baldwin	DH32B	7220-1-6-77	1977	Farleigh Mill
Hampden	E.M. Baldwin	DH32B	6706-1-5-76	1976	Farleigh Mill
Walkerston	Walkers	GH700V	672	1971	Farleigh Mill	Converted by Pleystowe 1994
Tannalo	Walkers	GH700V	705	1972	Farleigh Mill	Converted by Bundaberg Foundry 1995
Cedars	Walkers	GHV700	693	1972	Farleigh Mill	Converted by Walkers 1997
Dulverton	Walkers	GH700V	690	1970	Farleigh Mill	Converted by Walkers 1997
Netherdale	Walkers	GH700V	699	1972	Farleigh Mill
St. Helens	Clyde	HG-3R	61-234	1961	Farleigh Mill
Palms	Clyde	HG-3R	70-708	1970	Farleigh Mill
Inverness	E.M. Baldwin	DH32B	10123-1-5-82	1982	Farleigh Mill
Eton	Commonwealth Engineering	FB	FB3170	1963	Farleigh Mill	Navvy Duties
57 Little Baldwin	E.M. Baldwin	DH5-PS	5-774-6-64	1964	Farleigh Mill	Navvy Duties
13 Devereaux	Clyde	DHI-71	67-598	1967	Farleigh Mill	Navvy Duties
47 Pioneer	Commonwealth Engineering	AI	AI2358	1962	Out of service	Stored at North Eton Depot
48 Carlisle	Commonwealth Engineering	AI	AI3271	1963	Out of service	Stored at North Eton Depot
Richmond	Commonwealth Engineering	AA	A1308	1955	Out of service	Stored at North Eton Depot
Ashbyrton	Commonwealth Engineering	AA	A1614	1956	Out of service
Little Toot	Ruston Hornsby	20DL	218002	1943	Out of service
(Blank)	Motor Rail	4wDM	7369	1939	Out of service
(Blank)	Motor Rail	4wDM	21623	1957	Out of service
(Blank)	Pacific	MT14	1046	1976	Out of service
(Blank)	Avonside Engine		1909	1922	Out of service	Preserved?