The Babinda Sugar Mill was a sugar mill that operated in Babinda, Queensland, Australia from 1915 to 2011. The site of the mill is owned by MSF Sugar and is located next to the Bruce Highway.[1]
| Babinda Sugar Mill | |
|---|---|
 Photo of the mill, which was active from 1915 to 2011 | |
| General information | |
| Location | Babinda, Queensland, Australia |
History
editBackground
editSugar cane production became a staple crop in the Far North Queensland, making it necessary for there to be a means of refining the product. The sugar industry was the primary source of economic stability and growth in the local area and was described as being a “foundation industry” for local economics.[2]
Activities of the sugar mill were important in overall discussions about the economics of both the local area and wider economy.[3][4] The mill closed on 23 February 2011.
Operations
editThe Babinda Sugar Mill opened on 15 September 1915[5] but some operations and building of the mill had begun in 1914.[6] The address of the Babinda Mill was on the Bruce Hwy, Babinda, Queensland.[7]
It was a source of food and employment for nearly a decade and important for the local area and great Australian food industry. As part of the Bundaberg Sugar Ltd reports are available from the Queensland government.[7]
Workforce
editAs of 2011, the mill employed around 60 workers, with employment numbers increased to 100 during peak crushing season. The Courier-Mail reported at the time of closure that many workers at the mill came from families with many relatives who had been employed at the mill.[8]
Closure and legacy
editThe closure of the mill in 2011 was reportedly a "huge shock to canegrowers" in the region.[9] The banana production industry in the local area replaced some of the economic activity.[2]
In 2014, the previous site of the mill was earmarked for a residential housing development project. The project was described as being large-scale which was predicted to generate an economic boom for the local area.[10] In 2017, it was proposed as a site for a biorefinery.[1]
An additional photo can be sourced from the 1930s from the Townsville library.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b "Old Babinda Mill site not suitable for biorefinery says sugar miller". The Cairns Post. 2017-09-16. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
- ^ a b Cairns Regional Council. (2019, June). Babinda Economic Development Plan. Retrieved from https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/208407/BabindaEDP.pdf
- ^ "REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES OF BABINDA SUGAR MILL". Cairns Post. 1951-12-22. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
- ^ "Babinda Central Sugar Mill | Queensland Places". www.queenslandplaces.com.au. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
- ^ Babinda Info Centre. "Babinda" (PDF).
- ^ "Sugar mill to close in blow to cyclone town". ABC News. 2011-02-08. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
- ^ a b Queensland Government. "Bundaberg Sugar Ltd. Babied a Sugar Mill".
- ^ Healy, Samantha (2011-02-27). "Scores jobless after sugar mill closes". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
- ^ Cassey, Brian; Grant-Taylor, Tony (2011-02-09). "Canegrowers sour over closure of mill". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
- ^ Serenc, Michael (2014-12-10). "Demolished Babinda Mill site near Cairns to undergo massive residential, commercial, tourism and light industrial redevelopment". The Cairns Post. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
- ^ "Babinda, Sugar Mill, ca. 193?". Townsville City Council. Retrieved 2024-06-06.