Babinda Sugar Mill

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

Background

Sugar 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

The 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

As 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

The 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]