The mill ay Harwood in northern New South Wales was still using stationary
steam in the 2009 season according to this video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGviIwpkLW4.
More inrofmation would be appreciated http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGviIwpkLW4
(8th Nov 2011).
The mill at Condong in northern New South Wales appears to have some steam powered
machinery, see http://www.aussietourism.net/Aussietourism/states/Qld/gold_coast_region/condong_mill_ad.html
and www.nswsugar.com.au. I am trying to
find out more information. Thanks to regular correspondent Chris Hart for this one.
Tom Badger (until recently Shift Supervisor at Condong Mill) adds (28th November 2003)
"I can confirm that there are four stationary steam engines currently in use within
the New South Wales sugar mills. Harwood Mill and Condong Mill each have two units
remaining, driving cane crushing mills. The two at Condong are driven by 560 kPa steam,
and develop about 175 kW indicated power. One engine was built by Bundaberg Foundry, the
other by Smiths of Glasgow. All of these engines have a limited life expectancy, will
probably be replaced by electric drives in the near future."
21st century appropriate technology -
Pritchard Power of Melbourne have designed a biomass fueled steam engine -
perfect for remote areas - see http://www.pritchardpower.com.au
(8th July 2009).
Ray Gardiner advises me that "the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney has a lot of
stationary steam engines which are still steamed everyday I think . They have some very
interesting engines including a Boulton and Watt engine . The oldest existing steam engine
in the world." Check out http://www.phm.gov.au.