Mechanical device sparks timber mill blaze
The Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) says a mechanical fault in a sawdust collection device is the likely cause of a large fire in a Mount Gambier timber mill yesterday evening.
www.abc.net.auHere’s the latest I can share based on recent reporting.
Answer
- Yes. The historic Mount Gambier flour mill walls have been demolished to make way for a multi-storey hotel and associated development, despite local opposition.[3][5]
Context and key details
- The Mount Gambier Roller Flour Mill, a 140-year-old structure with pink dolomite walls, was the focal point of a community-led effort to preserve it, but planning authorities ultimately allowed demolition to proceed.[1][3]
- The demolition was approved after assessments concluded the wall was structurally unsafe or culturally expensive to repair, with proponents arguing preservation would be costly and time-consuming.[1][3]
- The site is slated for a major redevelopment that includes hotels, townhouses, and commercial space, replacing the historic facade with new construction.[5][3]
Updates and sources
- ABC News reported the wall’s demolition was approved and that heavy machinery demolished the facade, with developers moving ahead on the hotel/townhouse/retail plan.[3]
- InDaily covered the demolition as it occurred, noting the decision followed petitions and a state heritage protection plea that did not prevail.[5]
- Earlier reporting noted the plan originally included preserving the wall, but a revised application argued the wall was unsafe and not feasible to retain.[7]
Illustration
- A visual summary: historic façade remains were demolished; the site is transitioning to a multi-storey hotel complex with ancillary development.
Would you like a concise timeline of events with dates, or a brief comparison of what was proposed versus what was approved? I can provide either or both, with direct citations.