Co-operative Bulk Handling Facility

Statement of Significance

The site is significant for its association with the Great Southern Railway and with the
development of transport.

Physical Description

The facility is north of the Woodanilling Station and on the west side of the main Great
Southern Railway. Loop lines connect it to this line. Upgrading of the base facility
constructed in 1976 is ongoing with new sampling and weighbridges installed during the
1990's.

History

In 1940 Woodanilling farmers had their first opportunity to take advantage of bulk
handling wheat. In that year a bin was built with a capacity of 51,000 bushels (1400
tonnes) and the harvest of 1940-41 saw 1245.66 tonnes delivered. Bulk handling was an
idea that had been discussed among the district's farmers for more than 20 years. At the
September meeting in 1919, the Woodanilling branch of the Farmers' and Settlers'
Association moved that the Government bring in a bill to introduce the bulk handling of
grain as the stacking of bags was labour intensive and costly.

In 1941-42 the deliveries were 2,218.53 tonnes, a figure that was not to be exceeded or
even approached until the 1947-48 season. The mid forties saw several bad seasons
culminating in the flood year of 1945 when only 394.16 tonnes of wheat were delivered
from the harvest.

Oats were received for the first time in the 1951-52 season and the following year two
row and six row barley was accepted. This season saw the permanent roofing of the
bulkhead. Two open bulkheads were erected in later years.

In 1976 all these installations were demolished and the present 'A' type fixed machinery
installation (capacity 17,600 tonnes) and open bulkhead (4,900 tonnes) were built. With
this new installation the receival point at Boyerine was closed. The Boyerine bin had
been built in 1959 with a capacity of 5,400 tonnes.

A record receival figure was achieved in the 1978-79 season when a total of 24.209.9
tonnes were delivered. This comprised 12,519.69 tonnes of wheat, 9,126.83 tonnes of
two row barley (both records) and 5,563.38 tonnes of oats.

Two row barley supplanted the six row varieties entirely after the 1966-67 harvest and
farmers began growing increasing acreages of the malting barley. The peak seasons for
oat production were 1958-89, 1959-60 and 1965-66 when about 5500 tonnes were
delivered from each harvest in the district.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.