Goodbye Qld Brewing History

[Anofre]

From the Toowoomba Chronicle yesterday.
Barret Burston Malting will depart from their 115 year old site in Toowoomba, to the new Pinkenba facility. This will close the book on one of Toowoomba's most historic businesses.

I drive past these buildings everyday. They have not been maintained to a level appropriate to their historic value.
The buildings suffered during the January floodings and are in need of roof repair to prevent expedited dilapidation. I expect this will not be a priority to BB now they are focusing on their 'new site'.

I propose that Barret Burston Malting and the National Trust / Queensland Heritage Register need to be reminded that there are people who are interested in our malting history, who would like to see this preserved for future generations.

How? I dont really know.


From the Queensland Heritage Register:

Toowoomba Maltings is important in demonstrating the pattern of Queensland's history, in particular the development of the malting industry on the Darling Downs and the use of floor maltings.

As a collection of buildings and equipment associated with the [superseded] technology of floor maltings, it demonstrates a rare aspect of Queensland's cultural heritage, and is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of floor maltings.

It is important in exhibiting a range of aesthetic characteristics valued by the community, in particular as an example of a functional industrial aesthetic

The place is important in demonstrating a high degree of technical achievement in an early 20th century floor malting complex.

The (new) complex, described as the biggest in the Commonwealth, (when it was) was opened on 1 June 1907.

http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/chims/placeDetai...Ty?siteId=15627

 

[Anofre]

This is that building today

 

[DU99]

it get a bulldozer thru it..write a letter to your local politician,and local tv station..if it's on the Queensland Heritage Register..it shouldn't get touched,sometimes they leave one building standing as a memory

 

[bconnery]

it get a bulldozer thru it..write a letter to your local politician,and local tv station..if it's on the Queensland Heritage Register..it shouldn't get touched,sometimes they leave one building standing as a memory

Nah mate, this is QLD. They either:
Bulldoze it all together (sometimes in the night in the hope less people will notice)
Get rid of most it and build around it but keep a few photos of what is used to be and give the new structure a name reflecting the old in order to supposedly reflect its heritage
Leave a facade of a building, or in fact usually less, sometime as little as the original staircase for example...

But (I'd like to say jokes aside but these are all pretty much actual examples) I'd say there is little chance. It will be gone soon enough...

Also how can floor malting be superseded technology when you can still buy floor malted grain?

 

[winkle]

(snip)

Also how can floor malting be superseded technology when you can still buy floor malted grain?

And many prefer the product?

 

[Anofre]

Another favourite is the old "leave the premesis unsecured until vandals & homeless take over/wreck and the council orders us to demolish" trick...


If they did up the old floor malting and produced speciality runs for the craft brewer market, I would buy it.

 

[Wolfy]

I propose that Barret Burston Malting and the National Trust / Queensland Heritage Register need to be reminded that there are people who are interested in our malting history, who would like to see this preserved for future generations.

Just because BB may have used the facility for 100 years should not mean they have any obligation to preserve it simply for yourself or others to enjoy if it does not have any commercial value or significance to them. If its listed on the National Trust / Heritage Register, let the Trust, the public or people who feel like yourself pay for and maintain the buildings.

 

[Screwtop]

Used to be Carlton Maltings years ago. Malt produced there was used in the famous Toowoomba Bulimba Beer.

I remember when the old maltings were more visible back in the 50's before the new buildings were built in front.

Screwy

 

[_HOME_BREW_WALLACE_]

If they did up the old floor malting and produced speciality runs for the craft brewer market, I would buy it.

I would too. :icon_cheers:

Sad Story, and i'm sure its just another blow to an already suffering country town economy.