The Maltings
 Picture of Malthouse 3 | |
 | |
| Alternative names | The Maltings |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Town or city | Mittagong |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 34°26′54″S 150°27′31″E / 34.4482°S 150.4587°E |
| Elevation | 631m[1] |
| Construction started | 30 Jan 1899 |
| Completed | Aug 1899 |
| Cost | £8,496 tender |
| Owner | Malting Company of New South Wales (Limited) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Mr. Timothy T. Connor – 1913 expansion[2] |
| Main contractor | Stuart Brothers of Sydney |
The Mittagong Maltings was a large three-malthouse complex first established in 1899 by the Malting Company of New South Wales, Australia, to supply malt to breweries throughout the state.[3][4] The Maltings site is listed as a local council heritage item.[5]
Location[edit]
Located northeast of the current Mittagong railway station, The Maltings consist of imposing buildings that were established next to the Main Southern Railway and Nattai Creek.
Early times[edit]
A vacant area of the current Oaklands Estate was acquired in 1898 by the Malting Company of NSW.[6] In 1899 an imposing yet dignified malthouse was constructed between the railway line and Nattai Creek. Over the following eighteen years, two additional malthouses, storage silos, workshops and a manager's house were constructed. The first malthouse was completed in 1899 and started operation in August of that year. In 1905 the Malting Company of NSW accepted an offer from Tooth & Co. to purchase the Mittagong Maltings and the original company was wound up. In 1906, Tooth & Co. constructed a second malthouse that was located to the north of the first malthouse and was a reverse image of the original. The third malt house, located across Nattai creek from the other two, began operations in 1916.
Later[edit]
From 1916 until 1942 the three malt houses were more or less in continuous production with additional ancillary buildings erected and improvements in amenities provided. A light rail and pedestrian bridge was provided as a crossing point over the Nattai creek to link Malthouse No. 1 & 2 with No. 3. Malthouse 1&2 were damaged extensively by fire in 1942.[7][8] Production ceased in Malthouse 1 for over a year and Malthouse 2 for a decade. Malthouse 3 continued production throughout this time. Malthouse 1 was temporally repaired over the following twelve months and fuller repairs were made over the following years. Malthouse 2 was completely rebuilt and did not return to active production until 1953.
There was a temporary closure in 1948 due to weather conditions.[9]
Another fire in 1969 closed Malthouse 1 permanently with all internal structure's removed. Production in Malthouse 2 & 3 continued until 1980 when a fire burnt out the silo and kiln roof section of Malthouse 3.[10]
With hard times being felt by Tooth & Co., and the easily availability of subcontracting malters, the owners decided to close the Mittagong maltings and placed all holdings up for sale in 1981.[5]
Modern Times[edit]
In 2019 the site was sold to Halcyons Hotels who plan to retain the buildings exterior whilst inside creating a multi-use facility. The entire site is now fenced off preventing public access. [11]
Further reading[edit]
McColgan, John (1995). Southern Highlands Story. pp. 75–76, 80, 115–144. ISBN 9780646261751.
Else-Mitchell, R. (1981). Early Industries in the Mittagong District. Berrima District Historical Society. ISBN 0-9598208-7-6.
Series of articles by Philip Morton published in the Southern Highland News
- Preface – "Sydney's Tooth Brewing Family Established Local Connections". Southern Highland News. 5 August 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- One – "Oaklands Estate was Site Where Mittagong Maltings Established". 26 August 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- Two – "Part Two of a 4-part series". 2 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- Three – "Despite Plentiful Water Supply, Fire Caused Setbacks at the Maltings". 9 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- Four – "The Maltings – Aesthetics, Skills, Managers and Working Conditions". 16 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
Gallery[edit]
- "Tooth and Co. Maltings". www.bleakscenes.net.
- "The Abandoned Tooth & Co. Brewery (Mittaging Maltings)". Abandoned Places.
References[edit]
- ^ https://elevation.maplogs.com/poi/mittagong_nsw_australia.154485.html
- ^ "Tenders". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 16 December 1913. p. 5. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ "Mittagong Malt Works". The Sydney Wool and Stock Journal. National Library of Australia. 17 February 1899. p. 12. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ "A Large Malting Establishment". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 17 February 1899. p. 5. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ a b "Maltings (The)". Office of Environment & Heritage. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ Berrima District Historical and Family History Society (6 August 2013). "Oaklands Estate was Site Where Mittagong Maltings Established". Southern Highland News.
- ^ "Big Mittagong Fire". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 6 August 1942. p. 6. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ "Fires in Malt Houses". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 6 August 1942. p. 2. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ "Beer Shortage Looms". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 30 December 1948. p. 2. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ Berrima District Historical and Family History Society (9 September 2013). "Despite Plentiful Water Supply, Fire Caused Setbacks at the Maltings". Southern Highland News.
- ^ "The Maltings". themaltings.com. Retrieved 25 July 2023.