The Maltings

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For other uses, see The Maltings (disambiguation).

Tooths brewery mittagong.jpg
Picture of Malthouse 3
Alternative namesThe Maltings
General information
Town or cityMittagong
CountryAustralia
Coordinates34°26′54″S 150°27′31″E / 34.4482°S 150.4587°E / -34.4482; 150.4587Coordinates: 34°26′54″S 150°27′31″E / 34.4482°S 150.4587°E / -34.4482; 150.4587
Elevation1,560m
Construction started30 Jan 1899
CompletedAug 1899
Cost£8,496 tender
OwnerMalting Company of New South Wales (Limited)
Design and construction
ArchitectMr. Timothy T. Connor – 1913 expansion[1]
Main contractorStuart 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.[2][3] The Maltings site is listed as a local council heritage item.[4]

Location[]

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[]

A vacant area of the current Oaklands Estate was acquired in 1898 by the Malting Company of NSW.[5] 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[]

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.[6][7] 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.[8]

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.[9]

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.[4]

Further reading[]

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

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Tenders". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 16 December 1913. p. 5. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  2. ^ "Mittagong Malt Works". The Sydney Wool and Stock Journal. National Library of Australia. 17 February 1899. p. 12. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  3. ^ "A Large Malting Establishment". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 17 February 1899. p. 5. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Maltings (The)". Office of Environment & Heritage. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  5. ^ Berrima District Historical and Family History Society (6 August 2013). "Oaklands Estate was Site Where Mittagong Maltings Established". Southern Highland News.
  6. ^ "Big Mittagong Fire". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 6 August 1942. p. 6. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  7. ^ "Fires in Malt Houses". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 6 August 1942. p. 2. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  8. ^ "Beer Shortage Looms". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 30 December 1948. p. 2. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  9. ^ Berrima District Historical and Family History Society (9 September 2013). "Despite Plentiful Water Supply, Fire Caused Setbacks at the Maltings". Southern Highland News.
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