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COMET MILL

Location HARRYS NOSE ROAD CLONBINANE, MITCHELL SHIRE File Number 502162 Level Registered

[1/1] 1 comet mill mount

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The Comet Mill represents a rare example from the later nineteenth century of a large sawmill and associated settlement. It operated from 1884 till 1902, and was connected by an outlet tramway to the railhead at Wandong. The mill was regarded in its day as the largest hardwood sawmill in Australia, processing up to 800 logs per month. The mill includes remarkably well preserved features in view of its advanced age, including concrete machinery foundations, intact earthworks and smaller fittings. The large sawdust heaps demonstrate the scale of milling operations, while large scatters of domestic debris indicate the extent of settlement at the site.

How is it significant?
The Comet Mill is of historical and archaeological significance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it significant?
The Comet Mill is historically important as one of the earliest sawmills in Victoria to be run by a large company rather than as a family business. It was relatively long lived, and supported an important mill settlement. The company was also one of the earliest to attempt to kiln season Australian hardwoods.

The Comet Mill is archaeologically important for its potential to yield evidence which will be able to provide significant information about the technological history of sawmilling, and the cultural history of sawmilling settlements.