Coast history now just an eyesore

FORMER Eumundi icon, the old butter factory, has become an eyesore since it was razed by fire six years ago.

The Butter Factory in Eumundi has fallen into graffiti-daubed disrepair. Picture: Geoff Pottern

FORMER Eumundi icon, the old butter factory, has become an eyesore since it was razed by fire six years ago.

Graffiti-covered walls, debris strewn around, loose roofing tin banging in the wind and the occasional squatters make it an unsightly entrance to a town frequented by tourists.

The Eumundi Butter Factory was built in 1907 and was the largest milk collecting building on the Coast, successfully making butter and cream until 1953 when milk was sent to Brisbane.

A blaze ruined the then 98-year-old heritage-listed building in July, 2005.

One nearby resident, in a letter to the Daily, said he did not believe the site had been touched since the fire.

“I have seen evidence of drug use such as used needles, bongs, and empty alcohol containers scattered about,” he said.

“It has become a graffiti haven.

“What must tourists think of our town when they see the state of this property?”

Eumundi and District Historical Association president Joyce Turnbull said she last heard a development application, through Adams Sparkes town planners, would be lodged in 2010.

“Their development consists of commercial, retail, residential, community and recreational land,” she said.

“It was to include, as we understood, a small section for historical purposes to illustrate the industry that has gone on there.

“But the EHA has not had any formal communications from the planning company or the owners so we're a bit in the dark.

“The vibe in town is that the development, if well done, would make the town – if not well done, would break the town. Having the uncertainly for such a long period has had a devastating effect on businesses which were renting in the area as they were unable to secure a long-term lease.”

Glass blower Tina Cooper, from Tina Cooper Galleries, is among those coping with the uncertainty.

“My building has flooded four times in past floods because the building is in a bad state but there won't be anything done to the building because it will come down.

“It's making it hard for me to trade. We constantly have to clean up graffiti too.

“It could be one year, could be five years, but it is one day going to go ahead.

“We still have to trade because there's nowhere else to rent in town.”

Councillor Paul Tatton said he would confirm today whether an application was before the council.

“The developers who own the butter factory have done a lot of community consultation about the factory site plans,” he said.

“I understand the eyesore concerns. The graffiti does not look good at the entrance into Eumundi.”

Adams Sparkes did not answer its phones yesterday.

Originally published as Coast history now just an eyesore