Demolition of former textile mill James Nelson planned to make way for storage units
Once the site of the second largest textile site in Tasmania, a decades old factory could soon be no more. Why its planned to be demolished.
Tasmania
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A 75-year-old former textile factory in Launceston is slated for demolition to make way for 21 storage units.
The James Nelson mill at Mowbray was once the second-largest textile manufacturer in the state, employing thousands of Tasmanians.
Established in 1949, with production starting in 1951, the mill produced rayon fabrics for the makers of dresses, blouses, underwear, linings, and materials used as a replacement for silk.
It later manufactured furnishing and upholstery fabrics as its workforce increased.
The mill underwent several ownership changes over the years before it was acquired by Launceston businesswoman Wendy Langridge and her husband Peter in a management buyout in 2008.
In 2016, Mrs Langridge was penalised $98,000 for her ‘heartless’ treatment of long-term employees at the Mowbray Mill, owing more than $160,000 in outstanding wages and entitlements.
The mill officially ceased production in 2017.
Now, a planning application has been submitted to the City of Launceston to demolish the existing buildings and build 21 workshops/storage units at 298-308 Invermay Road, Mowbray.
On behalf of land owner Glen Allen Investments, developers from S Group say the proposed units will cater to tradesmen or businesses that require an office, garage, equipment, and private storage spaces.
Documents lodged with the council state that the buildings, designed by architect Donald Graeme Lumsden, to be demolished were “generally in poor condition”, with windows broken and the ceiling damaged.
On the development application, site contamination specialists note the significant amount of high-risk asbestos on the site, saying some is in “very poor condition”.
“The presence of asbestos is common on the site, with blue asbestos in the super 6 roof and some internal cladding,” the site contamination specialist said.
“We recommend removing the material as a separate process prior to demolition.”
The proposal also plans to merge the title of 25-29 Cadorna Street with 298-308 Invermay Road.
A decision is yet to be made on the planning application.
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