Old Bowen Coke Factory Breathes New Life

The derelict and disused Coke Factory in Bowen has just been purchased by a large coal mining contractor who wishes to refurbish and rehabilitate the old site so that it once again serves a purpose and provides jobs for locals.

Peter Turner from Turner’s Engineering in the Gold Coast came to the Whitsundays to watch the Bowen Superboats a few years ago and spotted the old factory while touring the town.

He liked the building then and when he saw it come up for sale a year later, he jumped at the opportunity to purchase the iconic site from the Government Department of Resources.

Bowen Coke Works was established in 1932 by the Queensland Government and produced metallurgical coke for smelter operations in Mount Isa for decades.

In 2016, it was shut down when it became significantly cheaper to source metallurgical coke from Asia.

Since then, it has become increasingly dilapidated, and Mr Turner said that their first job was to ensure safety by putting a fence around the property.

Listed as a high impact industrial zone, the site of the old plant is ideal for heavy manufacturing and Mr Turner plans to use the location for this purpose so he can supply mines in Moranbah, Black Water and Collinsville.

“The Coke Works has no future,” he said.

“We are going to do some heavy manufacturing and create some local jobs – 10 jobs initially.”

Locals will be pleased to hear, however, that the two main factory buildings and one small cottage will be refurbished and remain in-tact.

The rest will be demolished.

Mr Turner officially purchased the property three weeks ago and since then he has been engaging with local contractors to install water, sewerage and power.

He is also replacing the glass in the buildings and generally ensuring it is safe.

With access to direct funding for the project, Mr Turner has the ability to move straight away and looks forward to opening by June 30 this year.

Mr Turner standing outside the Bowen Coke Works site

The old site

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