A clawed excavator at work at the old bulk grain site.
Camera IconA clawed excavator at work at the old bulk grain site. Credit: Supplied/J Bianchini

Differing views on CBH Bulk Grain Silo demolition

Justin BianchiniMidland Kalamunda Reporter

ONE workplace across from the old wheat silo in Bellevue last week reflected the differing views on whether it should have been retained as part of Midland’s industrial heritage.

As three clawed excavators collected mangled metal from the demolished former CBH bulk grain site last Friday, the Reporter spoke to Peter Otley and Ralph Lovell, of Steve’s Motorcycles in Elgee Road.

“I’m not sad to see it go,” said Mr Otley, who has been in the area for 40 years. “It’s an eyesore and a waste of space. You may as well develop something we can use.

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“I’m looking forward to progress in Midland.”

But Mr Lovell, also a long-time resident, was disappointed to see the silo flattened.

“It has been part of Midland for years,” he said. “It’s another icon we’re losing; they demolished part of the railway yards for apartments.”

MORE: Bellevue: CBH grain silo demolished

He said the disused silo could have been used for other purposes such as military markets.

“They were building dongas there a few years ago and it was buzzing,” he said. “It’s a shame to see it not kept. People would say ‘where are you’ to us and we’d say ‘down by the silos’; everyone knew where they were.”