Box Flat Colliery

Box Flat Colliery commenced in 1897 at Parkhead on Patrick & Ella Streets, Swanbank.

WilliamMcQueen owned the mine and Mining and Hardware Supplies Co. Ltd., Brisbane Street.

McQueen and Co. purchased the lease for this land at Swanbank from the Fitzpatrick family and mined the Aberdare seam successfully for about 75 years.  It is thought that the mine was named after the box trees found at the site.

The business partnership endured for many years until William Hardie sold out to the other 2 in their partnership (Richard Smith and William McQueen) around 1910-1912. In the mid-1920s Richard Smith departed leaving McQueen the sole owner of Box Flat Mine. This company also worked the Parkhead Colliery known as Swanbank Dairy.

Box Flat Extended No. 5 Colliery commenced in 1940 on Swanbank Rd, Swanbank. 

A fire on 30/7/1972, and subsequent explosions in No.5 and No.7 mines on 31st July 1972 at Box Flat mine killed 17 men and badly injured several others. This incident was the worst mining disaster in Ipswich's history.  Following this catastrophe the mine closed and the tunnel's entrances were sealed.  

In 1972 Box Flat employed 250 miners. The mine produced 16,000 tons of coal per week, mostly supplying Swanbank Power Station. 

Box Flat closed in 1987. 

McQueen died in 1928. The mine was then owned by son Robert Brown McQueen who sold shortly after the mine disaster. Robert lived at 107 Chermside Road, East Ipswich.  William's grandson John was his heir. John lived at Edwards Street, Raceview which became Muller Court, Flinders View.