MIDLAND and Districts Historical Society and local residents are disappointed that demolition has begun at the former Midland abattoir in Bellevue.

The abattoir began operations between 1914 and 1915 and became a major employer for many locals in the area until its closure in 1981.

Midland and Districts Historical Society chair Matt Pavlinovich said the site is an important part of Midland’s history.

“Throughout its time, it had thousands of employees, and it served its purpose for the state’s meat industry,” he said.

“There was another abattoir near Fremantle then, but our one in Midland was a lot larger and employed a lot more people, so that’s why we feel that something needs to be left of it since it was there for such a long time.”

The site was later purchased by Brickworks.

“Brickworks had Austral Bricks there, but it shut down in 2022 and a year later they withdrew (manufacturing) from WA. So, this land for them is now surplus and they just want to get rid of it,” Mr Pavlinovich said.

“They’ve fenced everything up and demolition signs are being put up.

“They haven’t demolished the office (building) yet, but all the factories are being cleared as we speak.”

In 1948, the former administration and stores building was constructed, and when the abattoir closed in 1981, it was one of the few buildings that remained and was used as an administration and sales office.

“In 2024, we lodged an application with the State Heritage Office of WA, asking for the office building to be assessed and for it to be put on the state heritage list,” Mr Pavlinovich said.

“They came back and told us that though it had some cultural significance, it did not warrant an assessment of the building and that it was unlikely to meet the threshold for entry on the state heritage list.”

The building was later assessed by an independent consultant as part of the City of Swan local heritage survey (LHS) in 2026.

According to the City of Swan’s April ordinary council meeting agenda, the building was assigned an advertised LHS category 2 and a recommended LHS category 4.

An advertised category is released for public consultation and provides land holders, local residents and stakeholders the opportunity to give feedback or object to the advertised category.

While the recommended category reflects the assessment made by heritage consultants and council staff after considering submissions.

“Being a category 1 or 2 is sufficient enough to include it on the state heritage list, not just the local council one,” Mr Pavlinovich said.

He said the demolition was costing the community a piece of Midland’s history and that he was disappointed alternatives did not appear to have been explored.

“Considering this land is zoned industrial with possible commercial use, it could have easily been kept, and it could have been re-adapted for something else like an office space,” he said.

“If there isn’t anything left, all we’re going to be able to tell the story of is through photographs.

“Other than that, it’s just going to be wiped off the map like it never existed, which is sad.”

The current owners have the property for sale.

Mr Pavlinovich hopes future owners consider the site’s historical significance.

“I hope in the future that the site’s history is interpreted, whether through public art, signage or another form of interpretation, to recognise what was on the site for so long, and the contribution it made to Midland and WA.”