The sugar industry has been a part of life in northern New South Wales for more than one hundred years. The industry is a significant contributor to the economy of the area and provides the community with employment opportunities, growth and prosperity. The New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative Limited was formed when cane growers purchased the three New South Wales sugar mills from CSR in 1978. The mills are located at Condong on the Tweed River, Broadwater on the Richmond River and Harwood on the Clarence River.

The  Co-operative now operates a sugar refinery which is located alongside the Harwood Mill. This is owned by a joint venture company, Manildra Harwood Sugars, in which the Co-operative is a 50% partner with Manildra Flours.

In 2008, the New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative Ltd, in partnership with Delta Electricity, commissioned two cogeneration power plants at Broadwater and Condong which generate renewable electricity by using bagasse, a material left over after sugar cane stalks are crushed,  as fuel.