Rhyll to ‘get on the beers’ as brewery approved

IT WAS cheers all round for some, as the future Rhyll brewery passed another test at the shire’s meeting this week. 

Councillors voted in favour to approve the planning application for ‘the use and development of land at 11 and 11a Beach Road, Rhyll for a restaurant, industry (Brewery), to sell and consume liquor, provide accommodation, and a reduction in car parking’.

The shire’s approval followed negotiations around noise mitigation, tree protection, improvements to the energy performance of the buildings, as well as water efficiency and the use of rainwater, stormwater, and recycled water.

As well as designing to the shire’s requirements, the applicant also had to satisfy Melbourne Water that the project can be successfully built, 600mm above the applicable flood level of 2.94 metres, and operated on land subject to inundation.

The application features:

• A brewery and restaurant which includes a kitchen and service area, bar, tasting room, brewhouse, brewer accommodation, terrace and associated staff and customer amenities and services over two levels.
• The building has a total floor area of 491.9sqm and a maximum height of 10.25m above natural ground (9m above the flood level).
• A maximum of 10 staff and 90 patrons are anticipated on site at any given time.
• The Brewery will typically brew 3 to 4 times per week on weekdays between 7am and 4pm. The volume of liquor to be produced per day will not exceed 5000 litres.

The applicant, Justin Jamieson, was thrilled with the mostly positive feedback from the council meeting and is looking forward to the next stage.

“The main thing which changed was the acoustic report that won’t allow us to have live music which was disappointing,” he said.

Justin highlighted they have 28 days now for any objections to come through which could end up in VCAT.

“It’s always been a tourism venture, but there has been a couple of misconceptions that we were building a brewery for distribution,” he said.

“People were worried about trucks coming in and taking kegs out.

“It’s not, it’s a 90 (patron) venue which is being built to increase tourism to the Island and Rhyll.”

He hopes to have business ready to go by Easter 2024.

Councillor feedback

Cr David Rooks stated the application was in a commercial area and highlighted there was already a similar venue operating, which had been to the “satisfaction of the community”.

However, he did highlight issues surrounding carparking with a survey to be undertaken to ensure it meets demand.

Cr Ron Bauer highlighted the idea was ‘entrepreneurial’ and an ambitious plan which would benefit Rhyll.

“To knock this proposal back because of smell and noise just doesn’t sit well with me, there is already a fish and chip shop and a hotel a few doors down,” he said.

“In my own total unscientific survey with some residents of Rhyll, I found the majority are in favour of this project.”

However, during Question Time, a number of queries were submitted about the project which were not read out, which Cr Bauer objected to.

“Certain questions were not read out in relation to this application with a standard answer that it will be dealt with during the debate,” he said.

“I would like to note my strong objection to this approach as it leaves out the questioners right to be heard in the chamber.”

Community concern

During the shire meeting, a number of Rhyll residents were in attendance.

They spoke with the Sentinel-Times following the council decision, expressing their disappointment.

“We don’t want to live next to it,” said one resident.

“It’s a huge development and none of us have a problem with alcohol, it’s the sheer size of the business and development.

“We’ve got no parking and it’s a huge issue.”

They were also disgruntled at the fact that questions were not read out during the meeting.

“They did not read one question from any of these people whose lives will be greatly impacted.

“We want them to be addressed.”

The application had received 49 submissions including a petition.

This includes 5 submissions of support and 44 individual objections. 

The project received $1.2 million in state government funding last year via a Regional Tourism Investment Fund grant.