Distillery proposal brew-up

OPPONENTS of a distillery proposed for sleepy Bingil Bay are concerned Cassowary Coast Regional Council is determined to approve the project despite environmental impacts and lack of adequate space.

A development application for the Butler Rd “boutique craft distillery and gallery” would offer tours a few times a week during business hours.

Neighbour Bill Honeywell described the business idea as “terrific” but launched a petition asking for the tourist attraction to be moved.

“The developer has underestimated the amount of traffic it will bring and the roads are too small to handle a lot more traffic,” he said.

“Cassowary Coast residents can’t have any confidence this council will follow the planning scheme. They will agree to any development, no matter where it is.

“If the council continues to ignore the planning scheme it will destroy the character and amenity of Mission Beach.”

Division 3 Cr Wayne Kimberley attended a community meeting on Saturday to address residents’ concerns.

He said the council’s planning staff were obligated to follow the planning scheme and had to perform due diligence.

“We’re going through the normal processes. Everyone has the opportunity to put a submission against it or for it,” he said. “It’s something new for us but it’ll be definitely dealt with in the proper manner. We can’t just approve things without conditions.”

Submissions close on Friday.