New beer plan brewing
PLANS for a micro- brewery and taphouse in South Townsville have been welcomed by Townsville councillors despite some saying they are not beer drinkers.
Lion Beer, Spirits & Wine Pty Ltd is proposing the brewery and taphouse for a warehouse property at 11 Anthony St which also has frontage on to Palmer St.
Their application was considered at the council’s planning committee yesterday where councillors supported a recommendation that the matter be approved when it comes before the full council at its ordinary meeting later this month.
Planning chairman Les Walker described the proposal as a “good outcome” and jokingly asked his colleague, Cr Ann- Maree Greaney, whether she was swayed by a liking for beer.
Cr Greaney said she was not, that she wasn’t a beer drinker but still liked the proposal.
“I think it’s a very exciting development for that whole precinct, a great addition to what’s going on in the street,” Cr Greaney said.
Cr Walker said the proposal was a good fit for the food, beverage and accommodation precinct and suggested that there would be “big smiles” on many people’s faces “because it means more beer coming to Townsville”.
“It’s a good blend with what happens in that street,” Cr Walker said.
The council was told the proposed development would be located in an existing vacant warehouse and that a car park, subject to a previous approval, was already under construction on part of the land.
The application is for a microbrewery with a capacity of 200,000 litres a year and an associated taproom to sell beer.
Up to four different brews would be available although initially only one beer would be brewed and be available on tap. Ultimately, it is envisaged kegged beer would be sold to other licensed premises in the city.
An attached taproom is proposed to be open to the public from 2pm to 11pm through the week except for Sundays with an earlier closing time of 10pm.
“It is proposed that the taproom will seek to support the local music scene with acoustic music on Sundays,” a council agenda says.
“The use also includes both internal and external beer gardens.”
The council was told appropriate conditions for noise, odour and traffic would be applied.
The council will consider the application at its meeting planned for August 28.