Brewery turns on

By Kath Gannaway
WORK is expected to start on the Little Creatures Brewery in Healesville early next year after the Shire of Yarra Ranges approved a planning application for a micro brewery on 11 December.
The long-awaited third piece of a project which has breathed new life into Healesville’s East End will comprise a micro brewery, bar and restaurant.
The Fremantle-based Little Creatures Brewery will build the brewery on land between the Innocent Bystander-Giant Steps Winery and the Beechworth Bakery and Great Australian Ice-creamery.
Cr Jeanette McRae moved approval of the permit after having the matter deferred two weeks before to ensure the design of the building was satisfactory.
The company was asked to produced an image of the proposed building showing the facade and to enable councillors to see the final product before making a decision.
Complimenting the applicant and the shire’s planning team on the final proposal, Ms McRae said she believed the project would provide a fantastic outcome for the community and for Little Creatures Brewery.
Innocent Bystander owner Phil Sexton, speaking on behalf of Little Creatures Brewery, said everyone involved was looking forward to getting on with the project.
He said the main role of the building was as a working micro brewery.
“It’s important to say that this is a brewery well before it’s a bar or a pub,” he said.
“It was important for us and for the council that it looked like a brewery and was not designed up to look like something else.
“It looks like a brewery and it does its job,” he added.
The planners in their report praised the scale and design of the building saying it would complement and integrate with the existing buildings and add to the economic prosperity and vibrancy of the township.
The facade of the building will feature large wooden panel doors, wooden framed windows and verandah space.
The report said despite the industrial nature of the development it was considered the impact on the area would be no greater than that of the bakery and winery.
An assessment of noise generated by the plant during both day and night time operation is required to be carried out within two months of the brewery commencing operation.
Mr Sexton said it was hoped to have the first brew on tap for Spring 2008.