The site for the planned micro-brewery and 30-seat restaurant at Maroondah Highway, Coldstream.By Tania Martin
THE Shire of Yarra Ranges last week deferred an application for a licensed restaurant and micro-brewery in Coldstream, calling for community consultation.
Ryrie Ward councillor Jeanette McRae said she was concerned that residents were unaware of the application.
Cr McRae said she supported the application in principle, but felt that it was the council’s responsibility to make the community aware of the application.
The proposal by Coldstream Brewery is to convert an existing building at 694-698 Maroondah Highway into a 30-seat licensed restaurant. It also proposes to turn an existing building at the rear to contain a micro-brewery.
Shire director of planning, building and health, James Lamour-Reid, said the existing first-floor dwelling would be used as offices and that 16 car spaces would be provided on the road reserve in addition to staff parking for four vehicles on site.
Mr Lamour-Reid said the brewery would employ a brewer and an assistant and would produce 2400-3600 litres of beer each week, with 30 per cent to be exported overseas.
He said the other 70 per cent would be sold through the restaurant and the cellar door.
Mr Lamour-Reid said the applicant had fulfilled its legal obligation to notify its neighbours of its intentions for the restaurant and brewery.
He said all properties within 100 metres of the property were notified and a sign was placed on the land for 16 days.
However, Cr McRae felt that the wider Coldstream community was not aware of the application and it should be deferred for further discussions with the community.
Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff said that it was the council’s responsibility to make the community aware, especially as a brewery could pose significant social implications.
Chirnside Ward councillor Ken Smith disagreed that the application should be deferred as the applicant had fulfiled all its legal responsibilities in notifying nearby residents.
But Cr McRae said the council owed it to its constituents to give them the opportunity to comment.
The shire has prepared a facts sheet which is available at the post office and service station.
The council agreed to defer the application until the next council meeting on 14 February.
