By Renee Wood
Yarra Ranges Council has approved a planning application for a new distiller to start new operations and build a cellar door, restaurant and distiller in Yarra Glen.
The approved application will allow 20 Stag Lane, Yarra Glen property to be used for a Rural Industry (Distillery), Manufacturing Sales (cellar door), Restaurant (café) and Licensed premises.
With the new site operational, the owners are expecting a good yield from their crops which could produce 600,000 litres of gin annually.
Property owner Gayle Reeves spoke for the motion and said the philosophy for the site is to grow regeneratively and sustainability and invite visitors in to see how gin is produced through farm tours and cafes.
Ms Reeves likened their plans to the popular business ‘The Farm’ in Byron Bay.
The site was purchased five years ago and botanical and truffle crops, windbreaks and botanicals have all been planted.
“As a venue, we feel we also offer diversity to the tourism opportunities in the shire, something little different,” she said.
“There are many tourism type farms around Australia now featuring regenerative approaches that include restaurants cafes etc, and a huge interest in craft gins – we feel the Yarra Valley will benefit from this trend.”
There were some concerns from a neighbouring property owner who spoke against the motion at the Tuesday 31 January council meeting.
Brett Wilson said he’s not against the distillery going ahead but his main concerns are around traffic, noise and positioning.
“I’m not totally against it just need it fine tuned,” he said.
Mr Wilson is concerned that the roads aren’t adequate enough to allow for buses, caravans and a higher volume of tourists, while also raising concerns over alcohol maybe playing a part in potential accidents.
Officers spoke on the night discussing the work that has been done to change the crossover after concerns were submitted.
The Department of Transport has delivered changes to the crossover to improve safety and move it away from other driveways.
The entertainment section and business operating hours were also reduced from the original application due to submitted concerns.
Cr Fiona McAllister moved the alternate motion, which was still for approval.
Cr McAllister said although there were objections, five letters of support were also received for the operation.
“It aligns with councils strategic direction in terms of tourism and certainly the connection back into agriculture and our green wedge areas, and having heard from the applicant in terms of the work they have done to date and plan to continue to do around regenerative agriculture, I think it is a very exciting development,” she said.
The motion was carried unanimously.
