Logan City Council has announced planning scheme changes designed to unlock the economic and tourism benefits of small businesses such as coffee roasting and micro-brewing.
Logan is the first council in South-East Queensland to change thresholds to include the two booming industries into low-impact and mixed-use development classifications.
The changes were outlined at the Queensland Craft Brewing Strategy Industry Forum at Logan’s Monkey Tree Brewing in Underwood.
The gathering was told advances in technology mean these industries are well within low-impact development standards. Previously they were classed as medium-impact.
Logan City Council Strategy and Sustainability Director David Hansen said changing the regulations to reflect current industry standards would make it easier for these types of businesses to get established in Logan.
“These changes will help create more jobs and give a boost to our economy,” Mr Hansen said.
“It also plays into our tourism destination plan which identifies food and beverage tourism as a key area.”
The City of Logan is already home to two micro-breweries, Monkey Tree and Loose Moose Brewing Co. at Browns Plains.
Version 6 of the Logan Planning Scheme, which incorporates these changes, is now in effect.
Logan City Council co-hosted the Queensland Craft Brewing Strategy Industry Forum last week with the State Government’s Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning.
Council and government officials were joined by industry figures for the event, which featured the Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick and a panel discussion on the current state and future of micro-brewing.
Steve Henderson, the owner of Rockstar Brewer Academy, based at Ballandean on the Southern Downs, was one of the speakers at the event.
“It is refreshing to see a Local Government embracing the industry and amending their planning controls to support its growth,” he said.
Dean Forte, Director of Monkey Tree Brewing Co, said Logan was an ideal location to operate a micro-brewery or coffee roasting business.
“Its central location in South-East Queensland, coupled with the large number of existing industrial buildings suitable for industry use, makes the city a prime site for potential brewers and roasters,” he said.
