Chinchilla is set to become the home of not one but two micro-breweries following Council’s approval this month of a second such venue for the – region.
The new project will be developed over three stages, beginning with a membership-based club to fund the early set-up.
Council Spokesperson for Tourism, Events and Regional Promotion Councillor Kylie Bourne said the applicants were five keen brewers who also happened to be local school teachers and their vision had the potential to evolve into another unique visitor experience for the region.
“This is the kind of project that fits perfectly with Council’s ongoing commitment to advance the region as a tourism destination,” Cr Bourne said.
“Visitors to our towns want to find different experiences and a destination with two bespoke micro-breweries certainly ticks that box.”
Council Spokesperson for Planning and Environment Cr Andrew Smith said the development demonstrated confidence in the local economy and underscored Chinchilla’s reputation as a vibrant character-filled town.
“The brewers have purchased the former newspaper building at 12 Mayne St and hope to incorporate some of Chinchilla’s print history into their branding and design, and perhaps even in the brewery name.” – and it’s fantastic to see this acknowledgement of our region’s history incorporated into the plans,” Cr Smith said.
Stages 2 and 3 will focus on equipment upgrades to expand capacity, and the addition of a function room, commercial kitchen, outdoor decking and amenities.
The group hopes to eventually increase production to 60,000 litres per year and offer beer sales, but without a formal bottle shop.
A spokesperson for the applicants said the development would build on their previous beer-making endeavours as the ‘Catholic Brew Club’ and they were feeling buoyed by great community feedback for their plans to take their hobby to another level.
Council approved plans for another micro-brewery back in early 2022 at Clover Hill Accommodation and Camping.
