IT’S ‘last drinks’ for the proposed Rhyll Brewery and Distillery, to be located at 11 Beach Road, Rhyll, even before the first barley has been malted.
That’s the word from project entrepreneur Justin Jamieson who has reluctantly bowed to rising building costs and the tough hospitality environment having already overcome the seemingly impossible planning challenges put in his way.
And the $1.2 million grant he was to have received from the State Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund?
Mr Jamieson said this week that he hasn’t accessed a cent of those funds.
“We never received a cent. There were milestones to meet along the way and whilst we met a couple, we never claimed it. I gather it stays with the government,” he said this week.
The microbrewery and distillery was to have had a 120-seat bar and restaurant (scaled back to 90), and according to the government fanfare of June 2022, when the then Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula, came to Phillip Island to announce the funding, provide 55 jobs during construction and 20 ongoing jobs in hospitality and liquor production.
“Sadly, it looks like the Rhyll Brewery and Distillery will not go ahead,” Mr Jamieson told the Sentinel-Times this week.
“A combination of escalating build costs, the dire situation in hospitality, especially in regional areas and a partner that lost interest has meant the risk is just too high.
“It has been a rollercoaster five years from the initial idea to purchasing the land and the incredible news of receiving the RTIF grant.
“We got past objectors and Melbourne Water with their flood overlays to pretty much be shovel ready but just couldn’t fathom the increase in building.
“It’s funny, I remember a journalist calling me (not from SGST) and laughing at me saying there was no chance in hell of us getting through council in Rhyll. Well, we did.
“We still own the land and the permit has been extended for another couple of years so we’re looking at other plans and what we could potentially do.
“Amazing following the vitriol on social media. I even had people angrily message me saying “stop spending the grant money on travelling”. Do people really think the government just hands over a wad of cash and says have fun?
“On a positive note for Rhyll it looks like the Wooli Tavern team will be taking over the Foreshore Tavern which is exciting. Ironically, given the objections to our 90-person venue and the restrictions around noise we had, the Foreshore seats 300 people and will be able to have live music.
“I’m really looking forward to having a beer there. Let’s hope they are pouring Ocean Reach and Green Gully beers.
“Thanks for the support we received from many along the way.”
The allocation of the $1.2 million grant, on June 17, 2022, came several months ahead of the November 2022 state election and was both hailed and damned locally as a great initiative on the one hand and disturbing the peace of the quiet seaside settlement on the other.
Mayor at the time, Michael Whelan said it was great news for jobs, the local economy and the area’s growing reputation for food and drink.
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said it was a great investment, great for our local economy and great for our locals and visitors alike.
But all’s not lost.
At the March meeting of the Bass Coast Shire Council, the council confirmed the issuing or amendment of a planning permit for 23 Harvey Drive in the Cowes industrial estate for the “use and development of land for Industry (micro-brewery), restaurant, manufacturing sales; the sale and consumption of liquor (producers license); the display of internally illuminated signs and a reduction of car parking requirements in the Industrial 3 Zone”.
