Bickford’s finalises land sale in Kangaroo Island distillery, microbrewery and visitor centre plan
A new microbrewery, distillery and visitor centre will be built at the Kingscote wharf, after Bickford’s Group closed a deal with the State Government to buy a historic site.
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Bickford’s Group has closed a deal with the State Government to buy a 4800sq m site at Kingscote, paving the way for a new microbrewery and distillery on Kangaroo Island.
Managing director Angelo Kotses said with the $1 million land transfer now settled, the business would consider whether it needed to make any changes to the plans, flagged in 2015, before pushing ahead with the work.
The South Australian company will build a distillery, microbrewery and visitor centre on the site of Kingscote’s old police station and cells.
Mr Kotses hoped construction on the project, on the site of Kingscote’s old police station and cells, would begin before the end of next year.
“At the moment there’s a couple of (spirits) players but we thought it would be better to put Kangaroo Island on the map globally,” he said.
“We just want to increase the pie so there’s more for people to do on the island. It’s a beautiful place.
“I hope it’s a wonderful thing for tourism.”
When concept designs were first drawn up, the business estimated the project would cost about $3 million – including the land sale price tag – but that cost may rise under any changes to designs.
Bickford’s originally planned to turn the police station into a visitor centre and build a separate distillery.
But Mr Kotses said it would also consider combining the operations under one roof.
His company owns the Beresford Estate in McLaren Flat and is planning a $1.8 million upgrade of that property, including a microbrewery and restaurant catering for nearly 100 people.
“Current thinking based on the designs we have at McLaren Vale is there’s a tyranny of distance and people want to see a distillery operating as they enjoy themselves,” Mr Kotses said.
The Kingscote police building and jail cells were erected before 1891.
Tourism Minister David Ridgway, who will visit the site tomorrow, along with Bickford’s executives, said the plans would revitalise the Kingscote wharf.
“The development will create an integrated tourism and hospitality facility that will attract visitors, promote the food and wine industries and generate jobs,” Mr Ridgway said.
Environment Minister David Speirs said an assessment panel took into account community
concerns about protecting the historical value of the buildings.
Bickford’s has previously said the project would take a similar approach in Kangaroo Island to its successful transformation of the closed Renmano winery in Renmark.
That site now houses the 23rd Street Distillery tasting centre.