Hold the beers, development to go back before council

A special council meeting will convene tonight to decide the fate of brewery.

TWO MATES: Former Olympian Grant Smith is one half of new brewing company Two Mates Brewing.

Update 1pm: The owners of Two Mates Brewing have expressed their determination to make a new brewery in South Lismore a success, but that all hangs on a vote at tonight's council meeting.

Lismore City Council voted on February 9 to approve the development application for Two Mates Brewing Craft Brewery at 7 Engine Street, South Lismore.

Just hours later, three councillors lodged a rescission motion 12.30am February 10.

Director Grant Smith said: "Two Mate Brewing spent a significant amount of time looking for the right location to locate their Craft Brewery.  A thorough review of the Lismore Economic Development Strategy gave Two Mates Brewing the confidence to work with council staff to locate appropriate sites.  The multiple references to innovation and reduction of reds tape to activate business growth were important considerations in our selection of Lismore as a place to commence our business".

 

"Our vision is to deliver on the activation that Lismore City Council has committed to in this strategy, to create jobs for Lismore residents and to sew another layer into the rich tapestry that makes Lismore unique.

"As an Australian and Olympic team athlete, Director Grant Smith knows what it takes to come together as a team. We are asking the Councillors of Lismore to pull together as one team and to provide confidence to investors such as us, that the Economic Development Strategy is a genuine plan for taking Lismore forward.

"We look forward to delivering for this great community."

We asked our readers if they thought the development should go ahead, and they overwhelmingly agreed that it should.

Lee Zammit said: "Lismore needs this".

Gabriellle Pennisi said: "Yes!!! Craft breweries bring diversity and life to an other wise boring dated area. Let progress take hold and see what the future brings. Craft brewer's are unlike other drinking venues they bring in people who are interested in the beer not just pub types or typical drinkers.

It would be an asset to Lismore to welcome this new industry. Take a look at all the micro breweries opening up the coast. Cheers".

Kate Stroud said: "Stop killing Lismore's potential".

Others were concerned issues around noise and soil contamination had not been addressed.

Jeanti St Clair said: "Yes but not at the expense of residents peace of mind. Place the fridges so they face onto Norco not onto Engine St".

Councillors will vote on the rescission motion tonight at an extraordinary meeting to be held at the council chambers at 6pm.

 

Original story: A proposed craft brewery in South Lismore, given the go-ahead by Lismore City Council only last week, can't start up the brewing vats just yet, with three councillors announcing their intention to lodge a rescission motion against the decision.

There was feisty debate at the council meeting last Tuesday, February 9, but councillors ultimately voted to approve the development.

BREWERY: The back of what will be the site of Two Mates Brewing. Located at the old railyard on Engine St.

During the vote, deputy mayor Neil Marks said it would be "just nuts" to reject a "potentially brilliant idea" which would "increase the liveability" of South Lismore.

Councillor Elly Bird said the council should support projects which could "put our city on the map" and provide "larger benefit" to the community.

Cr Adam Guise original motion to reject consent to the DA failed to pass on Tuesday, but he, along with councillors Eddie Lloyd and Nancy Casson will move a rescission motion on Monday February 15 at an extraordinary meeting.

The development application for an artisan food and drink premises at 7 Engine Street, South Lismore was first lodged in October last year, and hopes to become the home of Two Mates Brewing.