The Sawmill: Erina intersection plans change to include Six String Brewing Company

Plans have emerged for a popular local brewery “bursting at the seams” to relocate in a major development proposed on the Central Coast.

A major development at a major intersection in Erina has updated its plans to include a popular local brewery.

Constructions company The Stevens Group is seeking to change stage one of its approved $6 million development on the corner of The Entrance Rd and Avoca Dr.

Updated plans lodged to Central Coast Council reveal Six String Brewing Company as the business proposed to set up shop next to the service station.

Six String Brewing Company’s marketing co-ordinator Sharon Benson told the Express the plan was to relocate from their current premises up the road at 330 The Entrance Rd.

“The relocation will essentially be a similar set up to what we have with restaurant, taproom and production facility but will also give us up an upgrade of brewing equipment to increase brewing capacity as well as a larger tap room and increased seating capacity,” she said.

The current Six String Brewing Company premises is “bursting at the seams”.

Mrs Benson said the brewery had been “bursting at the seams” in its current premises and had been planning to relocate over the past few years.

“It will be great to have increased seating and live music back at Six String,” she said.

“The new location will also be great for visibility.”

The Erina development, known as The Sawmill, is currently under construction following its approval in the Land and Environment Court in 2020.

The land is being subdivided into three blocks with stage one of the development the service station and proposed brewery.

Artists impression of the building to house the brewery.

Stage two, yet to be approved, includes storage units towards the back of the site while stage three is earmarked for commercial premises in the future.

The plans to stage one have changed a number of times, swapping from a fast food restaurant to a vehicle repair shop to light industrial units next to the service station, however the brewery is now the business of choice.

The stage one plans, including a BP, were approved in 2020.

“The development is proposed to be utilised for the purpose of manufacturing artisan drinks

being an artisan brewery,” the plans state.

“The Brewery will further include restaurant and retail areas. Tastings, tours and workshops can be accommodated by the proposed facilities.

“The interior of the proposed development will accommodate manufacturing equipment, kitchen, bar area, seating, toilet facilities, retail area, tasting/workshop area, storage and access areas over a ground floor and mezzanine level.”

The brewery will relocate from 330 The Entrance Rd.

The Sawmill development is under construction at the major intersection.

Plans state that “one of the goals of the plan is to create a prosperous Central Coast with more jobs close to home”.

The developers also say that the approved height of the building will not increase from 7.8m while there will be accessible parking close to the entrance of both the service station and brewery.

“The Sawmill” pays homage to the areas past when in 1879 George Howard and his family established a sawmill with just two employees in Erina.