VSC Distillery in Argyle St will feature cellar door tastings and seating for up to 47 people

Hobart City Council has decided on two contentious projects, including a whisky distillery in a trendy hub and a school gym extension.

• Boutique whisky distillery proposed for industrial North Hobart site
• The Friends’ School new gym up for approval at Council

HOBART City Council has approved a proposal for a boutique whisky distillery in North Hobart.

The $2 million development will take place at the site of a former small appliance sales and service centre at 284 Argyle St.

VSC Distillery venture will feature cellar door tastings and bar snacks, seating for up to 47 people and provision for patrons to buy food from one or two on-site food vans.

The distillery will be allowed to operate from 7am to 7pm and the tasting room from midday until 10.30pm

Nearby residents had lobbied elected members over the development, raising concerns about noise from patrons and the health risk posed by black mould which can be created in the distilling process.

City Planning Director Neil Noye said council environmental officers had deemed the small scale operation to be safe.

“This is a closed loop distillery. The escape of particulates or vapours from this process is not possible,” Mr Noye said.

The proposal was approved 9 votes to one.

Council also approved the Friends’ School’s gym redevelopment.

The proposal includes the redevelopment of the school’s current gym into a teaching space and building a new student gym located on the existing tennis courts fronting Carr St.

Council’s infrastructure committee will examine parking constraints in the area after nearby residents raised concerns the gym would worsen parking problems in the street.