Foreshore Microbrewery Will Proceed

Published on 01 April 2019

The construction of a microbrewery / family restaurant on the Busselton Foreshore is one step closer with the business owners Geographe Bay Brewing Co. (a local consortium comprised of the Credaro and Packard-Hair families) meeting all the milestones under a pre-lease agreement with the City. This secured a long term lease of this strategically located site for Geographe Bay Brewing Co. and means that the owners can progress with construction as soon as the lease has been executed and a building permit has been obtained.  

Development of a family-style microbrewery on the Busselton Foreshore has been a key feature of the Busselton Foreshore Masterplan since the plan was developed in consultation with the community a decade ago.  While the proposal has taken longer than anticipated to finalise,  the proposal becoming unconditional brings completion of the master plan another step closer to full completion.

City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley said that the City has been patient with the proponents and that this patience has not been ill-founded.  “We provided extra time for the proponents to undertake all the due diligence necessary in relation to estimated costs and financing arrangements.  They’ve used this time wisely and have consolidated their position.  We’re exceptionally pleased for them and for the community and visitors to the area who will benefit from this wonderful new foreshore facility. 

Both the Credaro and Packard-Hair families advised “They are excited to be involved in the Busselton Foreshore redevelopment as two local families joining forces to progress the new brewery and grow a successful business.  The brewery has been a long time coming and we look forward to delivering this exciting development”.

It’s important to also note that funds generated through rental income associated with the microbrewery site will go directly into foreshore and jetty maintenance and revitalisation programs, relieving pressure on ratepayers to fund these major assets into the future.  Of course another positive outcome is the benefit to the local economy in terms of job creation.” 

The two storey development which will encompass a fully operational microbrewery will be located between the new amphitheatre and Railway House on the Busselton Foreshore. The overall footprint will be around 1,881 square metres, housing the microbrewery and encompassing a family-style restaurant, upstairs function centre, alfresco dining options and wide sweeping verandas. It will complement the coastal environment and existing buildings with links to the area’s rich history and will add some theatre to the foreshore with an operational microbrewery in public view. 

The owners have been revisiting earlier design concepts and are drawing inspiration from some of the original foreshore structures dating back to the early 1900s.  The architect’s drawing will be made available for public viewing as soon as possible.

Key Goal Area 4 in the City of Busselton’s Strategic Community Plan (2017): An Economy that is Divers, Robust and Prosperous.

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