The new Lost Watering Hole brewery and restaurant in Lancefield is scheduled to be completed by late November – when a wedding is already booked for the yet-to-be-built venue.
This was revealed on Friday when Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas visited the site and confirmed a substantial grant had been approved to enable the business to undertake a $1.3 million investment over the next two years.
A consortium of 10 locals is behind the enterprise, approved with no objections received by Macedon Ranges Shire Council last year.
With 15 new jobs expected to be created, very detailed plans were provided in the lengthy submission for funding through the state government’s Regional Jobs Fund.
Architectural plans were on display on Friday, and Ms Thomas described what was proposed as “a very exciting project”.
The complex is to be sited on a vacant triangular sloping block flanked by Main Road and The Cresent, with Lancefield Hotel, Weigard’s Buildings and the Mechanics Institute on its southern boundary.
Ms Thomas said the Lost Watering Hole would put the eastern corridor of Macedon Ranges on the map, attracting visitors and tourists to the area; Romsey and Lancefield would also benefit by increased patronage.
Peter Chiller (Lancefield Guesthouse operator), Rob Bryant (hardware store proprietor) and Bill Balcam (former owner of Cleveland Winery and other businesses) were among the consortium members present on Friday.
Regional Development Victoria and the shire council were also represented.
The project aligns with the Macedon Ranges visitor economy strategy, and is expected to enhance the tourist appeal of the region.
Known for having one of the richest deposits of megafauna fossils in Australia, Lancefield hosts an annual Extinct Megafauna Festival each year.
The brewery aims to utilise unique branding that pays tribute to the region’s rich history.
The consortium emphasises it is all about supporting locals, whether contractors or tradesmen or suppliers.
In addition to brewing its own premium range of preservative-free craft beers, the brewery will also sell beers from the Port Campbell-based Sow and Piglets range – thanks to the owner co-investing in the new venture.
It will incorporate production and packaging facilities, including canning and labelling lines that is expected to enable the brewery to produce up to 100,000 litres of beer each year.
Ms Thomas said the Macedon Ranges was rightly developing a reputation as a food and artisan destination.
“This exciting investment will continue to bolster the region’s appeal while also creating much-needed jobs, making it an even better place to live, work, visit and invest,” the minister said.
