The closure of Terella Brewing Company at North Arm following a lengthy land-use dispute with Sunshine Coast Council has left many in the hinterland community saddened and disappointed.
Known for its relaxed farm-style setting and family-friendly atmosphere, the brewery had become a popular gathering place for locals and visitors alike. Its closure has also sparked wider questions about the challenges facing hospitality businesses across the Sunshine Coast, especially after the recent closures of Solbar at Marochydore, The Station at Birtinya, and Sarah’s Unplugged in Maleny.
Head brewer at Terella, Brandt Bamford, said the long-running legal battle with council had taken a heavy emotional and financial toll. “Absolutely gut wrenching. Our staff are like our family. To watch something they have all had a hand creating be systematically dismantled by the council and bureaucracy is devastating,” he said.
Brandt said the reality of closure became clear as legal costs continued to escalate – “when our legal bills were mounting, and the council refused to mediate and find a way through all of this”.
Terella had built a strong following as a place where families could gather in a relaxed rural setting, something Brandt said had always been central to the vision. “I started all of this for the sole purpose of creating a Margaret-River-style brewery – a place for families and community to gather,” he said. “I grew up in a small mining town in the Pilbara that had a real sense of community. It was missing from the Coast, so we set out to create it. It never really was just about the beer; that was just a bonus.”
Many locals have expressed concern about the loss of a venue that supported local music, food and family outings. “… the council have taken a very administrative approach to all of this, boxes need to be ticked, and the community aspect never got a look in! Round peg, square hole, shut it down!”
Brandt said the support from the community had been overwhelming during the difficult period. “Amazing! There have been many tears! I really can’t thank [community supporters] enough.”
He said the closure had also come at a cost to staff and the local economy. “The only thing we are asking for, is to now let us all move on and stop with the criminal prosecutions and personal fines totalling $250,000. Stop wasting more ratepayer’s money. [They] have [their] pound of flesh, the business is shut, 40 people lost their jobs, millions of dollars ripped from the local economy, and the owners losing millions on their investment. When is enough, enough?”
According to an ABC news report, Sunshine Coast Council chief executive officer (CEO) John Baker said the tension between the council and Terella was caused by the brewery not having the right approvals. “This isn’t some David and Goliath battle as I’m sure Terella will try and present it,” John said.
The Sunshine Coast Council CEO responded to the local support for Terella’s open letter to council with its own open letter. It stated that council had a responsibility to ensure development complies with the Planning Act 2016 and the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014.
In the letter, John said the North Arm property held development approval for intensive horticulture, and that expanded brewery activities, including larger scale events, required additional approvals which were not in place. He wrote that council had received complaints relating to traffic congestion, noise, public health concerns and operational fairness. “It is Council’s stated policy to attempt to achieve compliance by cooperation,” the letter stated. “However, Terella’s response to compliance action was not acceptable.”
Court proceedings relating to alleged breaches of the Planning Act are scheduled to be heard in the Magistrates Court in April.