Plans for a lancefield brewery moving ahead

The Macedon Ranges’ growing reputation as a destination for artisan food and drinks will be enhanced with a new craft brewery planned for Lancefield, thanks to an investment from the Victorian Government.

Minister for Regional Development and Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today confirmed that the Lost Watering Hole would be developed with support from the Victorian Government’s Regional Jobs Fund, creating 15 new jobs.

The funding will enable the business to undertake a $1.3 million investment over the next two years and to build a new independent brewery as well as a restaurant and café that will cater for up to 100 patrons.

The project is a first for Lancefield which is known for having one of the richest deposits of megafauna fossils in Australia and each year hosts an annual mega-fauna festival, named Extinct. The brewery aims to build on this tourism and paleontological appeal with unique branding that pays tribute to the region’s rich history.

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.

The complex will incorporate production and packaging facilities, including canning and labelling lines that will enable the brewery to produce up to 100,000 litres of beer each year.

The project is aligned with the Macedon Ranges Visitor Economy Strategy and will greatly enhance tourism in the region which was adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The current round of the Regional Jobs Fund is open to companies seeking to grow their operations. The Fund is part of the Government’s flagship Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund.

The Fund is part of the Government’s almost $30 billion investment across regional and rural Victoria since 2015.

Information and guidelines for the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund can be found at www.rdv.vic.gov.au/rjif

Quote attributable to Minister for Regional Development and Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"The Macedon Ranges is rightly developing a reputation as an artisan food and drink 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 Regional Job Fund is supporting businesses across Victoria to take the next step and I can’t wait to visit the Lost Watering Hole when it opens its doors in 2023."