City recommends council approve proposed Batavia Brewing Company microbrewery on Fitzgerald Street

The City of Greater Geraldton council will tonight decide the fate of an application to develop the city’s first microbrewery across the road from a primary school.

Proponents Lynette and Dennis Healey are seeking approval to build a craft beer pub at 60 Fitzgerald Street, the former site of a gym and nightclub.

The proposed Batavia Brewing Company wants to create a family-friendly venue serving meals made from locally sourced ingredients and beer brewed in-house.

The building, which is majority-owned by Mayor Shane Van Styn, is less than 50m from Geraldton Primary School.

A development report is recommending that the council approve the proposal with several conditions, including that the microbrewery open no earlier than 10am on school days.

Public feedback has largely supported the proposal, with 175 submissions of support and 33 against.

Those against have expressed concerns about antisocial behaviour, noise and smell, traffic problems, and a potential impact to the character of the neighbourhood.

In response, the proponents have said minimal odour is only emitted for an hour during the boil stage of the brewing process and only on brew days.

Mr and Mrs Healey told the City the microbrewery’s capacity would be limited to 300 patrons and intended to mainly trade outside school hours.

Councillors Tarleah Thomas and Natasha Colliver won’t attend Tuesday’s meeting due to approved leave of absence.