After almost two years of uncertainty over its weekday trading hours, the Coolum Beer Company has signed an agreement with Sunshine Coast Council, allowing the much-loved gathering place in the Coolum Industrial Estate to open earlier during the week.
The outcome brings a lengthy planning dispute to a close and gives the independent brewery greater flexibility to meet the needs of its customer base.
Co-Founder Rhod Williams said the agreed hours reflected how people were using the venue, with afternoon catch-ups and informal business meetings now an important part of its trade.
“We’ve grown into an important meeting place within the estate, and that’s something we’re really proud of. The past couple of years have been challenging, so it means a lot to reach an outcome that supports what we’ve built and gives us room to grow,” Mr Williams said.
“People walk over for lunch, bring a customer in for a meeting or finish their week with a few mates. These earlier hours mean we can be here when our customers want us to be.”
The agreement allows the brewery’s taproom and food and drink outlet to open from 3pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, 2pm on Wednesdays and midday on Thursdays and Fridays. Weekend trading hours remain unchanged.
Sunshine Coast Events Industry Association President, Lenny Vance welcomed the outcome, saying it supported a local business responding to changing customer habits.
“The way people socialise is changing. With more flexible working hours, catching up with mates might mean a few beers at a brewery in the afternoon or an early meal, rather than a late night out,” Mr Vance said.
“Business owners are adapting to what their customers want, and it’s important that planning rules and approval processes can adapt too.”
“Coolum Beer Company has become a valued part of its local community. It’s great to see an outcome that recognises that role and allows the business to build on it.”
The dispute centred on weekday opening times and concerns about potential parking impacts within the industrial complex. The matter was resolved by agreement ahead of a scheduled three-day Planning and Environment Court hearing on 4 November.
Evidence filed during the proceedings included parking surveys, traffic engineering and town planning reports, as well as feedback from neighbouring businesses and local workers. This highlighted regular walk-in trade from across the estate, with businesses sharing the car park reporting they had not experienced parking difficulties.
Mr Williams said support from neighbours, staff, suppliers and customers had helped the brewery through the lengthy process.
“Our neighbours took the time to share their experiences and explain why this place matters to them. Our staff and customers kept backing us, even when we couldn’t tell them when it would all be resolved,” he said.
“That support made a difficult couple of years easier, and we’re incredibly grateful.”
The process also came at a significant financial cost, with the brewery spending more than $150,000 on legal, planning and expert costs. This limited funds available for brewery improvements, employment, local sponsorship and community fundraising activities.
“It’s been a significant expense for a small independent business, particularly knowing what those funds could have done for our team, the venue and the local causes we support,” Mr Williams said.
“We’re pleased to put the process behind us and get back to brewing good beer and looking after people. We’d love everyone to come down for a beer or a meal and help us celebrate.”
Under the agreement, the brewery will not seek further changes to weekday opening times for 18 months.
ENDS
For more information about the Coolum Beer Company
https://coolumbeercompany.com.au
For media enquiries please contact:
Helen Perry
helen@freshprm.com.au
0431 065 964
