The City of Ballarat will write to Development Victoria to advocate for a significant site in the Ballarat West Employment Zone to be returned and put back on the market.
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A 15-hectare site at the entrance of the BWEZ industrial estate was recently announced to be for sale by owner Broo for $7.5 million after the brewery bought it from the state government for $2.16 million in 2017.
After its original purchase, the site has laid dormant for a number of years despite plans to build a $100 million 'green' brewery including a 10,000-seat music venue, museum and zipline.
South ward councillor Ben Taylor urged council at last week's meeting to write to Development Victoria and the state government seeking clarification on the sale process and council's preference that Broo not be able to profit from the onselling of the land.
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Cr Taylor's impromptu motion received support from all councillors and was passed unanimously.
Cr Taylor said the goal of BWEZ was to bring new businesses to Ballarat and create jobs, but if development was not possible, the land should be handed back to DV to find another occupant.
"I think it's disappointing that they've actually looked to on-sell it at a higher amount and that's land banking and trying to make profit out of it, which goes against any intention of what BWEZ has been set up to do," he said.
"The request is to really write to DV to firstly get some more information but, most importantly, is really to take the land back under DV and then go back out to market for an expression of interest."
Cr Taylor said the ideal solution would be for Development Victoria to buy back the land at the price it was sold and for a fresh sale process to be started.
"That's the best way to do it because who knows the opportunities that are out there and I know that we're starting to see more and more expressions of interest around the next stage and I think there'll be more announcements coming from DV," he said.
"This is the best site, why not go to market, try to get new businesses to relocate to Ballarat, create more employment in what BWEZ was designed to do?
FOLLOW THE COURIER'S BROO COVERAGE:
- From 2017: Broo coming to Ballarat with world's greenest brewery
- From 2017: Broo proposes to build 10,000-capacity live music venue in Ballarat West
- From 2017: Future BWEZ brewer lands huge distribution deal in China
- From 2018: Broo abandons Delacombe bar but looks to expand BWEZ presence
- From 2019: Ballarat Council says no planning application received for development at BWEZ
- From 2019: Broo may sell industrial plot in Ballarat's west after losses
- From 2019: Broo's Ballarat brewery project on ice as company reaches for funds
- From 2019: Broo Brewery's land at Ballarat West Employment Zone subject to potential buy-back clause
- From 2019: Ballarat brewery must be built within five years, state government reiterates
- From January: Broo in Ballarat: Uncertain plans as Chinese deal falls apart
- From June: Broo announces intention to sell Ballarat property
"It was pretty frustrating to see that they're going to try to wipe their hands and make some money out of this which, is not the intent of what we are at BWEZ to do."
The land is being sold by Ballarat-based Bentley Property Group and any sale of the land is dependent on receiving approval from Development Victoria.
Development Victoria group head of property development Penny Forrest said the organisation was waiting for more information from Broo.
"While Broo Brewery has announced it will not progress its plans for the site, we are awaiting further detail from Broo about their intentions. It is important to note that any sale of land at BWEZ is conditional on approval from Development Victoria," she said.
"BWEZ remains on track to be an engine room for the region's jobs and economic growth over the next 20 years. Sales to date and underway will result in approximately 600 full-time jobs.
"There is high demand for industrial land in Ballarat and BWEZ has introduced a range of important businesses to the region and we expect this demand to continue with any new land released to the market.
"We work closely with the City of Ballarat on the BWEZ project and have kept them informed about the situation with Broo Brewery and will continue to do so."
Broo did not respond to requests for comment.
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