Developer lodges appeal in Macalister Brewery case


A stoush over the view at a Smithfield craft brewery is headed to court.

Developer Eljasie Pty Ltd has reignited the fight over a cane farm behind Macalister Brewery by lodging an appeal against Cairns Regional Council in the Planning and Environment Court.

The appeal was submitted to the court on August 1, the final day of the allowable lodgement period.

Eljasie is a Brisbane-based company led by David Chapman, the son of Skyrail developer George Chapman.

The developer is seeking to overturn a vote by councillors at a meeting on June 27 that only partially approved its application to rezone and develop the land into a mixed use industrial estate.

Councillors instead approved stage 1 in the northern section of the proposed development, meaning the picturesque views from the brewery would remain. More than 2000 Macalister patrons lodged objections to the application at the time. 

Brewery owner Rob Callin told TropicNow he will now meet with legal and planning consults to decide whether he joins council in the legal fight.

A spokesperson for Cairns Regional Council said it was in the process of contacting all submitters to inform them of the process ahead.

TropicNow is seeking comment from Mr Chapman.