Cidery, cellar door proposed in Drysdale

THE owners of an apple orchard in Drysdale want to expand it into a cidery, including the creation of a cellar door.

Under the planning permit application for 642-650 Grubb Road submitted to the City of Greater Geelong, the apple orchard is already planted and producing apples, with the first commercial volume of apples expected in two years’ time.

The site presently has a single dwelling and two farm sheds, along with several outbuildings and horse shelters.

In their planning report for the applicant, Sincock Planning state the proposed cellar door “is a small operation, with visitation by appointment only and with no more than 10 visitors in any group”.

Opening hours for the associated liquor licence are proposed to be from Fridays to Sundays inclusive, between 10am-7pm.

Sinock Planning believes the development will not result in any loss of amenity, given the proposal’s small scale, intention to slowly grow a customer base, and the location of the cellar door in Farming Zone land comprising reasonably large properties.

“As such there will never be a large number of visitors on the site, and as the cellar door will comprise a single table for tastings and purchases, patrons will not be encouraged to stay at the premises for an extended period.

“Visitors will be provided with a rundown of the process and shown through the building, along with the orchard, and can then taste the cider and purchase bottles to take home.

“There will not be snacks or meals available that would encourage long term visitation, and as such we expect the cellar door experience will be a short 30-minute stay initially.

“If the facility is successful, an expanded cellar door may be entertained, however we would expect this to be some years down the track and subject to further approvals.”

The planning report notes the site is located in the Farming Zone, where agriculture is not only allowed but also “clearly supported by economic development policy”.

“It is well known that the Bellarine is a highly valued area for vineyards and various brewing establishments including cider, and gin distilleries exist in the local area.

“Interest in these facilities has grown in recent times with well known venues throughout the Bellarine.”

The site has been under-used for many years, the report stated, but the owner has established an apple orchard over the past two years, with cider apples grafted and established in Nathalia before being delivered and planted in mid-2020.

More than 400 trees are now established, with the land cultivated and prepared based on laboratory testing and analysis.

The public exhibition period for the planning application closes on October 29.