A legal battle in Milton continues as the Anglican Church contests BCC’s approval of ethanol storage tanks at the XXXX brewery.
Church and Brewery in Ongoing Dispute
A development dispute (DA A006226036) in Milton has escalated with the Anglican Church and XXXX Brewery continuing their legal contest in the Planning and Environment Court. The case follows BCC’s decision to approve the installation of three 40,000-litre ethanol storage tanks at the brewery, operated by Lion.
The approval, granted in early 2023, was intended to support the production of non-beer alcoholic beverages, including seltzers. The brewery produced around 190 million litres of alcoholic beverages in 2023.
Expansion Plans and Explosion Concerns
The Anglican Church, which owns 38,000 square metres of land west of the brewery, raised concerns about public safety, air quality, and the risk of explosion. The tanks would store up to 120,000 litres of ethanol, a flammable liquid, at a site approximately eight metres from residential accommodation and 19 metres from a college library.
Recent council-commissioned analysis from risk expert Dr Raghu Raman found that, in the event of a vapour cloud explosion, the pressure wave would reach up to 1.1 metres but remain within the Milton Road property boundary. However, this differed from the methodology used by the brewery’s expert, Dr Frank Mendham, prompting further legal responses.
Requests for Additional Expert Review
The church’s legal team argued that Raman’s 50-page report introduced new modelling evidence that had not previously been reviewed by any party. The court later vacated the planned hearing to allow the church to nominate its own expert.
Judge Nicole Kefford ordered the experts representing the brewery, the church, and the BCC to meet and deliver a joint report. The three-day hearing was postponed pending this review.
Health and Emissions Concerns
The Anglican Church referenced the National Pollutant Inventory, stating ethanol exposure could lead to symptoms such as nausea, stupor, and respiratory irritation. The church also raised concerns about emissions from the venting system, which would release ethanol fumes at 14 metres above ground level.
The site houses St Francis Theological College, which has operated since 1936. The church’s submission noted the presence of heritage-listed facilities, residential buildings, and educational infrastructure in close proximity to the proposed ethanol store.
Suggested Alternatives and Safety Proposals
The church argued the brewery’s 58,270-square-metre site had other suitable areas for the ethanol tanks, further away from sensitive facilities. They contended the chosen location unnecessarily increased risk to residents and students.
In its application process, Lion advised BCC that the ethanol would be chilled below the threshold classified as a dangerous good and piped to the brewery.
Next Steps in the Milton Case
The experts’ joint report is expected to be presented to the court by late April. The court will resume proceedings the following week to determine the validity of the development approval based on the combined evidence.
Published 25-Apr-2025