Case Studies

Background

Holgate Brewhouse is a family owned business which has been operating since 1999 and is one of the longest operating independent breweries in Australia. Operations are based in Woodend, near the Macedon Ranges. The business produces independent craft beer and has expanded to gain a national and international presence, exporting to seven Asian countries.

Holgate’s products were in extremely high demand, but the brewery had reached a production limit in terms of physical space and brewhouse capacity. To keep up with demand, Holgate needed to expand its physical premises and brewing capacity.

Project Goals

The Holgate Brewhouse expansion was proposed to address immediate capacity issues, provide for future growth and also build an improved tourist offer through the construction of a visitor centre, beer showroom and hotel upgrade.

Holgate had raised over half the capital required for the upgrade. The business required a quantitative economic assessment prepared to support a Victorian State Government funding application for the additional capital to build visitor experience element of the project.

REMPLAN’s Involvement

REMPLAN prepared detailed economic analysis of both the construction phase of the project and the ongoing operational phase which outlined the flow-on effects that the redevelopment would have on the local economy.

Results

In April 2017, the Victorian State Government announced $1.5 million through the Regional Tourism and Infrastructure Fund to help build the new Brewing Discovery Centre and Brewhouse Showroom.

Economic analysis prepared by REMPLAN was key in demonstrating the positive economic impacts that a local food and beverage production can have both in terms of visitation and support for local jobs.