An iconic Australian brewery is at the centre of a legal battle over its council-approved expansion, which a church fears could send trainee priests into a “stupor” due to the fumes.
The Anglican Church in Brisbane has lodged an appeal in the Planning and Environment Court seeking to overturn council’s approval of a new bulk ethanol store at the XXXX brewery in Milton.
The church’s St Francis Theological College, which opened in 1936, is a long-term neighbour of the brewery, which opened in 1877.
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Brisbane City Council in February approved brewery owner Lion-Beer, Spirits and Wine Pty Ltd’s development application to build three bulk ethanol storage tanks, each with a 40,000 litre capacity, at the XXXX Milton site.
In May, the corporation of the synod of the diocese of Brisbane, known as The Synod, lodged an appeal against the DA in the Planning and Environment Court.
The Synod raised concerns over fumes from the ethanol tanks, which it says are just 8m from residential buildings at the college for trainee priests.
“The bulk ethanol store will involve the release of ethanol emissions, primarily due to tank venting,” The Synod said in its appeal application.
“It has not been demonstrated that the bulk ethanol store will not cause emissions that result in unacceptable impacts to the air quality.
“Exposure to ethanol emissions is known to be harmful to the health of persons. For example, the National Pollutant Inventory states: ’Symptoms of exposure to ethanol may include irritation to the eyes, skin and nose, drowsiness and headache. Other symptoms may include stupor, nausea, mental excitement or depression, vomiting, flushing and coma’.”
The Synod said the college residences include six multi-storey townhouses and three single-storey flats, which are used by both trainee priests and as emergency accommodation for refugee families.
Lion-Beer, Spirits and Wine Pty Ltd told 7NEWS.com.au: “We lodged a development application with Brisbane City Council in 2022 and the DA was approved in February of this year.
“On May 9, an appeal of the DA was filed in the Planning and Environment Court.
“We are working through the appeal process.”
The Synod has been contacted for comment.