By NOEL MURPHY
HEALESVILLE’S loss could be Geelong’s gain as beer giant Lion considers relocating its White Rabbit brewery to the Little Creatures complex at South Geelong.
Reports this week said Lion was investigating the economics of relocating its Healesville operations to the state-of-the-art plant at Geelong.
Lion spokesperson Elise Gare told the Mail newspaper group the company was undertaking a review of White Rabbit but it was “business as usual” until a decision was made.
Ms Gare said Lion initiated the review because the Geelong site was already handling the company’s other craft beers.
The Geelong brewery had the potential to house all products under one roof, she said.
“To ensure we remain a leading producer of craft beer it’s important we continually assess our brewing operations and our brand growth plans to ensure we are best set up for success now and in the future,” Ms Gare said.
“As such, we have decided to undertake a review of the White Rabbit Healesville site to determine if this brewery or the new state-of-the-art Geelong brewery offers greater growth opportunities for the brand.”
Little Creatures’ $60 million South Geelong facility opened for business in historic Valley Mills along the Barwon River in December.
Little Creatures bought the site for $6.4 million in 2010 after considering several other options for its long-term east-coast headquarters.
The company runs two other boutique brewery/restaurants outlets in Victoria – the beleaguered Healesville site and another in Fitzroy.
According to the Mail reports, rumours are rife the Healesville brewery will be supplanted.
The Mail story said staff were frustrated at the thought of impending closure.
The brewery, like Little Creatures Geelong site, had been a community hub in the region.
“It is believed by many that the odds are stacked against the Healesville site,” the Mail reported.
