By Jed Lanyon
Four Pillars Gin is reaping the rewards of favourable budget outcomes from both the federal budget and local draft budget of Yarra Ranges Council.
The federal government will now allow eligible distillers to receive a full refund for any excise duty paid, up to $350,000 a year from the 2021-22 budget.
Previously, brewers and distillers had only been able to receive 60 per cent of the excise duty paid with an annual cap of $100,000.
Four Pillars co-founder and distiller Cameron MacKenzie said he “welcomed” the decision for the industry after years of lobbying by the Australian Distillers Association.
“It’s a long overdue sign of support for the industry and for an industry in its infancy,” he said. “It’s a fantastic step forward.”
“It means we can invest more into our business, hire more people and really build on the industry even more. For us it’s about that development into Healesville. Every cent counts and it goes into our industry and building our business.”
At a local level, Four Pillars and other businesses are likely to see the success of another campaign to see upgrades to Lilydale Road as council put $1.15 million to see the area upgraded in their draft budget. Changes would include pedestrian facilities, drainage and parking facilities with more funding expected in later years.
Mr MacKenzie, along with other local businesses and stakeholders, had pushed council to have the area upgraded to become a tourism precinct within the township of Healesville.
“It’s fantastic to see the road is going to become much safer. The degradation of the road is quite unsafe for traffic… A number of businesses here would love to see the area become the precinct it deserves to be. It’s exciting for everyone on the street and everyone in Healesville.”
Mr MacKenzie gave an update on the gin brand’s current works to expand their Healesville distillery in a $6 million project.
“It’s going well here, we’re on time and they managed to get a mountain of work done in the first couple of months. It’s exciting, the builders are energised and so far it seems to be on time and on budget… Touch wood.”
