Arabic version: حكومة تسمانيا تسعى لشراء موقع مصنع بواجز

The Tasmanian government has announced it wants to explore purchasing the Boag’s Brewery site in Launceston after the brewer revealed plans to close the facility.

According to ABC News, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said Kirin, the parent company of Lion Australia which owns Boag’s, has provided “in-principle support to explore in good faith the state’s proposal to purchase the site.” Mr Rockliff met with Kirin representatives in Japan earlier this week.

Lion announced last month that it would close the 145-year-old Launceston brewery by November and shift all production to mainland breweries. In rationalising the decision to close the site, the brewer said it had been grappling with high costs and a “long-term decline in the national beer market.” The government did not release further details of its proposal and it remains unclear what the state would use the site for or how it would finance any potential purchase.

Mr Rockliff said Kirin reiterated a commitment to work with the Tasmanian government and the City of Launceston on the site’s future use, and that both parties agreed to pursue enabling legislation in parliament to support redevelopment opportunities across the precinct. He said any planning framework must balance preserving the site’s heritage, unlocking investment and creating jobs. The premier also said Kirin had reinforced its commitment to “explore small batch opportunities” with Tasmanian brewers.

The premier also reported that he raised worker concerns with Kirin during his trip to Japan. Kirin agreed to consider “further requests” regarding a worker support package, and Mr Rockliff said he will meet with Lion’s CEO next week to progress discussions on workforce support. It is understood the brewery’s planned closure will impact 42 local jobs.

Why this matters: the Boag’s site is described by the government as part of Tasmania’s industrial and cultural heritage, and the closure affects dozens of local workers while prompting questions about future land use, investment and jobs in the Launceston precinct. What happens next: the government is holding a Northern Tasmanian Economic Summit today and will pursue legislative steps and ongoing talks with Kirin and Lion to determine workforce support and redevelopment pathways.

Related sections: Australia/استراليا | Tasmania | General | Economy/اقتصاد | World/العالم