Beehives, breweries, food and wine focus at new Busselton market
An experiential indoor market unlike any other in Western Australia will open in Busselton in next spring.
Ground-breaking at the Origins Market site took place on Wednesday and developers have now started work on the exciting project touted to appeal to both tourists and locals.
Busselton's Origin Markets will provide a fresh perspective for consumers of the region's produce.
On top of more than 100 stalls of local produce and creations, Origins will house microbrewing, distilling, tastings, long-table dining, demonstrations, edible gardens and more.
A glass façade at one end of the building, skylights and a louvered section of roof will ensure the brightness of an open-air market, no matter the weather, while rooftop urban beehives will create a different kind of buzz for patrons.
Landowner and project developer Allan Erceg of Erceg Management wants to leave a legacy in the South West, much like he has in the Swan Valley with his sprawling winery and brewery Mandoon Estate.
"This is a significant investment and will provide a long-term opportunity for growers, artists and creators in the South West to showcase their produce and talent," he said.
“Our intent is to encourage and grow local capacity, regional development and provide local employment opportunities."
Busselton is experiencing a steady population increase, particularly in young families and working professionals, and further tourism growth is expected once the airport expansion is finished and operating as a gateway to the Margaret River region, on top of the Busselton foreshore redevelopment and a new arts centre.
Mr Erceg developed the entire 80,000-square-metre Busselton Power Centre site on West Street and already invested $50 million into the site, with a further $50 million to go towards commercial, leisure and retail spaces there.
The project is expected to employ 250 people during the construction phase of the development and a further 200 when the market opens.
Raft up on the Swan this September
After four years of planning, approvals and builds, WA's first permanent floating event space will drop anchor in the Swan River in September.
What started as an idea between siblings Katie and Dan Chrystal has transformed into Perth’s hottest new venue The Raft.
The duo have combined their creative, finance and hospitality backgrounds to bring something fresh to WA.
After making a three-week journey from Darwin, The Raft has been docked at Kailis Marine in Fremantle, undergoing essential preparations to transform an old working barge into the stunning venue that will dock permanently in the Swan River.
The 445 square metre creation overlooks Elizabeth Quay and Kings Park and can hold up to 250 patrons, an ideal space also for special events.
Trio of crafty cuts
WA’s biggest beerfest is moving back to where it all began.
The Perth Craft Beer Festival returns to Claremont Showgrounds for a gigantic weekend of frothy goodness from September 4-6.
There's a special treat in store at the Perth Craft Beer Festival over the Father's Day weekend.
The three-day event will debut one of the biggest beer halls Perth has yet to frolic in, with undercover areas and fire pits at the marquee event.
But breweries and cideries from across the country will be the real stars of the show, with quality beverages on tap to try while taking in entertainment and other activities worth raising a glass to.
The 50-plus breweries include local faves Beer Farm, Rocky Ridge and Boston Brewing Co and gastronomic bites from local food truck favourites. Drool over smoked meats, American barbecue, burgers, sliders and other surprises from around the globe, plus some vegeterian and vegan-friendly bites too.
If you need a break from all that indulgence, you can get stuck into carnival games, rides, giant beer pong, a silent disco or some live music from rock cover bands. There's also sideshow competitions including the ‘Best Dad Bod Wet T-Shirt Comp’, just in time for Father's Day. Yikes.