A Launceston councillor is calling on all levels of government to fight the decision by Boag’s owner Lion to close the iconic brewery in the northern Tasmanian city.
Andrew Palmer has formally asked the Launceston City Council to write to state and federal ministers as well as Lion’s chief executive, pushing for the decision to be reversed.
Palmer said the council had “an important leadership and advocacy role to play” and asked that the matter be treated as a priority.
He urged the council to engage with all relevant stakeholders “to determine what actions can be taken to achieve a different outcome”.
Palmer described the decision as “shortsighted, disrespectful, and ultimately a cop-out”.
In 2023, the state government, the council and the broader community worked together to keep the brewery’s visitor experience running.
He said that effort “demonstrated a genuine commitment to preserving one of northern Tasmania’s most iconic brands,” he said.
“This latest decision sends the opposite message.”
Palmer said the closure wouldn’t just hurt the brewery’s own workers but would ripple through the local economy, hitting printers, freight operators, packaging suppliers, glass manufacturers and contractors.
“Boag’s is more than a beer,” he said.
“It is a Tasmanian institution. It is part of our history, our identity, and our economy.”
He warned that expecting loyal customers to keep backing a product no longer made in the state that built its reputation was “a significant risk” for the company.
Palmer called on Lion’s board to work with all levels of government and industry to find a way to keep the brand in Launceston.
“Launceston built the Boag’s brand,” he said.
“We should not stand by and watch it leave.”
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said Lion had made it clear nothing more could be done to keep the brewery open.
Rockliff confirmed a $1 million government grant given to Lion would be returned and reinvested in the Launceston community.
“We will be working with locals on how to best reinvest that money in the north,” he said.
“The closure is not a good decision. And I certainly don’t agree with it.”
Rockliff said the priority right now was the 42 workers and their families affected by the shutdown.
“Boags is part of Tasmania’s heritage,” he said.
