Leading Melbourne craft brewery La Sirene closed indefinitely due to asbestos

UPDATE: La Sirene's bar and brewery have reopened following a decision by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The bar will continue trading until at least April, open Wed-Fri 5pm-11pm, Sat noon-11pm and Sun noon-6pm.

Two months after the high of opening its long-awaited brewery bar, Melbourne craft brewer La Sirene's operations have been brought to a grinding halt due to the presence of asbestos in the Alphington precinct at which it's located.

According to a statement by Darebin City Council, the council found traces of asbestos in two buildings at the Melbourne Innovation Centre, where La Sirene occupies a large former artillery factory.

On the afternoon of December 2, La Sirene's founders, Costa and Eva Nikias, and their staff were suddenly locked out of their production brewery "out of an abundance of caution" by the council.

Being unable to access these two buildings means La Sirene is unable to brew, process or package beer, including beer that is ready to be bottled or canned. Thirteen other businesses at Melbourne Innovation Centre are also locked out.

It's estimated that the building will be closed into 2023 while Darebin City Council completes environmental monitoring and a deep clean and remediation program, while working with WorkSafe and the Environmental Protection Agency.

"Council and MIC [Melbourne Innovation Centre] have been helpful, and we can only rely on their assistance and goodwill," said Costa and Eva Nikias in a statement.

In its own statement, Darebin City Council said that it is looking at ways to assist the businesses affected. This may include finding alternative venues in the area where these businesses could trade.

La Sirene has been brewing at the Alphington site since 2010, where it's steadily built a reputation for a wide range of old world beers made with wild yeasts collected from the nearby Darebin parklands. It added a bar serving its own beers, plus Victorian and European wines, in October.

"Questions regarding the longevity of the building, our brewery, bar and of the future of our business, livelihood and brand are for the future. Our path at the moment is very unclear," added the statement from La Sirene.

Asbestos was banned in Australia in 2003 for its links to illnesses such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Remediation refers to removing the asbestos from contaminated soil so that it doesn't pose a risk in future.

Melbourne Innovation Centre was contacted for comment.