Open space for opportunity
Covering an area of 6,700 square kilometres, Loddon Shire is well known for its diverse landscape and natural attractions.
This extends from the heart of the region – the majestic Loddon River – to rivers, lakes, State and National Parks and nature reserves, as well as friendly locals and a real sense of connection to its history and the environment.
The region’s highly productive soils and ideal climate conditions support a strong economy in agriculture, horticulture and livestock industries. The open spaces of Loddon Shire offer biosecurity buffer zones for intensive agriculture, land for industry development and large-scale manufacturing and production facilities, with strong transport and road infrastructure to support logistics needs of the industry.
Loddon Shire offers solid growth opportunities to businesses investing in the region, particularly the table egg industry, meat poultry enterprises, lot feeding, pig industry enterprises, and food and beverage manufacturing.
As part of the Victorian Goldfields tourist region, the economy also supports niche and artisanal producers as well as major wine and olive industries.
Loddon Shire’s council plan strategic objectives include:
- promoting unique tourism opportunities and supporting local tourism industry to increase visitation to the area
- supporting established businesses and whilst seeking to attract new businesses to grow the local economy.
Fast facts about Loddon Shire
KEY TOWNS INCLUDE
Boort, Bridgewater on Loddon, Inglewood, Pyramid Hill and Wedderburn
HOME TO ALMOST
7,700 people
ANNUAL ECONOMIC OUTPUT OF
$462 million
Forward thinking
in the renewables sector, next-gen agriculture and advanced manufacturing
Many new migrants have found new lives and opportunities
in supportive communities like Pyramid Hill
Pathways to employment and higher education can be achieved
through the North Central Trade Training Centre, North Central Local Learning and Employment Network.
Strengths
PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT
- 31°C average maximum summer temperature
- 14°C average maximum winter temperature
- 390mm average annual rainfall
INDUSTRY SERVICES
Loddon Shire is well connected to large areas of central and northern Victoria. It easily connects to Melbourne, Bendigo or Mildura via the Calder Highway, or Echuca and the other Murray River towns by the Loddon Valley Highway.
COMMUNITY LIFESTYLE
From significant Indigenous sites to early European pastoral settlements and relics of gold rush, Loddon Shire is steeped in history. The region offers an affordable rural lifestyle, with its population spread among many community-minded towns that support high volunteerism and economic growth in the region.
PLANNING SUPPORT
Loddon Shire Council economic development arm provides resources for new businesses and promotes investment in the region. Loddon Shire’s economic development and compliance teams work closely together to support business and investment prospects.
“We’ve got a really good, stable workforce. Our base crew is a bunch of amazing people.”
Jarad Smith
MORE INFORMATION
- Contact Council’s Economic Development Team on 03 5494 1200 or email business@loddon.vic.gov.au
- Visit the Loddon Shire website
- Visit the Invest Loddon Mallee – Loddon Shire website
- Visit the Be.Bendigo website
SUCCESS STORIES
Kilter Rural
Kilter Rural is an Australian company, founded in 2004 to service a $200 million institutional investment in regenerative farming, biodiversity rehabilitation and climate change mitigation. The business regenerates underutilised agricultural farmland, transforming it to deliver technically advanced and environmentally sustainable irrigated and dryland production systems. Since its inception, 12,000
Calmo Farms
The Goulburn Murray Irrigation District (GMID) is home to one of the largest milk production regions in Australia. Despite a challenging operating environment in recent years, dairy farmers continue to be fiercely passionate about their industry and introduce more efficient production practices on-farm. Jade and Belinda Clymo are fourth-generation
Greg and Jo Bear
Greg and Jo Bear’s mixed farming operation has been part of the Canary Island landscape between Pyramid Hill and Boort since the early 1900s – and the plan is to continue farming in the region for generations to come. Based on the Loddon River floodplains, Greg and Jo have
Kia-Ora Piggery
Kia-Ora Piggery operates across three sites in the Yarrawalla district. The piggery has become self-sufficient in its energy generation and has introduced a range of initiatives to become more sustainable on-site.