Prepare for the future with confidence
The GMID is bursting with potential for new or expanding businesses. Your future goals can be realised with planning support from local government to help your business thrive in the face of change.
Key considerations include planning schemes, rural land management to acknowledge the implications of landscape change, and adherence to environmental and animal welfare standards and regulations.
While land sizes and their value vary across the region, property in the GMID is affordable with unlimited potential for agriculture.
Business Concierge Services
Business concierge and investment facilitation services are available for new and expanding businesses in the GMID to map out clear pathways for planning approvals. This can ensure you are prepared with the necessary information to streamline project approval processes and minimise ‘red tape’.
A great starting point for any new businesses to the area is offered through the Agriculture Redevelopment Coordination program (ARC). The ARC program provides a coordinated concierge services to ensure the relevant information and support is available through a single point for agricultural land use development.
In addition to services offered through the Victorian Government, several tailored services can support agricultural investment in the GMID including:
Planning schemes
Under Victoria’s planning system, local councils and the State Government develop planning schemes to control land use and development, protect land within the state and ensure that planning is in the interests of all Victorians.
Planning schemes are developed in accordance with planning policies and strategies. They contain planning policies, zones, overlays and other provisions that affect how land can be used and developed.
If you’re looking to set up or expand an agricultural business within the GMID, a good first step is to access Vicmap Planning, which provides mapping information including land use zone and overlay controls for all Victorian planning schemes.
This valuable resource can help you to visualise and analyse your business information with Victoria’s planning scheme map information. It is regularly updated to reflect the official planning scheme at any time.
More information:
Rural land management
Rural land management refers to the balance between rural land uses and the social, economic and environmental implications of landscape change.
Rural land management in the GMID is considered in land use strategies across the region, with confidence in the protection of Farming Zones across local government areas.
Environmental Regulations and animal welfare
As with any region of Victoria, the GMID is subject to regulations regarding the environment and animal welfare which new and existing agricultural businesses need to consider.
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) can give permission to businesses in the form of licences, permits and registrations to reduce the harmful effects of pollution and waste on Victorians and the environment prior to conducting an activity.
Animal welfare Victoria is another consideration for regulation in the region and incudes information and requirements for:
- Domestic animal businesses
- Livestock management
- Animals used in research and teaching
More information:
Land size and value
While land parcel sizes vary in the GMID, there is arguably something to suit every agricultural investor’s needs
For some areas such as Loddon Shire, there are significant opportunities to expand agricultural businesses through available land in the region.
Land is considered a valuable growth asset in the GMID.
GMID land value
Source: Rural Bank’s Australian Farmland Values 2022 Report. Note Northern Victoria is not inclusive of Swan Hill.