Murray Now

Gannawarra Shire has recently reviewed its strategic plan and this gives the shire an opportunity to showcase its strengths and plan towards future developments over the next four years. Gannawarra Shire is located on the Murray River, just 1.25 hours from Bendigo, 40 minutes from Swan Hill and three hours from Melbourne. It is serviced by the Murray Valley and Loddon Valley Highways in addition to passenger rail services from Kerang to Swan Hill and Bendigo with connections to Melbourne.

There are a number of directions discussed in the plan including developing a progressive Dairy Industry within the Gannawarra Shire. Over the last 10 years there has been a downturn of about 40% of dairy operators due to drought, less irrigation availability and lower farm gate prices. This statistic is consistent with the neighbouring Goulbourn Murray district.

Roger Griffiths, Manager Economic Development says “through the retention of these dairies we are ensuring a reliable water supply and maintaining the current infrastructure as well. We also see that dairies are value adding and diversifying their milk products”. Gannawarra Shire are working to encourage new investment; most recently Sustainable Soils and Farm (SSL), who export milk products exclusively to the Chinese market. SSL are setting up new farms in the Cohuna/Leitchfield area with the assistance of international investors.

Another direction is maximise productivity from agricultural land of which there are a number of projects focused around free range, organic foods. There are pork and poultry producers investing in Cohuna, in addition to lamb projects. Lamb especially after the drought had such an effect on production, and is great to see continued investment. Many of these projects will create more jobs in and around the shire and by capitalising on the existing infrastructure, such as roads, town water to rural properties and a 3 phase power network, we can reinvest elsewhere.

An investment in environmental alternatives is a high investment project with long term outcomes aligned with the Gannawarra strategic plan. Roger says that “Use of the natural environment to leverage new energy projects such as large scale solar power, solar pilot projects, gas from waste projects, ethanol projects and a range of new energy projects including carbon farming. Making sure that the Gannawarra Shire is on the front foot with all new technology and opportunities means we are less reliant on conventional farming and have the ability to diversity to strengthen our local economic base”.

Finally there is the natural beauty and tourism drawcard for the shire focusing around natural attributes like the Murray River, lakes, wetlands and Gunbower Forest. “We find that some of the more well know tourist destinations are getting tired and people are looking for new experiences such as nature based tourism. This is our focus and our branding reflects this in Murray Lakes and Rivers” Roger adds. Furthermore just down the road a little further is a 1000 acres owned and operated by Brown Brothers; with popular varieties such as crouchen and sienna. These vines are serviced via sub surface tape irrigation which is highly efficient way of irrigating vines, making sure that water is emitted right to the root zone.

If all this is appealing to you for either business or pleasure please click here to visit the website for more information.