Gannawarra – Murray River Group of Councils

Gannawarra Shire

The Gannawarra Shire is located in the Loddon Murray Region of Victoria, Australia, a three hour drive from Melbourne, our state capital.

Gannawarra Shire is one of Victoria’s most diverse agricultural regions in the thriving Loddon Murray Region of northern Victoria. Towns of Gannawarra include Cohuna, Koondrook, Kerang, Murrabit, Lalbert, Quambatook and Leitchville.

Climate

A Mediterranean style climate with plenty of sunshine makes Gannawarra Shire the ideal location for agriculture and a relaxing lifestyle. The following table shows monthly average temperature and rainfall. Rainfall averages 350/400mm per annum.

Jan Mar May Jul Sep Nov

Max Temp 31.4 27.7 17.9 14.0 19.0 26.5

Min Temp 14.9 12.8 6.7 4.0 6.7 11.2

Av. Rainfall 22.9 27.8 37.2 35.8 36.1 26.7

Accommodation Development

New residential projects in Kerang, Koondrook and Cohuna are providing a range of accommodation options across the Shire. Demand for waterfront living is strong with Kangaroo Lake and Lake Charm being sought after locations.

A need for retirement living options has been identified in Kerang and Cohuna whilst significant opportunity exists for resort style accommodation along the Gunbower Creek and Murray River. Talk to Council’s economic development staff about your interest and see how they can assist.

Industrial Land

Council has developed fully serviced industrial estates in Cohuna and Kerang catering for a huge range of industries. These estates have been critical in attracting and maintaining local industry and have a major role to play in diversifying the local economy away from the reliance on agriculture. Fully serviced allotments start at $39,750, outstanding value to start your new business!

Manufacturing

Manufacturing is a major growth area and employer within the Gannawarra Shire. Much of the manufacturing sector is linked to agriculture and involves processing and value adding of raw product such as fruit and grains, and manufacturing of equipment to support the agricultural industry. Manufacturing businesses include Arbuthnot Sawmills, Dunstan Farmers Engineering, AWMA, Archards Irrigation, Faucet Tapware, Kerfab, Pentagon Feeds, Mac’s Shortbread Co, Amacron Technologies and Ellwaste.

Retail, Trades and Professional

The Gannawarra Shire provides a well established service sector to support the local area catchment of around 15,000 people.

Professional services include banking and financial institutions, legal firms, accounting, business and financial advisors, design and drafting, agronomy, consulting, employment agencies and information technology.

Trades are well catered for and capable of supporting new development. These include building, electrical, earthmoving, concreting, engineering, sign writing, manufacturing, floor coverings, plumbing and hardware.

Gannawarra has a strong retail sector including businesses such as Betta Electrical, Sportspower, Target, Retravision, motor vehicle dealerships, major supermarket chains including Safeway and IGA, hotels, cafes and much more!

Health & Education

The Gannawarra Shire has a great range of health and educational services. Extensive hospital, medical, dental and aged care facilities are available together with nursing homes and retirement centres. Northern District Community Health also supplies a wide range of services to the region. All of your health requirements are catered for.

Educational facilities consist pre schools, primary schools and secondary colleges along with local learning centres and adult education.

Agriculture

Gannawarra Shire has a very diverse agricultural sector generating around $210m of produce annually. A blend of productive dryland cropping and irrigation provides security and diversity across the Shire.

Council is committed to assisting and promoting further growth and diversity within all agricultural sectors and is working on a variety of fronts to achieve this. Major agricultural activities in Gannawarra include dairying, livestock, cropping, viticulture and horticulture. Dairying is the shire’s major agricultural industry, followed by cropping and livestock.

Council can assist to facilitate a wide range of agricultural developments and is keen to promote opportunities in horticulture, intensive livestock industries such as feed lotting and value adding of raw products including milk, grain and meat.

Environmental

Utilising the natural environment for emerging industries such as large scale solar power, bioenergy and the carbon industry will provide opportunities for new and creative development in the Gannawarra Shire. Council’s Solar Power Prospectus provides a complete facilitation package with infrastructure and property identified. Carbon plantings, waste to energy and use of the natural environment for clean/green projects are providing options for new investment. Call for information and assistance!

Irrigation

The Torrumbarry Irrigation system provides quality rural water supplies for agriculture. Council is committed to further diversification of the irrigation sector and is proactively seeking new development to maximise the availability of land and water. New land use models are emerging and Council can assist with the facilitation of land and water packages for irrigated agriculture.

Infrastructure & Transport

Infrastructure is vital for business development and Gannawarra has significant infrastructure advantages. Excellent power supply from a recent sub station upgrade, world class potable water supplies and access to the Loddon Valley and Murray Valley Highways make Gannawarra an ideal business location.

Transport services are available right across the Shire with major road freight operators located in Cohuna and Kerang. There is rail access and sealed aerodrome runways at Cohuna and Kerang providing first class air services to the Shire.

Lifestyle & Opportunity

Treat yourself to a lifestyle change that provides the necessary balance between business and pleasure. Finish work at 6pm and enjoy a game of golf on an 18 hole course set amongst the red gum forest, take the family water skiing or swimming, perhaps bowls or tennis, fish the mighty Murray River, walk or bike ride the many lakes and wetlands, or just enjoy the endless hours of sunshine and great weather with a BBQ at a friend’s place.

Assistance

For further information please contact the Gannawarra Shire’s Economic Development Unit.

Gannawarra Shire Council

47 Victoria St,

PO Box 287

KERANG VIC 3579

Ph: +61 3 5450 9333

Fax: +61 3 5450 3023

E: [email protected]

Web: www.gannawarra.vic.gov.au