Broadacre agriculture
- Over 77% of the region’s land is used for medium-low rainfall primary production.
- The region is well-known as Australia’s largest red lentil producer.
- The estimated output of $1,337 million includes a third of Victoria’s grain crops, a fifth of its sheep, lambs, wool and pigs and almost 10% of its eggs.
- Broadacre agricultural industries, mainly cropping and livestock, employ almost a fifth of the region’s workforce.
- The delivery of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline is one of Australia’s largest water infrastructure projects. It provides 7,000 rural customers with reliable stock, business, and household water access, a significant advantage for our region’s farmers and communities in buffering water availability challenges during periods of drought.
Mining
- Gold mining is also a staple of the region with the Stawell Mine producing approximately 10% of Victoria’s gold production.
- The Wimmera Southern Mallee is part of the Murray Basin mineral sands deposits, one of the world’s largest critical mineral deposits.
- It is estimated that the region could service over 15% of the world’s demand for some of the priority critical minerals for the next 40 years.
- Regional mining projects have the capacity to broaden the region’s industry base and provide significant, whilst skill diverse employment opportunities.
Hospitals
Hospitals employ approximately 8% of the workforce with an estimated output of $260 million. When combined with the broader health and social assistance industry this sector employs 17% of the workforce.
Education
Schools and pre-schools employ approximately 7% of the workforce with an estimated output of $215 million.
Building and construction
The building and construction industry employs approximately 5% of the workforce with an estimated output of $644 million.
Food and beverage manufacturing
Food and beverage manufacturing employs approximately 4% of the workforce with an estimated output of $526 million. Food and beverage manufacturing makes up two thirds of all manufacturing activity in the region.
Public administration
Public administration employs approximately 4% of the workforce with an estimated output of $526 million.
Tourism
- Our region features some of Victoria’s most recognised natural landscapes.
- Gariwerd (Grampians National Park) is well-known for its world-famous hiking trails and its heritage listed Aboriginal heritage. Dyurrite (Mt Arapiles –Tooan State Park) rises stunningly from the Wimmera plains.
- Our spectacular Little and Big Deserts provide striking contrast to our iconic lakes, including Dimboola’s Pink Lake, and our epic silo art trail, spanning across 200km, providing an opportunity to explore a region that changes its colours from season to season, from sunrise to sunset.
Property and real estate
The property and real estate sector may only employ a handful of the people but has an estimated output of $525 million.