From the Regional Development Victoria website:

The Barwon South West region of Victoria stretches from the tip of the Queenscliff Heads to the border of South Australia. It is home to Victoria’s largest provincial centre, Geelong; and its population is projected to grow by approximately 26% by 2026, a rate higher than the regional Victoria average.  The region has access to a deep-water port at Portland, an established rail network with interstate connections and several commercial airports. The Great Ocean Road is a feature of the region, as are its coastal towns, rainforests and farming districts.

Town Centres

Aireys Inlet, Apollo Bay, Camperdown, Colac, Geelong, Hamilton, Lorne, Port Campbell, Port Fairy, Portland, Torquay and Warrnambool.

Opportunities

  • Development of alternative energy sources (such as gas, wind, geothermal and wave energy power plants), which may also help to maintain the region’s presence in aluminium production.
  • Gas-fired power plants are under construction in the south west at locations near Mortlake and Orford.
  • Continued growth in wind-farm construction of wind farms in the region, with wind turbine development centred around Portland.
  • New opportunities are emerging in plantation timber and mineral sands and – in the region’s east – in services, tourism and biotechnology.

Challenges

  • Climate change poses significant challenges for the region. Coastal towns, buildings and infrastructure are at risk from higher sea levels, erosion, flooding and storm surges. Inland, there will be an increased risk of bushfires. Water resources are likely to be constrained, with wetlands and shallow lakes at risk of drying up.

For detailed information about Loddon Mallee, please visit the Regional Development Victoria website.