From the Regional Development Victoria website:

The Grampians region in western Victoria first came alive during the Gold Rush and is home to stunning parks, rolling hills, historic villages and vibrant cities. In the east, Ballarat is a strong driver of growth and new investment, with the increasing prosperity of towns and communities around Ballarat attracting new residents. In the west, the focus is in diversifying the area’s economic base and taking advantage of the opportunities from the recently completed Wimmera Mallee Pipeline.

Town Centres

Ararat, Avoca, Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat, Beaufort, Daylesford, Edenhope, Great Western, Hopetoun, Horsham, Kaniva, Nhill, St Arnaud.

Opportunities

  • The employment breakdown in the region is far more ‘metropolitan’ in flavour than the regional average, highly represented in industries such as manufacturing, IT services, real estate and professional services.
  • If Ballarat can continue to integrate with the broader Melbourne employment market while maintaining regional character, the region will continue to attract ‘tree changers’ seeking more relaxed country lifestyles with access to good jobs.
  • New opportunities may emerge in renewable, mineral sands and heritage, nature-based and Indigenous tourism, especially in and around Ballarat and in the Grampians National Park.
  • The completion of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline offers opportunities for intensive animal industries, horticultural and agricultural expansion.

Challenges

  • With its large dry land faming base, this part of the west part of the region is highly exposed to changing weather and climate patterns.
  • Ecosystems such asthe Little and Big Desert regions and the northern Grampians are likely to be at increased risk from fire and have limited margins to adapt to major environmental changes.
  • Towns and communities around Ballarat and along the Melbourne to Ballarat corridor, as well as towns in the Grampians National Park and adjacent to the St Arnaud Ranges National Park are also exposed to the increased risk of bushfires.

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