From the Regional Development Victoria website:

The Loddon Mallee region occupies more than a quarter of Victoria and with one of the most consistently warm climates in the State, people flock to the region for the waterways of the Murray River, acclaimed restaurants and wineries, heritage towns, and grand forests.

Town Centres

Bendigo, Echuca, Heathcote, Ouyen, Quambatook, Red Cliffs, Robinvale, Sea Lake, Swan Hill, Wedderburn, Wycheproof.

Opportunities

  • Dry land farming continues to be a major economic driver for the region
  • Employment is growing in the services sectors, particularly in health and education, and related industries, such as IT and professional and business services, are also strong.
  • The Bendigo area is benefiting from improved transport links with Melbourne.
  • New opportunities are likely to emerge in renewable energy (particularly large scale solar), mineral sands and nature-based and Indigenous tourism.

Challenges

  • Viticulture and wine making is endangered by volatility in global markets and oversupply in some segments of local markets.
  • Reduced water inflows in upper catchments are likely to produce continuing uncertainty for the horticulture sector.
  • Growth in the mineral sands mining industries will increase freight traffic throughout the region, with flow-on for road and rail infrastructure
  • Parts of the region are more highly exposed to climate change than many parts of the State.

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