LODDON PLANNING SCHEME

21.02 MUNICIPAL PROFILE 19/01/2006 VC37 21.02-1 Introduction 19/01/2006 VC37 Loddon Shire is very much a rural municipality. It consists of farm land, forest, native grasslands, lakes, rivers and wetlands interspersed with small townships and hamlets. The Shire is home to a proud, vibrant and self reliant community with an economy centred around a valuable and diverse agricultural industry.

21.02-2 Location 19/01/2006 VC37 Loddon Shire is located in north central , commencing approximately 180 kilometres north west of and immediately north west of . It has an approximate area of 6700 square kilometres and extends over 100 kilometres north to south and over 80 kilometres east to west. The Shire is adjoined by the municipalities of Greater Bendigo and Campaspe to the east, Gannawarra to the north, Buloke to the west and Northern Grampians, Central Goldfields and Mount Alexander to the south.

21.02-3 State and Regional Context 19/01/2006 VC37 There is a range of major land use issues that have significance and influence beyond the municipal boundary.

Catchment Management

The Shire is located within the and Avoca River catchments, which are part of the Murray Darling Basin. The way in which the catchments are managed within the Loddon Shire directly influences water quality beyond the Shire’s boundaries. The catchments in the Shire are within the area managed by the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA). The NCCMA is responsible for providing the over- arching strategic direction for natural resource management in the region. The North Central Regional Catchment Strategy identifies six priorities for the region. These are: ƒ Salinity; ƒ Biological diversity; ƒ Waterways and water resources; ƒ Soil health; ƒ Pest plants and animals; and ƒ Regional development (includes increased profitability, structural adjustment, agribusiness expansion and sustainable communities.) Reversal of land degradation and enhancement of the natural resource base to improve water quality are priorities for the region, the State and the Murray Darling Basin Commission.

Rare and threatened flora and fauna

The flora and fauna of the Shire are important components of the intricate and diverse patchwork of the State’s environment and its biodiversity. The Shire contains native grasslands and Box Ironbark forest that are considered rare and under protected at State and

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 1 OF 22 LODDON PLANNING SCHEME

National levels. State and nationally significant fauna of the Shire include the Grey Crowned Babbler, the Plains Wanderer, the Brush Tailed Phascogale, the Native Quoll and the Striped Legless Lizard.

Salinity Management

Control of the spread of salinity in the region is partially dependent on the maintenance of vegetation in areas of the State of high water table recharge. The Shire, along with other municipalities, must ensure that the undulating areas in the south of the Shire which are part of the Central Highlands are appropriately managed to prevent the spread of salinity throughout the lower lying areas. Likewise, use of water in the low lying irrigation areas must be sustainably managed to minimise recharge to ground water.

Heritage

The Shire contains a number of buildings and sites of State and National heritage significance. These places include Memsie Homestead, Glenalbyn Grange, Railway Station, Spring Hill Homestead and Charlie Napier Hotel and are protected by State Government heritage legislation.

Agriculture

In terms of agriculture, the Shire is significant in that it produces 18% of Victoria’s lucerne hay, 17% of Victoria’s tomatoes and 10% of Victoria’s pig meat. It contributes some 2.83% of the State’s total agricultural output.

Tourism

The Loddon Shire is located within the Goldfields and Murray Outback Tourism Regions of Victoria.

Gold Mining

The southern area of the Shire is part of the Central Victorian Goldfields and contains much of the area recognised as Victoria’s “Golden Triangle”.

Transportation Corridors

The and the move people and goods to, from and through the Shire and provide links to Bendigo, Melbourne and the north of the State. Rail links are provided from a number of key towns to other centres and are most significant for their role in grain transportation to Melbourne ports.

Regional Centres

Bendigo, as a key regional centre, offers access to higher order goods and services to the residents of the Shire.

Public land

There are significant tracts of public land, mainly in the west and south of the Shire, managed by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and Parks Victoria as Hardwood and Eucalyptus Oil Production areas, State Park (including Leaghur and Kooyoora) and Flora, Fauna, Scenic, Bushland and Historic Reserves.

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 2 OF 22 LODDON PLANNING SCHEME

21.02-4 Community and Settlement 19/01/2006 VC37

Population

In 1998, the estimated population of Loddon was 8,941 persons.

Loddon Age & Sex

99+

90-94

80-84

70-74

60-64 Female 50-54 Male 40-44

30-34

20-24

10-14

0-4

400 300 200 100 0 100 200 300 400

Significant characteristics of the population of Loddon are: ƒ At the 1996 Census, people aged over 35 years formed the largest component of the population of the Shire; ƒ At the 1996 Census, age groups below 15 years formed 20% of the overall population, while people aged between 15 and 30 years represented just over 10% of the total population; ƒ At the 1996 Census, there was a significant number of older people in the Shire, especially in the urban areas, with people aged over 70 years representing 12% of the population; ƒ There is a higher proportion of people aged over 50, in comparison to regional Victoria as a whole; ƒ There is a lower proportion of people aged between 18 and 34, in comparison to regional Victoria as a whole; ƒ There is a higher proportion of individuals and households earning less than $500 per week, in comparison to regional Victoria as a whole; ƒ There is a higher proportion of single person households, in comparison to regional Victoria as a whole; ƒ There is a higher proportion of residents born in , in comparison to regional Victoria as a whole; ƒ 47% of the total population is employed in agriculture, 15.8% is employed in retail, 10.6% is employed in manufacturing, 8.2% is employed in health and community services and 6.4% is employed in education; ƒ 53.5% of males in Loddon are employed in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry;

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 3 OF 22 LODDON PLANNING SCHEME

ƒ Since 1991, there has been a decrease in the number of people employed in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector. Source: Department of Infrastructure – 1996

Settlement

Consistent with Loddon being a rural municipality, almost 62% of Loddon’s community resides in the rural areas of the Shire, with the remaining 38% living in the townships. In the rural areas of the Shire, the majority of residents live on agricultural properties. In the south of the Shire rural residential living is a popular lifestyle option, afforded by the proximity to Bendigo and attractive undulating agricultural and bush settings. Significant areas of rural residential living exist around Inglewood, Bridgewater, Wedderburn, , Dunolly, Laanecoorie, and Newbridge. There is no one dominant urban centre of the Shire, rather it has a number of small centres serving the surrounding rural areas. The larger of the urban centres of the Shire include , Inglewood, Pyramid Hill and Wedderburn. There are six urban centres with populations of over 200 people in Loddon. The 1996 populations of these towns are set out below: Boort 805 Wedderburn 708 Inglewood 699 Pyramid Hill 527 Bridgewater 282 Korong Vale 247 Source: ABS Census 1996

Other smaller settlements of the Shire are , Dingee, Eddington, , Laanecoorie, Mitiamo, Newbridge, Serpentine and Tarnagulla. Although these settlements are small, they each play a vitally important social, service provision, residential and community focus and function in their respective districts. The towns of the Shire generally provide retail, health, community and education facilities. The standard and degree to which these services are offered vary between the townships.

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 4 OF 22 LODDON PLANNING SCHEME

Strategic Framework Plan

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 5 OF 22 LODDON PLANNING SCHEME

Boort

Boort is an attractive township located on a lunette overlooking the Boort Lakes. The town is a service centre to the surrounding agricultural district. Little Lake Boort is a significant tourism asset and is used for water sports, including water skiing. The Big Lake, Lake Lyndger and Woolshed Swamp are wetlands of outstanding environmental value and are also the location of sites of aboriginal heritage of national significance. Boort is a large urban centre in the Shire, supporting a hospital, aged hostel, and a secondary college, as well as important sporting, recreational and tourist facilities. The quality of residential development is generally high and should be maintained. Boort is proposed to be sewered in 2000, introducing a higher standard of amenity to the town and providing scope for infill development. Several value-adding industries, such as a hay exporter and feed mill (Hi-cube, and Johnson-Asahi) operate in the western outskirts of the township. It is important that these industries be protected from urban encroachments and vice versa. Other small industries exist within the town and their ongoing sustainability should be supported. Boort has significant transport links, including rail, to Melbourne and an airstrip, which is progressively being upgraded to an all weather standard. This infrastructure provides significant opportunities for local industry in terms of export.

Bridgewater-On-Loddon

Bridgewater is located on the Calder Highway, the region’s most significant transport link. The Loddon River, which passes through the town, provides an attractive setting for the town as well as providing sporting and recreational activities and a tourism focus. Bridgewater is proposed to be sewered by Coliban Water in 1999 providing unprecedented infill urban development opportunities. The town is within commuting distance of Bendigo and it is envisaged that it could develop to be an attractive dormitory town. Bridgewater supports the regionally significant industries of Waterwheel Flour, Waterwheel Winery and Loddon Valley Eggs. The rural land surrounding the town is of high quality. Coupled with access to water from the river, the town is a centre for a valuable horticultural industry with significant scope for expansion.

Inglewood

Inglewood is a charming township, which developed after the discovery of gold in the 1860s. Its collection of historic shops with wide verandahs located along its narrow main street gives the commercial centre of the town a unique heritage character. The Shire of Korong Heritage and Conservation Study has previously identified the retail/commercial area of Brooke Street between Houston and Heales Streets as a largely intact historic streetscape of substantial quality, interest and importance. The Inglewood town centre is a key heritage asset in the Shire. Inglewood has a high standard of existing services available to the local community and to a broader population, including health facilities and supported accommodation facilities. Inglewood township is proposed to be sewered by Coliban Water in 1999. This initiative will provide for improved urban amenity and opportunities for infill development.

Pyramid Hill

The township of Pyramid Hill is located at the base of the prominent feature of the same name. Pyramid Hill supports a number of significant industries, including the Pyramid Hill Pet Food Company, Pyramid Salt Pty Ltd and the Pyramid Hill Abattoirs. These

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 6 OF 22 LODDON PLANNING SCHEME

developments assist in promoting Pyramid Hill as a key intensive industry and value- adding area in the Shire, reinforced by its proximity to the rural industrial centres in the Murray region to the north. The Goulburn-Murray Water office in Pyramid Hill contributes to this regional role. The town also provides an important role to the surrounding rural area and smaller settlements. Retail services and education facilities are significant on a local level. Existing transport infrastructure, coupled with Pyramid Hill’s industrial base, is central to the town’s ongoing potential. Council is committed to sewering of the town by 2000, which will provide further opportunities for residential and industrial development.

Wedderburn

Wedderburn is located on the Calder Highway, approximately 75 kilometres from Bendigo. The town has a strong tourism focus based on its heritage assets and gold fossicking. Founded on gold mining of the 1850s, the township has a character that reflects its heritage. High Street retains the charm associated with a nineteenth century country town and its streetscape has been identified in previous heritage reports as being important as a remnant of a much more dense and detailed street at the turn of the century. The township is set amidst undulating bushland and farmland at the junction of the Nardoo and Korong Creeks. This attractive setting has supported significant rural living development around the town over the past 10 – 20 years. Wedderburn has an important and contemporary role in providing services to surrounding agricultural areas as well as to tourists. Education facilities, particularly the Secondary College contributes to the town’s regional role. Loddon Shire’s commitment to the introduction of reticulated sewerage by 2000 will provide further opportunities for residential infill development, as well as commercial and industrial development within the town’s boundaries.

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 7 OF 22 LODDON PLANNING SCHEME

Boort Structure Plan

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 8 OF 22 LODDON PLANNING SCHEME

Bridgewater-on-Loddon Structure Plan

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 9 OF 22 LODDON PLANNING SCHEME

Inglewood Structure Plan

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 10 OF 22 LODDON PLANNING SCHEME

Pyramid Hill Structure Plan

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 11 OF 22 LODDON PLANNING SCHEME

Wedderburn Structure Plan

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 12 OF 22 LOCAL LODDON PLANNING SCHEME PROVISION

The key elements of the settlements of the Shire are described below:

TOWNSHIP/ INFRASTRUCTURE RETAIL HEALTH EDUCATION RECREATION SIGNIFICANT DISTINCTIVE HAMLET AND & COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS APPROX. SERVICES SERVICES FACILITIES INDUSTRY/ POPULATION FACILITIES EMPLOYERS ATTRACTIONS & OPPORTUNITIES Bears Lagoon Power, phone - - - Tennis courts Castlebacon - piggery (50) Boort Power, phone, Range of services Hospital, Doctor, Kindergarten, Boort Lake Hycube Lakeside setting on Boort to meet daily Aged Care Lakes (800) reticulated water, needs including Hostel, Dental Primary & Pool Johnson Asahi Care, Secondary Water-skiing reticulated sewerage supermarket, school Netball courts Shire Depot planned for 2000 Physiotherapist Wetlands newsagency, Tennis courts Tourism based on pharmacy, water-skiing on Aboriginal heritage takeaway, milk Hockey ground Lake bar, butcher, Air strip & annual air show bakery, hardware, Football ground Fertilizer Industry Direct rail link to Dynon rail hotel, bank, Trotting track roadhouse, Engineering Works yards garage Bowls Golf club Hall Senior Citizen Facilities Caravan Park Indoor Community Sports Centre, Squash Courts Croquet Fire Brigade Track

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 13 OF 22 LOCAL LODDON PLANNING SCHEME PROVISION

TOWNSHIP/ INFRASTRUCTURE RETAIL HEALTH EDUCATION RECREATION SIGNIFICANT DISTINCTIVE HAMLET AND & COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS APPROX. SERVICES SERVICES FACILITIES INDUSTRY/ POPULATION FACILITIES EMPLOYERS ATTRACTIONS & OPPORTUNITIES Bridgewater Power, phone, Basic retail _ Primary school Loddon River Water wheel flour Loddon River services including (280) reticulated water, general store, Football ground Water wheel Water-skiing winery reticulated sewerage farm ware, hotel, Tennis Courts Winery presently being roadhouse and Tomato growers installed garage Netball courts Horse drawn wagons Fertilizer Industry Golf club Bowls Caravan park Hall Calivil Power, phone, - - - Netball courts Dairy Industry Recreation facilities channel water (???) Tennis courts Football ground Pony Club Senior Citizens Centre Bowls Golf Dingee Power, phone, Basic services - Kindergarten Hall Fertilizer Industry reticulated water including general (180) store, hotel Eddington Power, phone General Store - - Hall, Eddington Loddon River Engineering (80)

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 14 OF 22 LOCAL LODDON PLANNING SCHEME PROVISION

TOWNSHIP/ INFRASTRUCTURE RETAIL HEALTH EDUCATION RECREATION SIGNIFICANT DISTINCTIVE HAMLET AND & COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS APPROX. SERVICES SERVICES FACILITIES INDUSTRY/ POPULATION FACILITIES EMPLOYERS ATTRACTIONS & OPPORTUNITIES Inglewood Power, phone, Range of services Hospital, Doctor, Kindergarten Pool Abattoir Heritage buildings and to meet daily Aged Care streetscape (700) reticulated water, needs including Hostel, 2 Primary Netball courts Shire depot schools Mining heritage reticulated sewerage Community Tennis courts Eucalyptus oil supermarket, Health Centre presently being newsagency, (1 Catholic) production Mount Korong installed Football ground pharmacy, Gateway to Kooyoora State takeaway, milk Trotting track Park bar, butcher, bakery, hardware, Bowls hotel, bank, Golf club roadhouse Hall Senior Citizen Facilities Loddon Neighbourhood House Jarklin Power, phone Basic services - - Hall including general (20) store, hotel Golf club Kingower Power, phone General store - - Cricket ground Wineries Heritage buildings and mining sites (15) Wineries Gold fossicking Korong Vale Power, phone, Basic services Visiting doctor, - Football oval, Railway heritage reticulated water including general Community (250) store, hotel Centre Tennis courts, Bowls, Golf club Laanecoorie Power, phone - - - Hall - Loddon River (80) Caravan Park Weir

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 15 OF 22 LOCAL LODDON PLANNING SCHEME PROVISION

TOWNSHIP/ INFRASTRUCTURE RETAIL HEALTH EDUCATION RECREATION SIGNIFICANT DISTINCTIVE HAMLET AND & COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS APPROX. SERVICES SERVICES FACILITIES INDUSTRY/ POPULATION FACILITIES EMPLOYERS ATTRACTIONS & OPPORTUNITIES Mitiamo Power, phone, Basic services - - Pool Rice storage silo Gateway to Terrick Terrick reticulated water including general National Park (100) store, hotel Football ground Netball Courts Tennis Courts Bowls Pony Club Hall Newbridge Power, phone Basic services - - Hall - Loddon River including general (50) store, hotel Football Ground Heritage buildings Netball Courts Tennis Courts Pyramid Hill Power, phone, Range of services Visiting Doctor Kindergarten Pool Abattoir, Pyramid Hill Lookout to meet daily (530) reticulated water needs including Catholic primary Netball courts Pet food factory school supermarket, Tennis courts Shire Depot P-12 College newsagency, Football ground Mawsons Quarry pharmacy, takeaway, milk Trotting track Goulburn Murray bar, butcher, Water bakery, hardware, Bowls Pyramid Salt hotel, garage Golf club Hall Senior Citizen Facilities Serpentine Power, phone, Basic services - - Football oval, Shire Office reticulated water including general (180) store, hotel, Tennis courts, roadhouse and Bowls garage Hall

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 16 OF 22 LOCAL LODDON PLANNING SCHEME PROVISION

TOWNSHIP/ INFRASTRUCTURE RETAIL HEALTH EDUCATION RECREATION SIGNIFICANT DISTINCTIVE HAMLET AND & COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS APPROX. SERVICES SERVICES FACILITIES INDUSTRY/ POPULATION FACILITIES EMPLOYERS ATTRACTIONS & OPPORTUNITIES Tarnagulla Power, phone, Basic services - Primary School Cricket ground Reef Mining Gold fossicking including general (180) reticulated water store, hotel Hall Heritage buildings and mining heritage Senior Citizens Centre Golf Club Wedderburn Power, phone, Range of services Doctor, Kindergarten Pool Shire depot and Gold fossicking to meet daily Community offices (700) reticulated water, needs including Health Centre P-12 College Netball courts Heritage buildings and reticulated sewerage Turf Engineering mining heritage planned for 2000 supermarket, Tennis courts Mount Korong newsagency, Football ground pharmacy, Kooyoora State Park takeaway, milk Hockey ground bar, butcher, hardware, hotel, Trotting track roadhouse Bowls Golf club Cricket ground Hall Senior Citizen Facilities Caravan Park Loddon Neighbourhood House

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 17 OF 22 LOCAL PROVISION LODDON PLANNING SCHEME

21.02-5 Environment 19/01/2006 VC37 Heritage Buildings, Streetscapes and Landscapes

The settlements of the southern areas of the Shire were founded on gold and all areas of the south of the Shire contain remnants of this heritage. Inglewood and Tarnagulla, especially, have largely intact traditional streetscapes of unique heritage significance that are fundamental to the character and tourist attraction of the towns. The buildings that comprise these streetscapes collectively form an outstanding feature. Towns such as Wedderburn, Newbridge, Eddington and Bridgewater also include important historic buildings, often interspersed with more contemporary building forms. Many significant historic mining sites can be found throughout the forest and farming areas in the south of the Shire, especially around Wedderburn, Kingower, Wehla and Rheola, and these sites are an important component of the cultural landscape of these areas. As well as older buildings, Korong Vale has an outstanding collection of historic railway artefacts as a result of its past role as a significant railway junction. The northern towns of the Shire were founded on agriculture and this is reflected in a collection of historic buildings of an entirely different style to that in the south. The historic civic and commercial buildings in the main street of Boort make an impressive contribution to the urban streetscape and the former butter factories at Pyramid Hill and Mincha offer an excellent insight into the early industry of the area. The Cobb and Co. Inn at Durham Ox, the water well at Kingower and the Boort and Pyramid Hill Stations reflect the transportation of the past. The rural areas of the Shire contain historic buildings from some of the State’s early pastoral selections.

Aboriginal Heritage

The Shire also contains relics and significant sites of Aboriginal heritage, some of which are considered to be of national importance. Documentation of the sites is currently limited, but significant sites are known to be in the vicinity of Lake Boort, Mount Korong, Kooyoora, Pyramid Hill and Kow Swamp. There are also numerous sites along the Loddon River. These relics include middens, scar trees and buried remains.

Landscapes

Loddon Shire crosses the boundary of two distinct land forms. The southern area of the Shire is part of the Central Highlands and consists of undulating farmland interspersed with pockets of grassy woodlands and extensive areas of State forest. Natural features, such as Mount Korong, Melville Caves, Mount Kooyoora, the Kingower Ranges, Wychitella Granites and Mount Brenanah, provide important landscape appeal in the south of the Shire. The northern region of the Shire is generally characterised by sweeping riverine plains. Granite outcrops in the north east, the most significant being Pyramid Hill and Mount Hope, provide relief from the surrounding plains. Sandy soils around Boort are the bases for Lunettes (sand hills) which also contribute to the landscape interest of the area.

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 18 OF 22 LOCAL PROVISION LODDON PLANNING SCHEME

Lakes, Rivers and Wetlands

The Loddon Shire contains an extensive system of lakes, rivers and wetlands which contribute to the environment and economy of the Shire through the provision of habitat for flora and fauna and water for farms and towns. The Avoca River adjoins the south west boundary of the Shire and the Loddon River flows through the Shire from Eddington in the south, north to the Murray River. The Laanecoorie Reservoir, on the Loddon River, is a significant water storage facility in the Shire. Large expanses of the northern areas of the Shire are flood plains for the Loddon and Avoca Rivers. These flood plains support a significant system of lakes and wetlands. The seasonal flooding of the rivers is important for the filling and flushing of this system. Wetlands make an important contribution to water quality through filtration of floodwaters and absorption of nutrients and assist to mitigate the extent of flooding by providing storage. Boort Lakes, Lake Lyndger, Lake , and Tang Tang Swamp are some of the more significant wetlands of the Shire. The nationally significant wetland of Kow Swamp adjoins the north east boundary of the Shire.

Vegetation and Habitat

Consistent with the change in land form across the Shire is a general change in vegetation and habitat type. Box Ironbark is the predominant vegetation community in the south of the Shire. Box Ironbark communities include species such as Iron Bark, Red, Grey and Yellow Box, Blue Mallee and Red Gum, as well understorey species such as lilies and orchids. Remnant native vegetation in the south of the Shire is represented in pockets on private land and on Crown land, such as, road reserves, and in the State Forests, Reserves and Parks including the Kingower State Forest, the Tarnagulla State Forest and the Kooyoora State Park. These areas provide habitat for endangered fauna such as the Brush-tailed Phascogale, Squirrel Glider and Tree Goanna. The Wychitella Flora and Fauna Reserve, to the north of Wedderburn, is important for the preservation of the excellent representation of the Whipstick Mallee Scrub and the habitat of the Mallee Fowl. Areas managed for the harvesting of mallee leaf for eucalyptus oil extraction are also located close to the town. The riverine plains of the north offer remnants of native grasslands, Red Gum forests, Blackbox and Lignum wetlands and grassy woodlands with such trees as Yellow Gum, Grey Box and Buloke. The grasslands support rare and threatened species such as Red Swainson Pea, Basalt Plain Leek Orchid and Plains Rice-flower. The most extensive areas of grasslands exist to the east of Pyramid Hill, although there are other significant areas around , Mysia and Mitiamo. Grasslands provided habitat for rare fauna such as the Common Dunnart, Bush Thick-knee, Hooded Scaly-foot and the Plains Wanderer. Woodlands provide habitat for rare fauna such as Native Quolls, Greater Long-eared Bats and Grey Crowned Babblers. Wetlands provide habitat for the endangered Brolga, Growling Grass Frog and Broad-shelled Tortoise. There are fewer large tracts of Crown land in the north of the Shire to provide for the preservation of native vegetation. Road reserves support some of the most significant communities of remnant vegetation in the north, as this land has been isolated from the surrounding farming activity. Of particular importance in the north of the Shire is the recently proclaimed Terrick Terrick National Park, which contains a forest of Murray Pines and grasslands.

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 19 OF 22 LOCAL PROVISION LODDON PLANNING SCHEME

21.02-6 Economy 19/01/2006 VC37 The economy of the Shire is based on agriculture, but other industries such as retailing, manufacturing and tourism also make an important contributions to the generation of wealth in the Shire.

Agriculture

Agriculture is the economic foundation of the Shire. It is the main employer and main income generator. The total value of agriculture to the Shire in 1996/97 was almost $170m contributed to by some 734 agricultural establishments. Cereal cropping and livestock raising were the largest value components of the agricultural economy of the Shire. Wheat production was worth $31m in 1996/7, while Barley production was valued at $13m. Sheep and lambs, along with pig production, formed the bulk of a livestock industry worth $40.5m.

Agricultural Production (Value $millions) 1996-97

$60

$50

$40

$30

$20

$10

$- Milk Wool Other Cereals Livestock Slaughterings Crops for Hay

The Shire has significant areas of high quality agriculture land, quality affordable water supplies and a climate conducive to high agricultural productivity. Generally, the more productive soils of the Shire are located along the Loddon and Avoca riverine plains. Agricultural water supplies are sourced from the Warranga Channel, Loddon River and the Loddon Deep Lead. The Warranga Channel supplies a significant proportion of the north of the Shire, properties along the Loddon River have access to river water via pumping rights and ground water from the Loddon Deep Lead is of suitable quality on the east side of the Loddon River and up through Serpentine. Access to water substantially enhances the productive capacity of land. The southern area of the Shire predominantly consists of dry land broad acre agricultural enterprises, such as fat lambs, fine wool and cereal cropping. Around Bridgewater there are areas of high value horticulture, largely for tomatoes, based on the fertile riverine soils and water from the Loddon River. The south of the Shire, especially around Kingower, is home to a number of wineries, some of them well known such as Passing Clouds at Kingower and Water Wheel at Bridgewater. The granite sand soils and the climate of the area are well suited to viticulture. A recent extensive winery development at has highlighted that there are areas in the north of the Shire also well suited to viticulture. Cereal cropping, fine wool and fat lamb production are also extensively conducted across the north of the Shire, but access to irrigation water via the Waranga Channel also provides

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 20 OF 22 LOCAL PROVISION LODDON PLANNING SCHEME

the opportunity for horticulture and dairying. Around Boort, horticulture in the form of tomatoes is a high value and expanding industry. Boort is also the centre of export hay production, with large areas of lucerne being grown for processing in the two mills in the town, Hycube and Johnson Asahi. Dingee and Calivil are the centre of the dairy industry of Loddon. The Shire contains a number of intensive animal enterprises, with poultry farms and piggeries capitalising on the relatively low population densities of the Shire. The largest piggery is owned by Castle Bacon and is located at Bears Lagoon. Poultry is an expanding industry in the region, with Hazeldene’s Chicken Farms recently establishing a farm of more than 200,000 birds in the south east of the Shire. Olive growing is also an emerging enterprise in the Shire, based upon the access to water, suitable soils and Mediterranean climate.

Tourism

The Shire contains an enviable range of tourism assets, both man made and natural. Attractions of the Shire include: ƒ Wineries at Kingower and Bridgewater ƒ National and State Parks and Forests such as Kooyoora State Park which includes Melvilles Caves, Terrick Terrick National Park, Leaghur State Park and Wychitella Flora and Fauna Reserve ƒ Geological features such as Mount Korong and Pyramid Hill ƒ Rivers, Lakes and Wetlands such as Loddon River and Boort Lakes for water-skiing, swimming, fishing and camping ƒ European Heritage – historic buildings, mining heritage, pastoral heritage ƒ Aboriginal Heritage ƒ Gold detecting and fossicking ƒ Local annual events such as the Wedderburn Wool Expo, Wedderburn Gold Festival, Wedderburn Engine Rally, Boort Fly In, Inglewood Blue Eucy Festival, Pyramid Hill Show and the Tarnagulla Festival ƒ Significant active uses of State forest, not usually catered for in Parks or Reserves, include car rallies, horse riding, hunting, four wheel driving, domestic firewood collection and fossicking

Gold Mining

Gold mining is a tradition of the south of the Shire. It is considered that there may still be significant gold resources here and exploration and mining is being conducted throughout the State forest and some freehold areas around Wedderburn, Inglewood, Tarnagulla, Kingower and Rheola. At present, the majority of mining operations are small leases, of less than 5ha, which are being worked by open cut methods. A large underground mining operation is currently being undertaken by Reef Mining at Tarnagulla, which has generated local employment opportunities. Areas of State Park and National Park are not available for mining.

Other Industries

A number of the towns within the Shire support valuable local industries which contribute to the provision of local employment and wealth generation. Examples of these include Johnson Asahi and Hycube at Boort (lucerne mills), Pyramid Hill Pet Foods, Pyramid Hill Abattoir, Bears Lagoon Piggery, Water Wheel Flour Mill at Bridgewater, Eddington

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 21 OF 22 LOCAL PROVISION LODDON PLANNING SCHEME

Engineering and Turf Engineering at Wedderburn. These industries provide vital employment options outside traditional agriculture and in many cases a market for and the opportunity to value add local product. State and Local Government organisations also make an important contribution to local employment.

21.02-7 Infrastructure 19/01/2006 VC37

Roads and Rail

The Calder Highway, east to west, and the Loddon Valley Highway, north to south, bisect the Shire. These road links provide access to and from larger urban centres, such as Bendigo and Melbourne in the south and and New South Wales to the north, as well as bring people through the Shire. The Council maintains an extensive local rural road network of 4,420 kilometres and a declared main road network of 460 kilometres. Rail networks in the Shire provide for transport of goods, largely grain, direct to Bendigo and Melbourne. Lines also provide links to Maryborough and Castlemaine to the south and Sea Lake, and to the north. The Swan Hill line to Bendigo provides a passenger rail service.

Air

An air strip is located at Boort and provides an alternative transport option for people and goods. This is to be gradually upgraded to provide for all weather access.

Water and Sewerage

The majority of towns of the Shire are provided with reticulated water. Coliban Water is currently undertaking a progressive works program to provide the towns in the region with reticulated water to World Health Organisation (WHO) standards. Presently no town in the Shire has reticulated sewerage, although Coliban Water is currently installing reticulated sewerage systems in Bridgewater and Inglewood and reticulated sewerage is planned for Boort, Pyramid Hill and Wedderburn within the next two years. The Waranga Channel provides irrigation water to much of the north of the Shire and is fundamental to the viability of the agricultural industry. Ground water, via the Loddon Deep Lead, is also an important resource to agriculture in the Shire. Both Goulburn Murray Water (GMW) and Wimmera Mallee Water (WMW) have areas of responsibility in the provision of rural water supplies in the Shire.

Power

Powercor supplies electricity to most of the Shire in both 240 or 415 volt capacities.

Telecommunications

The Shire is provided with conventional phone, Internet services and mobile phone access in most areas.

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 22 OF 22