Wimmera Profile

Investing in the Region | Agriculture | Farmer Services | Local Government | Investing in Wimmera's Land and Water

The Wimmera Region lies within western Victoria, Australia, and covers a broad area of natural resources from the Grampians Ranges to the wide plains and unique landscapes of the Little Desert. The region covers close to 30 000 square kilometres, approximately 13% of Victoria’s total area (TBA Planners, c.1997). The two largest towns are Horsham followed by Stawell, and other smaller towns include Warracknabeal, Nhill, Edenhope, Kaniva, Jeparit, Murtoa, Natimuk, Goroke and Dimboola.

To the semi-arid north, the Grampians Wimmera Catchment Management Authority shares a border with the Mallee Catchment Management Authority area, while to the east, the catchment boundary passes between Donald and Rupanyup and continues to meander around the Wimmera River, terminating just north of Beaufort. Its southern boundary passes north of the township of Ararat and bisects the Grampians National Park, running north of the Glenelg River to the South Australian border. It is here that the catchment is bordered to the west.

The Wimmera region’s largest primary industry is agriculture, contributing around $500 m to the local economy in 1996-97. Broadacre cropping and extensive livestock generate the majority of income to the region’s primary industry sector each year. Major cropping types include various grains, pulses, oilseeds, chickpeas, canola and lentils. Livestock for meat are also an influential component of the local economy while wool is a traditional, but flagging, contributor to the Wimmera’s primary industries. Primary industries with ability to grow significantly in the immediate future are horticulture, viticulture and plantation forestry.

Major infrastructure throughout the Wimmera includes road freight routes which link to exporting facilities at Portland while connecting to other regional centres - including Mildura, Bendigo, Ballarat, Ararat and Hamilton. Rail freight and grain storage locations (both on and off-site) are extensive throughout. Other infrastructure includes an extensive electricity grid and water supply, while a natural gas pipeline runs from Stawell to Horsham.

Wimmera Population

The Wimmera’s population is approximately 44 000, with more than two-thirds dwelling in urban areas. Population has declined slightly over recent years, but migration into the region has also taken place, mainly into the township of Horsham. Stawell is also a major population and economic centre within the region. The region as a whole is very sparsely populated, with less than four people living in each square kilometre. Further information on the population in the Wimmera Region is available on the "Know your Area" section of the DSE website (external link).

There are five local governments with offices located throughout the Wimmera catchment region. There are four whose boundaries encroach into the Wimmera catchment but whose offices are located in other catchments.

Investing in Land and Water

Reference

TBA Planners Pty Ltd, (c. 1997), An Update on the Economy of Victoria’s Wimmera Region, Report compiled for Wimmera 2020.

Related Links

The Regional Matters - Atlas of Regional Victoria website (external link) highlights issues related to the impact of change on
regional areas. It includes information on: population, jobs and industry, housing, road and rail transport, education etc.

The "Know Your Area" section of the DSE website (external link) provides a range of data about people (e.g. population, housing, employment) for a number of areas of Victoria (including Local Government Areas, towns, statistical divisions).

	The Wimmera region’s largest primary industry is agriculture, contributing around $500 m to the local economy in 1996-97. Broadacre cropping and extensive livestock generate the majority of income to the region’s primary industry sector each year. Major cropping types include various grains, pulses, oilseeds, chickpeas, canola and lentils. Livestock for meat are also an influential component of the local economy while wool is a traditional, but flagging, contributor to the Wimmera’s primary industries. Primary industries with ability to grow significantly in the immediate future are horticulture, viticulture and plantation forestry.
	Major infrastructure throughout the Wimmera includes road freight routes which link to exporting facilities at Portland while connecting to other regional centres - including Mildura, Bendigo, Ballarat, Ararat and Hamilton. Rail freight and grain storage locations (both on and off-site) are extensive throughout. Other infrastructure includes an extensive electricity grid and water supply, while a natural gas pipeline runs from Stawell to Horsham.
	The Wimmera’s population is approximately 44 000, with more than two-thirds dwelling in urban areas. Population has declined slightly over recent years, but migration into the region has also taken place, mainly into the township of Horsham. Stawell is also a major population and economic centre within the region. The region as a whole is very sparsely populated, with less than four people living in each square kilometre. Further information on the population in the Wimmera Region is available on the "Know your Area" section of the DSE website (external link).
	There are five local governments with offices located throughout the Wimmera catchment region. There are four whose boundaries encroach into the Wimmera catchment but whose offices are located in other catchments.
	Investing in Land and Water