Farming and manufacturing activities are evident throughout Mitchell Shire, providing a wealth of opportunities for people who live and work in the district. While Mitchell Shire is the home of a number of major industries, it is in the area of small business that Council sees the greatest potential for employment growth.
The Shire believes it is important to assist small business wherever possible to ensure a healthy local economy. New businesses wanting to set up in the Shire can seek Council advice in a number of areas. This includes Council assistance by its Economic Development Manager in drawing up a Business Plan, a service provided at cost.
The service not only helps new ventures to formulate a concrete plan for their business but is invaluable in helping raise finance and other assistance during a new enterprise’s vital early years.
Being a rural area, a key industry is farming. In Mitchell, it is farming with a difference. A large number of farms run alpaca, ostrich and other exotic farmed game.
This provides Council’s Economic Development Unit with an interesting challenge.
Currently, Council is assisting in establishing the Wallan Game Processing Plant to complement the variety of alternative farming products already being produced in the region. The new plant will value add to primary produce ranging from meat products to leather goods.
Council is also negotiating with the local TAFE college to set up a specialist training course in alternative farming practices. The aim is to encourage new players into the area and establish the district as a centre of excellence and the alternative farming capital of Australia.
Each year, in mid February, the Alternative Farm Expo is held in Seymour. Drawing visitors from around Australia interested in new ideas, products and techniques being developed in the district, the Expo is the largest of its kind in the country and is getting bigger every year.
Alternative farming practices feature heavily in the region’s other major growth area, tourism. A full time Tourism Manager was appointed by Council two years ago. An assistant has now also been employed.
A new Regional Tourism Centre is located in Seymour. It operates seven days a week and volunteers provide information for visitors to the district. Data is presently being collected to determine the best means of promoting tourism in the future. Possibilities such as alternative farm holidays, camping and fishing trips and tours of the local townships are being investigated.
For further information contact Peter McNab, Economic Development Officer or Nicole Bond, Tourism Manager telephone (03) 5734 6200.
