Golden Plains Shire Council has called the Wednesday 22nd of May the most significant day in the Council’s history, as Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan announced millions of dollars in funding for the region.
The State Government will contribute $2.94 million towards providing a 12.5 kilometre water supply pipeline to service a 110km2 land area for intensive agriculture.
The project will unlock 4,000 hectares for expansion of intensive agriculture and encourage industry investment.
The project is expected to result in the creation of 775 ongoing jobs, $160 million of industry investment and $511 million Gross Value Add over ten years.
Golden Plains Mayor Jenny Blake said she was delighted with the announcement.
“We are absolutely over the moon. This project is all about food production and local jobs.
“The funding will provide an enormous boost to the local economy and will provide very real benefit to Golden Plains…and also to the broader region.”
The intensive agriculture project is significant from a local, regional and state perspective because the number and type of jobs created will help transition employment and output in the regional economy from industries in decline into those that are growing and more sustainable.
Golden Plains has a competitive advantage in the Intensive Agriculture Sector, supported by data highlighting strong growth over the past ten years around the perimeter of the preferred investment area.
In the five years between 2006 and 2011:
- the poultry sector in Golden Plains grew by 119 percent compared to 43 percent for Victoria
- egg production grew in Golden Plains by 88 percent compared to 35 percent for Victoria
- in 2011 the Shire produced 11 percent of Victoria’s poultry and 21 percent of Victoria’s eggs.
Golden Plains farmers already produce 4,000,000 eggs, 600,000 chickens, 1000 pigs and 28,000 litres of goat milk each week.
The shire’s proximity to grain growers, processors and transport links makes it an ideal location for growth in intensive agriculture, but the supply of water has held progress back.
The critical water supply required for the project will cost $11.78 million. The Victorian Government, Barwon Water and Golden Plains Shire Council have all confirmed their contributions, totalling $7.61 million.
Councillor Blake said the State Government and Barwon Water had been very supportive throughout the planning of the project.
“We’ve also asked the Australian Government to support the project with a $4.17 million contribution. This project is shovel ready – if this funding is secured, work could commence on this project before the end of the year.”
