Moira Shire Council has developed concepts around the Yarrawonga foreshore to show some of the ideas being put to governments as they continue to advocate for a green route for a new Yarrawonga Mulwala bridge.
A new four-year draft strategy to support economic growth in Moira Shire has been released and open for public comment after the lapse of the 2019-2023 strategy.
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Moira Shire Council chair administrator, Graeme Emonson said that the draft Economic Development Strategy outlined the vision for a thriving, diverse and investment and business-friendly region, centred on driving innovation, growth and prosperity for businesses, producers and residents.
“The strategy will enable council to continue to build on Moira Shire’s economic strengths, but also enable us to address some key challenges like housing and workforce needs, so we can unlock more opportunities,” Dr Emonson said.
“The strategy’s five priorities will enable growth in the region’s key sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture and tourism, and leverage opportunities to innovate and grow through advocacy and attraction.
“This is an important piece of work that will drive the shire’s economic growth over the next four years, outlining a future where our businesses are flourishing, our towns and people are thriving, and we are embracing new opportunities.
“The draft strategy has incorporated community feedback to ensure it reflects the real needs, opportunities and challenges we face in Moira Shire, and it’s important that everyone has a chance to read this draft document and have their say.”
The draft EDS identifies 18 initiatives and 30 actions to achieve five priority areas which include: enabling local producers, exporters and manufacturers to innovate, grow and invest; setting the conditions for vibrant and thriving town economies; fostering a year-round and growing tourist economy; facilitating a local vocational and higher education sector and boosting advocacy, business engagement and industry attraction activities.
It also identifies the role of council, the need for a strategy, local economy and community attributes and has been informed using early-stage feedback from the consultation process undertaken in November 2024.
The economic vision is for a thriving, diverse, investment and business friendly municipality that embraces the needs of growing industry while welcoming new residents, workers and a growing number of visitors.
Action and initiatives set out in this strategy reflect the results of the current engagement with community and industry.
Of the businesses interviewed, 70 per cent plan to invest in Moira, while 44 per cent of businesses interviewed experienced challenges recruiting staff and filling jobs.
Access to housing for workers was identified by 20 per cent of businesses interviewed as an economic issue.
All said they would like to see year round tourism as Moira's tourism industry performs strongly in peak periods but faces seasonality and declines in off-peak times.
Several of the actions mentioned in the strategy include the Yarrawonga portion of the shire including the need to investigate and identify the infrastructure needed to support the role of the Yarrawonga foreshore as an events location.
Another is to work with Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation to support the development of the Dhamya Centre and promote visitor economy by updating digital marketing approach.
In 2021, Moira Shire supported a population of 30,350 having grown by more than 1,200 over the last five years, and 2,200 over the last ten years.
The young adult population is growing, particularly new residents aged 25-34 years, which Dr Emonson said was helping the economy to thrive.
The shire’s population is projected to continue to grow quicker than anticipated, adding approximately 4,300 new residents in next 20 years, particularly in Yarrawonga which is growing by about 800 new residents a year.
In 2023, Moira recorded 296 dwelling approvals primarily in and around Yarrawonga.
Concept ideas to show the potential for Yarrawonga foreshore.
Dr Emonson said the rate of growth was certain to translate into increased and faster population growth, more service demand and more household expenditure flowing through the local communities.
“It's therefore vital the shire ensures main streets and commercial centres are ready,” he said.
The endorsement of the draft EDS for community engagement will provide the community, businesses and other stakeholders a final opportunity to provide input into the draft EDS before it is submitted to council for endorsement as a council strategy.
Council will invite the community to provide feedback for a minimum of 21 days on this matter and will acknowledge the feedback and provide context on how the feedback has or has not influenced the final decision on this matter.
Feedback will be invited via Moira Matters, the council website, council social media and Business Newsletter.
At a glance
70 per cent of businesses surveyed plan to invest in the shire
Almost half of businesses interviewed experienced challenges recruiting staff and filling jobs.
20 per cent of businesses identified access to housing for workers as an economic issue.
All said they would like to see year-round tourism to counteract seasonality and declines in off-peak seasons.
The need to investigate and identify the infrastructure needed to support the role of the Yarrawonga foreshore as an events location was highlighted.
In 2021, Moira Shire’s population was 30,350.
The population has grown by more than 1,200 over the last five years, and 2,200 over the last ten years.
The young adult population is growing, particularly new residents aged 25-34 years.
The shire’s population is projected to grow quicker than anticipated, particularly in Yarrawonga.
In 2023, the shire recorded 296 dwelling approvals primarily in and around Yarrawonga.
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