Murray

map of Murray region Population: 114,805
Area: 90,000 sq km

Major towns

Albury
Corowa
Deniliquin
Moama

Region overview

home to many sectors of Australia’s processed food industry
one of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations
sophisticated irrigation network means region can sustain a diverse range of agricultural activity.

Major sectors

food processing
agriculture
forestry
tourism
textile
manufacturing
transport

The Murray Region has a large and varied food processing industry and a strong agricultural heritage.

It has a temperate climate, although temperatures in the southern reaches can drop to zero degrees in winter and hover in the thirties in the height of summer.

Stretching along the Murray River from the Snowy Mountains in the east to the South Australian border in the west, the region has strong economic ties with Victoria and its river towns of Wodonga, Swan Hill, Echuca and Mildura.

Major competitive advantages

skilled agricultural and manufacturing workforce
most major Australian marketplaces are easily accessible
strategic location and developed infrastructure

Industries

The Murray hosts a diverse range of enterprises, from traditional broadacre agriculture, specialist horticultural crops to manufacturing, engineering, computer technology and specialist service industries.

Food processing

The Murray is home to a thriving food processing industry that produces foodstuffs as diverse as dairy products, wine, bread and pet foods. The manufacturing sector accounts for 21 per cent of the area’s Gross Regional Product, 13 per cent of its employment and 58 per cent of its exports.

Agriculture

Agriculture is the traditional staple of the region’s industry. Large tracts of fertile land and a sophisticated irrigation system sustain a large and diverse range of agricultural activity.

Due to its close proximity to major domestic markets and an infrastructure suited to large-scale export, many of Australia’s leading food companies source product from the Murray Region.

In a normal year over half of Australia’s rice crop is produced in the Murray, and the region is a traditional home for cereals, dairy farming, fruits, vegetables and wool.

Forestry

The Murray also boasts significant timber resources that have led to the creation of a thriving wood products industry centred on mills such as the Norske Skog Newsprint Mill.

The timber industry in the South West Slopes generates over one billion dollars for the local economy with one job being created for every 63ha of plantation.

The agriculture and forestry sector accounts for approximately 18 per cent of the area’s Gross Regional Product, 20 per cent of its employment and 34 per cent of its exports.

Tourism

Tourism is important to the region. The National Parks of Lake Mungo and Yanga, championship golf facilities and the opportunity to discover the river on a paddle steamer or houseboat draw tourists to the area.

The many lakes and rivers of the region make the Murray a paradise for fisherman and water sport enthusiasts.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing and value-adding industries include paper, plastics, specialist engineering (motor vehicle transmissions), and wool processing.

Infrastructure

Transport

The region has extensive highway links into NSW, Victoria and South Australia, and good roads link all regional townships. The new Ettamogah transport hub enhances access to these links.

There is a direct link to the Victorian and NSW rail networks, and air service to national and State capitals from Albury.

Major educational facilities

Charles Sturt University – Albury
Riverina Institute of TAFE
Latrobe University and Wodonga TAFE also service the region

The Murray has excellent education and training facilities. Present courses support the region’s economic activity and interests.

Labour

The Murray’s laid-back lifestyle has attracted a large and skilled labour force, which is strongly skilled in agriculture, transport/logistics and manufacturing.

Along with sustaining existing industries, the labour force has encouraged exciting new manufacturing ventures to the region including plastics, farm machinery and high technology components.

For more information contact:

NSW Department of Trade and Investment
Albury Office
6/620 Macauley Street
PO Box 3415
Albury NSW 2640
Tel: (02) 6041 4808
Fax: (02) 6041 4818

Regional Development Australia - Murray
www.murraynow.com.au
3/429 Swift At Albury NSW 2640
Tel: (02) 6058 0600