Relocating to Regional

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GannawarraShireYour perfectchoice for re|ocation

KerangCohunaKoondrookLeitchville

Quambatook

Lalbert

Murrabit

Lake Charm

Kangaroo Lake

ouR stRategic

locationThe Gannawarra Shire is strategically located along the Murray River midway between Swan Hill and Echuca in north west Victoria. Both the Murray Valley and Loddon Valley highways connect Gannawarra to wider Victoria and

southern New South Wales.

By RoadGannawarra Shire is well connected to Melbourne via the Calder freeway. Major regional centres of Bendigo, Echuca and Shepparton are also ideally connected by the local highway

networks.

By aiRAirports are located on the outskirts of both Cohuna and Kerang and provide daily access to emergency air services. The Cohuna aerodrome has a 958m long and 15m wide sealed runway. The Kerang aerodrome features a 1067m fully sealed runway and a 691m gravel runway. A local aviation club provides a great range of aircraft training services

along with hangar access.

Distance from Gannawarra Shire to

Melbourne 284km (3 hrs)

Adelaide 586km (7 hrs 15 min)

Canberra 670km (8 hrs)

Sydney 891km (10hrs)

Swan Hill 60km (45 min)

Bendigo 133km (1hr 20min)

Mildura 281km (3hrs)

Albury-Wodonga 329km (4hrs)

By RailPassenger rail services operate daily between Kerang and Melbourne and Kerang and Swan Hill.

By BusA daily V/Line bus service connects the Gannawarra Shire with Adelaide, Albury, Bendigo, Echuca, Melbourne, Mildura and Swan Hill.

Bendigo133km

(1hr 20m)

Swan Hill60 km

(45min)

Melbourne

Mildura

Adelaide

AlburyWodonga

Canberra

Sydney891km (10hrs)

670km (8hrs)

281km

(3hrs)

329km (4hrs)

284km (3hrs)

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586km (7hrs 15m)

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It will introduce you to people who have already made the decision to move to our shire and highlight what they love about their new lifestyle.

I would also like to invite you to contact our friendly staff at the Gannawarra Shire Council with any queries you may have in regards to relocating here and allow them to assist you in making the transition as smooth as possible.

Cr. Neville GouldingMayorGannawarra Shire Council

Gunbower National and State Parks and the amazing Kerang Lakes. The forests are alive with flora and fauna while the Ramsar listed wetlands feature an amazing array of waterbirds. Get close to nature in Gannawarra!

We invite you to engage with us and enjoy our hospitality as you consider moving to Gannawarra. We can provide a variety of information and services to assist you with your move.

This guide will provide you and your family with information about the Gannawarra Shire, and its environs.

As you consider relocating to the Gannawarra Shire, please use this guide to provide you with the necessary information to help you make an informed decision and enhance your transition to a new and exciting lifestyle!

The Gannawarra Shire is a unique area within the Loddon Murray Region and strategically located between Echuca and Swan Hill. It includes the main service centres of Kerang and Cohuna along with the Murray river villages of Koondrook and Murrabit, the Mallee towns of Quambatook and Lalbert, along with Lake Charm, Kangaroo Lake and Leitchville.

The area features many environmental assets including the mighty Murray River,

gReetings fRom the gannawaRRa shiRe council

mayoR,s

message

Quick facts

towns Kerang, Cohuna, Koondrook, Lalbert, Leitchville, Murrabit, Lake Charm, Kangaroo Lake and Quambatook.

PoPulation Approximately 10,366 across the municipality.

majoR industRies Agriculture, retail, manufacturing, and government services (incl. education, health care and social assistance, and public administration and safety).

joB oPPoRtunities Medical including dental, doctors, nurses, aged care staff, metal trades including welders and fitters, labour for the farming sector, engineering staff, professional services including survey and design, food preparation including chefs and kitchen staff, trades including building and electrical, transport and retail services.

housing Median house cost — approx $175,000. Median monthly mortgage repayments $988, Median weekly rental costs — approx $150. Choose from new estates in Kerang, Cohuna or Koondrook, some with water views!

climate Average maximum summer temperature 28.9ºC and minimum temperature 13.5ºC; average winter maximum temperature 14ºC and minimum winter temperature 4ºC; average rainfall 350mm to 400mm per annum.

eating out A range of eateries, including bakeries, hotels, restaurants, take-away shops and cafes. Thai, Indian and Chinese are amongst the cuisines featured on the local menu!

tRansPoRt Two major highways linking the shire to Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne; Two train services each way to Melbourne and Swan Hill daily; Daily bus services to Adelaide, Albury, Bendigo, Mildura and Swan Hill.

health and wellBeing The Gannawarra Shire has a great range of health and educational services. Extensive hospital, medical, dental, and aged care facilities are available in Kerang and Cohuna together with nursing homes and retirement options. Council also provides a wide range of support services.

education Educational facilities consist of pre-school, primary and secondary colleges as well as adult and further educational facilities.

Population (2011)

Male 5,143 49,6%

Female 5,223 50.4%

Total 10,366 100%

Age Structure (2011)

Infants 0-4 yrs 568 5.5%

Children 5-14 yrs 1,323 12.8%

Teenagers 15-19 yrs 663 6.4%

Adults 20-64 yrs 5318 51.4%

Mature Adults 65-84 yrs 2150 20.7%

Senior Citizens 85+yrs 344 3.3%

“The community is so friendly

and we have been overwhelmed

by the many activities there is to

do. We are regulars at the local

races and most social functions!

said Laura, while John is involved

in sports such as soccer and golf!

We have a great lifestyle here

in Kerang and it is definitely our

second home outside of Ireland.”John and Laura are a long way from their native home of Ireland but have found the lifestyle of living in Kerang a great experience. John is an engineer with the local council while Laura has several customer service roles.

The local area has a broad based economy highlighted by agriculture and supported by a strong range of retail, manufacturing, health and professional services. The resilient Gannawarra communities have continued to evolve amidst the impacts of the global financial crisis, drought and the changing face of agriculture.

New investment in the energy sector is seeing the potential development of large scale solar power farms that will not only create new jobs and investment but assist to diversify the local economy away from the reliance on agriculture.

This new investment will provide the area with a range of employment opportunities across a range of workforce sectors and will no doubt leverage further investment opportunities.

Other local investments that will provide job opportunities include:

■ Kerang hospital redevelopment

■ Koondrook Wharf Project including associated business developments linked to tourism.

■ Expansion of the manufacturing sector

■ Proposed retirement development in Redgum Estate Kerang

■ Industrial estate development in Kerang and Cohuna

■ Agricultural investment from corporate and private farm developments

IndustryGannawarra Shire

Persons %

Agriculture, forestry and fishing 1,048 23.9

Mining 42 1.0

Manufacturing 339 7.7

Electricity, gas, water and waste services 111 2.5

Construction 301 6.9

Wholesale trade 109 2.5

Retail trade 510 11.6

Accommodation and food services 207 4.7

Transport, postal and warehousing 197 4.5

Information media and telecommunications 24 0.5

Financial and insurance services 74 1.7

Rental, hiring and real estate services 15 0.3

Professional, scientific and technical services 103 2.4

Administrative and support services 76 1.7

Public administration and safety 224 5.1

Education and training 243 5.5

Health care and social assistance 461 10.5

Arts and recreation services 33 0.8

Other services 163 3.7

Inadequately described/Not stated 99 2.3

Total 4,379 100.0

woRk lifeinVestment

John Fitzpatrick and Laura O’Hare

a stimulating and staBle caReeREmployment is an important factor in any move. One big bonus in Gannawarra is the proximity of local towns and also larger centres in adjoining municipalities. Kerang, Cohuna and Koondrook/Barham are all only 20kms apart meaning employment opportunities are close by. Larger centres such as Swan Hill and Echuca are less than an hour away by road.

Like many rural centres the local economy is changing and bringing with

it new opportunities for employment. Employment and training agencies in Kerang can assist with your needs while Council’s Economic Development Unit

can also provide advice relevant to the local business sectors.

More than 20% of Gannawarra Shire’s workforce is employed in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector. Around 12% in the retail trade and 11% in health care and social assistance sector with manufacturing supporting just over 7% of the workforce.

Skilled workers are always in demand particularly in the manufacturing, trades, engineering, health services and agricultural sectors. Local employment agencies can assist with your workforce needs or you can contact Council’s Economic Development Unit to express your interest in the local jobs market. They can provide you with links to the business community and provide advice on the emerging opportunities.

If you are interested in starting your own business or perhaps relocating then Council can also assist you with any enquiries.

OccupationGannawarra Shire Victoria Australia

Persons % Persons % Persons %

Managers 1,157 26.4 332,927 13.2 1,293,969 12.9

Professionals 505 11.5 564,778 22.3 2,145,441 21.3

Technicians and trades workers

575 13.1 350,760 13.9 1,425,146 14.2

Community and personal service workers

355 8.1 234,383 9.3 971,898 9.7

Clerical and administrative workers

446 10.2 364,498 14.4 1,483,559 14.7

Sales workers 353 8.1 245,334 9.7 942,140 9.4

Machinery operators and drivers 346 7.9 154,544 6.1 659,549 6.6

Labourers 547 12.5 227,185 9.0 947,607 9.4

Inadequately described/ Not stated

94 2.1 56,224 2.2 189,016 1.9

Total 4,378 100.0 2,530,633 100.0 10,058,325 100.0

Manufacturing is a growth area and a major employer within the Gannawarra Shire. Much of the manufacturing sector is linked to agriculture and involves processing and value adding of raw product, such as fruit and grain and the manufacturing of equipment to support agriculture.

Gannawarra Shire has modern, well serviced industrial estates in Kerang and Cohuna. Each of these industrial precincts is serviced by water, sewerage, electricity and broadband infrastructure. Land prices are very competitive and a great incentive to develop your business with us!

■ AWMA – water control solutions

■ Macs Shortbreads

■ Kerfab front end loaders and handling equipment

■ Nexdor Systems

■ Dunstan Farmers Engineering grain bins

Examples of local manufacturing businesses include:

■ Faucet Stromann tapware

■ Arbuthnot Sawmills

■ Archards Irrigation

■ Border Packers Citrus

■ Mawsons Quarry and Concrete

■ Frankling Custom Feeds

manufactuRing

Bell Environmental, based in Melbourne, provides water and wastewater services across various regions of Australia and South East Asia. Most of the company’s clients are based in metropolitan and regional Victoria.

Located near Bendigo, Echuca, Swan Hill and Deniliquin, Kerang was centrally located to its existing client base. Industrial land was also significantly cheaper than similar land in some of the region’s larger neighboring towns. This was a major factor behind Bell Environmental’s decision to move to Kerang, as it allowed the business to build its base without a high capital cost.

Gannawarra’s shires proactive and flexible attitude during the planning process proved an additional factor in the decision making process. This attitude was driven from the notion that the economic development and planning departments worked cooperatively and ensured that the process was as efficient as possible.

The Economic Development Manager, Roger Griffiths, worked as a

Case Study - Bell Environmental and Gannawarra Shire

‘case officer’ throughout the planning process, and his involvement meant that Bell Environmental had a special contact if assistance was needed. This ensured that there were no unnecessary delays or impediments during the process.

The Gannawarra Shire Council has demonstrated its willingness to actively seek investment, and its ability to be flexible and cooperative to ensure that the planning process for prospective business establishment is as efficient as possible.

A full version of the case study, prepared by Adviser Edge is available on www.gannawarra.vic.gov.au/assets/Eco-DevTourism/CaseStudyBellEnvironmental.pdf

Retail and local seRVicesAny move to regional Victoria will need to consider the range of local retail and professional services available. In Gannawarra you will find a great range of retail, financial and professional services.

■ Major supermarket chains .... Safeway and IGA

■ Hardware ................................... Mitre 10 and Home Hardware

■ Car dealerships ......................... Ford, Toyota, Kia

■ Electrical retail chains ............. Betta Electrical

■ Sporting goods ......................... Sportspower and independent retailers

■ Major banks .............................. National, Commonwealth, Bendigo, ANZ and Westpac

■ Clothing ...................................... Target Country, surf shops, mens and ladies clothing

■ Trades .......................................... Electrical, building, plumbing and concreting,

■ Health and Beauty ................... Hair and beauty, chemists, gymnasiums, health spa and physio massage therapists

■ Hotels .......................................... Meals and dining, gaming venue, accommodation

■ Accommodation ...................... Motels, guest houses, caravan parks and self contained houses and apartments

■ Furniture and home ................ Gift ware, floor coverings, hardware

■ Professional services ............... Accountants, survey and design, drafting, financial and lawyers

■ Food ............................................ Butchers, bakeries, cafes and restaurants

As well as an extensive retail sector you can choose from the local markets to purchase your fresh food and household goods. The Koondrook Farmers Market is gaining a reputation as a great place to source fresh local foods and quality products, while the Murrabit Country Market continues a long tradition as being one of the largest markets in country Victoria.

A move to regional Victoria doesn’t mean you won’t have access to a great range of retail services. In fact the benefits of FREE parking, friendly local traders, safe and clean shopping precincts and lovely parks and gardens will only enhance your quality of life!.

Rob Merkel, his wife and two children are enjoying a slower pace of life in Cohuna. After having lived in Melbourne and Wangaratta, Rob Merkel was looking for a particularly strong company to work with that had both growth potential and career prospects. Then in 2012 the position at Mawsons came up and Rob Merkel accepted a job as a plant design engineer.

Rob’s wife is a graphic designer by trade, but currently loves her life at home with their two children.

One of the important things the Merkel’s were looking for when relocating to the Gannawarra Shire was good childcare, health and education facilities that would support a young family growing up and the ability to establish new social networks and friends. The Merkel’s found all of this in Gannawarra Shire.

In their spare time, the Merkel’s play squash, golf, cycle, bush walk, fish and explore the region and all it has to offer.

Rob Merkel, Assistant Plant Design Engineer at Mawsons

Somayeh Katebiyan and Mehran Majdisorkhabi

Somayeh used to work at a hospital in Iran, but wanted a change and decided to undertake a Diploma in Accountancy. She now also works at Mawsons as their Assistant Accountant, while she furthers her studies by undertaking a Bachelor of Accounting. She loves the short distance to get to work and the quiet surroundings for when she is studying. Mehran has joined the local CFA and is also furthering his studies.

Somayeh and her husband Mehran started life in Australia seven years ago after having migrated from Iran in 2006. After a few months in Melbourne, they moved to Swan Hill for six months before settling in Cohuna. The main reason for moving to Cohuna was that Mehran landed a job at Mawsons and thought that Cohuna was a beautiful town to both live and work in.

“The community and our colleagues at Mawsons have been extremely welcoming and we have come to love it here. In fact, we love it so much that we have convinced many of our friends to move to the Gannawarra Shire.”

“Everyone is friendly and it’s a great area for the kids. It’s safe and relaxed.”

health and wellBeingState of the art medical facilities are imminent following the announcement of a new $36M development project at Kerang Hospital. This development is complimented by a great range of health and well being services including dental, physiotherapy, aged care, community health, child care, and podiatry.

Throw in fresh air, locally grown fresh and healthy food and your lifestyle is off to a good start!

We all know the feeling of trying to see the local doctor only to be told you have to wait months before the next available appointment or when you have to see a specialist hours away!

Here within the Gannawarra Shire not only do we have a vast range of modern health services and providers we also have the luxury of being able to utilise experienced, permanent visiting specialists to suit a range of medical needs. There are General Practitioners in each town’s business district and some towns even offer more than one privately owned practice to assist your health needs.

The hospitals within our region have in-patient and most have 24 hour emergency medical treatment. In addition, there is a landing strip

and helipad should patients require emergency transportation.

Furthermore, Northern District Community Health offers a broad range of services that cover a large range of health related issues such as: Speech pathology, Men’s and Women’s Health, Youth support, Counselling, Rural Alcohol and Drug Support and Outreach program, Indigenous Programs, Diabetes Education, Occupational Therapy, Home Nursing and Asthma Support.

Wellbeing is not only about medical health and fitness; it is about fostering community connectedness, accessibility to services and support, embracing our rich cultural diversity, caring for the local environment, ensuring community safety and building a sense of belonging.

The Gannawarra Shire Council is on the forefront of promoting community health and well-being and is working with communities and partnership agencies to create opportunities for people to live active and fulfilling lives now and into the future.

Shabnam is a 33 year old dentist who works at a practice in Kerang. She is married to Ali who is a doctor in nearby Cohuna. They are from Iran and lived in Tehran with a population of 12 million people.

They now live in Cohuna with a population of 1,818 and love the lifestyle that regional living provides.

“Cohuna is a very friendly and supportive town and we have met so many friends. We love our life in Cohuna.”

Shabnam Amiri

. . . I love the evening view of the sun going down over the lake. BBQ with friends, fishing or relaxing by the water! We purchased our home back in 2005 and the past 8 years at Kangaroo Lake have been great!

Gannawarra Shire has a plentiful supply of residential land in several subdivisions. Residential housing prices for Gannawarra Shire are significantly lower than what you will find in the major cities and regional centres. The affordability factor is REAL, the lifestyle amazing and you can seriously reduce your mortgage!

Knowing that housing is affordable and you can own prime real estate close to the Murray River, Gunbower Creek or Kerang Lakes is not only exciting but absolutely achievable! Multi million dollar views close to majestic waterways provide great choices to live close to nature!

Residents enjoy Gannawarra Shire’s attractive lifestyle attributes: a quiet, relaxed and safe environment surrounded by natural beauty and waterfront living within a pleasant Mediterranean climate. It might be a large home on acres, an attractive unit, a residential lot in town . . . yes you do have a choice!

imagine. . .. . . We have just purchased a beautiful home overlooking the Murray River in Koondrook! This is what dreams are made of! The kids are safe and the local walking tracks and trails are great for our fitness and liveability!

. . . For $130,000 we are looking to purchase a building block fronting the Gunbower Creek. Close to the water and walking distance to town and with plenty of opportunities for fishing!

. . . I think I might purchase a 4000m2 allotment in an estate in Kerang. A veggie garden and maybe even a few chooks! It ’s great to wake up to the natural sounds of the country!

. . . Our home fronts the golf course in Cohuna – home course of Stuart Appleby. Majestic redgums, birdlife and the Gunbower Creek. It doesn’t get much better!

youR new home

Households and Dwellings (2011)

Persons %

Fully owned 1,994 47.9

Mortgaged 1,047 25.2

Rented 932 22.4

Other tenure 33 0.8

Tenure not stated 157 3.8

Total households 4,163 100.0

Median House Prices 2010

Ballarat (Central) $180,000

Bendigo $295,000

Cohuna $137,000

Fitzroy $801,000

Kerang $147,500

Koondrook $228,000

Malvern $1,732,500

Swan Hill $228,500

“The community has welcomed me with open arms and I am now a volunteer at the local visitor information centre and enjoy the friendships I have developed in town. It’s a great lifestyle and such a beautiful town.”

“I was looking to move out of the city to a more relaxed lifestyle where the cost of living was less and I felt secure and safe.”

“Moving to Cohuna in northern Victoria has been a great decision. The town is very pretty with the Gunbower Creek, Gunbower National Park and Murray River all in close proximity.“

Sylvia Phippen, Cohuna

community seRVices and facilitiesThe community is an important aspect of regional living and the range of services provided goes a long way in the making of a fulfilling lifestyle. Council along with private providers ensures that services to the local community are able to enhance lifestyle, independence and community access.

Examples of services and facilities include:

■ Maternal child health

■ Long day care centre

■ Family day care

■ Kindergarten

■ Toy library

■ Libraries

■ Immunisations

■ Personal and respite care

■ Property maintenance and home care

■ Seniors rooms

■ Meals on wheels

A range of support services for people with a disability are available throughout the region. The services assist people with a disability to increase their skills and self-esteem by providing opportunities for ongoing education and training, skills development, independent living, employment options and community access. Those who receive the service are able to live more independent and integrated lives in the community.

The Gannawarra Shire is home to a wide range of community groups, sporting clubs and a variety of recreation facilities are available to residents. There are recreational parks in the towns of the

shire and there are many walking and bicycle tracks throughout the region that cover a variety of environments and landscapes.

The region hosts a number of interest groups, including historical societies, social clubs, show societies, youth groups, University of the Third Age, Lions, Masonic Lodge, Rotary, business and progress associations.

“Living and working in Kerang has provided me with an opportunity to develop closer relationships with the people I work with and the community around me. There is a real sense of belonging and community in Kerang and my role has provided me a chance to be innovative and make a real impact in our local community.”

Michael Bond, Principal Kerang Christian College

Access to quality education for our children and community is very important. Gannawarra Shire’s broad range of options from pre-school through to adult education contributes to the Shire’s vibrant and engaging activity built around life long learning and skills based training.

On completion of secondary college students have the option of attending university in Bendigo which is only just over an hour away by road. The road and rail network to Melbourne is also an option for connecting students and rural families.

Rural students also have access to local bus services to deliver them to and from school, while students living in town will be able to ride their bike or walk to school in reasonable safety.

The National Broadband Network will also greatly enhance the opportunities for on-line learning and provide students with linkages to further education facilities.

Families have access to a wide range of educational options including:

■ Five pre-schools

■ Eleven primary schools

■ Three secondary schools

■ One Christian College (P12)

■ Three post-secondary schools

Educational institutions

Gannawarra Shire Victoria Australia

Persons % Persons % Persons %

Pre-school 147 5.5 89,819 5.6 332,844 5.1

Infant/Primary school

799 29.8 411,017 25.4 1,755,208 27.0

Secondary 730 27.2 345,466 21.4 1,336,044 20.5

Technical or further educational institution

123 4.6 117,953 7.3 473,606 7.3

University or other tertiary institution

83 3.1 246,550 15.2 932,524 14.3

Other type of institution

48 1.8 50,269 3.1 161,660 2.5

Not stated 755 28.1 356,483 22.0 1,511,694 23.2

Total 2,685 100.0 1,617,557 100.0 6,503,580 100.0

education in gannawaRRa shiRe

■ Monthly Kerang to Echuca bus service

■ Gannawarra Non-Emergency Transport Service (G-NETS) for long distance transport out of the Shire (e.g. Echuca, Bendigo, Shepparton and Swan Hill)

■ Regional Medical Companion Travellers Aid

■ V-Line runs two train services daily from Melbourne to Swan Hill with stops in Kerang. Bus connections link the Gannawarra Shire with Adelaide, Albury, Bendigo, Echuca, Melbourne, Mildura and Swan Hill.

tRansPoRtForget traffic jams and peak hour frustrations; forget about endless hours behind the wheel getting to and from work. Wouldn’t it be nice to be home at lunch time to see the family or be able to walk or cycle to work!

Or even better you can finish work at five and be playing golf or fishing by 5.30pm – just a short drive without the daily stress, costs and time!

The Gannawarra Shire is connected via the Murray Valley and Loddon Valley highways, which provide easy access to northern Victoria and into southern News South Wales. Access to Melbourne is now greatly improved with the Calder freeway.

The Gannawarra Shire offers a range of transport options:

■ Sealed airports at Kerang and Cohuna

■ Daily rail services to Bendigo, Melbourne and Swan Hill

■ Local taxi service

■ Local transport companies providing a wide range of freight options

■ Community buses in Kerang, Cohuna and Quambatook servicing senior needs (both medically and socially) in the shire

■ Bus service for health and community care (HACC) eligible residents in rural parts of the shire

Jason and Heather Hensley

the community. Their advice to newly relocated residents is to be friendly and join a variety of clubs as this is how you get to know people in the community.

“It’s a great spot to live, good resources, you go shopping in the supermarket and meet people you know, and there is no traffic.”

After completing his university degree in Bendigo, Jason moved to Cohuna for a graduate position back in 1996. He lived in Cohuna for four years before moving overseas for a couple of years. While overseas he found the love of his life, Heather, and convinced her to move back to Australia with him.

Whilst visiting friends in Cohuna, Jason was connected to his current employer Mawsons. He was offered a position as the IT systems manager at the company and accepted it. They made the move to Cohuna and built their first home. Ten years later, Jason still loves his professional role with the Mawsons group and their family have settled into the community.

Heather and Jason were engaged in 2003 and married in Scotland. They love Cohuna even further with its many activities for children and the affordability of having one parent stay at home. “This is not always possible in bigger cities”, Jason emphasised. Before the arrival of their first child, Heather worked at the local doctor’s practice.

Heather emphasised that they chose to live in Cohuna over Scotland because of her love of the place, its people and their values, and the great climate. In particularly, it ’s the community spirit that attracted them.

The activities here are different than in the city – here you do things together with people. As Heather said, “the beauty is in the people you meet”. Jason and Heather are involved in a range of sporting activities including hockey, tennis, cricket and golf and are members of the Barham Baptist Church. Jason is also involved in the organisation Your Community Cares which aims to help build stronger social networks within

liVestockBeef cattle, prime lambs and pigs are the main livestock enterprises and make up a large component of the mixed farming sectors. Broad acre land options and reliable water supplies make further livestock development an attractive option.

inVestment oPPoRtunitiesCouncil can facilitate the development of many agricultural opportunities. Land and water together with a warm climate are ideal for major agricultural investments. The area is serviced by a modern irrigation supply system, has access to 3 phase power, an excellent local road network and local services designed to support agriculture.

agRicultuReGannawarra Shire benefits from a strong agricultural sector, supported by irrigation infrastructure suited to a range of high value agricultural commodities including dairy, cropping and horticulture. The Torrumbarry Irrigation system provides quality rural water supplies for agriculture along with natural carriers providing water from the Murray and Goulburn river systems

Gannawarra Shire has a diverse agricultural economy comprised of dairy, cropping, livestock (including intensive animal production), viticulture and horticulture. A variety of soil types combined with a suitable climate can support a range of agribusiness enterprises across both irrigated and dryland farmland.

Council can facilitate any new agricultural developments across horticulture, livestock, poultry and cropping plus assist in any value adding and processing projects.

daiRyDairying flourishes in this low rainfall, Mediterranean climate with access to irrigation water. The area is blessed with access to a ready supply of grain and hay as well as a great range of services to support the industry. Dairying is the main economic driver of the local economy and provides further opportunity for investment as a growing demand for Australian dairy products is realised throughout Asia.

cRoPPingGannawarra is a significant grain producer with the Mallee areas of Quambatook and Lalbert as the

main production centres for cereals. Cannie Ridge, between Lalbert and Quambatook, has a reputation for producing exceptional grain crops and is renowned throughout Victoria for grain production. Grain is also grown throughout the Shire on both dryland and irrigation. This diversity allows Gannawarra to produce a wide range of crops including cereals, oil seed, legumes, lucerne and rice.

hoRticultuReHorticulture in Gannawarra consists of walnuts at Koondrook, citrus at Murrabit and Koondrook, organic apples, cherries and tomatoes in Kerang, stonefruit, vegetables and winegrapes at Kangaroo Lake, and olives at Cohuna. There is capacity to develop new horticultural projects and Council can provide expert assistance in this area.

ViticultuReGannawarra Shire has a sustainable wine grape growing area around Kangaroo Lake and Lake Charm, north-west of Kerang. The largest growers are Brown Brothers Vineyards who chose this location for the low frost incidence, quality soils and irrigation supply.

by Rick and Mandy Grosvenor, along with their son-in-law Jason who works full-time on the farm and their daughters Jaime and Shelby who both work part-time. The farm has been Demeter certified biodynamic (by the Biodynamic Research Institute) since the mid-1970s and has produced top quality peaches and grapes since that time. In two years, they have doubled the size of the farm and have expanded to also grow apples and garlic. The Grosvenor’s have further plans to expand their business and are considering options of a farm shop and accommodation in the form of farm stays and working on organic farms (WOOF) holiday options.

Now other family members are following with Rick’s parents and brother currently making the move to the Gannawarra Shire. Mandy highlighted the benefits of the move in few words, when she said,

“It’s a great lifestyle choice . . . friends of ours say we’d love to do what you do.”

Mandy and Rick Grosvenor always had a desire for a tree change. They wanted to ensure that their children also had the chance to enjoy the move to Regional Victoria, so in 2010 they upped stumps and made the decision to relocate their family from Melbourne to Kangaroo Lake in the Gannawarra Shire.

With affordable housing, much less traffic stress and the chance to have more disposable income the decision to move wasn’t difficult.

The Grosvenor’s looked to move to a warm and sunny destination that was close to water. After a look at a map, they discovered all the lakes and rivers within the Gannawarra Shire and they knew that this was the place for them. They were happily surprised to further find a great selection of schools, good employment opportunities for their young children and an extremely welcoming attitude of the local community. They have found that they spend more time outside in the beautiful natural surroundings and after work go waterskiing, fishing or

enjoy a BBQ on a little secluded beach on Kangaroo Lake near their property. Rick emphasised that “the biggest thing up here is the work life balance”. They now have much more time to spend with their children and grandson and the affordability means that they can attend more events and do more activities than their everyday life in Melbourne allowed for. Here there are no traffic jams and it takes little time to get around and there are no costs of parking to worry about.

The Grosvenor’s combined their skills and knowledge and started the Grosvenor Family Biodynamic Farm. They had no previous experience with fresh fruit produce, but with the combination of their skills (business, construction and mechanics), the support of friends and neighbours and some help from Google they have developed a successful business. The farm is owned and managed

the gRosVenoR,s,

mystic PaRk

Sport and recreation:

■ Golf courses, including Stuart Appleby’s home golf course in Cohuna;

■ Fishing, skiing, sailing and canoeing

■ Six swimming pools including one indoor heated pool

■ Parks and recreation reserves, football, cricket and little athletics

■ Walking and cycling tracks and trails

■ Horse racing and pony clubs

■ Badminton, basketball, cycling, tennis, hockey, netball, swimming, bowls

■ Pistol and clay target clubs

■ Scout and guide groups

■ Playgrounds

■ Gymnasiums

healthy liVingDo you want to be able to enjoy life, be part of a relaxed and welcoming community, be only a stones throw away from many wonderful lakes and rivers, be able to go camping and experience the wonderful opportunities that living close to nature offers; then Gannawarra is the place to be. Whether your idea of relaxation is a family picnic in the park, a drive in the bush, a round of golf, an early morning bike ride or dinner with friends, the options for fun and relaxation are endless. You can enjoy a healthy lifestyle!

For visitors and locals alike, the Gannawarra Shire is rich in pastoral, cultural and natural history. The region is home to a wide range of popular natural attractions including the Murray River, Gunbower Forest and the Kerang Lakes. There are also many other attractions such as beautiful golf courses, red gum sawmills, diverse shopping centres, parks and walking trails and special places of interest.

A plethora of nature-based activities provide ample opportunity to get ‘back to nature’. These include:

■ Gunbower Island – Australia’s largest inland island, covering Gunbower State Park and Gunbower National Park, bushwalking, camping,

canoeing, four wheel driving, mountain bike riding, fishing, bird watching and recreation

■ Lake Charm – fishing, water sports, recreation

■ Kangaroo Lake – fishing, water sports, recreation

■ Lake Meran – fishing, water sports, recreation

■ Leaghur Forest – mountain bike riding, camping, bird watching, bushwalking

■ Kerang Lakes –, bird watching, duck hunting, fishing, bushwalking

■ Murray River – fishing canoeing walking and camping

■ Reedy Lakes – the largest Ibis rookery in the southern hemisphere, bird watching, fishing, recreation

“We moved to Koondrook 12 months ago after living with the hectic pace and noise of Melbourne for many years.”

“Koondrook offered us an affordable property where we get to enjoy the fabulous weather and the pleasure of living in a small, safe and supporting community.”

“People here say hello when you walk down the street; acknowledge you as you drive past them and offer you a hand if needed. We have all the facilities we need; good schools, medical services close at hand, great places to eat, good coffee and no traffic lights!”

“Everyday we are able to enjoy the pleasures of nature on Gunbower Island; the peace of the red gums lining the river or the cooling waters of the Murray. Each day feels like we are on holiday!”

festiVals and eVents

The Gannawarra Shire boasts a calendar jam-packed with events, school holiday programs, markets and festivals catering to all manner of interests, including ski racing, fishing competitions, art exhibitions, golf tournaments, and more. For a full calendar of events, visit www.murraylakesandrivers.com.au

Tracey Clifford and family, Koondrook

we inVite you to come and see foR youRself

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Please contact us:Gannawarra Shire Councilwithin Australia 03 5450 9333international +61 3 5450 9333www.gannawarra.vic.gov.au

GannawarraShireYour perfectchoice for re|ocation