Campaspe Shire is one of regional Victoria’s most dynamic economic regions—combining a strong industrial base, export capability and lifestyle advantages. Located along the Murray River and connected to major regional centres, Campaspe is primed for investment, innovation and growth.

$2.5B Gross Regional Product

One of the richest and most diverse agricultural and food-processing areas in Victoria.

Manufacturing contributes $1.8B per year

Opportunity awaits in smart manufacturing, the sector playing an irreplaceable role in the global economy of the future.

A flourishing tourist destination

A unique mix of great weather, culture, food and wine, natural beauty and events creates investment opportunities, especially in nature-based and agritourism.

Nationally significant hub for food production and processing

Food production and processing support 22% of jobs across Campaspe

Campaspe boasts a sought-after lifestyle, a strong representation of services, and a growing population and economy across multiple industry sectors.

  • Located 180km north of Melbourne on the Victoria-New South Wales border.
  • Home to 37,762 people, supporting 16,070 jobs, with an annual economic output of $5.674 billion.
  • Key towns include: Echuca, Kyabram, Rochester, Rushworth and Tongala.
  • Optimum for agriculture – warmer and drier than other parts of Victoria, and leveraging the Goulburn Murray Irrigation Network. 
  • Natural assets, including the Murray River, drive a rising tourism industry bolstered by events, a rich sense of history and culture, and local food, wine and accommodation offerings. 
  • Campaspe has a strong reputation for fostering innovation in sustainable resource management including solar and biomass energy. 
  • Stakeholders have described Campaspe’s business community as engaged and proactive, with long-term vision and open to innovation. 
  • Campaspe has huge potential to grow its existing gourmet food and wine presence.

Key infrastructure ready to support investment and innovation

  • Campaspe’s strong agricultural and food manufacturing base have created an established supply chain with access to export markets. The diversity of the supply chain includes an established transport and logistics industry, and a large base of supportive professional, scientific and technical skills (engineering, agri-science and business services, lawyers, and accountants).
  • Echuca Aerodrome has recently benefited from a $2.35 million investment which includes a helipad, all weather access and upgrades to the runways, taxiways and lighting.   
  • Daily passenger train and coach services to and from Melbourne and other regional centres. 
  • Echuca Regional Health provides state-of-the-art health and hospital care to the shire with a staff base of 1,080, representing the equivalent of 625 full time staff.

A Connected Economy with Strong Market Reach

  • Campaspe’s economy generates approximately $2 billion in exports annually, reinforcing its role as a key contributor to regional and national supply chains.
  • The Shire’s location along major freight routes enables efficient movement of goods between Melbourne, regional Victoria and interstate markets.
  • A strong cross-border relationship with Moama (NSW) creates an expanded economic catchment, supporting business growth and workforce mobility.
  • The region’s economic structure supports both domestic and international trade, particularly in food production, manufacturing and services.
  • Businesses benefit from proximity to established regional centres, providing access to broader labour pools, services and infrastructure.
  • Campaspe’s integrated transport and logistics networks continue to support emerging opportunities in freight, warehousing and distribution.

A Diverse and Resilient Industry Base

  • Campaspe’s economy is underpinned by a balanced mix of primary industries, manufacturing, construction, tourism, health and services, ensuring resilience and long-term stability.
  • Manufacturing represents the largest share of economic output, supported by strong linkages to agriculture and food processing.
  • The Shire has a well-established reputation in value-added production, with local businesses moving beyond raw commodities into higher-value products.
  • Construction activity continues to expand in response to population growth and new development, creating flow-on opportunities across the supply chain.
  • Health and community services form the region’s largest employment sector, supporting both workforce stability and liveability.

Clear Opportunities for Investment and Growth

  • Growing sectors such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and agritech present opportunities for innovation-led investment.
  • The visitor economy continues to evolve, with demand for higher-quality accommodation and new experiences creating strong development potential.
  • Significant untapped opportunities in import replacement, particularly across manufacturing, agriculture and professional services.
  • Businesses locating in Campaspe can leverage existing demand that is currently being met from outside the region.
  • Council is committed to working with investors to identify and unlock site-specific and sector-specific opportunities.

An Environment that Supports Business Success

  • Campaspe offers a supportive and collaborative business environment, with strong relationships between industry, government and community stakeholders.
  • Local businesses are known for being adaptive, innovative and open to new partnerships, creating a positive investment climate.
  • Council plays an active role in enabling development, providing guidance through planning, approvals and project facilitation.
  • Competitive operating costs, including land and housing affordability, support both business sustainability and workforce attraction.
  • Established local networks provide access to suppliers, services and industry knowledge.
  • Businesses benefit from a regional setting that encourages both growth and long-term investment confidence.

Growing Communities Supporting Workforce and Demand

  • The region is attracting new residents seeking lifestyle change, contributing to workforce expansion and skills diversification and supporting increased demand for services and local business activity.
  • Growth in key service sectors such as health, education and construction reflects both population trends and long-term demand.
  • The Shire’s towns each play a distinct role in supporting economic activity, creating a distributed yet connected network of communities.
  • Increased visitation and population growth together strengthen the local economy and support business viability.

Leveraging Natural Assets for Economic Value

  • Campaspe’s natural assets, including the Murray River and surrounding landscapes, play a central role in the region’s economic identity.
  • These assets support a growing visitor economy while also enhancing liveability and workforce attraction.
  • Potential to further leverage natural and environmental assets through sustainable tourism and recreation-based investment.
  • The region’s climate and irrigation infrastructure support high productivity in agriculture.

More Information

Employers and innovators in Campaspe Shire
Education
  • Campaspe Shire offers a full selection of childcare options including council-run centres, private daycare facilities, and family daycare offerings. 
  • Childcare in Campaspe Shire is, on average, $34 cheaper per day than in Melbourne. 
  • 20 primary schools; 9 secondary schools. 
  • Bendigo TAFE has an Echuca campus.
  • LaTrobe and Monash universities have campuses in nearby Bendigo and University of Melbourne and La Trobe have campuses in Shepparton.
Further industry support
  • Campaspe Shire Council has an economic development specialist for the purpose of supporting investment in the region.
  • Every two years the Council recognises outstanding local business through its business awards. 
  • C4EM (Committee for Echuca Moama) advocates for the issues initiatives to make Echuca Moama a better place to live, work, and play. 
  • Rochester Business Network and Kyabram Chamber of Commerce support local businesses with events and promotion.
  • A Victorian Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) hub helps drive greater connection, and access to domestic and international supply chains, in the mining sector.
Significant projects funded and/or under construction
  • Victoria Park – $13 million investment in redevelopment of Victoria Park to include state of the art facilities and conference venue.
  • Echuca-Moama Bridge Project – A second Murray River crossing between Echuca and Moama (completed 2022) has the ability to take higher-mass vehicles, increasing the possibilities for freight both from and to the region.
  • Gargarro Botanic Garden – $1.485M Victoria State Government Regional Infrastructure Fund. Delivering a sensory garden, a welcome gateway, ephemeral water feature, lookout, and parkland garden. Includes an amphitheater and a new cafe/function space.
  • Rushworth to Murchison Rail Trail – This project has secured $2.9M with $1.5M through Bushfire Recovery funding with the balance funded through Council.
  • Heathcote to Murchison Rail Trail project – The completion of the rail trail between Rushworth and Murchison will form part of the strategic link between the Campaspe Shire and the Cities of Greater Shepparton and Greater Bendigo.
  • Waranga Basin – Victorian Fisheries Authority funded a new boat ramp, amenities block and water treatment system at Harrimans Point.
  • Port of Echuca Discovery Centre Refurbishment – $600,000 Victoria State Government Regional Tourism Investment Fund. Redevelopment and enhancement of the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre, including digital activation and experiences, Aboriginal interpretive experiences, activation of log slip into working museum, along with retention of ship wright construction skills and programs
Future projects and opportunities
  • Echuca Aquatic Reserve – Total project value $4.5M; funding required $3M. Developing infrastructure linkages to support a defined events precinct stretching from the historic wharf and heritage precinct to the Aquatic Reserve – home of the award winning Riverboats Music Festival. The sharing of Echuca’s Aboriginal culture is integral to the project. 
  • Kyabram Fauna Park redevelopment – Melbourne Zoo took over the Kyabram Fauna Park in October 2022 which will increase the investment and bring facilities and programs up to modern tourism standards. 
  • Echuca Station Precinct master plan implementation –Including shed retrofitting, plaza development, land clearance, site decontamination, addition of DDA compliant pedestrian crossing, car park extension, and bus drop station relocation.

Case Studies

Learn more about some of the businesses in our region – why they chose Loddon Mallee, and their vision for the future.

Echuca Distillery – Pure ingredients, pure spirits

“Crafted and bottled in the legendary river port town of Echuca Moama, our craft spirits are 100% pure thanks to a combination of naturally derived botanicals, the best ingredients we can source and the ancient craft of distilling.” – David De Vries, Founder/Creative Director

Learn more

Kyvalley – Five generations of transformation

“The business has significantly benefited from adopting innovative solutions, through reduced costs and improved market access compared to competitors.” – Joanna Savva, General Manager, Sales and Marketing

Learn more
Gallery

Campaspe Shire Council highlights

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