Central Goldfields Shire

• Sonac – producing sustainable ingredients for the pet food and feed industries from raw materials of animal origin.
• True Foods – specialist manufacturer of flat bread products
• McPherson’s Printing Group – pre-press services, printing, binding, embellishments, and mailing/warehouse distribution.
• Maryborough District Health Service – undergone a $115M hospital expansion adding new services and jobs. 

Central Goldfields offers a strong foundation for workforce attraction and family liveability, with access to quality education and childcare across all life stages.

The region is home to:

• 7 kindergartens, 6 primary schools and 2 secondary schools, supporting local families and workforce needs
• The Goldfields Children’s Centre provides flexible, licensed care from birth to 12 years

Residents and workers also benefit from proximity to major education providers in nearby centres, including:

• Independent and Catholic schools in Bendigo, offering education through to Year 12
• Tertiary education and training, with La Trobe University, Bendigo TAFE, and Monash University campuses located in Bendigo
• Federation University in Ballarat, less than an hour away

Together, these options provide a complete education pathway, supporting skills development, workforce retention, and long-term regional growth.

Central Goldfields offers a collaborative and well-supported environment for new and expanding businesses, with access to local, regional, and state-level support services.

Entrepreneurs and investors benefit from:

• Local business support through Central Goldfields Shire Council, including economic development services, investment facilitation, and resources for new and growing businesses
• Start-Up Central Victoria, providing tailored support for entrepreneurs, innovation, and early-stage business development across the region
• Small Business Victoria programs, offering mentoring, advisory services, and practical tools to help businesses establish and grow
• Jobs Ballarat, supporting workforce development through employment programs, training pathways, and connections between businesses and job seekers
• The Committee for Maryborough, a proactive local business network advocating for economic growth, supporting local enterprise, and fostering collaboration across the community

Together, these organisations create a connected ecosystem that supports business establishment, capability building, and long-term growth, making Central Goldfields an attractive location for investment and enterprise development.

Maryborough Olympic Pool Complex – Council is continuing to work to ensure this heritage listed facility, which was closed in 2022 after being deemed at end‑of‑life, can be rebuilt and reopened for community use, restoring equitable access to essential health, recreation, and water‑safety infrastructure for residents.

Deledio Recreation Reserve pavilion project – Dunolly – Federal, State and Council investment will deliver a modern, accessible new pavilion at Deledio Recreation Reserve to replace the outdated 1977 facility, providing inclusive changerooms, amenities, social spaces and improved access, while meeting project requirements through a non‑modular build and commencing construction in the second half of 2026.

Maryborough Aerodrome upgrades – Federal and Council funding will deliver priority upgrades, including pilot‑activated lighting, radio alert systems, helipad refurbishment, refuelling facilities, resurfacing works, and improved parking, strengthening emergency‑service capability and enhancing the safety and long‑term operation of the facility.

Transport Connectivity – Advocacy to increase the frequency of weekday train services to become a commuter service between Maryborough and Ballarat with other public transport connections to improve links to key services.

Industrial Employment Precinct – A $10 million investment will enable the delivery of a new industrial precinct — including detailed design, subdivision, site clean‑up and essential infrastructure — unlocking over 80 hectares of industrial‑zoned land, meeting strong demand for small and medium lots, and creating a major employment hub for the growing communities of Maryborough, Carisbrook and Talbot.

Talbot Futures: A $40 million investment to deliver a modern sewerage system will unlock population and housing growth in Talbot, improving health and liveability for residents while enabling the village to play its strategic role in the Maryborough–Ballarat corridor and share in the region’s economic opportunities.

Maryborough Central Activity District – Revitalising Central Maryborough through a $5 million investment will transform key civic sites into a connected, pedestrian‑friendly precinct that celebrates the town’s heritage, strengthens links to Princes Park and the Hospital precinct, and stimulates private‑sector growth in retail, tourism, hospitality and services.

Housing and Planning Delivering Plan for Victoria – A $2.3 million investment will enable the planning reforms, structure plans, technical assessments, heritage work and essential service upgrades needed to meet Victoria’s housing targets, deliver affordable and social housing, and protect the Shire’s significant heritage as Central Goldfields prepares for World Heritage Listing.

Maryborough Town Hall – A $10 million investment to repair and refurbish the heritage‑listed Maryborough Town Hall will restore one of the Shire’s most significant civic buildings, creating modern performance, community and creative industry spaces that strengthen Maryborough’s emerging civic precinct and enhance cultural, civic and wellbeing opportunities for the region.

Princes Park Grandstand – $8 million is needed to upgrade the heritage‑listed Princes Park Grandstand in line with its Conservation Management Plan and Heritage Victoria requirements, delivering female‑friendly changerooms, improved accessibility, safer and more functional community facilities, and renewed structural integrity while preserving the grandstand’s historic character.

Castlemaine – Maryborough Trail – Central Goldfields Shire Council has partnered with Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc. and Mount Alexander Shire Council to conduct a feasibility study for a Castlemaine to Maryborough Rail Trail – a 55km shared-use trail on the disused rail corridor between Maryborough and Castlemaine.

Access the Central Goldfields 2026 Advocacy Package.