Gannawarra Shire

Renewable energy

Home to the Gannawarra solar farm – Australia’s first large-scale solar farm and battery storage facility.

Diverse agriculture

Intensive animal industries including feedlotting, poultry and pigs, medicinal cannabis, large-scale organic cropping including cotton and processing tomatoes.

Nature-based tourism

A strong foundation for nature-based and adventure tourism – majestic landscapes, the Murray, Kerang Lakes, and Gunbower Creek described as Victoria’s Kakadu.

Strong manufacturing

Home to some of Victoria’s renowned manufacturing businesses exporting food and agricultural products nationally and internationally.

The Gannawarra: where agriculture, renewable energy and tourism power sustainable investment.

Gannawarra is a region where agriculture, renewable energy and tourism combine to create exceptional opportunities for investment and business growth. Guided by the ART of Gannawarra strategy – Agriculture, Renewables and Tourism – the region is building on its traditional strengths while embracing the industries that will drive its future economy.

Strategically located on the Murray River, just 40 minutes from Swan Hill, 1¼ hours from Bendigo and three hours from Melbourne, Gannawarra offers investors access to productive agricultural land, established regional centres and growing domestic tourism markets.

Home to 10,438 residents (ABS 2021), the Shire generates approximately $1.859 billion in annual economic output. Major centres including Kerang, Cohuna and Koondrook support thriving agricultural enterprises, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, retail, health services and tourism businesses.

Investment strengths

Agriculture

One of northern Victoria’s most productive agricultural regions, supported by modernised irrigation infrastructure and a long history of agricultural excellence.

Highly productive irrigated and dryland farming.
Strong dairy, broadacre cropping and horticulture industries.
Emerging opportunities in intensive animal industries including poultry, beef, lamb, pork and goats.
Significant potential for value-added food manufacturing and agricultural processing.

Renewable Energy

Gannawarra is one of Australia’s leading renewable energy regions and continues to attract significant private investment.

Home to Victoria’s first large-scale solar farm.
Located within the recently declared North West Renewable Energy Zone, positioning the region for coordinated investment in wind, solar, battery storage and associated infrastructure.
Exceptional solar and wind resources supporting future energy generation, storage and associated industries.

Tourism

Natural landscapes and waterways provide a strong platform for sustainable visitor economy growth.

The Murray River, Gunbower Creek and National Park and internationally recognised wetlands.
Opportunities for eco-tourism, nature-based experiences, accommodation and visitor infrastructure.
Growing focus on sustainable tourism that enhances both the environment and the local economy.

Gannawarra: Built for Investment

Businesses investing in Gannawarra benefit from infrastructure and services that support long-term growth.

Affordable industrial, commercial, residential and rural land.
Established industrial estates in Kerang and Cohuna, with further industrial land planned for Koondrook.
Strategic road, rail and freight connections linking Melbourne, Adelaide and regional Victoria.
Reliable NBN coverage across the municipality.
Major energy infrastructure, including the VNI West transmission project.
Comprehensive healthcare, education and community services.
Affordable housing and an exceptional regional lifestyle that supports workforce attraction and retention.

Key infrastructure ready to support investment and innovation

Affordable and suitably zoned land – residential, rural and industrial
Transport and logistics links include road, rail and air.
Located within 100km of major rural centres – Bendigo, Echuca, Swan Hill – with major road links via the Murray Valley Highway and the Loddon Valley Highway.
Well-serviced and highly-developed industrial estates operate in Kerang and Cohuna; a further industrial estate is being developed in Koondrook.
The whole of Gannawarra has access to the NBN through either fixed line or the Sky Muster network.
KerangLink is the major tri-state interconnector that will provide more generation capacity in the Gannawarra.
Kerang Hospital offers state-of-the-art medical facilities, complemented by a range of health and allied services including dental, physiotherapy, aged care, community health, child care and podiatry across the shire. Cohuna also has a hospital.
Passenger rail services operate daily between Kerang and Melbourne, and Kerang and Swan Hill. A daily V/Line bus service connects the Gannawarra Shire with Adelaide, Albury, Bendigo, Echuca, Melbourne, Mildura and Swan Hill.
Gannawarra has a plentiful supply of residential land in several subdivisions, and a median house price of $220,000.

More Information

Employers and innovators in Gannawarra Shire

GoFarm – Value-add investors in the regeneration of irrigated farmland, water and ecosystem assets.
AMWA – Specialised water control infrastructure for domestic and international markets
Faucet Strommen – Premium tapware manufacturer
ECS Botanics – Medicinal cannabis
Dunstan Farmers Engineering – Grain handling equipment
Kerfab – Manufacturer of innovative, fit-for-purpose machinery attachments
VHM Limited – Goschen Project – Rare earth and minerals mining

Education

Gannawarra Children’s Centre provides childcare services, including long daycare
Gannawarra Council offers 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten programs in Cohuna, Kerang, Leitchville, and Koondrook.
8 primary schools; 2 secondary colleges; 1 Christian college (Prep – Year 12)

Further industry support

A range of resources are available for anyone seeking to do business in Gannawarra. The Council’s Economic Development Unit welcomes enquiries and ideas, and provides the highest level of service possible.

Significant projects funded or under construction

KerangLink – Due for completion in 2027, KerangLink will connect Victoria and New South Wales’ electricity networks. New transmission lines will enable local renewable energy facilities to feed into the national grid, setting up North West Victoria as the nation’s largest renewable energy zone.
Cohuna CBD and waterfront connection – $1.7M Victorian Government Covid-19 Infrastructure Stimulus. Upgrading the Cohuna CBD to establish stronger connections to the Cohuna Waterfront along Gunbower Creek providing significant hospitality and relocation benefits.
Tate Drive industrial Estate Stage 9 subdivision – The project provides an extra 13 allotments onto the market, with all sold prior to completion.
Sustainable recreational water for Quambatook – $2.05M Victorian Government Regional Infrastructure Fund. The development of the Quambatook Weir pool will create significant tourism opportunities, generate substantial local employment, and transform and uplift the heart and liveability appeal of Quambatook.
Koondrook all-abilities play facility – $0.39M VIC Government Regional Infrastructure Fund. Providing a new all-abilities play facility in the heart of Koondrook.

Future projects and opportunities

Future solar and wind projects – Gannawarra has 6 solar projects and 3 wind farm projects proposed. Construction would occur once the VNI West project has commenced. These projects alone will create around 900 construction jobs over several years.

Future Plans

Gannawarra Council Plan 2025-2029

Gannawarra Community Vision 2040