One of Australia’s key food bowls
Premium local produce drives innovation in food and beverage manufacturing, capitalising on growing international demand.
Highly connected, uniquely positioned
In Victoria, but bordering New South Wales and South Australia, Mildura offers a strategic location for accessing domestic and global markets.
Largest city in north-west Victoria
And growing. Mildura’s size and infrastructure makes it a competitive base for business across industry sectors.
A supportive, high-growth economic environment
Supported by a strong Regional Development Team, Mildura fosters a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
An epicentre of primary industry. An established powerhouse in agribusiness and manufacturing.
A growing population, driving growth in tourism, transport and logistics, retail, health and community services. Mildura’s economic future is looking prosperous and bright.
- Home to 55,235 people, Mildura supports 22,368 jobs and has an annual economic output of $6.902 billion (2022). Forecast population growth is 0.7% per annum to reach 62,600 by 2036, an increase of 10.4%.
- A warm climate with unique water infrastructure provided by the Murray River creates optimum conditions for agriculture and renewable energy – especially solar.
- The food industry – via agriculture and value-add advanced manufacturing – is vitally important to the region in both output and employment. Premium food and wine offerings also continue to be a major calling card for tourists to the region.
- Irrigated horticulture and dryland cropping create significant outputs of high-value fruit, nuts and grains
- Generations of know-how combined with vocational training geared to local industry strengths has created a uniquely-skilled workforce able to support continued growth in the food industry.
- Mildura has strong credentials in sustainable resource management; a climate highly-suited to solar energy production; and a progressive collective mindset embracing innovation that will see the region likely become a key global player in green hydrogen technology.
Key infrastructure ready to support investment and innovation
- Mildura Airport is strategically vital to the region – the busiest regional airport in Victoria for passenger services with the number of passengers doubling over the last decade.
- Home to The Mallee Regional Innovation Centre (MRIC), which works in partnership with The University of Melbourne, La Trobe University and SuniTAFE, to promote innovation in horticulture and irrigated production through better resource management. The MRIC will lead the Mallee Hydrogen Technology Cluster, helping unlock Australia’s potential for a globally competitive hydrogen industry. Projections suggest it will add up to $26 billion to Australia’s GDP and thousands of jobs to the national economy by 2050.
- Mildura is home to 2 university campuses: La Trobe University Mildura and Monash University’s School of Rural Health.
- SuniTAFE SMART Farm Training and Innovation Hub is a unique offering – a fully-functioning 30-hectare training farm for both developing and teaching next-gen farming practise.
- The region offers a wide range of medical and allied health services including 3 hospitals, plus extensive specialist health services.
More Information
- Cann Group – medicinal cannabis
- Golden Grain Mills – grain and nut production
- Olam Australia – almonds
- Titan Wheels Australia – tyres, wheels and axels
- GTS Freight Management – trucking freight
- Mildura Fruit Company – citrus exporter
- Sunbeam Foods – dried fruit
- Australian Premium Dried Fruits – dried fruit
- Fossey’s Distillery – boutique gin and whiskey
- Mildura Houseboats – houseboat rental
- An extensive range of high-quality council, community and privately-operated childcare and after-school services are available across the region, including long daycare, occasional care, and family daycare.
- A range of playgroups operate throughout the region.
- 20 primary schools – government, independent and Catholic.
- Mildura Specialist School caters for children with intellectual disabilities.
- 13 secondary schools – government, independent and Catholic.
- Mildura Regional Development (MRD) works to strengthen economic opportunities in the region, underpinned by the latest tech and research. Key industries include: dryland farming, irrigated horticulture, tourism, food and beverage manufacturing, transport and logistics, retail, health, and community services.
- Mildura and Wentworth light installation – Internationally renowned artist Bruce Munro is creating Light/State, two awe-inspiring light installations reflecting the unique environment and culture of the region. A unique tourism product, the artwork aims to draw visitors from across the country and world and increase overnight visitation. Target project opening: Q4 2023.
- Mallee Track Art Trail – An art and visual technology trail integrating silo art with art technology to lead travellers on a journey of the pioneering history of the region; and including the contribution of its residents in defending the nation. Contributing partners include the RSL and the VIC government.
Access the Mildura Strategic Plan 2021-2024 .
Case Studies
Learn more about some of the businesses in our region – why they chose Loddon Mallee, and their vision for the future.
Global Rotomoulding – Moulding the future
“We have a deep knowledge of agriculture and the way that roto-moulding could help and change the agricultural sector. It only made sense for us to start Global in an area that is in the heart of the agricultural area in Victoria.” – Larissa Lloyd-Ward, Director
Cann Group – Building a future for medical cannabis in Australia
“We actively seek out innovation. It’s allowed us to have one of the most advanced greenhouses in the world, established right here in Mildura.” – Russell McGifford, Operations Manager
Gallery
Mildura Rural City highlights
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