Invest in Loddon

Economic Context

Loddon Shire’s gross regional product (GRP) is estimated at $586.7 million, supporting an estimated 2,770 jobs. Employment is concentrated in the five largest industries (agriculture, health care, manufacturing, education and retail), which employs three quarters of Loddon’s workforce. Agriculture accounts for almost half of all economic activity and local jobs.

Between 2016 and 2021, jobs growth was concentrated in agriculture, and transport and warehousing, reflecting the Shire’s primary industries and strategic location in terms of logistics and transportation.

Local expenditure within Loddon is estimated to be $221.8 million and reflects local industry demand for locally sourced inputs into production. More than half of this local expenditure is generated by the agriculture sector. 

When local industries with strong links to local business expand, so too do the local supply chains. Sectors with the highest ratio of local spend compared revenue include meat production, grain milling, building construction and agricultural services. For every $1.00 of gross revenue generated by the Meat & Meat Product Manufacturing sector, $0.63 is spent on local inputs into production.

Change in value-added (a major component of GRP) highlights sectors which are key drivers of economic growth. Much of Loddon’s economic growth over the past decade has been in sectors associated with agriculture, food manufacturing and trades (construction services).

Economic Opportunities

Loddon’s natural endowments and strong economic foundations present a range of opportunities for economic growth. By capitalising on these opportunities, the Shire can attract investment in new-age industry and technology, and high-value workers to the region.

Agriculture

Agriculture and food production continue to be an inherent comparative advantage of the Loddon Shire’s economy due to an abundance of productive land and water assets. The region also has created economic strengths by investing in infrastructure that connects local producers to nearby key markets, processors, and national distributors.

The agricultural sector continues to grow and with significant investment into expansion of intensive agricultural production and establishment of value adding processes, in addition to diversification into energy production and carbon capture.

Housing

Housing supply and diversity facilitate population growth, and workforce attraction and retention. This, in turn, enables businesses to access the talent they require to operate and grow, making housing supply intrinsically linked to economic growth.

A continual focus on housing availability influences local investment, as residents generate demand for local goods and services. Sufficient housing supply also contributes to resident stability, allowing people to establish roots in the community, creating a vibrant environment for current and future residents.

Renewables

Energy is a key consideration for the longer-term planning of businesses and households. Renewable energy contributes to Australia’s Net Zero targets and enhances the competitive advantage of regional economies and local businesses. Loddon Shire, with its abundant sunshine and open spaces, is well-suited for renewable energy production.

Businesses in the Loddon Shire are investing in various forms of renewable energy, from traditional solar and wind infrastructure to advanced bioenergy production. These investments attract new capital and high-valued jobs to the region.

Industry Trends

Industry 4.0 has revolutionised traditional primary production industries through digital technology, enabling businesses to increase their productivity, improve process efficiency through automation, and diversify revenue streams with new products. Embracing these innovations across these major economic opportunities positions Loddon Shire as a leader in modern, sustainable industry practices.

In the agriculture and food production sector, investments in technology are driving diversification into new, circular economy products like biofuels and fertilisers, and risk mitigation infrastructure to protect against disasters such as flooding and energy insecurity. By integrating these emerging technologies, Loddon Shire is ensuring long-term economic resilience and growth. 

The Loddon Shire Economic Development Strategy 2025-2029outlines a comprehensive plan to foster economic growth and resilience in the region, to obtain a copy of the Strategy, click here(PDF, 5MB).

Investment attraction facts, strengths and statistics for Loddon, are listed below: