Council
6 August, 2025
Projects identified to bolster economic development
MOYNE Shire Council has adopted a new economic strategy after the previous version highlighted strong business growth.
At last month’s Ordinary Meeting of Council, councillors unanimously endorsed the new 2025-2029 Economic Development Strategy (EDS) action plan which aligns with current economic conditions and emerging opportunities.
The new EDS is informed by independent research and analysis, as well as consultation with industry representatives, local businesses, residents, council and government stakeholders.
The new document centres around five key themes including heightening the agricultural industry, targeted investment to boost tourism, supporting the growth and retention of a prosperous and skilled community, strengthening an innovative and dynamic business base and creating a high-value visitor economy.
Moyne Shire Council mayor councillor Karen Foster said respondents emphasised the need for sustainable tourism, better transport and healthcare access and efficient energy systems.
“Striking a balance between economic development and the wellbeing of both the environment and community was a key priority,” she said.
“The new EDS has identified 47 projects to guide council in continuing Moyne Shire’s economic growth that fall under five key themes.”
“We look forward to reporting annually on the progress of the new EDS.”
The 2019-2024 Economic Development Strategy (EDS) was also reviewed, highlighting measures which have supported economic prosperity in the shire.
Commercial and residential land in Peterborough was identified among the attributes supporting economic and employment activity in the shire.
Council funds for enterprise, such as through the Moyne’s Business Façade Improvement program, were introduced.
The Love Local Awards were also launched, celebrating local businesses as voted by the community and encouraging local spend.
The establishment of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC), a group of local business representatives which provide strategic guidance to council on economic priorities and investment attraction, was also cited as catalyst for success, as too was the Business Adaptation Service.
Economic growth figures, based on the gross revenue generated by all businesses and organisations in Moyne Shire show real growth of 23 per cent from 2019 ($2.88 billion) to 2024 ($3.54 billion), an extra $660 million.
The average state-wide growth over this time was 17 per cent.
Delivery of EDS actions has supported Moyne’s economic growth and facilitated Moyne’s recovery from the pandemic.
The report notes agriculture was among the shire’s leading sources of wealth, comprising 29 per cent of the $3.5 billion economic output in addition to 44 per cent of the $1.9 billion in exports.
This was represented across agriculture and providing 34 per cent of the shire’s 6417 jobs a 49 per cent of its 2579 businesses.
In addition, the shire is committed to delivering structure planning in key townships, which includes Peterborough.
Despite the overall positive outlook, councillor Jim Doukas raised frustration the shire was having to go it alone with little support from the Victorian or Commonwealth governments.
“It’s a great document but it does highlight the negativity and distain we cop from the state and federal governments,” he said.
“We found through the drought that we have to drag them kicking and screaming to do a little bit of work.
“We as a rural council, and rural councils in general, need to pick up the ball and run a lot harder to put pressure on both governments to do a lot more for the rural industry.
“I know they’re trying to get rid of the family farm, but we’ve got to fight back.
“The only way we can do that is if we, and all rural councils, get together and push back hard.”
Read More: local