Benalla Rural City

Benalla Rural City Profile 2004

Benalla Rural City is located approximately 170 km north of Melbourne, and has an area of 2,353 square kilometres.

The population is 14,071 according to the 2001 ABS census. The major urban area is Benalla, with about 8,500 people. Township settlements throughout the municipality are Baddaginnie, Devenish, Goorambat, Lima, Lurg, Molyullah, Swanpool, Tatong, Thoona, Warrenbayne and Winton.

Manufacturing and retail trade are the largest employment sectors in Benalla. The top five industry sectors by employment are:

• Wholesale and retail trade 20%
• Manufacturing 19%
• Agriculture, forestry and fishing 12%
• Health, education and community services 10%
• Education 12%

An economic development strategy completed for the former Delatite Shire Council identified that manufacturing provided the greatest opportunity for future employment. Between the 1996 and 2001 Census periods, the manufacturing industry sector increased significantly by three percentage points. Value adding to the regions timber is a major element of the manufacturing sector.

The gross value of agriculture production in Benalla Rural City Council area is $6.5 million (ABS 2001). This is a contribution of 0.7% of the AlpValleys region agricultural base.

Benalla dominates the study region’s production of mushrooms.

Using the ABS standard multiplier effects for agriculture, hunting and fishing, it is estimated that the total effective contribution of agribusiness to the economic base of Benalla Rural City is $16.6 million, with direct employment in the sector of 78 persons and a total employment impact of 143^1.

Benalla Rural City Key Figures:

Source: AG Census 2001

Note: This region has undergone a boundary change since the last figures were compiled. These figures are an estimate based on population figures and may significantly understate the true value of production.

Agribusinesses within the shire include: