Towong Shire Profile 2004
Towong Shire is situated in the north-east corner of Victoria, 120km
east of Albury/Wodonga on the Murray Valley Highway at the headwaters
of the Murray River, and about 350 km north east of Melbourne.
The shire is 6,673 square kilometres, with a population of 6,311
(ABS 2001). Towong is the largest shire in the study area, with the
lowest population density.
The shire is bordered by the Murray River (upper reaches) and contains
the Mitta Mitta River and the Kiewa River. Dartmouth Dam and Hume
Dam are two key water storages for the study area, and are located
in the Towong Shire. Fertile river valleys and spectacular scenery
are a feature of the Shire.
The major centres are Tallangatta and Corryong with smaller centres
of Bellbridge, Bethanga, Dartmouth, Eskdale, Granya, Koetong, Mitta
Valley, Nariel Valley, Tintaldra and Walwa.
The area is traditionally known for its agricultural industry, primarily
beef production and dairying. It also supports a strong timber industry.
Alternative enterprises include essential oil production, cropping
and seed production.
The fastest growing industry in the region is tourism, building
on a ‘pure’ clean green image. There has been a concerted
effort to build the Shire’s agri-tourism as a key product of
the area.
Towong Shire dominates the AlpValleys study area in the production
of the more traditional agricultural industries:
- beef (30% of AlpValleys production)
- dairy (70%)
- pasture seeds (51%)
- forestry (28%)
Until 2002, peppermint production in the shire was 99% of Victorian
production and about 60% of Australian production. Production ceased
in 2002, but new plantings have been undertaken during 2004.
Trial plantings of pyrethrum, potatoes for seed production and onion
seed production are currently underway. Five years of research has
gone into alternative cropping ventures like these. Essential oil
plantings are also underway with thyme, rosemary, lemon balm and
lavender being further investigated.
The number of farms in Towong Shire is 491, or 21% of the AlpValleys
study area. There has been a decrease in the number of farms since
1997 by 6.5%. Anecdotally, this appears to have been through consolidation
of existing farms in the shire.
The gross value of agricultural production in the Towong Shire was
$66.2 million (ABS 2001). This is a 22% increase on the 1997 GVP
of $51.9 million.
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 Towong Shire is $169.8 million,
with direct employment in the sector of 794 persons and a total employment
impact of 1,4561. In the AlpValleys
study area, Towong Shire has the highest agriculture GVP per head
of population.
Towong Shire Key Figures:
Agriculture contribution to economic
base |
$66.2 million |
Multiplier effect |
$103.6 million |
Total effect |
$169.8 million |
| Employment generated
|
|
Direct
Multiplier effect |
794
662 |
Total employment impact |
1,456 |
Source: AG Census 2001
Agribusinesses in Towong Shire include:
Corryong Abattoirs
Corryong Essential Oils
Corryong Timbers
Snowy Mountains Meats
Snowy Mountains Organic Dairy Products Pty
Ltd
|
Tallangatta Meat Processors
Upper Murray Seeds
Upper Murray Farming Systems Group
Walker Sawmills
Whiteley’s transport
|
| 1.
Note: this does not include forestry or forestry value adding |
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