An important city in ‘Australia’s Food Bowl’ with strong fruit and dairy industries
| Local Government Area (LGA) | Greater Shepparton City Council |
| Neighbouring Local Government Areas | Benalla, Campaspe, Moira, Strathbogie |
| LGA Population, 2019 | 66,498 |
| Estimate Population, 2036 | 77,693 |
| Population Growth between 2014-2019 | 0.79%, an increase of 516 per annum |
| Forecast Population Growth | 0.89% per annum from 2016 to 2036 |
| Output | $3.63 billion Gross Regional Product |
Greater Shepparton is at the heart of the ‘food bowl of Australia’, producing high quality fruit and vegetables and agricultural goods. Situated on the banks of the Goulburn River, Shepparton has the ideal climate and environment for food production. The city has a diverse and vibrant community contributing to a very strong economy and cultural scene.
Part of the Goulburn region, Greater Shepparton is the fifth-largest city in regional Victoria in terms of population encompassing three main urban centres: Shepparton City, Mooroopna and Tatura. Three-quarters of the municipality’s population live in Shepparton and Mooroopna.
Shepparton is located approximately 180km north of Melbourne positioning the city as a major service centre for the Goulburn Valley and southern riverine area of New South Wales.
Culture and lifestyle
Shepparton is synonymous with great food, wine, waterways and weather. The region offers a variety of lifestyles, with urban centres and country towns all within a half hour drive of the CBD.
The region has an international reputation for quality fruit and dairy products, and is also home to some of Victoria’s oldest and best wineries.
The Eastbank Centre in Shepparton is a magnificent concert hall and function complex, and is also home to the Shepparton Art Museum, which hosts local and touring exhibitions.
Employment, industry and infrastructure
Greater Shepparton’s growth has been associated with the development of agricultural industries such as fruit, dairy, cattle, sheep and grain production. It has about 6,499 businesses and a workforce of approximately 33,200 people.
Health Care and Social Assistance is the primary employment industry in Greater Shepparton, followed by Retail Trade, Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing and Manufacturing. In the five-year period 2014-2019, there was strong employment growth in Construction, Health Care and Social Assistance, Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing, Education and Training, Public Administration and Safety and Retail Trade.
In terms of Gross Value Added activity, Manufacturing is the largest performing sector in Greater Shepparton, generating $514 million in 2019. Health Care and Social Assistance, Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services and Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing are also key industry sectors.
Shepparton is situated at the junction of the Goulburn Valley and Midland Highways, along the Newell Highway corridor that provides links to Melbourne and Brisbane. It is on the state rail network with both V/Line passenger and freight services.
| Major Businesses | Industry |
|---|---|
| Rubicon Water | Machinery and equipment manufacturing (water management and irrigation) |
| J. Furphy & Sons | Fabricated metal product manufacturing |
| SPC Ardmona, Unilever Australia Limited, Campbell Australia P/L and Tatura Abattoirs | Food and beverage manufacturing and Meat product manufacturing |
| Tatura Milk Industries P/L | Dairy product manufacturing |
| Visy | Packaging |
| Geoffrey Thompson Fruit Packing Company P/L | Agriculture, warehousing and packing (fruit) |
| McPherson Media Group | Information Media |
| Goulburn Valley Water Goulburn Murray Water | Water supply, sewerage and drainage services |
| Goulburn Valley Health Shepparton Villages Berry Street | Health care and social assistance |
| La Trobe University Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE Melbourne University | Tertiary Education |
| Peter Stoitse Transport Pty Ltd | Transport and Logistics |
The RDV information portal page has more detailed data and statistics on the Shepparton region and regional Victoria more broadly.
