Swan Hill is a major regional centre serving the Murray Valley and Mallee regions of Victoria and the Western Riverina in New South Wales. As such it is well equipped with physical and social infrastructure to support the location of any business and its employees.
Land
Swan Hill provides a variety of land choices for retail, commercial or industrial purposes. Retail and commercial sites exist in the Central Business District. In addition, sites on main arterial roads are also available. For industrial and commercial businesses serviced estates and a number of individual private sites and existing premises are available for sale or lease throughout the region. For other sites, Council is willing to facilitate developments to ensure the developer’s preferred site is zoned appropriately and to co-ordinate the provision of infrastructure to the site with local authorities.
Water
Lower Murray Water supplies water from the Murray River to Swan Hill, Robinvale, Nyah, Nyah West, Lake Boga, Piangil and Woorinen South. This water is treated to World Health Organisation standards. The Swan Hill Water Treatment Plant is capable of producing 38 million litres of treated water per day. With peak daily demand currently at 23 million litres there is ample capacity for growth and new customers. Given Swan Hill’s proximity to Australia’s major water source, Lower Murray Water’s water prices are the cheapest in Victoria (Victorian Water Industry Association).
Wastewater
Swan Hill, Robinvale, Lake Boga, Nyah and Nyah West have wastewater treatment systems under the control of Lower Murray Water. All wastewater treatment systems in the region are operated under licence from the Environmental Protection Authority.
The Swan Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant has the capacity to receive approximately 1,825 million litres of influent per annum. Currently, the plant receives only 1,086 million litres per annum, indicating sufficient capacity for the handling of extra wastewater. The plant provides secondary treatment and is lagoon based, with 100% of effluent disposed of via evaporation.
Lower Murray Water is interested in working with industrial customers to meet their needs via jointly funded projects for water main extensions or sewerage system upgrades necessary to enable specialised trade waste disposal.
Electricity
A secure high voltage electricity supply is maintained via a 66 kV network provided locally through power distributor Powercor. Power users have the ability to negotiate with individual electricity retailers for the best price and service. Current supplies are adequate to handle most expansions with between 5 and 10 MW spare capacity available in the network to the Swan Hill Zone substation. For larger developments Powercor is prepared to undertake investigations on load capabilities once specific requirements are known.
LP Gas
Two of the main suppliers, Kleenheat and Elgas, have large installations situated in Swan Hill and are eager to supply energy to major new users.
Natural Gas
Investigations are currently taking place to secure a natural gas supply to the Swan Hill region. Gas supply companies have been approached and are keen to examine the possibility of supply. It is likely that gas supply companies will consider gas where a high load is demanded.
Solid Fuels
Opportunities exist to utilise solid fuels (eg energybrix) for energy generation, with the ready transport route from Melbourne facilitates the use of this bulk fuel. An existing Swan Hill food processing company is utilising the option of using solid fuels in its new development. The use of agricultural waste for biofuels and energy generation is also being considered
Solar Energy
A $420 million solar plant is planned for the northwest of Victoria including the Swan Hill region. The proposed station will generate clean electricity directly from the sun to meet the annual needs of more that 45,000 homes with zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Transport
Swan Hill is strategically placed within the major domestic market of South East Australia, with excellent direct road access to the major cities of Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide and a variety of shipping ports. The Swan Hill region has a number of major transport companies offering competitive rates to all major Australian cities. One national transport company, with depots in the eastern sea board capitals, has its headquarters based in Swan Hill. This company has a national fleet of over one hundred prime movers and employs about one hundred and twenty people locally.
A quality extensive road and rail infrastructure serves the region. The Murray Valley Highway winds its way through the region and a major highway system leads to Melbourne, a 3½ hour trip. Swan Hill has two daily return passenger rail services to Melbourne and daily coach links to major capital cities. Two major rail freight lines serve the region with links to Melbourne and the southern ports.
The Municipal Aerodrome at Swan Hill has a fully maintained bitumen surfaced runway and accommodates charter and freight services with links throughout Australia.
Swan Hill has a number of overnight freight and parcel services (via road and air) allowing local firms to obtain and send goods nationwide in the quickest possible time.
Telecommunications
The Swan Hill region is well served by telecommunications services. Similar services found in metropolitan Australia are also available in the Swan Hill region. Businesses have access to the full range of telecommunication services – telephony, internet access, corporate data applications (e-mail), EFTPOS, file transfer and video conferencing.
Local and national internet service providers exist to provide competitive services. Broadband width is available and services are continually upgraded in the region in line with the rest of Australia. Mobile phone coverage is available extensively along the Murray Valley and along the entire route to Melbourne.
Labour
The workforce in the area is regarded as highly committed and skilled in a variety of disciplines. The region’s unemployment rate is similar to State and National averages, indicating a ready and skilled workforce. Because of the lifestyle advantages of the region, the workforce is stable, resulting in below average turnover rates. Wage rates are generally lower than the average for non-metropolitan Victoria.
Education and Training
A number of options exist in the region to allow for ‘lifetime learning’ and vocational and professional development. The Swan Hill TAFE, Swan Hill International College, Adult and Community Education Centre, Group Training Company and Job Network providers deliver the range of education and training options. Together these organisations have the ability to meet the training needs of industry and provide for apprenticeships and traineeships. Universities also provide direct diploma courses or alternatively opportunities exist for distance and on-line learning. Secondary education institutions in Swan Hill are recognised for providing a quality level of education and their Vocational Education and Training courses are expanding with direct links into local industry.
Media
Newspapers
A local Swan Hill newspaper “The Guardian” is published on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week. The Robinvale “Sentinel” is published each Thursday.
Radio
There are four local radio stations: Mixx FM 107.7, 3SH 1332 AM, ABC Regional Radio 102.1 FM and Smart FM 99.1 (Community radio station).
Television
The region has coverage by three commercial television stations: Prime (7), Win (9) and Ten, as well as ABC (2) and SBS (28). Austar Satellite television is also available.
Business Services
Swan Hill is a major service centre serving the business and agriculture needs of a broad region. It has many competitive businesses serving a variety of needs equal to any provincial city or suburban centre.
Community Services
Swan Hill is well supplied with community services. Education, medical, sporting, recreational and transport services match those available in much larger centres. In the region there are six pre-school and childcare facilities, six primary schools, three secondary colleges and three tertiary and further education facilities. Swan Hill has a hospital with 192 beds offering full facilities. There are over 100 sporting clubs in the area. The range of community facilities, relaxed lifestyle and regional climate is an attraction to many.
Local Support And Council Assistance
Swan Hill Rural City Council supports the need for new investment and is eager to facilitate development wherever possible. Council aims to ensure that developer’s needs are met. To this end, through its Economic Development Unit, Council will work with the developer and, if necessary, the State Government’s Regional Development Victoria, to assist with location options, connection to services, introduction to local business networks, development approvals and ensuring all assistance measures are utilised in aiding the development.
For more information about Infrastucture in the Swan Hill Region contact:
Economic Development Unit
Swan Hill Region Information Centre
Cnr McCrae & Curlewis Streets
Swan Hill VIC 3585
Monday – Friday 9am – 5.30pm
Saturday & Sunday 9am – 5pm
Telephone: +61 3 5032 3033
Facsimile: +61 3 5032 3032
Freecall (in Australia): 1800 625 373
Email: ecodev@swanhill.vic.gov.au
