Talk at Annual General Meeting – Cr. Geoff Dobson

Shepparton Economic Facts:

• The Goulburn Valley has experienced steady population growth over the last decde largely driven by the Shepparton region
• In June 2022 Shepparton saw its lowest unemployment rate since 2007
• Job vacancies have increased to record levels across many occupations, by almost 4 times, when we compare 2020 to 2022. This is producing upwards wage pressure and reduced capacity to deliver products/services in certain industries. The healthcare industry has been under immense pressure throughout the pandemic creating increased worker attrition due staff shortages and burnouts.
• Healthcare, Construction and agriculture make up 38% of the jobs in Shepparton
• Current forecasts indicate that another 4150 workers will be required in the Goulburn Valley over the next 3 years.
• Several large investments in the region such as Cannatrek, FruitCo, and SCS Plastics Expansion will provide further opportunities for employment in the region between 2022-2023
• Greater Shepparton City Council, Moira Shire and Campaspe Shire have an agreement with the Department of Home Affairs for a Designated Area Migration Agreement for the region with allows employers access to semi-skilled and skilled migrant workers with the opportunity for a pathway to permanent residency across 54 occupations. See https://www.gvdama.com.au/ for more information
• Industry Labour Agreements such as the Horticulture and Dairy Agreements allow employers in the region to also access migrant workers to fill vacancies.
• Shepparton has the highest level of homelessness in Regional Victoria at 5.56% per 1000 persons. Council is committed to working with various stakeholders to address this social challenge
• Shepparton is very culturally diverse, however, there is a low English proficiency. The Greater Shepparton Multicultural Strategy identifies valuing cultural diversity, accessing opportunity and establishing contribution participation as priority areas of concern.

Victorian Skills Authority

Cr Dobson made reference to the Victorian Skills Authority, and the regional development skills plan. The Goulburn Regional Partnership is one of nine Partnerships across the state, established by the Victorian Government, recognising that local communities are in the best position to understand the challenges and opportunities faced by their region.

Shepparton, the largest city in the region, is the primary location for health, cultural and higher education services. Shepparton is culturally diverse and has a strong Indigenous population.

The Victorian Skills Authority are currently in the region and Council has been working with the Regional Taskforce Members to identify opportunities and challenges to inform the development of a Regional Skills Demand Profile.

The Profile provides an economic outlook for the Region, including a short to medium term view on labour, skills and training requirements by industry groups and future demand levels. It is expected this profile will be completed in the coming 12 months and will assist Council and education providers in advocacy endeavours.

Water Security

Cr Dobson made reference to the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District Infrastructure system – which is valued at over $20B needing to ensure efficient delivery of water to the food and fibre producers, support food security and provide both domestic and international opportunities for trade and commerce. Water security is paramount to the region. The future of our food and fibre supply chain, health of people and prosperity of the national and Greater Shepparton economy are fully dependent on an effective – and fair – water supply. The Murray Darling Basin plan has caused a significant change in the economic viability of agriculture for our region and if any more water were to be recovered the results would be devastating.

Housing and Affordability

There are 68,409 residents in the municipality.
There are 26,692 households (1,674 households on the Victorian Housing Register, May 2022).
Shepparton has the highest level of homelessness in Regional Victoria at 5.56 per 1000 persons.
26% of households are one person.

There is a mismatch between household type and housing product.

• Approximately 79% of all dwellings in Greater Shepparton have 3 or more bedrooms (traditional housing).
• Approximately 62% of all households better suit the ’Compact Housing Model’ (single parent households, lone persons, couples without children). Despite approximately 21% of all dwellings are 2 or less bedrooms (compact housing).
• Lot prices (for traditional housing) continues to increase, making housing more unaffordable
• Rental availability has decreased significantly, and rents continue to increase.

Council has adopted an Affordable Housing Strategy, however, no real achievements have been made and the affordability crisis continues to worsen.

Goulburn Valley Health

For GV Health to deliver the capacity and infrastructure works required to deliver services to the community in the Goulburn Valley, a significant investment is required beyond the delivery of Stage 1.

GV Health has received $26m to build an integrated Cancer Centre (ICC) which would comprise an increase of 28 points of care and enhanced multidisciplinary treatment and planning spaces as well as office accommodation for staff and research.

Additional budget allocation is required to close the gap in funding to enable the integrated Cancer Centre project to proceed and deliver best practice cancer care and treatment to people from across the Goulburn Valley. Council continues to advocate for funding to support GV Health and its expansion.

Cr Dobson made reference to the Shepparton Bypass from Mooroopna to Wanganui Road which needs to proceed in preferably 5 stages. The Causeway sees over 30,000 vehicles daily.

With regard to future development and expansion, Cr. Dobson indicated that Shepparton is bounded by the river and swamp to the West and that Mooroopna will likely be a large expansion area. On the other side of the river, Shepparton basically is a North-South alignment along the highway, and that indications are that there will be more development in Shepparton North. Council is also actively seeking to provide social housing in the CBD, above buildings and existing car parks.

An excellent presentation from Cr. Dobson, which provided an enlarged awareness of regional development needs for the Staff and Board of the Ethnic Council. President Maria Brown-Shepherd extended thanks to Cr. Dobson for his excellent presentation.