Victoria - Baw Baw Shire Council

Australia
Victoria

Baw Baw Shire
Gippsland, Victoria
MELBOURNE
Pakenham
Tanjil Bren
Nayook
Noojee
Rawson
Neerim South
Jindivick
Erica
Mount Baw Baw
National Park
Walhalla
Drouin
Longwarry
Warragul
Yarragon
Moe
Trafalgar
Traralgon
Sale
Thorpdale
Rosebud
Mirboo North
Wonthaggi
Inverloch
Foster
Yarram
Wilsons Promentory

5
The Baw Baw Shire
The Baw Baw Shire is a local government
region positioned just to the east of Victoria’s
capital city, Melbourne. It has long been
recognised for its high quality soils and high
average levels of rainfall. These two factors
have helped the agribusiness sector to
expand and develop into a vertically integrated
industry in the Baw Baw region with transport
networks, value adding businesses, support
businesses and private and government
research facilities.
Whilst traditionally dairy has been, and still is,
the major agribusiness sector the region also
is known for production of beef cattle, potatoes,
onions, apples, silviculture and more recently as
a major producer in hydroponics.
Value added production based on local
agribusiness strengths include milk, milk
powder, butter, soft and hard cheeses, meat,
processed vegetables, wine and grape products,
frozen berries, conserves, pickles and cordials,
cut flowers and bulbs.
The Baw Baw Shire Council is seeking to further
expand the agribusiness sector within the Shire.
Baw Baw Shire
ABS Agricultural Statistics Summary
CATEGORY VALUE A$ % OF VIC PRODUCTION
Apples $5.7 mill 3.3
Berries TOTAL $849,000 1.3
Blueberries $571,000 11.4
Raspberries $278,000 3.61
Broadacre Crops $344,000 1.9
Cut Flowers $6.35 mill 4.4
Eggs $7.95 mill N/A
Fruit TOTAL $6.9 mill 0.68
Livestock Slaughtered $63.5 mill 2.5
Milk $133.98 mill 20
Nurseries $8.7 mill 3.2
Onions $2.27 mill 35
Orchard Fruit $6 mill 1
Potatoes $33.8 mill 29
Seed Potatoes $9.54 mill 31.9
Tomatoes - Hydroponic (2009) $28 mill N/A
Veg For Seed TOTAL $9.62 mill 29
Vegetables TOTAL $37.8 mill 6
Wool $947,739 0.2
TOTAL AGRICULTURE $314,381,000

6
Dairy

7
Located in the Gippsland region of Victoria,
Australia, the Baw Baw Shire region is home
to a strong and vibrant dairy industry based on
the region’s high yielding, high value farmland
and favourable climate.
Value added production includes world and
national award-winning cheeses, dairy based
dips, milk powder and other dairy based
products.
Opportunities exist for expansion and
diversification into value added activities based
on local supplies and proximity to Melbourne
and its markets and ports.
The Baw Baw region has 163,410 hectares
of land classified by the Victorian State
Government as highly suitable for pasture
production.
Well drained soils, a favourable temperate
climate and a long term average rainfall in
excess of 1,000mm per annum provide good
growing conditions for perennial ryegrass and
white clover.
Suitable zoned land and necessary
infrastructure is also available for value adding
developments in the region.
Milk production in Baw Baw Shire in 2007/08
was estimated at 583million litres with a farm
gate value of A$285million.
Milk solids were estimated at 43,230tonnes
with a farm gate value of $283.6million, with
large portions of this taken by local milk powder
manufacturers and cheese makers.
Baw Baw region can justifiably claim to be home
to some of Australia’s and the World’s best dairy
industries.
Industry in Focus
Dairy
The dairy industry in Baw Baw Shire has
a strong and innovative support network.
It includes government employed dairy
extension staff, scientists and research
facilities, milk factory field staff, agronomists,
machinery and equipment businesses and
agricultural consultants.
The Victorian Government’s only dairy
research centre is located a Ellinbank just
south of Warragul.
The Ellinbank Dairy Research Centre conducts
leading edge research on grazing systems,
sustainable production, environmental
management, nutrient and biodiversity and
many other industry priorities.
The presence of nationally and internationally
renowned dairy scientists in the region
provides high levels of support for the
industry.
The dairy group, GippsDairy, also has it’s
main office in Warragul. GippsDairy is
affiliated with the national service body, Dairy
Australia, which is mainly funded by farmers’
milk levies.
GippsDairy works to enhance dairying in
Gippsland. it does this mainly through
leveraging funds for projects aimed at
improving profitability and technical
knowledge. It also takes on a communication
and leadership role as required.

9
Potatoes & Onions
The Baw Baw Shire region is a major producer of
onions and seed and table potatoes based on the
region’s high yielding, high value farmland and
favourable climate.
Opportunities exist for expansion and
diversification into value added activities based
on local supplies and proximity to Melbourne and
its markets and ports.
The Baw Baw region has 44,753 hectares of land
classified by the Victorian State Government as
highly suitable and 102,490 hectares classified as
moderately suitable for growing of potatoes. Well
drained soils, a favourable temperate climate and
average rainfall in excess of 1,000mm per annum
provide good growing conditions.
Suitable zoned land and necessary infrastructure
is also available for value adding developments in
the region.
Baw Baw Agribusiness
Quick Stats -
Potatoes & Onions
• Baw Baw Shire produces 21% of
Victoria’s total potato production for
table use.
• Baw Baw Shire produces 32%
of Victoria’s total seed potato
production.
• Seed potatoes are worth
A$9.54million to the Baw Baw Shire
economy.
• Table potatoes were worth
A$33.8million to the Baw Baw Shire
economy in 2006.
• Baw Baw Shire’s total onion
production is worth $2.72million
equivalent to 35% of Victorian
production.
ABS: Agricultural Commodities: Small Area Data,
Australia, 2005-06

11
Vegetables
The Baw Baw Shire region produces a wide range
of vegetables based on the region’s high yielding,
high value farmland and favourable climate.
Opportunities exist for diversification into other
primary crops and value added production based
on local production and proximity to Melbourne
and its markets and ports.
Baw Baw Agribusiness
Quick Stats - Vegetables
c Baw Shire produced 35% of Victoria’s
total production of onions in
2006/2007
The Baw Baw region has 57,382 hectares of land
classified by the Victorian State Government as
highly suitable and 85,415 hectares classified
as moderately suitable for growing of brassicas
and artichokes. Well drained soils, a favourable
temperate climate and average rainfall in excess
of 1,000mm per annum provide good growing
conditions. Suitable zoned land and necessary
infrastructure is also available for value adding
developments in the region.
Vegetable production in Baw Baw Shire in
2008/09 was estimated to be about A$65million
with potatoes being the main sector with
production of $33.8million. Hydroponic tomato
production in 2008 was 7,000 tonnes (up from
3,700 in 2006) with further expansion planned.
Business in Focus
Sweet Tips Asparagus
Located just south of Warragul the Jones
family had run a traditional potato and
asparagus farm selling produce wholesale,
retail and to export markets.
In 2004 the Jones family branched out and
formed Sweet Tips Asparagus, a family owned
business, to value add to primary production
through processing and selling high quality
pickled asparagus.
The asparagus is harvested by hand and is
graded, washed, trimmed and prepared carefully
on the farm before pickling.
Now sought by restaurants, delicatessens and
the public the pickled asparagus augments
their sales of fresh asparagus and potatoes and
enables increased income from sales across the
whole financial year
Sweet Tips Asparagus – using Baw Baw’s high
quality soils to produce high quality gourmet
foods.

13
Viticulture
Baw Baw Shire is home to a growing cool climate
grape and wine industry based on the region’s
high yielding, high value farmland and favourable
climate.
Opportunities exist for expansion and further
diversification into value added activities based
on local supplies and proximity to Melbourne and
its markets and ports.
The Baw Baw region has 66,575 hectares of land
classified by the Victorian State Government as
highly suitable and 88,366 hectares classified
as moderately suitable for growing cool climate
grape production. Well structured, deep, well
drained soils, a favourable temperate climate and
average rainfall in excess of 1,000mm per annum
provide good growing conditions. Suitable
zoned land and necessary infrastructure is also
available for value adding developments in the
region.
Whilst still relatively small, wine production in
the Baw Baw Shire has increased over the last
10 years with a number of new wineries opening
over the last few years. With climates and soils
similar to the Yarra Valley area of Melbourne,
Baw Baw has great potential for further
development of a significant wine industry.
Industry in Focus
Wineries
Taking advantage of similar location, soils and climate to the Yarra Valley, Baw Baw’s wine
industry is small but growing. The area features both irrigated and dry land vineyards and
whilst running many new varieties there is also a strong presence of Shiraz, Merlot, Pinot and
traditional white varieties.
A number of the wineries have now also added restaurants to their cellar doors to cater for
both local trade and the tourism sector.
Baw Baw’s reliable rainfall plus high quality soils = quality wine potential.

15
Sweet Corn
The Baw Baw Shire region is known for it’s
vegetable growing industry based on the region’s
high yielding, high value farmland and favourable
climate.
Sweet Corn is a potential crop for production
in Baw Baw Shire region and growers can take
advantage of of existing infrastructure and
proximity to Melbourne and its ports to develop a
new industry in the region.
The Baw Baw region has 80,727 hectares of land
classified by the Victorian State Government as
highly suitable and a further 82,408 hectares
classified as moderately suitable for growing
of sweet corn. Well structured deep soils, a
favourable temperate climate and average
rainfall in excess of 1,000mm per annum
provide good growing conditions for Sweet Corn.
Suitable zoned land and necessary infrastructure
is also available for value adding developments in
the region.
110 year average rainfall for Warragul
120
103.3 104.5 104.5
108.3
Millimetres
100
80
60
40
54.3
51.1
67.9
83.6
94 91.6
89.3
79.9
20
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

16
Pome Fruits

17
The Baw Baw Shire region is home to a strong,
vibrant orchard industry based on the region’s
high yielding, high value farmland and favourable
climate.
Opportunities exist for expansion and
diversification into value added activities based
on local supplies and proximity to Melbourne and
its markets and ports.
The Baw Baw region has 125,224 hectares of land
classified by the Victorian State Government as
highly suitable and 37,302 hectares classified as
moderately suitable for growing of apples and
pears.
Well structured, well drained soils, a favourable
temperate climate and average rainfall in excess
of 1,000mm per annum provide good growing
conditions especially within the central area of
the Baw Baw Shire.
Cool climate varieties can also be grown within
the northern sections of the Shire. Suitable
zoned land and necessary infrastructure is also
available for value adding developments in the
region.
Pome fruit production in Baw Baw Shire in
2005/06 was estimated to exceed A$6million,
since 2006 further orchards have been planted
and are now coming on-line.
Baw Baw Agribusiness
Quick Stats - Pome Fruit
• Baw Baw’s total production of fresh
apples 07/08 = 9,600,000 kg
• Total area of commercial apple
orchards in Baw Baw = 197 Hectares
• Number of pome fruit trees in Baw
Baw approximately 360.000
Business in Focus
Armour’s Apples
Armour’s Apples was first established at
Bona Vista, south east of Warragul in 1927
and also at Lardner from 1968. It has always
been in family hands, now with Ian, Doug
and David Armour running the combined
orchards and packing shed.
Armour’s Apples currently have 43ha under
orchard, with 60,000 trees growing many
varieties including Granny Smith, Red Fuji,
Golden Delicious, Royal Gala, Pink Lady,
Red Delicious and Jazz. They have grown
their business on principles of integrated
pest management, a practice that has been
made easier due to the cool climate.
The family is looked on as leaders in the
apple industry and put their business success
down to the region’s high quality soils, good
rainfall, proximity to markets, quality road
infrastructure and reliable labour.
Armour’s Apples – using Baw Baw’s location
to supply high quality, clean fruit.

19
Berries
The Baw Baw Shire region produces a wide range
of berries and currants based on the region’s
high yielding, high value farmland and favourable
climate.
Opportunities exist for further diversification
into strawberries and other berries and value
added production based on primary production
and proximity to Melbourne and its markets and
ports.
The Baw Baw region has 75,390 hectares of land
classified by the Victorian State Government as
highly suitable and 88,019 hectares classified as
moderately suitable for growing of raspberries,
gooseberries, red, black and white currants.
Well drained soils with good moisture holding
ability, a favourable temperate climate and
average rainfall in excess of 1,000mm per annum
provide good growing conditions for many berries
and currants.
Suitable zoned land and necessary infrastructure
is also available for value adding developments in
the region.
Berry and currant production in Baw Baw
Shire in 2005/06 was valued at A$849,000 with
blueberries being the largest crop at $297,400
these figures represent fresh fruit rather than
processed fruit.
Business in Focus
Sunny Creek
Fruit & Berry Farm
Nestled in the beautiful Strzelecki
Ranges is Sunny Creek Fruit & Berry
Farm who grow and manufacture a range
of certified organically grown produce.
Phillip & Cathy Rowe established the
farm in 1984 with a small planting
of berries, and were one of the first
organic growers to incorporate
many permaculture ideas into a fully
commercial scale venture.
They now have 2.4 hectares planted and
are the biggest producers in Australia
of Rubus and Ribes (currant and
gooseberry) varieties, They sell most of
their crop to Melbourne markets.
They proudly grow Gippsland’s widest
range of berries and hard to find heritage
apples and chestnuts, which they supply
to markets local green grocers, cafes and
deli’s.
Their certified organic home-made jams,
jellies and sauces are also popular at the
farm gate and organic green grocers.
Baw Baw Agribusiness
Quick Stats
• Baw Baw’s total production of fresh
berries 05/06 = 41,063 kg
ABS: Agricultural Commodities: Small Area Data,
Australia, 2005-06

20
Hydroponics

21
The Baw Baw Shire region is home to one of Australia’s largest hydroponic tomato growing and
packing enterprises.
The climate of this unique part of Victoria is ideal for greenhouse production. Mild winters and a warm dry, low
humidity environment in summer guarantee top quality produce all year round. The area also boasts all the
necessary infrastructure for greernhouse investment - power, natural gas, briquette heating, water and land.
This region is located close to the capital city markets of Melbourne and benefits from the national freeway
system.
Many vegetables can be grown hydroponically in greenhouses, capsicums, sweet chillies, cucumbers, lettuce,
eggplants, Asian vegetables as well as tomatoes.
Tomatoes are the backbone of a Baw Baw industry that has quadrupled in the past five years and is set to move
forward again. Join a famous Baw Baw Brand and gain the benefits of growing beside an established regional
business.
Business in Focus
Flavorite Tomatoes
Flavorite Tomatoes began cropping
tomatoes in 1994 on the edge of the
township of Warragul.
A small enterprise in their first year they
produced and sold 200 tonnes of tomatoes
with five employees.
Now nearly 15 years later the business has
150 employees who work in 12 hectares
of modern glass houses and produce 6500
tonnes of a wide variety of tomatoes every
year for the national domestic market with
some exports.
Flavorite has developed a niche product
into a major supermarket category and
strongly believe that the demand will
continue to grow for this great tasting
tomato.
Flavorite works with many other growers
today and looks forward to forging new
partnerships in the future.
Why Baw Baw
• Climate suitable to year round
production.
• Easy access to major markets,
airport & ports.
• Infrastructure – good road transport,
availability of water, electricity and
gas.
• Existing major industry players,
allowing for economies of scale.
• Available land enabling large scale
developments.
• A local authority with a positive
attitude towards the hydroponics
industry.
• A local industry with a positive
attitude to expansion of the
hydroponics industry.
• Experienced workforce.
• Good local food industry networks.
• Local training companies
experienced in providing accredited
training in hydroponics.
• Clean and green” reputation.

23
Plantation
Flowers & Silviculture
Business in Focus
Begonia Nursery
Located in the Gippsland region of Victoria,
Australia the Baw Baw Shire region is a
significant timber area based on the region’s
native forests, high yielding soils and favourable
climate.
Opportunities exist for further diversification into
plantation timber and value adding to existing
wood-stocks.
The Baw Baw region has over 155,576 hectares of
land classified by the Victorian State Government
as highly suitable for growing of Radiata Pine,
Tasmanian Blue Gum and other native timber
species.
The Australia Begonia company is
located at Erica in the foothills of Mt
Baw Baw and is the only commercial
propagator of named varieties of
Lapageria, or the Chilean Bellflower
plus tuberous, cane and rex begonias.
They are currently the world’s only
nursery specialising in a full range of
beautiful Australian bred Tuberous
Begonias.
They also grow and propagate the
fabled Blue Himalayan Poppy and tree
peonies.
Deep well drained soils, a favourable temperate
climate and average rainfall in excess of
1,000mm per annum provide good growing
conditions for many timber varieties.
Timber production in Baw Baw Shire is a
significant industry. Skilled workers and mills
exist in Baw Baw for harvesting, transportation,
drying and milling of logs.
The region also has significant wholesale plant
nurseries, cut flower and bulb production
businesses.
Located at an altitude of 450m and
with a rainfall of around 1,270mm
(50”) the Australia Begonia Company
uses Baw Baw’s climate to produce
unique and beautiful flowers.

For further information on agribusiness opportunities
in Baw Baw Shire Council please contact:
Peter Kulich
Economic Development Co-ordinator
Baw Baw Shire Council
e: peter.kulich@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au
a: PO Box 304, Warragul, Victoria 3820
p: +61 3 5624 2523
f: +61 3 5624 2525