Northern Poultry Cluster 

 A poultry industry cluster based around Bendigo and involving the Shires of Loddon, Buloke, Northern Grampians and Campaspe has been established with the help of a $100,000 Victorian Government grant.

The cluster aims to increase the local industry competitiveness by tackling industry-wide issues such as biosecurity, increased competition, waste disposal, planning controls and security of stock feed supplies.

Companies and agencies involved in the steering committee include Bendigo Gourmet Poultry and Game, Hazeldenes Chicken Farm, Loddon Valley Eggs, Redpath Ideal Greenhouses, Hy-Line Australia, the Shire of Loddon, the City of Greater Bendigo and the Victorian Government through Regional Development Victoria.

The Northern Region poultry industry includes 38 businesses and supports 902 direct (full time and part time) jobs and generates an estimated $168.5 million in direct sales income per annum. The total estimated direct and indirect economic contribution to the regional economy is 1,203 jobs and $215.6 million per annum.

Regular updates on the Northern Poultry Cluster can be found in the newsletter linked below or by contacting Jeff Bothe, Industry Development Officer on (03) 5434 6197 or j.bothe@bendigo.vic.gov.au