As host to several of Victoria’s key and emerging advanced manufacturing sectors, fast-growing circular economy sectors and high-value mineral resources – regional Victoria’s supply chains, workforces and small and medium-sized enterprises will be key to unlocking success.
Manufacturing and defence industry
Regional Victoria is at the forefront of manufacturing and defence industry capabilities, from the production of components and transport equipment into global supply chains, through to cutting-edge advanced manufacturing clusters and food and fibre processing and exports.
Enablers for growth, including the availability of industrial land, supportive regulatory systems, a skilled workforce and public transport and freight networks, will prime this advanced manufacturing ecosystem for the future in regional Victoria.
Medical research
Regional Victoria is home to cutting-edge medical research facilities, including Bendigo Health’s Accelerator, La Trobe University’s Biomedical Science Teaching and Research Hub, CSIRO’s PC4 biocontainment facility (the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness), and the Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, a partnership between CSIRO, Barwon Health and Deakin University.
Regional Victoria is also home to boutique MedTech manufacturing, medicinal cannabis and opiate production. This provides world-class expertise in cutting-edge medical research and provides the basis for the further development of research and commercialisation opportunities.
Agricultural sector
Victoria’s agricultural sector, which is the backbone of our regional economies, continues to underpin our state’s food and fibre reputation – and is a key pillar of our merchandise exports.
The sector continues to service growing domestic and global demand for our food and fibre, while maintaining stringent biosecurity measures to protect against agricultural pests and diseases.
Circular economy
Regional Victoria is at the heart of our state’s circular economy future.
And with world-class wind generation, established transmission infrastructure, a skilled workforce, a deep-water port for export, gas network infrastructure and research institutes, regional industry will play a vital role.
That includes Victoria’s Hydrogen Clusters (located in Gippsland, Mallee and Clayton), which are poised to accelerate the development, deployment and commercialisation of our nation’s hydrogen industry.
Globally significant critical mineral-bearing sand deposits in north-west Victoria, which could supply inputs for household products, medical devices and energy transition infrastructure, also present further opportunities for refinement and manufacturing in regional Victoria.
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