A Thriving Community
Baw Baw Shire is one of Victoria’s fastest growing municipalities. Located 100 kilometres to the east of the Melbourne CBD, the shire offers a mix of rural and urban living with affordable housing, scenic views and relaxed lifestyle making it an attractive option for new residents, leading to unprecedented growth.
Baw Baw Shire covers approximately 4,027 square kilometres of high quality farmland, national parks and residential areas.
The northern half of the shire is heavily forested and lies in the Great Dividing Range, while the south is bound by the Strzelecki Ranges. The Shire’s largest towns are located along the rail and road corridor which provide direct and easy access into the suburbs of Melbourne.
The current population in Baw Baw of 50,000 is expected to rise above 70,000 by 2030. Most of these people are in the towns along the rail and road corridor of Warragul, Drouin, Longwarry, Yarragon and Trafalgar.
There is a high commuter workforce and our community relies heavily on regional rail and road networks to travel to and from work, and for day to day community activities and access to services outside of the municipality.
Major industries are in the shire are manufacturing, construction and agriculture, with the largest employers being healthcare, agriculture and education.
Demographics
Population
- Current: 50,687
- Projected: 67,743 by 2031
- Drouin: 27% population increase in Drouin
Local Jobs
Local Businesses
Gross Regional Product (GRP)
Seven Areas of Focused Growth
Roads
Road infrastructure and traffic management in the growth towns of Drouin and Warragul and upgrading priority roads.
Community Infrastructure
Community Hub projects, West Gippsland Arts Centre completion, Internet connection and increased law enforcement.
Recreation
Sporting precincts, Logan Park cycling precinct, Indoor Stadiums, Tracks and Trails and Female Friendly Facilities.
Education
Early Learning Centres, Primary and Secondary Schools and Higher Education.
Jobs and Investment
Corporate/Government Office Relocation, Growing Jobs in the Latrobe Valley Public Land Program and Longwarry rezoning.
Transport
Regional Rail and Bus Connectivity.
Health
A new hospital for West Gipplsand.