Mildura

The Mildura Hub is located in Mildura in the north west of Victoria at the Mallee Regional Innovation Centre (MRIC). This hub is strategically located in an area with a presence of federal and state government agencies, an office of the Murray–Darling Basin Authority and the Murray–Darling Inspector-General of Water Resources Southern Basin office. It is also home to the headquarters for national peak horticultural industry bodies, SuniTAFE’s Smart Farm and research organisations with a regional presence, including the University of Melbourne and La Trobe University.

The Mildura Hub provides the opportunity for local communities, business and governments to understand key vulnerabilities of the region in detail, offering information and knowledge to support the community to identify targeted solutions for effective adaptation to the impacts of climate change. In particular, the Mildura Hub focuses on the adaptation of communities and the agricultural sector to reduced water availability and water demands due to increased evapotranspiration and increased temperature extremes, and greater climatic variability.

About the region

Home to the confluence of the Murray River and the Darling River at Wentworth in New South Wales, the economic health and wellbeing of the Mildura Hub’s regions are directly linked to water. 

This area has a heavy dependence on water sources for both environment and key industries, including horticulture – a key economic contributor to the region. It is critical that the availability and supply of good-quality water is secured for the future.

Regional economy

The combined economic output of the Mildura Rural City, Swan Hill Rural City and Wentworth Shire Council regions is $10.66 billion.

Horticulture is a key contributor to local economies with crops in the Mallee catchment area including: 

• Almonds
• Table grapes
• Wine grapes
• Field crops
• Citrus
• Olives
• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Stone fruit
• Dried grapes
• Vegetables. 

Tourism also contributes significantly to the region’s economy; Mildura has a reputation as a clean, green food bowl with acclaimed restaurants, wineries, distilleries, craft breweries and a vibrant arts and cultural scene.

Natural and cultural value

The region’s natural assets include waterways, wetlands and billabongs with rich flora and fauna. 

It is also culturally significant, and a recognised gateway to the Mungo National Park and Ramsar listed sites such as the Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes.

Cross-border collaboration

The Mildura Hub works collaboratively with all the One Basin CRC regional hubs; however Mildura works particularly closely with the Loxton Hub on shared cross-border issues and solutions. This includes issues and solutions related to viticulture, almonds and citrus industries which are important to both areas.

This collaboration is an important mechanism for overcoming cross-border barriers related to climate adaptation of communities and lead to shared learning by these communities.