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Home>Council Information>Profile
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Overview | |
Benalla Rural City. The productive and beautiful rural landscapes of Benalla Rural City surround the township of Benalla and the hamlets of Baddaginnie, Devenish, Goorambat, Molyullah, Swanpool, Tatong, Thoona, Warrenbayne and Winton. The Rural city comprises 235,059 hectares covering 41 localities, in whole or in part, with a population density of 6.0 persons per square kilometre. As at June 2003, the estimated resident population of the Rural City was 14,049 people with Benalla having an estimated resident population of approximately 9,170.
The Rural City enjoys remarkable weather. For instance, the Bureau of Meteorology records for Benalla give the mean number of clear days per annum as 125.4 and the mean rainfall of 670.5 mm from 98.3 mean number of rain days per annum. Also, the mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures per annum are stated as 22.0°C and 8.7°C respectively. Not only are these conditions suitable for good pastures and cropping but ideal for outdoor recreational pursuits. Hence, Benalla Rural City is home to the Gliding Club of Victoria and Winton Motor Raceway as well as enjoys some beautiful parklands and outdoor sporting facilities.
The major centre, Benalla, is located approximately 167 kilometres North East of the metropolis of Melbourne making it accessible by road along the Hume Freeway or rail in about two hours. The Eastern suburbs of Melbourne and the Yarra Valley are also accessible in approximately two hours via the Midland and Melba Highways. The Midland Highway also connects Benalla to Shepparton and Bendigo in the West. From Benalla, there are transport links to Sydney along the Hume Freeway, or by rail, and to Queensland via the inland route via Tocumwal and the Newell Highway.
The largest employer in the Rural City is the manufacturing industry which includes Australian Defence Industries, D & R Henderson Pty Ltd, Schneider Electric (Australia) Pty Ltd, Hudson Frame & Truss, Benalla Spinners Pty Ltd and a wide variety of smaller manufacturing businesses. In the three years ending 30 June 2001, 2002 and 2003, the total value of building grew from $14.0 million to $16.0 million with consistent increase in the number of private sector houses. More recently, developers have been active in the subdivision of residentially zoned land even though the median price of a vacant house block appears to have been relatively stable. Both property indicators suggest confidence in local investment. Agriculture is significant to the Municipality’s economy with the value of agricultural production for the year ending 30 June 2001 being $52.0 million. By comparison in the same year, the total personal income from all sources for the inhabitants of the Rural City was $221.4 million.
Benalla Rural City .......... take the time........... delight in the countryside......... relish the weather ........... enjoy the lifestyle.
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