La Temporada 1871: Los Bufos Arderius en Valladolid

The Shire of Campaspe is strategically located in north central Victoria, about 180 kilometres north of Melbourne. The Shire of Campaspe is bounded to the north by the Murray River, to the south by the Box Ironbark State Forests, to the east by the Goulburn Valley and in the west by the Patho Plains.

The Shire is located in the heart of one of the richest and most diverse agriculture and food processing areas in Victoria. Its climate, history, cultural heritage, natural assets and location in relation to major urban centres provide the Shire with extensive opportunities. The Shire encompasses a total land area of over 4,500 square kilometres.

Population

With an estimated residential population of 36,357 people we value our dynamic and diverse communities, where people feel safe and supported regardless of age, background or abilities.

At the most recent Census the age structure of the Shire of Campaspe compared to Regional Victoria showed a similar proportion of pre-schoolers but a higher proportion of people post retirement. Overall, 24.5% of the population was aged between 0 and 17, and 25.8% were aged 60 years and over.

The Loddon Mallee North Regional Growth Plan 2013 recognised that population growth in the region is intensifying in regional centres, including Echuca Moama, and greatly outstripping any increases in inland towns and rural settlements. Echuca is the main service provider in the Shire of Campaspe and together with Moama is currently experiencing significant residential growth. Echuca forms an important industrial, community, health, recreational, transport and tourism hub for northern Victoria and southern New South Wales and is a significant tourist destination.

The Regional Growth Plan also recognised that other urban localities will continue to accommodate some growth including Kyabram, Tongala, Rushworth and Rochester. These towns will continue to provide services and support to surrounding rural communities and offer affordable housing alternatives for commuters to Bendigo, Echuca and Shepparton.

Both Echuca and Kyabram recorded population increases between the 2006 and 2011 Census and are projected to continue to grow. The estimated residential populations of Echuca and Kyabram at the 2011 Census were 13,652 and 7,371, respectively. All other areas across the Shire generally recorded decreases in population between the two census periods.

Who are we?

Analysis of the country of birth of the population in Shire of Campaspe in 2011 compared to Regional Victoria shows that there was a smaller proportion of people born overseas as well as a smaller proportion of people from a non-English speaking background.

Overall, 6.3% of the population was born overseas, and 2.8% were from a non-English speaking background, compared with 10.6% and 5.5% respectively for Regional Victoria.

The dominant non-English speaking country of birth in Shire of Campaspe was Italy, where 0.5% of the population, or 194 people, were born.

Between 2006 and 2011, the number of people born overseas increased by 232 or 11.2%, and the number of people from a non-English speaking background increased by 141 or 16.0%.

The largest changes in birthplace countries of the population in this area between 2006 and 2011 were for those born in: • Philippines (+77 persons)

• New Zealand (+76 persons) What do we do?

Approximately three quarters of Campaspe’s employed residents work within the municipality. The three most popular occupations were:

• Managers • Labourers

• Technicians and Trades Workers

In combination these three occupations accounted for 48% of the employed resident population.

Campaspe comprises a smaller proportion of high income individuals and households compared to Regional Victoria, with 29% of all households considered low income households, earning less than $500 per week.

Approximately 40% of the employed resident population are employed in three industry sectors: • Manufacturing

• Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing • Health Care and Social Assistance

Within Campaspe Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing employs 13% of the residential population in comparison to 8% across regional Victoria. Whilst manufacturing represents 15% of persons employed.

Tourism is another important industry generating employment, with 10% of total employment generated through tourism, accommodation and food services.

The largest changes in the jobs held by the resident population between 2006 and 2011 were for those employed in: • Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (-525 persons)

• Health Care and Social Assistance (+333 persons) • Manufacturing (-122 persons)

How do we live?

In 2011 Campaspe had 14,298 private dwellings. Campaspe residents predominately reside in private dwellings (88%) with a smaller percentage living in medium density dwellings and high density flats and apartments. Wide price variations exist across the Campaspe.

Analysis of the monthly housing loan repayments of households in Shire of Campaspe compared to Regional Victoria shows that there was a smaller proportion of households paying high mortgage repayments ($2,600 per month or more) and a larger proportion of households with low mortgage repayments (less than $1,000 per month).

Analysis of the family types in Shire of Campaspe in 2011 compared to Regional Victoria shows that there was a similar proportion of couples with young children, older children, and one-parent families. Across the Shire of Campaspe in 2011 there was a lower proportion of Lone Person Households (26%) and a higher proportion of Couples without Children (30%) compared to Regional Victoria.

The largest changes in family types in Shire of Campaspe between 2006 and 2011 were: • Couples with children (-294 households)

• Lone person (+271 households)

• Couples without children (+199 households) • One parent families (+167 households) Education

Educational Qualifications are one of the most important indicators of socio-economic status.

Analysis of the qualifications of the population in Shire of Campaspe in 2011 compared to Regional Victoria shows that there was a smaller proportion of people holding formal qualifications (Bachelor or higher degree; Advanced Diploma or Diploma; or Vocational qualifications) and a larger proportion of people with no formal qualifications.

Overall, 36% of the population held educational qualifications, and 53% had no qualifications, compared with 40% and 48% respectively for Regional Victoria.

There were no major differences between Shire of Campaspe and Regional Victoria's highest qualifications achieved data in 2011.

The largest changes in the qualifications of the population in Shire of Campaspe between 2001 and 2006 were in those with:

• Vocational qualifications (+756 persons) • No qualifications (-736 persons)

Social and Economic Wellbeing

The Social Economic Indexes For Areas (SEIFA) index of disadvantage consists of four indexes – which have been the same since 2001.

• Index of Disadvantage

• Index of Advantage/Disadvantage • Index of Economic Resources • Index of Education and Occupation

Each index measures general “disadvantage” in a community or a broad aspect of disadvantage, and they are designed to have an average of about 1,000, with lower numbers being more disadvantaged and higher numbers less. Various Census characteristics are used in calculating the indexes included such as incomes, education levels, occupations, rent and mortgage payments, family structure and unemployment.

SEIFA scores are not comparable over time but is great in summarising disadvantage into a single number, and useful if you need to rank areas to determine priority areas for programs or services.

The Shire of Campaspe scores 964.07 on the SEIFA index, indicating it is more disadvantaged than the Victorian average of 997.01 but less disadvantaged than the national average of 960.31. The level of disadvantage varies across the Shire

Budget Implications

As a result of this municipal profile there are a number of budget implications in the short and long term:

• The large geographic area means that assets and some services must be provided across multiple locations. This means a larger asset base than other more consolidated communities, and increased costs of service provision.

• The availability and affordability of water to the agricultural section of our economy as a result of ongoing water reform is an important factor. Council continues to monitor the issue, work with relevant agencies and advocate where required.