INVEST in horticulture
The growing success of Greater Hamilton’s horticulture industry stems from innovation and location. Australian natives, herbs, orchards, cut flowers and vineyards are among the commercial ventures currently thriving in the region’s rich volcanic soils.
SUCCESS STEMS FROM INNOVATION
Greater Hamilton contains three main land systems: the Dundas Tablelands, the Victorian Volcanic Plains and the Grampians. Land use is predominantly primary production (80%), but also includes substantial National and State Park (16%).
The region is among the five per cent of the continent to fall into Australia’s High Rainfall Zone, with an annual average of 680mm. The heaviest rainfall occurs from May to October, with a growing season of 8-9 months. Winter temperatures are relatively cold and often combined with strong winds. Summer is generally relatively mild compared to areas further north in Victoria and NSW.
Greater Hamilton’s Horticultural Strengths:
- Abundance of water for intensive horticulture
- Close proximity to the Port of Portland
- Diversity of land capability
- Home to the Henty Wine Region
CASE STUDY
ERA NURSERIES
ERA Nurseries grows up to 80 different varieties of Australian natives at its world-class nursery facility on a 4ha site on the southern boundary of Hamilton. State-of-the-art production systems include the latest air-vacuum seeding and robotic seedling transplant equipment along with an innovative water recycling system which diverts rainfall and irrigation run-off to a primary holding dam for later reuse.
ERA Nurseries, 232 South Boundary Road, Hamilton VIC 3300
Ph. (03) 5572 2123
CASE STUDY
GLENELG RIVER HERBS
Glenelg River Herbs is Australia’s largest grower of fresh culinary rosemary; the crop thrives in Greater Hamilton’s Mediterranean climate, with an enthusiastic team hand-picking up to 35 tonnes per year. Glenelg River Herbs also grows and supplies fresh or dried sage, thyme, lemon thyme and oregano to markets, supermarkets, providores and prominent food processors including Ingham’s Chicken and Mount Zero Olives. Value-added products include rosemary essential oil, rosemary and sage foot balm, hydration mist, hand and body cream, soap, and an extremely popular roll-on herbal memory aid.
Glenelg River Herbs, Balmoral, VIC 3407
Phone: 03 5570 1190, Mobile: 0427 354 906
CASE STUDY
ROYAL MAIL HOTEL KITCHEN GARDEN, DUNKELD
While the menu at the Royal Mail Hotel is shaped by the seasons, the chefs are spoilt for choice, for they have Australia’s largest restaurant kitchen garden at their disposal. Around 160 different varieties of organic fruit, vegetables and herbs thrive in 1.2 hectares of rich basalt soils at the base of the Grampians.
“Even though we get very hot summers and very cool winters, we do have a very cool temperate climate which enables us to grow a lot of different produce,” says chief gardener, Michelle Shanahan.
Royal Mail Hotel, 98 Parker Street Dunkeld, Victoria
PHONE: +61 3 5577 2241