Greater Hamilton’s central location is a key strength that is reinforced by highly efficient road, rail and sea infrastructure.
Established freight routes with reliable transport links provide maximum commercial connectivity to export markets, along with Melbourne, Adelaide and large regional centres like Warrnambool and Mount Gambier.
The primary commercial hub of Hamilton is home to the EU-accredited Hamilton Regional Livestock Exchange. Currently undergoing a substantial $5 million redevelopment, it is the second-largest sheep selling centre in Victoria and South Australia, with the annual January weaner sales considered a great Victorian farming tradition.
Hamilton is strategically located along the rail line to the Port of Portland at the junction of the Glenelg, Henty and Hamilton Highways. Hamilton supports freight distribution within the agricultural sector. An intermodal transport hub for the efficient transfer of goods between trucks and trains is currently being investigated.
The Port of Portland (less than an hour from Hamilton by road) specialises in bulk commodities and agricultural products including fertiliser and live exports, and its strength lies in its proximity to shipping lanes, with the deep-water approach allowing direct access to the entrance of the harbour basin. Graincorp operates the export terminal at Portland, which receives grain by road and rail, with receival sites also based at Hamilton and Willaura.
The Port of Geelong is about 3 hours by road from Hamilton. Geelong Port is the largest regional Port in Victoria, and clients can access a broad range of port, ship and wharf-side services.
Hamilton’s airport and the runway have been significantly upgraded to cater for increased visitation to the region, and V/Line operates a twice-daily coach and train service between Melbourne (departing from Southern Cross Station) and Hamilton.
The digital economy is also transforming production, supply chain and marketing processes, and the strategies associated with the high-speed broadband roll-out will continue to facilitate productivity gains to position Greater Hamilton’s agricultural industry ahead of its peers.