Close to Melbourne, with strong transport connections to the rest of Victoria and beyond, the Barwon region offers seaside or rural living supported by world class health and education services and a strong sense of community.

Barwon is home to a diverse and growing economy. Traditional manufacturing and processing jobs in food, automotive, textiles, metal, petroleum and engineering are today augmented by knowledge-based opportunities such as bio technology and ICT. Whatever your preferred field, from trades to medicine, science to the arts, Barwon provides opportunities for all.

The Victorian Government is ensuring Barwon communities continue to be great places to live work and invest, by delivering a range of improvements to public transport, country roads, tourism infrastructure and health facilities, and through initiatives such as Free TAFE for priority courses.

The Victorian Budget 2022/23 provides $5.7 billion for regional initiatives, taking the Government’s total investment in regional Victoria to more than $36 billion since 2015.

Locals will also benefit from the Victorian Government’s contribution to the Geelong City Deal, which includes a new Convention and Exhibition Centre and revitalisation of central Geelong, establishment of a new statutory authority to manage and protect the Great Ocean Road, and upgrades to the facilities at The Gordon TAFE’s Geelong campus.

The Government is also further improving train services, such as the Western Rail Plan to reduce crowding, support population growth and enable fast rail on the Geelong line, and design and scoping work for the duplication of track between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds Stations.

Learn more about why Barwon’s shires, towns and cities are great places to live, work and invest below.