
Construction is set to begin on Stage 1 of GV Link Enterprise Park at 250 Toolamba Road, Mooroopna. GV Link will be a new Enterprise Park for the region, encouraging large scale commercial investment within Greater Shepparton.
Background
In Greater Shepparton, there is currently a shortage of large parcels of land for industry, logistics and manufacturing which have transport connections to major international and interstate freight gateways. The creation of new industrial land will facilitate the expansion and growth of existing businesses and the large sites will accommodate investment from local, national and international investors
Construction of Stage 1 is funded by an $8.5 million investment by the Australian Government, $1,172,966 from the Local Roads Community Infrastructure Program – Department of Transport & Planning, along with a $14.4 million commitment by Council.
Key benefits to the Greater Shepparton community
- GV Link Enterprise Park will encourage large scale commercial investment within Greater Shepparton.
- There is currently a shortage of large parcels of land for industry, logistics and manufacturing in Greater Shepparton which have transport connections to major international and interstate freight gateways.
- The creation of new industrial land will facilitate the expansion and growth of existing businesses. The large sites at GV Link Enterprise Park will also accommodate investment from local, national and international investors.
- GV Link Enterprise Park will create hundreds of construction and ongoing jobs, and millions of dollars in economic benefit for the region through employment and economic output.
Stage 1 works
Stage 1 is divided into three construction phases, with the three phases to be delivered between April and December.
Stage 1 works include: (click each to see more)
Development of a 4 lot industrial estate subdivision (40 hectares) and associated civil works
April to December 2025 (Commencement date TBC)
- Construction work to begin within the subdivision.
- Development of 4 serviced industrial lots, including site clearing and earthworks.
- Construction of internal roads, drainage infrastructure, and catchment basins.
- Installation of fencing and landscaping.
- Geotechnical work and service proving to take place on Toolamba Road and other roads within Mooroopna (Alexandra Street, Ann Street, Morrell Street and O’Brien Street)
A roundabout intersection upgrade of Toolamba Road and Simson Road, Mooroopna
May to September 2025
- Roundabout construction to be undertaken at the intersection of Toolamba and Simson Roads.
- Design and construction of a B-Double-rated single-lane, 80 km/h roundabout at the Toolamba Road and Simson Road intersection.
- Upgrades and extension of Simson Road to facilitate High Productivity Freight Vehicle (HPFV) movements and enhance access.
- These works will provide the GV Link site with key access and gateway enhancement.
- Traffic management in place around the site of the roundabout.
Service connections to the site
May to December 2025
- Services corridor works to be undertaken, to provide sewer, water, NBN and gas services to the subdivision:
- Installation of core services, including water, sewer, gas, power, public lighting, and communications, to Simson Road.
- Works will impact Toolamba Road, Midland Highway/McLennan Street, and other local roads within Mooroopna (Echuca Service Road, Alexandra Street, Ann Street, Morrell Street and O’Brien Street) in order to connect the sewer to the Sewer Pump Station on Ann Street.
History of GV Link
1997-2002
Initial concept studies and several reports were commissioned to assess feasibility of GV Link along with delegation to seek government support
- 1997 Council commenced investigation of the feasibility of developing an intermodal terminal in the region.
- 2001 Report titled Shepparton Freight Hub/Inland Port completed by Logistics Bureau (funded by the then Victorian Department of Infrastructure)
- 2002 Report titled Goulburn Valley Freight Logistics Study Phase 2 undertaken by the Logistics Bureau to study the commercial viability of GV Link with respect specifically to SPC-Ardmona.
2003-2011
Commencement of the planning/design process, land acquisition, and feasibility
- 18 December 2003 Planning Scheme Amendment C34 to facilitate the establishment GV Link (then known as Goulburn Valley Freight Logistics Centre) placed on exhibition
- 2004 Delegation of local industry, Council and government officials visited Canberra to seek Federal support for GV Link
- 15-17 & 24 June 2004 Panel held.
- November 2004 Panel report provided recommending that Planning Scheme Amendment C34 be adopted subject to several recommendations.
- 7 December 2004 Council adopted Amendment C34.
- 5 May 2005 Planning Scheme Amendment C34 approved
- 2005 Council commenced an ‘Expression of Interest’ process aimed at securing a preferred developer for the site.
- 2007 Economic review of the feasibility of developing the site was undertaken.
- 12 December 2008 Development plan and planning application in relation to the subdivision and development of the land issued.
- 2008 Council undertook ‘Expression of Interest’ for the detailed design of the infrastructure/subdivision plan of the site.
- 2009 Landscape design report completed
- 2010 Detailed design plans completed
- 2010 Flood modelling updated
- 2011 Council secured the site, finalised payment for the compulsory land acquisition
- 2013 Economic feasibility review of the GV Link project undertaken
2014 to now
Further review, recent activity, and investor interest
- 2014 Council resolved (amongst other items) to report back to Council on next steps associated with the GV Link project if an investor is secured or bypass funding is announced.
- 2019 Lease between GVCE Mooroopna Solar Pty Ltd and Council for the development of a solar farm executed.
- 6 July 2022 Planning permit issued by Minister for Planning for solar farm on GV Link land to the east of Toolamba Road.
- 2022 Council resolved to allocate funding to complete the revised detailed design for GV Link.
- 2023 Completed updated site layout
- 2023 Works Package 1 – Design – Provision of Services
- 2023 Works Package 2 & 3 – Design – Access Enhancement and Stage 1
- 2023 Flood modelling of the proposed development plan for GV Link
- 2023 GV Link Economic Evaluation (Economic Benefit of GV Link Stage 1)
- 2023 GV Link Benefit/Cost Assessment
- 2023 Report from Valuer to confirm the value of land at GV Link to ensure that land prices offered are competitive in the regional and state-wide industrial property market.
- 28 May 2024 Council committed to the sale of land within Stage 1 at GV Link, subject to Commonwealth Government funding of $8.5M being confirmed.
- 13 February 2025 $8.5 m funding from Commonwealth government secured.
- 25 March 2025 Consideration of awarding contract for construction Stage 1
Frequently asked questions
About GV Link
Why is GV Link a strategic priority?
The Industrial Land Supply and Demand Assessments undertaken for Greater Shepparton (2023 and 2024) identified that there is a distinct lack of large industrial lots. Currently there are only 3 lots sized greater than 5 hectares, and one over 10 hectares. This provides limited choice for potential large industrial land users and limited stock for further subdivision to smaller allotments.
The industrial land supply situation in Greater Shepparton has been described as acute particularly given lead times involved in planning and bringing additional land to market.
What is the cost of Stage 1 of the project?
$24.8 million.
What are the funding contributions for Stage 1?
- $8.5 million investment by the Australian Government
- $1.173 million from the Local Roads Community Infrastructure Program – Department of Transport & Planning
- $14.4 million commitment by Council - $10.75 million will be recouped with land sales of Stage 1.
Where is GV Link located and how big is the site?
250 Toolamba Road, Mooroopna. Stage 1 of the 331ha site is 43 hectares and will be a four-lot industrial estate subdivision.
Site development and construction
What impact will construction have?
A construction management plan will be developed to ensure disruption is minimised before Stage 1 works commence. Information will be provided to the community and motorists via a range of communication channels throughout the duration of the construction.
Please see the section "Stage 1 works" above for complete timeline.
What changes will be made to the roads at the site?
A roundabout intersection upgrade of Toolamba Road and Simson Road, Mooroopna.
When will construction commence?
April 2025 (exact date TBC). Land is currently being prepared for development to activate Stage 1 works.
What are the project timelines?
Stage 1 is divided into three construction phases, with the three phases to be delivered between April and December.
Please see the section "Stage 1 works" above for complete timeline.
What will be the impact on traffic?
Works will impact Toolamba Road, Midland Highway/McLennan Street, and other local roads within Mooroopna (Echuca Service Road, Alexandra Street, Ann Street, Morrell Street and O’Brien Street) in order to connect the sewer to the Sewer Pump Station on Ann Street.
Please see the section "Stage 1 works" above for complete timeline.
Benefits
What are strategic benefits will GV Link have on the Greater Shepparton community?
GV Link Enterprise Park will encourage large scale commercial investment within Greater Shepparton. There is currently a shortage of large parcels of land for industry, logistics and manufacturing in Greater Shepparton which have transport connections to major international and interstate freight gateways.
The creation of new industrial land will facilitate the expansion and growth of existing businesses. The large sites at GV Link Enterprise Park will also accommodate investment from local, national and international investors.
How many jobs will the project create?
The development of GV Link will provide significant job opportunities in the region, while reinforcing our region’s potential to grow as the agricultural powerhouse of Australia.
The construction phase of enabling infrastructure will support around 80 direct and 70 indirect jobs.
Substantial private investment in building approximately 140,000m2 of factories and warehouses will support approximately 770 direct and 780 indirect jobs.
Operating businesses in Stage 1 will support around 720 direct and 540 indirect jobs from 2036 onwards.
What is the economic benefit?
This project has the potential to support business growth for both new and existing operations, not just for Shepparton but also for Mooroopna, Tatura, and the broader region.
- Stage 1: The construction phase would contribute $138m value added to the economy (discounted).
- Over the 20-year period from 2023 to 2042 the successful development of GV Link Stage 1 would, in discounted terms, result in an additional value-add to the Greater Shepparton economy of $3.75B (real 2023 value –added, undiscounted) or $1.62B (discounted to PV by 7% pa.).
These benefit calculations included jobs (and value added) generated by initial construction activity as well as ongoing jobs in GV Link generated by the operations of new businesses located in the precinct. Not all ongoing benefits would be attributable to the enabling road works.
Land sales
How will sale of lots be conducted?
Best practice for Councils in relation to the proposed sale of land, is to pursue public processes of sale, such as a request for tenders or expressions of interest or a public option.
Exceptional circumstances exist justifying private treaty sales at discounted market values of lots within Stage 1 GV Link as an early mover advantage for purchasers prepared to commit to purchase and develop those lots within agreed development timeframes.
Land sale of any of the lots within Stage 1 however cannot occur until these lots exist as a separate title. Like any land subdivision each lot is required to be connected to appropriate infrastructure before a title can issue.
The sale of any lots requires the provision of utility services as well as road and civil infrastructure (enabling infrastructure).
Stage 1 Investors and Activity
Council is currently negotiating with several investors regarding sale of land within Stage 1 at GV Link. As a result, four Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) have been signed and returned.
As part of the MoU, Council is required to provide enabling infrastructure including road access to facilitate the private investment.