Visit Mildura - Merbein

Merbein Connection - The Chaffey Trail

• To support other organisations in the Merbein community to develop and implement the initiatives identified in this Community Plan

• When required, form partnerships with other organisations to achieve community goals

• To promote the Community Plan within the Merbein community

• To provide a report to the community to inform them of continuing actions and projects

• Address issues of current and future concerns

• Strive to provide opportunities for all residents to be involved in the delivery of actions within the Merbein Community Plan

• Merbein Development Association will work with Mildura Rural City Council by acting as an Advisory and Liaison body between Council and the local community, individuals, clubs and organisations.

• Merbein Development Association work with Council to provide valuable insight into the needs, circumstances and future direction of their community.

President | Marianne Glover

Vice President | Hannah Mills

Secretary | Carli Leishman

Treasurer | Hannah Mills

Committee Members

Luke Alexander, Jasmin Hudson, Sara McClelland, Donna Broad, Mary Gardener, Skye Baldock 

Merbein is a town just north of Mildura, Victoria, in the Sunraysia region of Australia. It is located on the Calder Highway between Mildura and the Murray River crossing at the Abbotsford Bridge to Curlwaa. The Australian Bureau of Statistics census data shows a population increase from 2016 of 1,981 to 2021 of 4,976 this is a population increase of 2,995. The Merbein township is located 12 kilometres from Mildura, 553km from Melbourne and 389km from Adelaide.                                                    

Merbein is the most northern Victorian town and celebrated 100 years as an irrigation settlement in 2009. The Merbein irrigation settlement, originally known as White Cliffs for its river cliffs, was established on a pastoral holding in 1909. It was one of the first state-owned pumped irrigation settlements in Victoria. A Rotary Club of Merbein sign states: "Irrigation commenced in 1910 originally for pasture and grain crops, but quickly assumed its present economy of vineyard and orchard culture."

E.J. Kenny was the first Officer in Charge of the State Rivers & Water Supply Commission of Victoria Irrigation Area established in 1909. The hot climate and the distance from markets saw the settlement quickly change from dairying to the growing of the less perishable crops of citrus and grapes for drying and spirit-making.

Soldier settlement blocks were established in Birdwoodton and Merbein West during and after WW1, and many streets were named after local soldiers who died in WW1. The district's horticulture and viticultural industries also attracted many European immigrants to the area.

Kenny, known as the 'Father of Merbein', died suddenly in 1925 and his contribution to the success of the settlement was acknowledged with the naming of Kenny Park. Today, Merbein continues to be an irrigation district, diversifying from the growing of dried grapes and citrus to a wide variety of wine and table grapes, asparagus, almonds, mushrooms and vegetables. As well as a wine bottling and packaging industry and a vegetable juicing facility, Merbein has also developed as a regional transport hub for the export of district products.

The Merbein Development Association with the support from Council, conducted a first-round of community consultations across the month of May in 2022.

Merbein residents were asked What is your vision of the future of the Merbein below are some of the verbatim comments from residents.

• Merbein into a higher quality residential area for retirees and younger families, there are some great houses in Merbein.

• A vibrant and connected community providing a full range of health, community, cultural, recreation, education services that are accessible for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. A lively and attractive main street precinct that not only provides for locals but also attracts visitors. Engaged and connected children and young people, who are supported through easily accessible recreation and social activities for youth and families that are local and available to all.

• Safe for my children to grow up, build friendships, engage in sports and other recreational activities.

• Footpaths to be able walk/ride to school. Good quality schooling, kindergarten and day-care programs maintained.

• To not feel like an afterthought from Council.

• More GPs and healthcare providers.

• Sense of community.

• A farmers’ market comparable to Mildura/Red Cliffs.

• Development of the riverfront

• To regain "vibrancy" while holding on to "small community" feel.

• Merbein is a lovely community in which to live. Of course, it is up to oneself to extend the hand of friendship or take a step to meet people. I would hope that the younger generation see the value in community committees and what they can contribute to the future of Merbein.

A community plan is a public document which contains specific project proposals to develop the future vision and public improvements in local community the documents are developed through a partnership between the Council endorsed Community Advisory group, residents, and Council Staff. 

Community plans provide a complete, long-range vision for communities, and address aspects of community development and provide recommendations which guide development over a long period of time.

Merbein’s new Community Plan identifies the priorities for improvement, but also envisions growth and future planning changes to accommodate Merbein’s growing community.