General News
17 November, 2025
‘A Game Changer’: West Vic Business marks a milestone year
The Wimmera is undergoing a major transformation, marked by a surge in investment, confidence, and collaborative efforts, according to the region’s peak commerce body.
This positive assessment came from West Vic Business chair Mark Clyne at the group's annual general meeting, hosted by the award-winning Norton Estate Wines.
Mr Clyne noted that the past year delivered some of the most significant economic successes the region has experienced in a generation.
He specifically highlighted the long-awaited confirmation of the Farm Frites Australia potato chip plant in Dooen as a development poised to attract substantial further investment to the Wimmera.
“It's a great achievement for the region as a whole,” he said.
“I'd suggest that it's the best project that Horsham has ever had from an investment, manufacturing, processing and employment perspective.
“They don't come along to regional areas every day.
“In the city, 250 jobs may not mean anything, but certainly in country and regional areas, 250 jobs is just a big win.”
Mr Clyne highlighted the significant work done by former Horsham Rural City Council chief executive Sunil Bhalla.
He noted that Mr Bhalla and council staff worked with Regional Development Victoria for three years to secure the project.
“Our previous CEO, Sunil Bhalla, played a huge part in securing this company,” Mr Clyne said.
“...just the passion and commitment he put in was just sensational.”
While Mr Bhalla couldn’t go into specifics due to commercial confidence, Mr Clyne said he’d describe the project as “a game changer for Horsham and the wider region”.
“I think that's probably the best way to describe it,” the chairperson said.
The evolution of technology and the growth of online shopping are contributing to shifting business patterns across the region, according to Mr Clyne.
He also mentioned that some long-standing operators have changed hands.
However, despite these shifts and a major investment, the chairperson highlighted positive momentum, noting that several new businesses have either opened or expanded over the past year.
“We’re anticipating more announcements in the next 12 months,” he said.
“We expect our area will experience a boom like we’ve never seen before.
“As a chamber of commerce, we still continue to place emphasis on liveability, balancing work and play.
“The vital ingredient to attracting new residents and keeping the existing workforce population is liveability.
Mr Clyne said it was essential that local organisations and communities were prepared to seize the opportunities that would arise from this period of growth.
He also paid tribute to the committee, acknowledging treasurer Catherine Sheriffs for her ongoing efforts and ambassador Stacey Taig for her passion and professionalism.
Mr Clyne noted to members that all executive roles, aside from the ambassador position, were voluntary.
“We all donate our time. We don’t all share the same beliefs or the same views, and that means we get some good conversations,” he said.
“But even when we have differences, we can still move forward.
“That’s the big thing.”