The Corangamite/Glenelg-Hopkins area is located in the south-west of Victoria and encompasses the entire coastline between Geelong and Hamilton. The population is about 455,000.
There are 2,726 farms in the Corangamite/Glenelg-Hopkins region. Major dryland agriculture in this region includes dairy, sheep meat, wool and beef. This is combined with winter cropping of barley, oats, canola and wheat. Irrigated horticulture, viticulture and intensive production enterprises such as pigs and poultry are also established in the region, along with forestry plantations of softwood and hardwood.
Wool production has historically dominated the region. This has changed dramatically in the past decade, with cropping and prime lamb production on the increase, creating challenges for mixed farmers aiming to integrate sustainable crop and pasture systems.
Lakes in the area are of international ecological significance for migratory birds, but generally waterways in the area are suffering a decline in quality. Dryland salinity, acid sulphate soils and poor soil structure are resulting in declining health and abundance of native vegetation.