COMMUNITY SERVICES

Rochester has it’s own Police Station, Country Fire Authority, Ambulance Service and S.E.S.Unit. The town has three service stations including an R.A.C.V. Depot, Towing Services, Panel Beaters and a modern Taxi Service.

Rochester's hospital has undergone a $21 million upgrade including new theatre, acute & Doctors Rooms , newly constructed Nursing Home, Hostel and Age Care facilities are much admired. Doctor's, Chemist and Dental Surgery are also available in the town.

There are six churches holding regular services in Rochester and active Apex, Lions, Rotary, Provis and various sporting clubs.

The four major banks have branches in the town, including an agency of the Bendigo Bank, the Post Office has Bank @ Post facilities. There are 2 A.T.M.s available at the Commonwealth and A.N.Z. banks.

TAB facilities are also available.

Rochester's population is approximately 2800.

Rochester boasts a takeaway pizza and pasta shop, takeaway chinese food shop, two fish and chip shops, a bakery, cafes and good country cooked counter meals at all hotels.

Accommodation available in the town includes a motel, hotels, riverside caravan park or bed and breakfast at Rochester Commercial Wine Tavern.

Groups of 20 or more can take advantage of the facilities at Curumbene Holiday Farm or for those seeking a quiet holiday Greenlakes Rural Retreat may suit. Both are located at nearby Corop.

REAL ESTATE

Rochester and district is served by two real estate agents.Rochester provides real opportunities for the home buyer and small investor.

For the first home buyer comfortable well maintained weatherboard homes of three bedrooms with all services connected including nautural gas, range in price from $100,000 to $225,000. For those seeking a brick veneer, prices vary from $165,000 to $220,000 for homes built in the 1970’s.

Modem brick veneer homes built in the last five years range from $200,000 to $350,000. The higher price homes are generally four bedroom, with ensuite and of 25 to 34 square in size and with quality fittings, floor coverings etc.

Retired couples are catered for with two bedroom brick veneer strata title units located close to shopping and medical facilities, prices range from $110,000 to $150,000.

For those who choose to build there is a wide selection of building allotments available with all services. Size range from 700 m² to 0.5 heetares (1.5 acres). Prices range from $65,000 to $75,000 depending on location, with the average 800m² block around $80,000.

Rochester is located in a predominately dairymg area, many farms are sold both on a bare and walk in walk out basis (that is with or without stock). Prices range from $1,500 to $3,000 per acre depending on the improvements, with the stock and machineiy sold at the current valuation at the time of sale,

Houses on Acres
From time to time listings of houses on small hectares arise, the area of land is usually from 0.4 ha to 8.1 ha (1 to 20 acres). Prices range from $250,000 to $350,000 depending on the quality of the improvements.

Primarv
The main agricultural pursuit is Dairy Farming, which is supported by and extensive irrigation network and the presence of the Murray Goulburn milk processing plant.

Tomato growing is also important with tomatoes going to processing plants in Echuca, Girgarre and Shepparton and to market in Melbourne.

2000 saw a boom in Vineyards being planted along the Mt Camel range, experts predict that this area will produce some of Australia's best Shiraz wines over the next decade. Drive south from Rochester via Corop towards Heathcote the new vineyards will please any wine connoisseur, several new winieries are planned for this region

Several horse studs have also developed in recent years namely Manor Lodge and Burnewng Stud  both are situated just south of Rochester .

Other agricultural pursuits are winter cropping, corn growing, pig raising, fat cattle, sheep, asparagus, capsicum and some fruit trees.

Secondary
Rochester has a large milk processing plant operated by Murray Goulburn Dairy Co-Op; Nelsons Silos a large silo manufacturing enterprise which supplies all types of silos in the Pacific area;

Lely Australia a machinery importing enterprise which supplies farm machinery to all states of Australia and New Zealand; and many smaller engineering, manufacturing and service industries including Mawsons and Kentucky Napier Homes.

Rochester has an excellent variety of retail and service businesses. These include:  post office, chemist, newsagency, butchers, hairdressers, supermarket, sports store, clothing shops, jeweller, florists, numerics, hardware stores, garden supplies, car and motorbike retailers, art & craft, accountants, solicitors, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, bricklayers, transport services, farm supplies, farm services, dvd & video hire, secretarial service,  garages, tyre store and many more.