How a geometric desert plan transformed into Australia's vibrant food and wine capital
In short: Designed in 1914 with an ambitious octagonal layout, Griffith was built to turn arid western New South Wales into a productive agricultural oasis. Today, this regional city thrives as a multicultural hub, blending Italian heritage with modern industry to become a powerhouse of Australian food and wine production.
Griffith was conceived as the heart of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA), a massive government project designed to divert water from the Murrumbidgee River to support farming. The town's unique geometric plan, featuring circular streets and radiating avenues, was created by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin in 1914. To sustain this vision, the Berembed Weir was built in 1912, followed by the Burrinjuck Dam in 1928, and later bolstered by the Snowy Mountains Scheme in the 1950s and 1960s. This infrastructure allowed the region to flourish, turning previously dry land into a landscape of citrus orchards, vegetable farms, and expansive rice paddies.
The city's cultural identity is deeply rooted in its history of migration. Italian workers, who initially arrived to operate riverboats, established a lasting presence that grew significantly during the Depression and again in the late 1950s. Today, approximately 60% of the population claims Italian ancestry, a legacy that transformed the region into a premier wine-producing area. Iconic labels such as De Bortoli, McWilliam's, and the globally recognized Yellow Tail, produced by Casella Family Brands, now place Griffith among the top 20 wine producers in Australia. This influence extends to the city's annual festivals, such as La Festa, which celebrates the local food and multicultural heritage.
While Griffith faced challenges in the 1970s due to associations with organized crime, it has since evolved into a diverse service center for the Riverina region. The city's demographic landscape continues to shift, now including a significant Sikh Indian community, which contributes to its status as a multicultural hub. With a population of 20,569 recorded in the 2021 census, the city serves as a major junction for regional transport and commerce. Despite its remote location, the city remains a vital economic engine, supported by the Baiada Group, the largest employer in the Riverina, and a robust network of irrigation-fed agriculture that sustains its reputation as the food bowl of Australia.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Griffith, New South Wales
- Also: Wikidata — Griffith · CC0
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