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REASONST o d o B u s i n e s s

i n P o r T M a c q u a r i e - h a s T i n g s r e g i o n

Industries such as agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, construction and retail trade all make significant contributions to the local economy. It also means we have a diversified labour market. The largest proportion of registered businesses in the region are sole owner/operator businesses. Nevertheless in an area where new ideas, initiative and innovation are encouraged, the past few years have shown a significant increase in

the number of businesses with high turnover.

The total value of all goods and services produced over the previous year (Gross Regional Product or GRP) is estimated to be $3.2 billion on a turnover of $6.2 billion. The area now sells more products and services to customers outside of the region ($1.6 billion) than it imports ($1.2 billion), an outstanding performance for a regional economy.

Port Macquarie-Hastings is committed to maintaining and strengthening this diversity

in order to provide those that live and invest in the area with a broad range of economic

opportunities and a stability that comes from a well-balanced economy.

A V I B R A N T A N D D I V E R S E E C O N O M Y1 .

1,800

1,600

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

Port Macquarie

$ M

illio

n

REGIONAL ExPORTS & IMPORTS

Coffs Harbour Greater Taree Kempsey

Exports

Imports

While historically the area may have been

seen as a sleepy seaside haven attracting

large numbers of retirees with fond

memories of summer holidays gone, this is

far from the truth today. Today the biggest

increases in our population are those aged

35 to 49.

A G R Ow I N G P O P U L AT I O N = S T R O N G L O C A L M A R K E T

With a population in 2012 of 75,693 Port Macquarie-Hastings region is one of the fastest growing areas in New South Wales today. All the evidence suggests Australians will continue to want to live by the coast. With so many reasons for people to choose Port Macquarie-Hastings this growth is only going to continue delivering a growing market for the delivery of goods and services and an increasingly educated and skilled workforce.

2.

w E A R E AT T H E C E N T R E O F T H I N G S3.

The Port Macquarie-Hastings’ strategic location

mid way between Sydney and brisbane makes it the

gateway to the Mid North Coast and regions beyond.

It is serviced by a network of air, road and rail infrastructure that radiates north, south and west of the region and still has an important sea link to the east to Lord Howe Island. The vital Pacific Highway link connects us not only to Sydney and Brisbane but the major port of Newcastle.

Port Macquarie Airport is currently being upgraded to cater for the potential introduction of up to 180-seat B737-800 / A320 series aircraft. On completion, the upgrade will significantly improve the capacity and the potential for new routes. The Airport Master Plan is currently being reviewed to identify further improvements to the terminal and carparking after the completion of major extensions to the runway.

The MV Island Trader provides regular sea freight services from Port Macquarie to Lord Howe Island, situated 600 kilometres east of Port Macquarie. A seasonal weekly air service to the Island is also available from Port Macquarie from February to June, and September to December.

A R E G I O N A L H U B

4.We are a regional hub for so many

activities, creating a market well

beyond our resident population.

Within 2 hours of Port Macquarie-Hastings there is an additional market of 200,000 people which is expected to grow by 28% in the next 20 years. Our regional beacons include our airport, our medical and specialist services, shops, the Glasshouse and the number of major events that now call Port Macquarie home. Day-trippers are now our largest tourist market with 871,000 people a year travelling from out of their region to spend a day and do business in Port Macquarie-Hastings.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council

is a proactive Council with a

proven history of outcome focused

partnerships.

We are committed to fostering balanced and long term outcomes for the region with a new approach to economic development in Council’s management structure and operation. In 2013 we implemented a major review of economic development for the area and what it needs. We established a new Economic Development Steering Group to guide Council with members representing Council, industry and business groups. Through commitment and action, it has declared Port Macquarie-Hastings well and truly open for business.

A P R OAC T I V E C O U N C I L

5.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 8165.0

Construction

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

Rental, Hiring and Real Estate

Retail Trade

Professional, Scientific and Technical

Financial and Insurance Services

Health Care and Social Assistance

Transport, Postal and Warehousing

Accomodation and Food Servces

Other Services

Manufacturing

Administrative and Support Services

Wholesale Trade

Education and Training

Arts and Recreation Services

Not Classified

Information Media and Telecomms

Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste

Public Administration and Safety

Mining

0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200

NUMbER OF REGISTEREd bUSINESSES IN THE PORT MACQUARIE-HASTINGS REGION

Photo: Delly Carr/Sportshoot

S E C U R E A N D S U S TA I N A B L E I N F R A S T R U C T U R E

B I G P I C T U R E P L A N N I N G

6.

7.It is estimated that Port Macquarie-Hastings

has the capacity to comfortably accommodate

and service growth for another 25 years.

Our well researched and community agreed strategies provide the certainty for anyone in business moving to the area. There are residential land stocks for up to 7,000 new homes while we have superbly located industrial land central to both our workforce and the ever important Pacific Highway and transport corridors. Our commercial strategy ensures the continuation of a vibrant commercial city centre in Port Macquarie, local centres that remain the heart of their villages and that other commercial services will be provided for in new centres of population.

Port Macquarie-Hastings is a leader in the provision of first-class water collection, treatment and distribution and ensuring the principles of total water cycle management are incorporated into all new developments. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is investing more than $120 million in water storage, treatment and reclamation technology, and encouraging a community that continues to be pro-active and well-informed on sustainability. The area has a secure supply of electricity and is a regional centre for energy provider, Essential Energy, a committed supporter of many community events.

business needs to be confident

that an area can deliver secure

and sustainable infrastructure

into the future.

B I G P I C T U R E P L A N N I N G

The health, education and airport projects are

outlined elsewhere but two other projects indicate

the potential for growing the economy and jobs:

• F O O D, S O I L A N D wAT E R R E S E A R C H C E N T R E

A Food, Soil and Water Research Centre is to be built as part of the new science precinct at the Charles Sturt campus at Innes Lakes. The Centre will also provide new facilities for Port Macquarie- Hastings Council which already operates an environmental laboratory for water and other testing services. This new centre of excellence will contribute to research in vital areas such as environmental sustainability, soil quality and water management. Such research is the foundation to strengthen local businesses and opportunities.

• P O R T M AC Q UA R I E I N D O O R S TA D I U M

Final design work is currently underway for a $5.3 million expansion of the Port Macquarie Indoor Stadium to provide two additional indoor multipurpose sports courts and a PCYC. Located close to town in Stuart Park it is a precinct identified for the expansion of local and regional sporting facilities. This growth will not only assist in attracting more major sporting events to the area but as one of the largest and best equipped indoor venues on the North Coast it will attract major trade shows and exhibitions. Sporting events already contribute over $25 million a year to the local economy. Our goal is “to make events better for tourism and tourism better for events.”

Over $200 million worth of projects are planned or proposed for Port Macquarie-Hastings

and for completion in the short and medium term future. This development activity will

underpin long term economic growth and further job creation. Key projects include:

P O R T M AC Q UA R I E B A S E H O S P I TA L

$110M $20MC H A R L E S S T U R T U N I V E R S I T Y C A M P U S

R U R A L H E A LT H P R E C I N C T

P O R T M AC Q UA R I E A I R P O R T E x PA N S I O N

I N D O O R S TA D I U M U P G R A D E

$40M

F O O D, S O I L A N D wAT E R R E S E A R C H C E N T R E

$5.9M $21M $5.3M

8. M A J O R P R O J E C T S T O F U E L F U R T H E R G R Ow T H

• A N I N T E G R AT E D T R A N S P O R T C LU S T E R

E S TA B L I S H E D A R O U N D A L A R G E S I T E

AT S A N C R Ox offering immediate access to the Pacific Highway and providing customers choice of transport, logistics, heavy industry and warehousing opportunities.

• A M A R I N E P R E C I N C T adjacent to Birdon Slipway and incorporating the Commercial Wharf.

• A N E D U C AT I O N C LU S T E R based around the North Coast Institute of TAFE and University of Newcastle University precinct aimed at further developing new markets and raising awareness

and acceptance of Port Macquarie as a serious education destination. A full university campus for Charles Sturt University is also expected to be open in 2015, located in the Lake Innes area.

• A N A I R P O R T P R E C I N C T based on ready access to air transport services and the airport land that is available for expanded commercial development.

• A N A L L I E D H E A LT H A N D M E D I C A L

S E RV I C E S C LU S T E R centred on the Port Macquarie Base Hospital and surrounding land aimed at promoting the further development of the Health industry and its export capabilities.

F U T U R E I N V E S T M E N T H O T S P O T S

Future growth is not just about projects with big price tags but making the region

known for its centres of excellence. Council has a vision for a number of clusters of like

businesses that promote collaboration and using best practices around a specific focus

area, driving significant business results. These are:

9.

• C A M D E N H AV E N C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E Represents many local businesses and is proud to promote the benefits of working, living and holidaying in the Camden Haven.

• D E P T. O F T R A D E & I N V E S T M E N T,

R E G I O N A L I N F R A S T R U C T U R E S E RV I C E S Actively encourages business growth by working with companies at all stages of their development.

• E D M U N D B A R T O N C E N T R E Created to help sustain economies across regional Australia by providing assistance to both new start up and existing businesses.

• E N T E R P R I S E & T R A I N I N G C O M PA N Y LT D Specialising in the delivery of employment, training and business services. ETC Business Solutions can provide you with guidance, networking and mentoring opportunities when starting a new business, as well as those established businesses looking to grow. They service many business programs including the: New Enterprise Incentive Scheme; Small Biz Connect; Indigenous Business Australia; Business Enterprise Centre and ETC Business Leaders.

• G R E AT E R P O R T M AC Q UA R I E

T O U R I S M A S S O C I AT I O N Representing more than 200 tourism businesses it partners with Council to market and promote the Greater Port Macquarie region.

• H A S T I N G S B U S I N E S S E N T E R P R I S E N E T wO R K Focuses on the sharing of information, experience and networking opportunities between members to help build better business in the Hastings.

• H A S T I N G S wO M E N ’ S B U S I N E S S N E T wO R K

Provides Hastings businesswomen with a networking service to help and support them in their chosen careers.

• I N D U S T RY M I D N O R T H C OA S T

Encourages and supports the development and maintenance of a dynamic and sustainable manufacturing industry sector within the Mid North Coast of NSW.

• M I C R O B U S I N E S S F O R U M

Provides an opportunity for business people to meet in a friendly, relaxed environment. Members support each other through utilising services, becoming alliance partners or providing referrals

• M I D N O R T H C OA S T N S w B U S I N E S S C H A M B E R Connects members to information, networking opportunities and advice to assist them to navigate their business challenges.

• P O R T M AC Q UA R I E C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E Works to develop and grow local business by creating opportunities that will benefit the business and professional community throughout the Greater Port Macquarie region.

• R E G I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T AU S T R A L I A Works to bring together all levels of government to enhance the growth and development of regional Australia.

• wAU C H O P E C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E A voluntary partnership of business and professional people working together to build better business in the Wauchope region.

TA L K I N G T O P E O P L E I N T H E K N Ow

10.

The Port Macquarie-Hastings region has a number of organisations and services that exist to help you

start, build or grow your business or business ideas.