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ABOUT THE REGION
Upper Lachlan
DRIVING TIMES FROM CROOKWELLGoulburn 35 minutes Canberra 1 hour, 40 minutesBathurst 1 hour, 55 minutesWollongong 2 hours, 15 minutesPort Kembla 2 hour, 20 minutesSydney airport 2 hour, 30 minutesSydney CBD 2 hours, 45 minutes
Melbourne CBD 6 hours, 50 minutes
Upper Lachlan is an area that is known for its quaint villages, fine wool, potato production, wind farms, history and picturesque countryside. The Upper Lachlan region sits high on the Great Dividing Range in the New South Wales Southern Tablelands and is bounded by the Abercrombie, Wollondilly and Lachlan rivers. The regional centre is the township of Crookwell which is 45km west of Goulburn, about 110km north of Canberra and about 130km south-east of Bathurst. Sydney’s CBD is a picturesque 2 ½ hour drive.
Upper Lachlan has an estimated population of 7,841 people in the Shire. Approximately 3,000 people living in the major centre of Crookwell, with the balance made up of people living in the smaller towns of Gunning and Taralga and the villages of Collector, Dalton, Binda, Bigga, Laggan, Grabben Gullen, Breadalbane & Tuena or on rural properties.
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EXPORTS 2016
$182M
GROSS VALUE ADDED 2016 (GVA)
AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY & FISHING 38.7%MANUFACTURING 3.9%TOURISM & HOSPITALITY 3%EVERYTHING ELSE 54.4%
1,372 BUSINESSES
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
3% (SEPT 2017)
AVERAGE INCOME
$1,161 pw
*HEADLINE GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT JUNE 2015-2016 $12.6M TOURISM & HOSPITALITY SALES 2016
$218.4M
GVA
Economic Snapshot
POPULATION 7,841
POPULATION GROWTH SINCE 2011
5% PROJECTED GROWTH TO 2036
$9.5M VALUE OF BUILDING APPROVALS
ECONOMIC GROWTH
10 PRIMARY SCHOOLS
1 HIGH SCHOOL
PEOPLE
PLACES
PRODUCTS
36 GPs PER 10,000 PEOPLE
-1.1%
$320K MEDIAN UNIT PRICES
$315K MEDIAN HOUSE PRICE
2,483 LOCAL JOBS
86% OF THE JOBS IN UPPER LACHLAN ARE DONE BY PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE LGA
$320 MEDIAN RENT PER WEEK
- AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY & FISHING- HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL ASSISTANCE- EDUCATION & TRAINING
1.6%*
TOP 3 INDUSTRIES BY EMPLOYMENT
CROOKWELL
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Competitive Advantage
LIFESTYLEThere are three major shopping centres with general stores located in most of the villages.Crookwell’s main street has a great variety of shops including an IGA supermarket, butchers, vibrant cafes, unique gift shops, newsagents, hairdressers and massage therapists.Many of the villages have antique shops and cafes. The cafes are the heartbeat of the town and are always a great place for a quick cuppa or a relaxing lunch. Upper Lachlan Shire benefits from developed infrastructure, including roads, rail, telecommunications and a good transport system to the major centres of Goulburn, Canberra and Sydney.There is a relaxed rural atmosphere throughout the Shire with very little crime. The medical facilities are excellent with seven doctors, a dentist and an 18 bed hospital. The medical centre also has many visiting specialists.Upper Lachlan offers a quality rural lifestyle and the ability to make a comfortable living.
COMMUNITY
Riding high on the top of the Great Dividing Range (914m above sea level), Upper Lachlan Shire experiences the seasons in all their glory. Autumn blazes with fiery oranges, brilliant golden yellows and deep ruby reds, falling leaves shower the roads and countryside with their fading glory. Winter introduces you to rolling hills blanketed in white powdery snow and the perfect excuse to snuggle up next to a roaring log fire. Spring heralds the arrival of warmer times with masses of exquisite blossoms, bulbs and flowers of every description, while a gentle summer allows you to escape the harsh heat and humidity of coastal regions.
Sitting high on the Southern Tablelands, the Upper Lachlan region with its many creeks and rivers has been famous for gold and gemstone, both of which can still be found . Following the discovery of gold in Tuena in 1851, the upper reaches of the Southern Tablelands have remained a popular place to try your luck at striking it rich. Gold panning supplies can be purchased at Parson’s General Store in Tuena and panning can be tried at the nearby Tuena Creek. The region around Grabben Gullen offers the chance to find sapphires along with a range of other semi-precious stones. The public fossicking area is under the bridge on the aptly named Sapphire Rd at Wheeo.
FOSSICKING
Social and economic factors are important influences on the health of a community. Health is strongly linked with opportunities for meaningful employment, education and lifelong learning, social and recreational activities and contributing to the community.Upper Lachlan Shire has a full range of support services, particularly in aged care. The diversity of the Shire’s recreational facilities ensures residents and visitors have many opportunities to spend time enjoying outdoor activities, including fishing, golf, boating, swimming, tennis and many other sports. The region also has a number of resident artists and crafts people so there is no shortage of cultural pursuits.Most days of the week you will find the golf course, squash courts and bowling-green a hive of activity. On the weekends, the hockey fields, football fields and tennis courts are flooded with keen sports people.
CAREERS & BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
While agriculture is the main industry in Upper Lachlan Shire, there are many op-portunities for employment in the area including manufacturing, retail, service industries, hospitality and much more. The diverse and unique market mix means there are opportunities to establish new business activities, including manufacturing, creating goods for a niche market or expanding upon the existing businesses and services already in place. In Upper Lachlan, there are also the possi-bilities to combine what you enjoy doing, with what you are good at doing.
Crookwell has a light industrial area set aside and there are potential commercial industrial areas located on the Hume Highway at Gunning and on the Federal Highway at Collector.With Council staff that can help you establish your new business or relocate your existing business, this is the right time to invest in the Upper Lachlan Shire.
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
3% (SEPT 2017)
*HEADLINE GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT JUNE 2015-2016 $12.6M TOURISM & HOSPITALITY SALES 2016
- AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY & FISHING- HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL ASSISTANCE- EDUCATION & TRAINING
TOP 3 INDUSTRIES BY EMPLOYMENT
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Industries & Opportunities
The economic base of the Shire is changing, with tourism becoming one of the growth industries in the Shire, behind the traditional agricultural industries and retail sectors.
Upper Lachlan’s tourism industry provides a wide range of accommodation and experiences. Excellent visitor numbers, increasing over the years, have made tourism an important industry for Upper Lachlan Shire’s economy, with many entrepreneurs, investors and local communities contributing to the success of the area.Amongst the rolling hills of the shire, you will find pioneering villages each with its own rich history and individual contribution to the character of the area. Spend a few days and you can explore the stone architecture of Taralga, the gold mining history of Tuena, the fine wool region of Gunning and the bushranging past of Collector, just to name a few...The area has a range of retail stores to peruse, including the Lindner Sock Factory and Shop in Crookwell. The fourth-generation family owned and operated business, produces a variety of sock styles on site and visitors can come and see their machines in action.For more active visitors, there are various bike trails throughout the area or
Upper Lachlan Shire is well known for its rich and fertile soils and cold winters. Agriculture is the heart of the local economy, with 52% of businesses in 2017 are in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector and 43% of the population employed in the sector. There are major shifts occurring in agriculture with the introduction of new farming methods and diversification of many land holdings toward new ventures such as olive growing, alpaca wool and horse studs. As well as sheep and cattle farming, Upper Lachlan Shire is now considered the “hub” of alpaca farming in NSW with an estimated 6000 alpacas across the region and growing. Renewable energy is also a key industry in the Shire, with the Shire now home to nine large-scale wind farms, including the first grid connected wind farm in Australia, Crookwell Wind Farm. The Gullen Range Wind Farm, consisting of 73 wind turbines, and Gullen Solar Farm, consisting of 42,000 solar panels, are located along SERREE’s* Renewable Energy Trail.
*South East Region of Renewable Energy Excellence
TOURISM
AGRICULTURE
for those who wish to relax, there are numerous fine dining options, including the Laggan Pantry and the newly renovated Argyle Inn. The Shire is also well known for some exciting local events, including the annual Crookwell Potato Festival, a celebration of over 150 years of growing potatoes in the area and the Collector Pumpkin Festival, where the humble pumpkin is celebrated.
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Case Study
The philosophy of Laggan Pantry is that of seasonal, local and the freshest of produce. The restaurant has a modern Australian menu with ingredients coming from surrounding farms, the kitchen garden and local suppliers. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list showcasing local and regional wines and beers. The soul of the property, however, is the farm. Laggan Produce has built a ‘paddock to plate philosophy’ and supplies Laggan Pantry with the preserved and fresh products which are also sold to the general public. The farm produces a huge array of fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices which are completely in the hands of mother nature and not a shed full of chemicals. Produce includes: pears, peaches, nectarines, olives, almonds, hazelnuts, figs, apricots, plums, apples, quince and feijoa.The ‘Kitchen Garden’ and greenhouse yield large amounts of all the usual suspects such as tomatoes, corn, pumpkin, zucchini, cucumbers, beets, onions, leeks, artichoke, gooseberries, red and black currants, strawberries, beans, peas and much more.The ‘Berry Farm’ is seasonally open to the public for an extraordinary ‘Pick your Own’ experience.The Southern Tablelands lends itself to the cultivation and harvest of a variety of berries and the farm concentrates on the Heritage variety of raspberries which are a very tasty and easily transported type of large red raspberries. Fruit begins to ripen in February and March. All fruit is irrigated from spring fed dams, and the farm also has thornless blackberries which are huge and full of flavour. Hidden in the middle and forming a small impenetrable hedge is an old fashioned variety called the Silvanberry. Very painful and thorny to pick, the fruit is intense and is arguably the best tasting berry. Fruit ripens from late December.Laggan also offer accommodation in a renovated cottage. The perfect secluded country getaway to unwind and explore the historic Upper Lachlan.
LAGGAN PANTRY is a restaurant nestled in the gardens of the old police barracks circa 1837. Food is
sourced from the farm and kitchen garden and LAGGAN PRODUCE produces the jams and condiments used in the restaurant and for sale to the general public. There is also accommodation on-site.
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ARCADIA CROOKWELL Walking through the doors, the eye is drawn to the architecture of the grand old building which has been lovingly restored; dating back to the late 1930s from when the building was rebuilt after being destroyed by fire.Inside, the shopper can discover an array of speciality shops, showcasing some of local product mixed with retailers from Lucknow and Young. Arcadia offers a unique shopping experience focusing on quality and com-petitive pricing.
Case Study
Owners of the building, Christine Seaman along with David and Geraldine Johnson, have brought the iconic building back to life, offering a multitude of businesses in the one space. “We are happy to offer shoppers a point of difference, whether it is an antique furniture piece or a handmade item of clothing.”The building has been an iconic part of Crookwell since the main street took shape: it is a historic home of beautiful things. New visitors and return visitors who come to Crookwell are surprised to find the mixed businesses nestled into one convenient location. You will find everything from fashion, pre loved books, antiques, collectables and desirables, furniture, home wares, beautiful gifts, new publications and much more. The spaces for retail are hotly sought after and as soon as one, leaves the floor space is filled. “We are always having enquiries for space, which is encouraging for business,” Ms Seaman explains.“We feel we fill a niche in the shopping precinct with the variety we offer. Our business is now established and we thank the locals for being so welcoming and supportive. One-third of our business comes from out of town; and most if this is conducted on the weekends. It is important to offer visitors and families who come home an attraction for shopping. When people walk through the doors they look around at the grandeur of the building and discover something they didn’t expect.”Arcadia has also put together various local community events in recent times, events such as fashion parades and antique appraisal days.
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Case Study
Gillard Skidmore started his automotive apprenticeship in 1971 at a British Leyland dealer in Somerset, England. When he completed his apprenticeship in 1975 he immigrated to Sydney, Australia with his wife Sara.Gillard had a passion for vintage and classic motor cars and in 1979, Sydney Vintage Car Restorations opened its doors for the first time. Gillard and Sara have been successfully building the business to cater for all makes and models of vintage and classic motor cars.After twenty-three years operating in the Riverstone and Rouse Hill area, Sydney Vintage Car Restorations relocated. Gillard, Sara and their two sons Shannon and Timothy moved into their own purpose-built factory facility in Crookwell in the Southern Tablelands to become more central to collectors from Sydney, Canberra, South Coast and Outer West.
SYDNEY VINTAGE CAR RESTORATION was established in 1979. The business employs qualified craftsmen that are specially trained for restoration and repair work on Classic, Vintage and Veteran cars.All restoration and repair work is stringently checked by Gillard Skidmore (the proprietor) before and after the repairs have taken place to ensure quality control. The business operates out of a purpose built machine shop, coach building shop and spray booth.
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NOTES FAST FACTS, REGIONAL SUMMARY AND ECONOMIC SNAPSHOTSCurrent population. These estimates for Local Government Areas (LGAs)are prepared by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)to correct for the Census under count and are updated annually. These are the closest to official estimates of resident population and are often used by State Government in allocating per capita funding to LGAs.Population Growth since 2011. Based on ABS Census data 2011-2016.Projected population growth to 2036. Estimates are to 2036 and are prepared by ID and available under the Joint Organisation of Councils subscription. Median house & unit price. This data comes from local real estate agents and is based on property sales over the previous 12 months (January 2017-January 2018). Other data in the Economic Snapshots the Joint Organisation of Councils subscriptions to ID profiles or directly from 2016 census data.
REFERENCES
Notes, photo credits, references, contacts & acknowledgements
Regional Development Australia Southern InlandShop 5, Central Arcade, 158-162 Auburn StreetGoulburn NSW 2580Phone: 02 4822 6397Email: [email protected] Address: PO Box 775, Goulburn NSW 2580
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSRegional Development Australia Southern Inland (RDASI) would like to thank the NSW Government for their funding assistance in producing this report. We also thank the Upper Lachlan Shire Council for their assistance. RDASI is an Australian Government Initiative.
Prepared by Strategic Economic Solutions May 2018.
CONTACTS
PHOTO CREDITS
(2017) https://lindnersocks.com.au/(2017) https://www.facebook.com › Places › Crookwell, New South Wales › Vintage Store(2017) https://www.goodschools.com.au(2017) https://www.realestate.com.au(2018) http:// www.svcr.com.au/our-services/(2018) http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/Home/2016%20Census%20Community%20Profiles(2018) http://www.economyprofile.com.au/(2018) http://www.laggan.com.au/(2018)http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Plans-for-your-area/Regional-Plans/South-East-and-Tablelands/Resources(2018) https://economy.id.com.au/(2018) https://www.goldtrails.com.au/(2018) http://www.serree.org.au/
UPPER LACHLAN images courtesy of Upper Lachlan Council, Arcadia, Laggan Pantry and Sydney Vintage Car Restorations
Upper Lachlan Shire CouncilCrookwell Office44 Spring StreetCrookwell NSW 2583Phone: 02 4830 1000Email: [email protected] Address:PO Box 42, Gunning NSW 2581
