Home » The Region
Population: 43,953
(2003 Estimated Resident Population)
Growth
Rate: 2000-2003: 6.0%Average
Annual Growth since 1995: 2.3%
Key Industry Sectors: Manufacturing,
Agriculture, Tourism, Viticulture
Main Urban Centres: Mittagong,
Bowral, Moss Vale
LOCATION
Situated approximately
110 kilometres southwest of Sydney the
2,700 square kilometres that make up the Wingecarribee Local
Government is commonly referred to as the Southern Highlands
due to its position, on a spur of the Great Dividing Range, some 700 metres above sea level.
The pattern of development is one of small towns
and villages, separated by a semi rural landscape and from a
Planning perspective, Council intends to retain this character
for the Shire.The Eastern parts of the Shire are bounded
by the Illawarra escarpment and Morton National Park, with some remnant rainforest
and heathland. The North of the Shire is characterised
by rugged Eucalypt bushland, with gullies, gorges and sandy soils.
This area forms part of the catchment for Sydney's
water supply and three major storage dams [Avon, Nepean and Cordeaux]. The Wollondilly
and Wingecarribee Rivers flow
through the west of the Shire, through deep sandstone valleys,
and much of this area forms part of the catchment for Warragamba
Dam. The South of the Shire is bounded by Uringall Creek
and includes the villages of Bundanoon, Wingello and Penrose.
This area is a sandstone plateau dissected by deep gorges
BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC STRENGTHS
Tourism
The Wingecarribee LGA is a popular destination all year round,
helping make the tourism industry an important contributor to
the local economy. The area has one of the highest
levels of tourist expenditure of any non-coastal local government
area in NSW. In 2002/03 tourist accommodation establishments
in the area gained nearly $15.9 million in takings from accommodation.The
area’s tourism appeal largely stems from its rural setting
and abundance of National Parks combined with the charm of its
many villages, townships and historic buildings. The quaint little village of Berrima is a fascinating example of Australia’s colonial beginnings
with its old sandstone buildings, craft shops and restaurants
acting as a magnet for thousands of tourists. The Bowral Tulip
Time Festival in October attracts an estimated quarter of a million
visitors every year.The significant natural attributes
of the area indicate that tourism offers one of the best prospects
for future economic growth in the Wingecarribee. Its uniquely
rich rural setting provides excellent opportunities for the marketing
of specific niche tourism products such as farm tourism and Eco-tourism.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is concentrated at Braemar and
Moss Vale Industrial Estates and includes such activities as
the production of cement and cement products, engineering and
mining equipment and book publishing. Council is currently
in the process of establishing an Eco-Enterprise Zone on the
north western boundary of Moss Vale to accommodate ecologically
sustainable development opportunities for large scale enterprises.
Vineyards
The Southern Highlands Vigneron Association was formed by local
grape growers in November 1997 and has served its member's needs
with information dissemination, training and promoting the region. At
that time there were three wineries and five vineyards. By 1999,
the vineyards had multiplied to 31, incorporating 120 hectares. In
the last twenty-four months four more wineries have commenced production.
(Of these, five have capacity for 50 tonnes or less; the others
over 350 tonnes ). There are now more than 60 vineyards with
over 200 hectares of vines planted; individual vineyards vary in
size from less than 1 hectare to over 24 hectares. Fruit
varieties planted include: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcine, Chardonnay,
Harslevelu, Malbec, Merlot, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling,
Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Shiraz, Sultana, Tempranillo, Tokay,
Traminer, Verdelho, and White Frontinac. In the past
agriculture was the primary industry, this has now been overtaken
with tourism and an emerging viticulture/tourism industry.
DEMOGRAPHY
The resident population of the Wingecarribee
LGA was estimated at 43,953 persons in 2003. Between 1996-2001
the population grew at an average annual rate of 2.1%, which
was above the state average. Future population growth in the
region is expected to be relatively strong. By the year 2021
the Wingecarribee is predicted to become home to approximately
55,000 residents. Much of this future growth will come from Sydney residents
relocating to the area.
WORKFORCE
The size of Wingecarribee’s labour force
stands at 17,759. The main industry sectors where people
are employed are in Retail Trading (15.8%); Manufacturing (12%);
Health & Community Services (10.5%) and Construction (9.2%).
Currently 76.5% of the workforce, work within the LGA itself,
whilst 3.2% travel to other places within the region (mostly
to Wollongong) and 20.3% travel
further mostly to places within the Sydney statistical district.Just
under 40% of people over the age of 15 years are reported
to hold a post schooling qualification; 10.6% hold a Degree (Post & Bachelor)
and 28.1% hold a Diploma or Certificate of some description.
TRANSPORTATION
It is traversed by major transport
links – both rail (main Southern Line) and road (Hume Highway). It is also
just a short steep decent to the coastal centres of Wollongong (Illawarra Highway and Unanderra – Moss
Vale rail line) and the Shoalhaven (Moss Vale Road). The
impact of the F5 and the F5 east has increased the number of
commuters to Sydney. The dominant
form of transport is road transport and cars for both business
and personal travel.Some rail transport is operated
in conjunction with heavy industry including cement, stock feed
mill, transformers and concrete sleeper manufacture although
road freight is by far the major transport mode.
UTILITIES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
This Shire is an important catchment
area for water supply to Sydney, Wollongong and
the Northern Shoalhaven.
PROPERTY
(as at December 2003)
Median Residential Land Price: $232,500
Average House Price :$242,000
The Wingecarribee’s vast physical expanse
provides an abundance of land suitable for agricultural and industrial
purposes. Many investors are taking advantage of the area’s
temperate climate and rich agricultural soils to pursue new and
innovative agricultural activities.
EDUCATION
The Wingecarribee has 15 Public primary schools
and 2 public High schools. There are 6 non-government Primary
schools and 4 non-government high schools. Two non-government
schools combine primary and secondary education.
The Moss
Vale Education Centre is a joint University of Wollongong
and Illawarra Institute of TAFE initiative. The Centre is located
within the buildings of the Moss Vale TAFE.
HEALTHCARE
There is the Southern Highlands
Private Hospital in Bowral and the Wingecarribee Community Health
Centre providing aged care, pallative care, assessment, treatment,
counseling, support groups, rehabilitation programmes, as well
as accommodating a Podiatry and dental clinic.
SPORT, RECREATION AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
The Southern Highlands is well known for its colourful gardens,
leisurely pursuits, diverse landscape, shopping and welcoming
accommodation.Council manages and operates 4 outdoor
heated swimming centres at Bowral, Bundanoon, Mittagong and Moss
Vale during the summer months. They range in size from 50 metre
olympic to 25 metre training pools. Aero Club, Bushwalking,
Equestrian, Pony Clubs, Greyhounds, Model Aircraft, Pigeon Club,
Pistol & Rifle Club, Scouts, Wood Chopping, and Yoga are
key activitiesCountry fairs & markets are held
in various picturesque locations, every Saturday or Sunday (eg.
Bowral, Moss Vale, Robertson & Mittagong) including the Bowral Farmers Market, and on an annual
basis Burrawang Easter Fair, Exeter Olde English Fayre). A
range of seasonal festivals are scheduled annually including Bowral Tulip Time (Spring), Bundanoon is Brigadoon (Autumn), Australian Festival of the Book and Bush
Poetry (Winter)..
Regular quality productions and recitals from
a range of amateur theatre and musical groups occur in historic
venues. Visiting professional productions use the purpose
built 500 seat Clubbe Hall, at Mittagong or the smaller Mittagong
Playhouse (200 seat theatre).
Cultural opportunities are available through the internationally renowned
Sturt Craft Centre, Mittagong (fine woodwork, pottery & ceramics,
jewelry and specialist workshops and summer schools), Sturt
Gallery, Mittagong, Berrima District Art Society, The Highlands School of Performing Arts and a number
of dance schools. Bradman Museum -
A museum of Australian
Cricketing History, commemorating
Sir Donald Bradman. Cricket Training, coaching clinics and
lectures are available to the public.
Wombeyan Caves -
A truly spectacular drive takes in the route from Mittagong to
Wombeyan Caves. The road is mountainous but for the adventurous
it is worth the effort. The tortured road covers farmland, mountains,
valleys and rivers. Points of interest along the way include
a man made tunnel, spectacular views over the Burragorang Valley
and a delightful picnic spot and swimming hole at Goodman's Ford.
At the end of the drive you can discover the underground world
of Wombeyan Caves.
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