GREAT LAKES LGA

Area: 3,376 sq km

Population: 34,359 (ABS 2007 Estimated Resident Population)

Location: 70 km north of Newcastle.

 

  • The Great Lakes area straddles the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions, only 200 km north of Sydney and 70 km north of Newcastle.

  • Major population centres include the twin towns of Forster/ Tuncurry in the north and Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest in the south. .

  • With its beautiful beaches, lush hinterland and fabulous climate, it has been a favourite holiday destination for generations of Australians and overseas visitors.

  • Now, due to strong population and economic growth, the area also offers many business and employment opportunities.

  • The major employment base includes industries which service the local population - such as retail, tourism, education, health and community services.

  • The area also boasts strong on-land agricultural, estuarine and off-shore fishing, oyster farming and light manufacturing sectors that see products exported not only throughout Australia but also overseas.

  • The area has a strong and diverse range of home-based businesses and a developing arts and cultural industry.

  • Strong population growth has seen the attraction of many innovative business people and businesses to the Great Lakes. Two of these include Booral-based Motive Traction, a manufacturer of the Australian Wilfley Table that is exported around the world and Tuncurry-based Rotacaster, the developer of a revolutionary plastic moulded wheel with broad domestic and commercial applications and potential export opportunities.

  • A cooperative approach to economic development in the Great Lakes is designed to encourage activities that complement the area’s environmental and lifestyle attributes.

  • Main road access to the area is via the Pacific Highway. Regional air services operate into neighbouring Taree (35 minute drive from Forster).

     

 

For more statistical information about Great Lakes LGA click here.

 

For more information go to:

www.greatlakesbusiness.com.au

and:

www.greatlakes.nsw.gov.au

 

 

This site is managed by...

Regional Development Australia (RDA) is a joint Commonwealth-State initiative to support regional development. Funded by the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and State Government to be key facilitators of change and development in their regions.

RDA-Hunter will be the first point of contact for Hunter communities across all levels of government to promote regional initiatives and partnerships. RDA-Hunter coordinates the local response to opportunities for employment, regional development and community capacity-building.