Northern Rivers

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Northern Rivers

Northern Rivers

Population: 294,008
Area: 20,895 sq km

Major towns and centres

Ballina
Grafton
Lismore
Tweeds Heads

Region overview

The Northern Rivers is a unique part of Australia and one of the nation’s key lifestyle and learning regions. The region covers 20,895 km and provides a wide range of lifestyle opportunities in rural, urban, forested and coastal areas. The majority of the region’s population is found on the coast with many living in rural and urban villages.

The region’s population is increasing at a rate of about 1.6% per annum. Major employment sectors include retail, accommodation & food services, health and community services, manufacturing, education, construction and agriculture. Industry sectors such as education, creative industries, horticulture, aquaculture, food processing, and age care are emerging as areas with strong growth prospects.

Major sectors

tourism
agriculture and forestry
health and community services
building/construction
manufacturing
creative industries
education and research

The Northern Rivers Region provides a combination of dynamic manufacturing, tourism and horticultural industries, a spectacular natural environment and an unsurpassed quality of life offering an excellent place in which to invest and live.

The region, located in the north east of New South Wales (NSW), surrounds three major river systems – the Tweed, Richmond and Clarence – and backs onto the Great Dividing Range.

Major competitive advantages

skilled & flexible workforce
strong transport links
lifestyle & liveability
diverse educational facilities including a regional University
Good mix of natural resources, including quality soils & available water

Industries

Agriculture

The major agricultural commodities produced in the Northern Rivers include dairy, tropical fruits, cattle, poultry, plantation forests, soya bean and sugar cane.

The new and niche agricultural operations showing export potential in the region are coffee, bush tucker and hydroponics.

The agricultural industry is supported by local organisations with strong research capabilities which are pursuing innovative new ways to improve soil health and mitigate climate change.

Manufacturing

The Northern Rivers is a manufacturing hub. Industries as diverse as food, beverages and timber are represented in the region. There is a high level of value adding based on the strong primary industry base of the region.

Tourism

The Northern Rivers is a key tourism destination, with the second highest level of international tourists in NSW. The region contains stunning national parks such as Mount Warning, as well as long stretches of unspoilt coastlines and significant World Heritage rainforest reserves.

Visitors spent A$1.3 billion in the Northern Rivers in 2009/10, and tourism accounted for 6,794 jobs.

The region encompasses tourist icons such as Byron Bay and Nimbin. The hinterland areas of the Northern Rivers have some significant rainforest reserves which can be accessed through the Rainforest Way. The Rainforest Way comprises a series of loops and trails that tourists may access by road. The region’s remnant ancient shield volcano, is recognised as one of Australia's eight iconic national landscapes. Branded as 'Australia's Green Cauldron' the region features prominently in Australia's international tourism destination marketing as part of the Legendary Pacific Coast Touring route.

Creative Industries

The region has a strong skill base in creative and knowledge based sectors. It boasts more documentary makers than anywhere else in Australia other than Sydney and Melbourne.

It also has strong proactive industry associations supporting the development of the creative industries.

The Northern Rivers is home to many artists, an active theatrical community and many popular festivals including the East Coast Blues and Roots Music Festival, Writers Festival, Splendour in the Grass and International Philosophy, Science & Theology Festival.

Infrastructure

Transport

Northern Rivers has strong transport and economic links to both NSW and South East Queensland and is well serviced by the Ballina and Gold Coast Airports, the Pacific Motorway and the interstate rail network.

Gas

The Northern Rivers has an emerging gas industry. The region has the largest coal seam methane gas reserve in NSW.

Major educational facilities

Well developed educational facilities with two campuses of Southern Cross University, nine TAFE campuses, the School of Audio Engineering (SAE) at Bryon Bay and nearly thirty other cultural educational institutions with specialist training in the arts, crafts, theatre and film.

Research and development

Biotechnology

The research conducted at Southern Cross University has especially benefited the burgeoning natural medicine industry. Research expertise in phytochemistry, bioprospecting, plant genetics and clinical trials are a strong platform for the growth of the biotechnology industry in the Northern Rivers.

Labour

Northern Rivers has a strong mix of trade skills, tertiary and professional skills, including:

building/construction
manufacturing
agriculture
multimedia
service industries, especially hospitality
research and development.

For more information contact:

NSW Department of Trade and Investment
Lismore Office
Level 3, Rous Water Building
218 Molesworth Street
PO Box 146
Lismore NSW 2480
Tel: (02) 6622 6145
Fax: (02) 6621 4609

or

NSW Department of Trade and Investment
Tweed Heads Office
Cnr Hill & Enid Streets
PO Box 851
Tweed Heads NSW 2485
Tel: (07) 5599 3344
Fax: (07) 5599 3354

Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers
www.rdanorthernrivers.org.au
Tel: (02) 6622 4011