• temperate and high country climates suitable for producing a range of food and wine
• strong transport links to major cities and export markets
• thriving educational facilities including the University of New England and New England Institute of TAFE
• access to advanced ICT services
• large coal and coal gas seam deposits.

INDUSTRIES

Agriculture
The Northern Inland is one of Australia's premier agricultural regions. Each year it produces over A$1.9 billion of agricultural commodities including cotton, wheat and other cereals, cattle, wool, poultry, grain legumes, sheep and lambs, and oilseeds. There has also been significant growth and success with the emerging olive, viticulture and aquaculture industries. New England, Australia is now officially recognised as a wine growing region.

The region produces world-class fine wool and is a centre for livestock production. It is home to over 20 breed societies and specialist breeding programs. There is a strong presence of associated enterprises including international livestock genetics and animal health.

Aviation
The region is strong in aviation training with more than 300 students trained annually by the Tamworth-based BAE Systems flight training college, the Australasian-Pacific Aeronautical College. Aviation service industries such as maintenance and engineering are located in the region, the largest being QantasLink Heavy Maintenance at Tamworth. Many airports in the region have daily services to Sydney and have land available for further aerospace development.

Manufacturing
The manufacturing industry has an annual turnover of A$752 million and is one of the region's major employers. The food processing sector is one of the largest in NSW with beef and sheep meat, flour, pasta, poultry, starch, malt, sunflower and soy.

Education
Quality education services have become a hallmark of the New England Region. The University of New England is recognised as a major provider of a wide range of courses and the region is host to a large number of internationally known private and boarding schools.

Tourism
Visitors to the Northern Inland region can tour World Heritage gorge country, some of Australia's highest waterfalls and wild rivers or go west and learn to rope a calf or fossick for gold, you will find it all in the Northern Inland. The region received nearly 1.3 domestic overnight visitors for the year ended March 2008.


INFRASTRUCTURE

Transport
The region is well serviced by road, rail and air. An extensive highway system links the region's major towns, and freight systems link the region to major Australian markets and export ports.

Major educational facilities