Twin Cities On Steady Rise
The Age
Monday October 12, 1998
Investment in the Albury-Wodonga region was likely to be $300 million in 1997-98, the area's development body said in its annual report.
Investment Albury Wodonga said the projected investment was one of its key achievements in its first year of operation.
The organisation, the main economic development, tourism and marketing body for the region, was set up in July 1997 after the winding down of the Albury Wodonga Development Corporation, which rose to prominence in the early 1970s under the Whitlam Labor Government.
The report said the regional body's other achievements included:
A net increase of 75 new establishments. Almost 4700 farms, private firms and public agencies employed almost 42,000 people at the end of 1997.
The completion of the 1997 employment survey, which showed strong growth in manufacturing and retailing, and rapid increase in employment, health, business and property services, education, accommodation and culture/recreation sectors over the past two decades.
The employment survey results were manufacturing (18.8 per cent), retailing (16.5 per cent), health and community services (10.8 per cent), education (8 per cent), business services (6.8 per cent), government and administrative/defence (6.7 per cent), farming and farming services (4per cent).
Albury Wodonga's population growth was above the national level at 2 per cent a year.
The chief executive, Mr Grant Hall, said Investment Albury Wodonga was formed because of the need to have a single organisation focused on the twin cities' economic development.
One of its completed tasks was a five-year strategic plan that focused on enticing local and new external investment, and the need to capture and maximise tourist income.
The report said that other highlights of the year were:
The group's convention bureau secured 12 new conferences which were projected to attract 9000 delegates and inject $5 million into the economy.
The Bonegilla `97 50th Anniversary Reunion Festival attracted 30,000 visitors and generated an estimated $4 million.
© 1998 The Age
