The Southern Highlands covers an area of around 2,700 square kilometres and is home to an estimated 45,000 residents.
Situated approximately 110 kilometres south of Sydney, 70 kilometres south-west of Wollongong and 160 kilometres north-east of Canberra, the area is blessed with a stunning rural landscape. The rich agricultural soils produce lush green countryside making the area renowned for its beauty.
The region is also an important catchment area for water supply to the Sydney, Wollongong and the Northern Shoalhaven areas.
Most people residing in the Wingecarribee are Australian citizens, with the 2011 Census data revealing that 80 percent of the Shire’s population were born in Australia. Of those born overseas, most residents originated from the United Kingdom, followed by New Zealand, Germany, the Netherlands and the United States.
The Census data also shows that the median age for residents is 45, with around 21 percent aged over 65, compared to the state average of 14.7 percent.
Home ownership is at 15.6 percent – 3.8 percent higher than the New South Wales state average, and the cost of renting accommodation is approximately $30 less per week than the state median.
Volunteering is an important part of living in the Southern Highlands with 18.1 percent putting their hand up for volunteer work, and the community offers a variety of opportunities to be involved.
Employment opportunities in the Shire are varied, with health care and social assistance, retail trade and manufacturing listed as the major employment industries. There is also a large and thriving tourism sector, with the region hosting approximately 1.3 million visitors each year. This expenditure supports around 2,330 full time equivalent jobs.
The Wingecarribee’s vast physical expanse also provides an abundance of land for agricultural and industrial purposes. An increasing amount of the area’s agricultural activity is centred on value-added products such as cut flowers and grape growing.
Apart from delivering core services such as ongoing maintenance of ‘roads, rates and rubbish’, Council is also now seen as a major provider of social, health and community infrastructure.
Exploring new and innovative ways to listen to our business sector and improve customer service will continue to be a major focus for Wingecarribee Shire Council in the years ahead.
