Tatiara recognises that to make the district even stronger and more diverse it needs to actively promote economic development. With this aim, Council has invested several million dollars in recent years to develop new industrial estates at both Bordertown and Keith, located well away from residential areas.
Tatiara CEO, Robert Harkness, said new through roads were constructed to provide heavy transport with quick and safe access to the estates.
“This allowed existing businesses to relocate and expand and new businesses to move into the area,” he said. “Stage one of both estates are almost full and stage two land is now available at very competitive prices for further business and industry development. Council also has commercial land available at Padthaway.”
Tatiara has relocated its old Bordertown Works Depot, which had some occupational health and safety issues, into the Bordertown Industrial Estate. Work has recently commenced on relocating the Keith Works Depot to the Keith estate at a cost of $650,000.
“Council believes that if other businesses were expected to relocate, then Council should lead the way,” Robert Harkness said.
Providing support
As part of its Economic Development policy, Council is also assisting new businesses to develop and existing businesses to relocate to more appropriate surroundings or to expand. A range of incentives can be offered to businesses, ranging from cash to rate holidays, reimbursement, waiving or delaying fees/charges, upgrading of Council infrastructure and so forth.
Each request for assistance is assessed against the level at which it meets the following criteria:
- potential to complement marketing of industrial estates
- significance of the business to the local/regional economy
- amount of improvement to the residential amenity of the locality
- significance as an employer.
Council also encourages and supports residential development that will help solve the current housing/accommodation shortage in the district.
Staying connected
With Tatiara well located on both the Dukes Highway and the Melbourne Adelaide rail line, the many transport companies operating out of the district provide excellent transport connections to key markets in Melbourne, Mount Gambier, Adelaide, the Riverland and Sydney.
Opportunity awaits
Having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state, Tatiara does not suffer from some of the social issues that affect other areas. There is plenty of opportunity to gain full time and casual employment especially for experienced and/or qualified trades people.
Council has developed a CD outlining the many benefits of living in Tatiara and the opportunities that exist within the region.
For further information contact Council on (08) 8752 1044 or visit www.tatiara.sa.gov.au
