NEARLY a quarter of the Bendigo area’s economic output comes from manufacturing and mining, which has prompted the launch of a publication promoting the industry at a local, domestic and global level.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
City of Greater Bendigo economic development unit manager Brian Gould said Bendigo’s manufacturing sector was “very strong”, with more than 450 manufacturers, and Made in Bendigo was designed to showcase its diversity, its capabilities and its innovations with the aim of attracting business to the area.
Mr Gould said the booklet was targeted not only at businesses around Australia and overseas, but also at local companies, to show “what is happening in our own backyard”.
The area’s manufacturing and mining sectors are valued at $2.3 billion per year and employ nearly 4100 people – almost 11 per cent of the region’s total workforce.
The sector is also responsible for half of the region’s total exports, valued at $1.3 billion.
Mr Gould also said the local industry had been stable over the past decade in terms of employment numbers, but its economic output had increased.
The booklet gives a brief rundown of various sectors in the local industry, accompanied by profiles of notable companies.
Mr Gould said these profiles told a story and illustrated the benefits of going into business in Bendigo, the chosen companies selected to highlight diversity.
City of Greater Bendigo chief executive officer Craig Niemann said the future was “looking bright” for the industry and the company profiles in Made in Bendigo highlighted the positive aspects of doing business in the area, such as the affordability of land and the central geographic location.
Mr Gould said it was important for the council to continue collaborating with the industry and look at opportunities to keep local businesses sustainable and competitive, for both the maintenance of existing businesses and the attraction of new ones.
“We’re facing some of the most exciting periods… but some challenges as well,” Mr Gould said.
He said the publication would also assist in this regard by informing students of the careers they could have in the industry locally.
The importance of attracting fresh blood to the industry was also raised by Bendigo Manufacturing Group chairman Gordon Hardcastle.
He said the industry needed to tap into the “brain bank” by building bonds with education institutes, adding that Bendigo had a unique opportunity to do so with the presence of La Trobe University in the city.
Mr Hardcastle said digital infrastructure was also critical to the wellbeing of the industry and the National Broadband Network was of vital importance.
A similar publication was produced in 2013, which Mr Niemann said had been an “invaluable tool” in attracting business to the area.
The new version was printed locally by Mulqueen Printers.
Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
