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Business Environment

The Tamworth region is the major business centre for the North West Region of New South Wales with a population of over 55,000. Geographically Tamworth is perfectly placed almost midway between the capital cities of Sydney (400km) and Brisbane (550km).

The retail industry is Tamworth’s biggest employer, offering a variety of services to a population of some 200,000 drawn from the Tamworth region and satellite areas. Manufacturing and health services are the next two biggest employment industries. The industries with the most number of businesses in order are property and business services, agriculture and construction, closely followed by finance and insurance services.

Agriculture remains one of the region’s largest industries. The region has a world wide reputation for the quality of its superfine wools, high protein bread and durum wheats as well as premium cattle and lamb products.  Other crops include chickpeas, legumes, poultry and eggs, oilseeds and pig production.

Viticulture and aquaculture are niche sectors in the Tamworth region that are starting to gain attention from growers and producers alike and the region has diversified into olives, grapes, nuts, goats, alpacas, buffalo and berries.

Tamworth is also the industrial heartland of the New England and North West region of New South Wales, with a growing ability to add value to agriculture through an innovative manufacturing sector.  The region's location has also established it as a major logistics centre, servicing the East Coast of Australia.

Globally competitive flying conditions have also attracted an aviation cluster to the Tamworth region.  The Tamworth airport is one of the 10 busiest airports in Australia and is home to a military flight training school, the Asia Pacific Aeronautical College and major aircraft maintenance operations.

The equine industry has a strong presence with some of  the richest sporting events including the annual National Cutting Horse Championships. The Australian Bushman’s Carnival and Rodeo Association hold both Campdraft and the National Finals Rodeo, and the Australian Quarter Horse and Australian Appaloosa Associations both have their National shows in Tamworth. Other equine industries include breeding and veterinary services.  Completion of Tamworth's new equine and livestock facility, regarded as the premier facility in the Southern Hemisphere, has further contributed to the equine industry's growth in the region.

Extensive coal deposits in the broader North West region is attracting global interest.  As the major commercial centre servicing the area, Tamworth is set to become the base for many of the industry's suppliers and service providers.