Mining spending and jobs hit new records in Tamworth region of NSW

Results from the NSW Minerals Council’s latest annual Member Expenditure Survey have confirmed mining’s continued critical economic role in the Northern region of NSW, including the New England communities of Narrabri, Gunnedah, Tamworth and surrounding areas.  

In the last financial year, participating mining companies directly injected $550 million into the region’s economy – an increase of over $120 million on the previous year and the second highest survey result ever reported.

This is the fifth year in a row that direct mining spending in the region has been over $300 million

The same companies also supported over 3,500 jobs in the region. This is an increase of over 1,000 jobs compared to the previous year, and an increase of nearly 2,500 jobs compared to when the survey first took place in 2012. 

The $550 million of direct mining spending in the region last financial year included almost $272 million on wages and salaries, and $279 million for goods and services purchased from over 500 local mining supplier businesses..

The survey also found that mining made a strong direct contribution across local government areas (LGAs) in the  region. In the Tamworth LGA mining provided 300 jobs, directly spent $102 million in the region and supported 133 local supply businesses.

In the Gunnedah LGA mining provided 775 jobs, directly spent $312 million in the region and supported 188 local supply businesses while in the Narrabri LGA mining provided 371 jobs, directly spent $97 million and supported over 118 local supply businesses.

The $550 million in direct mining spending last financial year in the Northern region is estimated to have contributed 6% of the GRP of the region’s economy during this period.

“Mining operations in the Tamworth region have maintained local spending records while supporting over 1,500 local mining jobs, highlighting the importance of mining for local communities and the region’s economy,” NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said today.

“The ongoing strength of the mining industry continues to provide a solid foundation for the region’s economy, and with the right policy settings this can continue for many years to come.”