Upper Lachlan Shire is located on the 45km west of Goulburn, about 60km north of and about 130km south-east of Bathurst. Sydney’s CBD is a comfortable 2.5 hour drive. Upper Lachlan is an area that is known for its quaint villages, fine wool, potato production, windfarms, history and picturesque countryside.

Upper Lachlan is a shire of breathtaking beauty, robust seasons, outlandish bushranger history and unique rural charm. Located in the Southern Tablelands of , just 2.5 hours from Sydney and 1 hour from Canberra, it has the feel of a secluded rural hideaway, which has been protected from the harshness of modern-day intrusions. Riding high on the top of the Great Dividing Range (914 m above sea level), experiences the seasons in all their glory. Autumn blazes with fiery oranges, brilliant golden yellows and deep ruby reds. Falling leaves shower the roads and countryside with their fading glory. Winter introduces you to rolling hills blanketed in white powdery snow and the perfect excuse to snuggle up next to a roaring log fire. Spring heralds the arrival of warmer times with masses of exquisite blossoms, bulbs and flowers of every description, while a gentle summer allows you to escape the harsh heat and humidity of coastal regions.

The diversity of the shire’s recreational facilities ensures residents and visitors have many opportunities to spend time enjoying outdoor activities including fishing, golf, boating, swimming, tennis and many other sports. We also have a number or resident artists and craftspeople so there is no shortage of cultural pursuits. Most days of the week you will find the golf course, squash courts and bowling-green a hive of activity. On the weekends the hockey fields, football fields and tennis courts are flooded with keen sportspeople. There are a number of child minding centres and school vacation care programs. There is a relaxed rural atmosphere throughout the shire with very little crime. The medical facilities are excellent with 7 doctors, 1 dentist and an 18 bed hospital. The medical centre also has many visiting specialists. Upper Lachlan offers a quality rural lifestyle and the ability to make a comfortable living.

3 Golf Clubs – 21 Sporting Fields – 3 Fishing Clubs – 2 Bowling Clubs The Shire has a strong sport following with active clubs in hockey, rugby, touch football, swimming, netball, tennis, golf, pony club and gymkhana. There are a range of sporting fields across the Upper Lachlan, with some local clubs conducting significant fundraising to upgrade and redevelop new fields. There are a number of Inter-Shire sporting events, with small schools across the Shire holding an annual sports day at different centres and the and Crookwell Rugby Clubs play each other in an annual ‘local derby’ for the hotly contested Upper Lachlan Cup.

Upper Lachlan has an estimated population of 7,909 people in the Shire, approximately 3,000 people living in the major centre of Crookwell with the majority living in the smaller towns of Gunning & Taralga and villages Collector, Breadalbane, Dalton, , Bigga, Laggan, , Grabben Gullen & or on rural properties. The shire has a variety of businesses, quality shops, cafes, restaurants and clubs.

Crookwell has a light industrial area set aside and Goulburn (45km east) has a large commercial industrial area for businesses.

While rural endeavour is the main industry in Upper Lachlan Shire, there are many opportunities for you to find work in the area. There’s manufacturing, retail, service industries, hospitality and much more. The diversifying market mix means there are opportunities to establish new business activities around Upper Lachlan’s uniqueness, developing small business enterprises such as manufacturing, creating goods for a niche market, or expanding upon the existing businesses and services already in place. With council staff who will help you establish your new business or relocate your existing business, this is the right time to invest in the Upper Lachlan Shire.

Upper Lachlan is located on the Southern Tablelands 45km west of Goulburn, approximately 60km north of Canberra, 130km south-east of Bathurst and 230km south of Sydney.

There is a commercial bus run from Crookwell to Goulburn twice a day and there is community transport available a couple of times a week in and around Upper Lachlan Shire.

There are 3 Major Shopping Areas with general stores located in most of the villages Crookwell’s main street has a great variety of shops including an IGA supermarket, butchers, vibrant cafes, shoe shop, unique gift shops, newsagents, hairdressers and massage therapists. Many of the villages have antique shops and cafes etc.

14 Licensed Hotels/Clubs – 10 Cafes – 9 Restaurants – 5 Bakeries The cafés are the heartbeat of the town, they are always a great place for a quick cuppa or a relaxing luncheon.

Upper Lachlan Shire benefits from a developed infrastructure, including roads, rail. Telecommunications and a good transport system to the major centres of Goulburn, Canberra and Sydney.

Social and economic factors are the most important influence on the health of a community. The level or status of our health is strongly linked with the opportunities for: meaningful employment, education and lifelong learning, social and recreational activities and contributing to our community. Upper Lachlan Shire has a full range of support services particularly in aged care.

Upper Lachlan Shire spans just over 7,129 square kilometers and ranges in altitude from approximately 500m to over 900m; so whilst it is all located on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, the weather can vary dramatically. Temperatures range from a minimum 0.3 degrees to maximum 26.5 degrees.

10 Primary 1 High School Illawarra Institute of TAFE is located in Goulburn

7 Doctors as well as visiting specialists – 1 Dentist – 18 Bed Hospital and a 44 Bed Nursing Home located in Crookwell, Gunning District Community Health Service and a Medical Centre and a 23 Bed Nursing Home located in Taralga plus 33 (Over 55yrs) Lifestyle Units.

Crookwell has a light industrial area set aside and Goulburn (45km east) has a large commercial industrial area for businesses. There are potential commercial industrial areas located on the Hume Highway at Gunning and on the Federal Highway at Collector.

The diversifying market mix means there are opportunities to establish new business activities around Upper Lachlan’s uniqueness, developing small business enterprises such as manufacturing, creating goods for a niche market, or expanding upon the existing businesses and services.

Upper Lachlan has an estimated population of 7,909 people in the Shire, approximately 3,000 people living in the major centre of Crookwell with the majority living in the smaller towns of Gunning & Taralga and the villages of Collector, Dalton, Binda, Bigga, Laggan, Grabben Gullen, Breadalbane & Tuena or on rural properties.

While rural endeavour is the main industry in Upper Lachlan Shire, there are many opportunities for you to find work in the area. There’s manufacturing, retail, service industries, hospitality and much more. There are opportunities to relocate an existing business, start a new venture, or to work from home, and many residents have already chosen this option. In 2018 there were 3,525 employed residents. 46.3% worked full-time and 32.2% worked part-time. There are possibilities to combine what you enjoy doing, with what you are good at doing.

Upper Lachlan’s tourism industry provides a wide range of accommodation and experiences. Excellent visitor numbers, increasing over the years have made tourism an important industry for Upper Lachlan Shire’s economy, with many entrepreneurs, investors and local communities contributing to the success of the area.

The various villages are very lucky to be supported by a wide range of community groups including Rotary, Lions, CWA, View Club, various church groups, historical societies, progress associations and chambers of commerce, arts groups and sporting clubs just to name a few. The total tourism and hospitality sales in Upper Lachlan Shire during 2017/2018 was $11.4 million. Whether you are looking for a new place to call home, a romantic getaway or a great family holiday then the Upper Lachlan Shire could be your destination.

There are major shifts occurring in agriculture with the introduction of new farming methods and diversification of many land holdings toward new ventures such as olive growing, alpaca wool and horse studs. Furthermore, Upper Lachlan Shire is becoming a popular destination for retirees and people wishing to leave large cities for a lifestyle change. The economic base of the Shire is also changing, with tourism becoming the third major industry in the Shire, behind the traditional agricultural industries and retail.

Median House price $394,300. The latest trend shows there were approximately 4 people looking per house within the Upper Lachlan Shire.

Supply and demand for rental properties is approximately even however there have been periods over the past 12 months where demand has risen above supply in the Crookwell area. Median Rental Yield is 5.0%.

Supply and demand of retail businesses for purchase is even.

For any further information please contact Brenda Proudman (Economic Development Officer) Phone: 02 4830 1000 or [email protected]