Figures for September 2000 show that the Shire has a total labour force of 17,997, with an unemployment rate of 2.7 percent.

This compares to an unemployment rate of 6.7 percent for the same quarter last year, and 4.3 percent for September 1997.

Mr Fahey said there has been a decline in unemployment across the electorate.

In Camden, the unemployment rate in September was 3.2 percent, down from 4.7 percent last year.

Campbelltown’s has fallen from 8.8 percent to 5.9 percent while unemployment in Wollondilly has dropped 1.5 percent to 3.3 percent.

“This fall in unemployment across the electorate is very pleasing however it is not entirely due to the Olympic Games,” Mr Fahey said this week.

“It is important to note that this fall continues a general downward trend across most of Macarthur over the past 12 months, which indicates that the region is experiencing strong growth and that the growing business sector is creating new jobs.”

Mr Fahey said since taking Government, the Coalition has created around 158,200 new jobs.

Mr Fahey, meantime, has announced a joint initiative to minimise flooding in Picton.

He said the Federal Government has committed $63,000 to a project at Stonequarry Creek as part of the Government’s three-year $20 million Regional Flood Mitigation Program.

The total cost of the project is $388,000, with the State Government and Wollondilly Council contributing to the rest.

Member for Macarthur John Fahey.