Mayoral Minute - With Cr Ken Halstead

THE Southern Highlands has a glorious way of reminding us of its beauty.

From the stunning autumn colours we're about to experience, to the rolling green hills and the Wingecarribee River which snakes its way through our territory, there is an abundance of natural beauty.

Of course, people who visit us know this only too well.

The Wingecarribee is a popular destination for travellers, and at the time of the last poll in 2007, more than $16 million was injected into the economy annually from accommodation alone.

The Southern Highlands has one of the highest levels of tourism expenditure in any non-coastal local government area in NSW.

We expect that the next lot of figures, due in July, will show equally strong numbers.

While we certainly use our region's beauty to our advantage, our economy is founded on a strong base of industrial and agricultural activity. Tertiary industries such as retail trade, property, business services and health and community services are also growing.

It is with this in mind that Wingecarribee Shire Council has launched its new business website, Highlands Alive.

Whether you already own a business in the Shire, or are considering a move to the region, Highlands Alive has all the information you need to help you on your journey.

The council is committed to supporting existing business owners and we understand that living in the Southern Highlands offers lifestyle benefits, as well as a strategic location and an ideal investment opportunity.

With the global economy facing tough times, now is the time to work proactively to secure our shire's future.

Our shire is perfectly located to do business, with close proximity to Sydney, Canberra and the Illawarra, and solid transport links with major highways and rail.

The Hume Highway and southern rail line cut through Mittagong, Bowral and Moss Vale and are ideally situated for businesses that require road and rail access to major national markets.