From the General Managers Desk

From the General Manager’s Desk………                13 October, 2009

SHIRE BUSINESSES SHOW POSITIVE SIGNS

While Narromine Shire has been hit tremendously hard by drought and much reduced irrigation for the past six or seven years, our Shire economy remains strong and diversified.

Some examples of business developments over the past twelve months are:

  • Two farms have each established 40ha of intensive, drip irrigated, machine harvestable citrus plantings for the juice industry – adding to the Shire’s existing long standing reputation as a grower of quality citrus products.
  • Grain handling and marketing services have continued to evolve, including two major grain containerisation facilities on rail lines in the Shire targeting the growing export trade for containerised grain.
  • In Trangie, two new clothing stores, a solicitor’s office and a specialist fruit and fresh food business have opened.
  • In Narromine, a high quality recycled timber and giftware business, and a high quality ladies clothing / footwear / gift business have opened.
  • Membership of the Narromine Shire Chamber of Commerce has increased by 50% in the past year and various coordinated marketing activities have occurred and are planned.
  • Nominations for the Narromine Shire High Flyer Business Awards numbered 46 this year, a significant increase on last year.   The winners were:
    • New Business Award – the Recycled Woodshed Gallery;
    • Home Based Business Award – Ann-Louise Stonestreet, Mary Kay Cosmetics;
    • Retail Award – Edgerton Nursery;
    • Tourism/Hospitality Award – The Abbey B&B;
    • Manufacturing/Trades/Construction – Central West Surveying;
    • Environmental Achievement – Narromine Rotary Club, Narromine Wetlands;
    • Community/Government Owned Business – Narromine Waste Depot and Macquarie Valley Family Day Care/Vacation Care;
    • Encouragement Award – Narromine Men’s Shed;
    • Most Outstanding Business – Edgerton Nursery.

    All Narromine Shire business award winners were eligible for consideration in the Orana Regional Business Awards announced recently in Cobar. Regional award winners from Narromine Shire were:
    • Ann-Louise Stonestreet, Mary Kay Cosmetics (Home Based Business);
    • Central West Surveying (Manufacturing/Trades Business);
  • Edgerton Nursery (Most Outstanding Business in the Orana Region).

    Congratulations to these award winning businesses in Narromine Shire. We hope you continue to succeed and employ more people in our Shire.

Ian Rogan
General Manager