Southern NSW Local Health District covers an area of 44,534 square kilometres. The Goulburn Hospital and Health Service Redevelopment includes a new four-storey clinical services building which will house most health services in one location.

The new facility will have a new main entry and hospital reception, a new emergency department, a new medical imaging department, a new intensive care unit, new operating theatres, day surgery, recovery and pre-admission areas, new medical, surgical, paediatric and geriatric inpatient wards with specific designated palliative care beds and a new maternity and birthing suite.

The Far West Region of NSW encompasses the semi-arid lands of western NSW and is known for the Barrier Ranges, and the Darling River which flows through western NSW.

The Far West embodies the dream of the Great Australian Outback with wide open spaces, untouched natural beauty, spectacular National Parks, red desert and rolling sand dunes, the mighty Darling River, rich Indigenous culture and history and an abundance of wildlife.

The region was first settled in the 1840’s with Broken Hill founded in 1883 following the discovery of silver and lead deposits and the formation of BHP. The far west region has historically been the mineral powerhouse of the State. It also contains some of the State’s most flourishing agricultural enterprises and large stretches of the world-famous outback.

There is a strong mining industry, historically centred in Broken Hill, with significant new prospects for expansion within the region. The far west has a strong economy based on mining, agriculture, film, the arts and tourism. The Far West is rich in promise, boasting mineral wealth and climatic conditions that give this region a unique competitive advantage in many industry sectors.

The region comprises of 2 Local Government areas, Broken Hill City and Central Darling Shire.

An emerging area of entrepreneurship in Wollongong is the growing start-up community, which often involves tech-based businesses. One way this has been encouraged is through programs such as iAccelerate. There has also been a less structured formation of new tech-based businesses that are choosing to locate in Wollongong, develop their ideas and solutions and then export them to the world.

Wollongong is already home to several successful ICT based companies that have an established presence in national and international markets and UOW is obviously a recognised producer of IT talent. ICT companies located in Wollongong include NEC, Accelo, iTree, Easy Agile and Internetrix.

The talent pool of graduates represents an ongoing source of future employees for the tech sector. For example, in 2016 more than half (57%) of young graduates in this field who were living in Wollongong in 2011 were working elsewhere by 2016 as they left Wollongong to gain employment elsewhere.

Advanced manufacturers in Greater Sydney provide the most valuable and skill-intensive parts of the production process, including high-tech design and development, innovative research, product customisation, client-focused support and repair services.

Greater Sydney has strengths in advanced manufacturing in the aerospace and food and beverage sectors. To build on Western Sydney’s thriving manufacturing industry, the NSW Government, in partnership with the Commonwealth Government, are developing a high-tech, state-of-the-art Aerospace and Defence Industries Precinct, adjacent to the new Western Sydney Airport.

The UTS Centre for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) supports Australian manufacturers on this journey, helping them to embrace digital transformation and drive increased self-sufficiency/on-shoring of manufacturing in a post-Covid-19 world.

Located in the Engineering precinct of the University of Sydney's Darlington campus, the Sydney Manufacturing Hub is a manufacturing-focused research facility that works with industry to deliver cutting-edge R&D in additive manufacturing and materials processing.

The Hub provides capabilities for design, topological optimisation, the 3-D printing of metals, ceramics and polymers, as well as post-processing heat treatment, advanced characterisation and more, paving the way for new technology in industries like aerospace, autonomous vehicles, biomedical, defence, maritime, and robotics.

The UNSW Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory covers teaching, research and consulting in various manufacturing processes. This includes advanced laser and laser-hybrid processing of materials, high pressure water jet and air jet processing of materials, mechanical machining, additive manufacturing, and friction and wear.

As the world transitions to a digital economy, the Northern Rivers is well placed for growth in digital industries. Improving regional internet speeds are breaking down geographical barriers to regional work and lifestyle choices. Digital professionals now need only a fast internet connection to gain market share. This allows for lifestyle options that include beach, forest and rural living, which have long served as an attraction for film and media professionals.

New ‘gig-economy’ industry development is now being considered as a real opportunity. The region has already developed a national and international reputation in a variety of digital economy driven sectors. This reputation is behind a drive to seek investment into this industry to establish a regional hub for film, television and digital content production.

Potentially there could be a number of digital precincts in the region, providing fast broadband access and opportunities for collaboration.
Business Incubators and Facilitators – a range of business incubators and facilitators within the Region help generate prosperity and jobs by assisting existing businesses to overcome challenges and grow and while also aiding entrepreneurs in creating new businesses that put their innovative ideas into action.

Health is a major industry in the Orana region which has benefited from government funding and private investment. It is inclusive of public services, medical centres and specialist facilities across the region and its growth is evidenced by the numbers of medical professionals choosing to relocate to the region.

Companies include:
• Marathon Health
• Western NSW Local Health District
• Catholic Healthcare
• Macquarie Women’s Health
• Burnside
• Centacare

There are a number of significant arts and cultural facilities in the Armidale region including the New England Regional Art Museum (housing two of the most important and extensive collections of Australian art in regional Australia), the New England Conservatorium of Music, the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place, Saumarez Homestead, and several museums located within the towns and the university.

Armidale is also well placed to take advantage of the opportunities NBN technology provides in finding new and innovative ways to communicate with and grow audiences as well as to support creative businesses which are digitally focused.

Australian and international research organisations agree that the world's climate is changing. Some of these changes have been linked to human influences due to the use of fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas. The burning of fossil fuels is causing an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases and consequent warming of the atmosphere.

Observed changes in climate include an increase in average temperatures, a decrease in cold temperature extremes, an increase in warm temperature extremes, an increase in extreme high sea levels and an increase in the number of intense rainfall events in some area.

The impacts of climate change highlight the need to protect land for its future productive capacity particularly where there is a combination of biophysical assets such as water, topography and soils.

The Central West supports high value agriculture now and will be important to sustain production of more specialised agricultural and horticultural enterprises into the future.

Farm adaptation options are already being developed with the Grains Research and Development work on farming systems, and the cotton industry. A critical concern to irrigated agriculture is securing water for production in terms of quality, quantity and delivery.

Visitors are attracted to the Armidale Region for a variety of reasons including sporting events, UNE events, visiting friends and relatives and availing themselves of the region’s recreational and cultural activities.

The region is home to spectacular waterfalls and gorges, award-winning cool-climate wineries, boutique shopping, award-winning coffee shops and restaurants, elegant cathedrals, pastoral homesteads and other heritage buildings, fascinating museums and galleries as access to world heritage natural wonders.

Sectors such as tourism, agriculture, defence, health, education, aged care, retail and hospitality will remain important employers in the Far South Coast and Shoalhaven, and continue to make a critical contribution to the economy.

New South Wales is transitioning to a circular economy over the next 20 years. This means we will minimise what we throw away and use and reuse our resources efficiently, making them as productive as possible. We will end up with less waste, less emissions, less harm to our environment and more jobs. The move will boost innovation and help drive our economy.

The Riverina stretches from the foothills of the Snowy Mountains in the east through to the plains of Hay and Carrathool in the west. The Murrumbidgee River flows through the region, providing water to the irrigation areas around Griffith and Leeton. The regional city of Wagga Wagga is positioned on the main Sydney-Melbourne railway line, equally close to both state capitals.

The Riverina region occupies a large southern segment of the Murray Darling Basin. This system of rivers drains 15% of the Australian continent. It covers parts of the states of Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

The Basin is characterised generally by low rainfall, light soils, hot summers and cool winters, with long sunlight hours. Where irrigation water can be delivered the soils and long sunlight hours ensure fast and luxuriant growth of crops.

The Riverina region enjoys unique advantages because of the combination of varied soil types and land forms, together with a warm climate, and an ample supply of water for irrigation. This has helped create an economy based on agricultural production, food and beverage manufacturing, and wood processing.

Manufacturing, Agriculture Forestry & Fishing are the two key drivers of the Riverina’s economy.

Sectors such as health, education, aged care, retail and hospitality will remain important employers in the Illawarra regions of Wollongong, and continue to make a critical contribution to the economy.

There is a particular focus on the knowledge economy.
• ICT/Tech
• Financial and Insurance Services
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services • Public Administration and Safety
• Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services

Additional sectors targeted by Advantage Wollongong, and also this Strategy, include:
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Defence
• Medical Science and Technology
• Scale-ups

Just 2 hours north of Sydney is the start of the Mid North Coast where you will discover a venue to suit your needs whether it’s classical or contemporary music, theatre, dance or other performance arts. Extending as far north as Coffs Harbour the Mid North Coast is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia with over 325,000 people to be entertained.

Creative Industries is a sector that harnesses a range of creative and business skills for commercial production and dissemination. Creative industries include film and television production, broadcasting, electronic games, architecture, design and fashion, publishing, media and advertising.

It is widely recognised that arts and culture make a powerful contribution to the overall health of individuals and community wellbeing. Arts, cultural and learning environments provide many contexts for lifelong learning beyond traditional schooling.

Research shows that engagement in creative activities, art practices and education activities outside of traditional education settings (in places such as public libraries, museums and galleries) can help build soft skills, self-esteem and confidence, helping to re-engage young people who have dropped out of school.

The Bunker Cartoon Gallery (a building leased and subsidised by Council) is Australia's only dedicated cartoon gallery managed by a community organisation Bunker Cartoon Gallery Inc. (BCGI). It houses the largest private collection of original cartoons nationally.

TAFE NSW Broken Hill is a major learning centre for the region, offering a wide range of programs in general education, trades and creative studies, at certificate and diploma level, that reflect the diversity of this regional centre.

Most courses are offered at the main campus, located on Argent St, including programs in access and general education, aged care, beauty, business, children's services, community services, hairdressing, human resources management, information technology, nursing and welfare.

The annexe campus, on the corner of Argent and Kaolin streets, offers courses in automotive, carpentry and joinery, ceramics, electrical, fine arts, fitting and machining, horticulture, tourism and hospitality and welding.

The Innovation for Regional Success (IRS) group supports the development, sustainability and liveability of regional communities in Australia and internationally through research focused on regional innovation, entrepreneurship and capacity building.

Creative businesses choose NSW due to its cluster of filmmakers, artists, designers, writers, musicians, dancers and advertising agencies. The state also has a thriving museum and art gallery culture.

Sydney has twice been voted the world's top festival and events city by the International Festivals and Events Association. It offers an exciting fusion of leading performance companies, venues and facilities including:

• Sydney Festival
• Chinese New Year Festival
• Vivid Sydney light and music extravaganza
• Sydney Biennale
• Writers' Festival
• Comedy Festival
• Film Festival

Sydney is also home to world-renowned performance companies such as:

• Australian Chamber Orchestra
• Bangarra Dance Theatre
• Opera Australia
• Sydney Dance Company
• Sydney Theatre Company

The City of Sydney is now powered using 100 per cent renewable electricity generated from wind and solar farms in regional NSW. All our operations – including street lights, pools, sports fields, depots, buildings and the historic Sydney Town Hall – now use 100% renewable electricity from locally-sourced clean energy. Roughly three-quarters of the City’s power is wind-generated, and the rest will come from solar power.

As the bushfires from the summer of 2019-20 remain fresh in people’s minds, proactive steps are needed to improve the city’s climate resilience. By decarbonising metropolitan systems and embracing renewable energy sources, Greater Sydney has the opportunity to lead a green post-pandemic recovery. Some cities, Sydney included, have made moves to decarbonise public transport fleets.

Sydney is recognised as Australia’s only global city and the leading knowledge-based economy in the nation.

Innovation districts, including health and education hubs, remain priority areas for building knowledge intensive jobs growth across the six cities. A number of current projects will set the scene for improved economic dynamism and future knowledge intensive jobs growth across the Central River and Western Parkland Cities. This includes the recently announced Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility at Bradfield, as well as investment in the Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility at the Westmead Health and Innovation District.

Focus industries will include agriculture, tourism, technology, health industries, defence and aerospace, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and materials, smart freight and logistics, agriculture and tourism.

Innovation districts will complement the Aerotropolis, centred on semiconductors, defence, aerospace and modern manufacturing. Tech Central, which has a focus on deep tech, software as a service, quantum cyber and information and communication technology,
and Westmead, which drives health innovation, building on Westmead’s strengths in advanced therapeutics, translation cancer, immunology, vaccinology clinical trials and digital health.

The Central Coast is home to a vibrant arts community reflecting the beauty of the region and sense of place across a diverse range of art forms and practices. Central Coast Council engenders arts and cultural practice through facilitating programs, providing spaces and venues, providing funding opportunities for artists and art creation and leading regional planning initiatives.