With its awe-inspiring scenery, quality of life
attributes and world-class education facilities, it is no surprise Armidale,
Guyra and surrounding villages are becoming top choices for tree changers. Now
there is another drawcard for those looking to make a change and move to the
New England.
According to the latest data, the region has seen a
rise in employment with more than 980 jobs (+6.8%) being added over the past
five years. Key areas of growth include health care, transport and
logistics, construction and financial service sectors, which together have
added 732 jobs. Over the same period the population has become more
highly skilled, adding more than 700 additional employees with a diploma or
higher qualifications.
Full-time jobs within the transport, warehousing, financial
services and construction sector have also risen, fuelled by a $320 million
increase in gross regional product (GRP) in these key industries. Wholesale trade,
telecommunications, manufacturing and education have also contributed a further
$166 million to the regional economy over the past five years.
Employment growth has been further assisted by
completion of the Armidale Secondary College. This state of the art education
facility represents the largest investment in regional education in New South
Wales to date, and along with the NSW TAFE Digital Headquarters and numerous
other primary and secondary school offerings, cements Armidale’s reputation as
a national leader in the education sector. In addition to this, a rise in
professional, scientific and technical services has been fuelled by growth in
financial services, as well as relocation of the Australian Pesticides and
Veterinary Medicines Authority.
This expansion of our major industries is having a
positive effect on the region’s GRP per capita, which indicatively has grown by
almost 8% over the period.
Housing prices in 2021 reflect the area’s
desirability as a thriving tree-change choice, with Domain Real Estate
reporting that 43% of properties sold in the Armidale region this year have
been above the asking price.
