EXTRACT FROM:

‘A study of the performance and trends across the Riverina Region’
Commissioned by Riverina Regional Development Board
Prepared by the Western Research Institute

Key Statistics

Area: 2,030.35 sq km

Population: 5,905

Unemployment: 7.7%

Participation Rate: 46.1%

Median Taxable Income: $35,673 p.a.

There are around 2,196 people in the workforce in the Junee Shire, of which 63% work full-time and 25% work part-time. At the time of the last census 8% of residents were unemployed.

Two of the largest employers in the Junee Shire are the agriculture (21.1%) and transport and storage (10.2%) industries. The median taxable income for the Junee Shire is approximately $686 per week.

AGE DISTRIBUTION

Junee Shire has a population distribution close to the state and regional averages, however the Shire has a slightly higher proportion of residents in the 25-64 age group.

FIELD OF EDUCATION

The most common fields of study in the Junee Shire are engineering, management and agriculture.

Engineering and agriculture are the most common fields of study for males. Females tend to move into the management and health fields

These trends are similar to those of the Riverina region and NSW as a whole.

INTERNET USE

Over 27% of residents in the Junee Shire use the Internet, with most use occurring in the home.

The level of use of the Internet for males is slightly higher than that of females (27% and 26% respectively).

Only 0.3% of people aged over 65 use the Internet with highest use in the prime working age bracket (25-64 years).

INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE

Industry growth due to local factors was strongest in the wholesale trade industry with 49 jobs created between 1996 and 2001. Other industries experiencing moderate local growth include cultural and recreational services, retail trade and electricity, gas and water supply.

EMPLOYMENT BY OCCUPATION

Employment in the Junee Shire is concentrated in managers and administrators occupations as well as intermediate clerical sales and service occupations.

The prevalence of these occupations is attributable to the high number of farmers and small business owners who are classified as managers.

Males are mostly employed as managers and production and transport workers while females tend to be employed in clerical, professional or managerial occupations.

LABOUR FORCE STATUS

The average rate of unemployment in the Junee Shire is 7.7% with a participation rate of 46.1%.

The Junee Shire experienced employment growth of 4.5% between 1996 and 2001. This is slightly higher than the average rate of growth for the Riverina of 4.0%.

EMPLOYMENT TREND

Agriculture has remained the largest employer in the Junee Shire since 1991.

The largest increase in employment since 1991 occurred in the personal and other services sector. The largest decrease occurred in the transport and storage industry.

Male employment is concentrated in the agriculture and transport industries. A high number of females are also employed in the agriculture sector, the health and community services sector is also a prominent employer.