2024-25 CENTRAL COAST INVESTMENT PROSPECTUS 27 Workforce The Central Coast has a large, adaptable and enthusiastic workforce with a wide range of skill sets. The lifestyle that Central Coast residents enjoy has created a workforce that is generally relaxed, reliable and exible. Low staff turnover Surveys of employers reveal that employee turnover rates on the Central Coast are well below the average for Sydney and other areas. Productivity Central Coast employees have the bene t of a relaxed lifestyle with travel times to work being a little over 30 minutes resulting in much less stress, a fact that is known to contribute towards improved productivity. Additionally, these lifestyle attributes are critical factors in reducing absenteeism. Industrial relations The general state of industrial relations on the Central Coast is excellent with most employers and employees taking a mature attitude to employment. Unemployment According to Labour Force Survey data the unemployment rate in the March 2022 quarter was 4.3%. This compares with the unemployment rate for Greater Sydney of 4.7% and for NSW 4.6% Commuters The Central Coast has a commuting population of approximately 40,000 - 30% of the region’s resident workers - most of whom would prefer to work locally given the opportunity. Access to markets - logistics Sydney’s Central Coast has the advantage of being located just outside the Sydney metropolitan area allowing distributors and logistics companies the opportunity to access the city, Port Botany, Sydney Airport or bypass altogether via Sydney’s extensive motorway network. It is located midway between Sydney and Newcastle, being centrally located within about 2 hours driving time of a population of around 5.5 million people. Both cities provide a springboard to all Australian state capitals and the international market. Distribution and logistics is a major factor when deciding where to site a new warehouse. The Central Coast is one of the very few locations in Australia providing optimum cost bene ts in terms of market access and distribution due to its proximity to two of the state’s largest markets – Sydney and Newcastle. The M1 Paci c Motorway runs north-south through the Central Coast and is part of the road corridor that links the major eastern seaboard cities and towns from Sydney to Brisbane. Key industrial areas are located adjacent to the three access points to the region, at Somersby, Tuggerah and Warnervale. In addition, the Central Coast is halfway between Brisbane and Melbourne, around 950 kms which is approximately 10 to 11 hours truck driving time putting it within the legal driving limit of twelve hours. Port Botany and Sydney Airport is about 100 kilometres or 90 minutes’ drive depending on tra c to Tuggerah on the M1 Paci c Motorway exit. NorthConnex a nine kilometre tunnel linking the M1 Paci c Motorway at Wahroonga to the Hills M2 Motorway at West Pennant Hills has substantially reduced tra c congestion on Pennant Hills Road resulting in shorter travelling times between the Central Coast and Western Sydney. Many companies, both global and national, are seeing the logistics advantages of locating their warehousing and distribution facilities in the region. National and global companies that have based their distribution operations on the Central Coast include: • Scholastic Australia’s head o ce and warehouse complex at Lisarow, • Hatchette Australia operate a national book distribution centre at Tuggerah Business Park. • Pure Fishing Australia – national distribution centre based in Tuggerah Business Park, • Husqvarna in Tuggerah Business Park, • Garden City Products, Somersby • Woolworths Limited operate a $100 million Distribution Centre at Warnervale. Interstate carriers Star Track Express, Border Express and Toll IPEC operate modern terminals in the region and o er overnight services to Melbourne and Brisbane. Distances map Newcastle Tuggerah 40kms 60kms 80kms Gosford Woy Woy Sydney Wollongong
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1