Investment Opportunities in Esperance

Investment Opportunities in Esperance

Investment Opportunities in Esperance Esperance Esperance is situated on the south-east coast of Western Australia approx 728kms from Perth and covers over 44,000km 2 of area. Esperance is one of the major population hubs acting as the sub-regional service centre for the wider Goldfields-Esperance Region. Home to the deepest port in southern Australia, the local economy has historically been driven by agricultural and fishing activity as well as other sectors reliant on the port. Further support from the strong manufacturing, tourism and retail trade sectors have sustained employment and investment opportunities in the town. Fast Facts Description Unit Data Population Persons (Jun 30, 2013) 14,242 Gross Regional Product $ million (2012-13) $1,179.6 Labour Force Persons (Dec, 2013) 9,581 Unemployment Rate % (Dec, 2013) 4.6% Average Personal Income $/ week (2011) $736.9 Median House Price $ (YE Dec, 2013) $355,000 Visitor Arrivals Persons (YE Dec, 2013) 153,229 Location Km south-east of Perth 725 Summer Average Temperature Winter Average Temperature Degrees Celsius Degrees Celsius Min: 16 C Max: 26 C Min: 8 C Max: 18 C Annual Rainfall Millimetres 619 mm Major Industries % of total employment (PoW, 2011) Agriculture, forestry and fishing: 16.0% Retail trade: 11.0% Transport, postal and warehousing: 10.1% Health care and social assistance: 9.2% Key Natural Assets N/A National Parks: - Cape Le Grand - Stokes - Cape Arid Pristine beaches & wetlands: - Kepwari Wetlands - Lake Monjingup - Pink Lake - Twilight Beach - Woody Island Note: YE = Year ended. Source: ABS (2012, 2013), Department of Employment (2014), REIWA (2013), BOM (2014), TRA (2014), AEC

Investment Opportunities in Esperance Esperance is a key Regional centre in Western Australia providing residents with the perfect balance between a country lifestyle at an affordable cost and a modern town with a vibrant community. Esperance attracts an increasing number of residents each year, enjoying the isolation of a country town with immediate access to all the services the regional hub provides. Relocate to Esperance and become linked in with the whole region, gaining from: country living with city convenience at a fraction of the cost a myriad of different industry opportunities a town bursting with tourism potential a major transport and export hub a skilled and valuable workforce promoted by local, state and industry stakeholders

Investment Opportunities in Esperance Key Opportunities Growing Population, Diversified Economy, Unlimited Opportunity With a population of approximately 14,000, the Esperance community has continued to evolve while other West Australian towns have fluctuated on the back of volatile mining activity. The diversified economy of the town presents brilliant opportunities for future economic growth in industries such as agri-business, retail, transport, postal and distribution, health care, accommodation, food services, trades and financial and professional services. Esperance possesses an established, world leading agricultural sector producing a range of grains and cereals. The strength of this sector presents numerous value adding and alternative crop opportunities for new investors as well as expansion and diversification options for current operators. A Key National and International Visitor Destination Esperance is the 10th largest tourist destination in Western Australia boasting a suite of spectacular natural attractions, however, tourism is just starting to tap into its full potential. Attractions range from the untouched coastal scenery, pristine beaches and internationally recognised national parks - to the world renowned Recherche Archipelago, which boasts 110 islands. A range of opportunities exist and are being pursued in order to further leverage the established tourism sector which attracts around 150,000 visitors each year. These include: Development and attraction of: - Additional tourism products and infrastructure. - High profile regional events. - Enhanced short-stay accommodation. Revitalisation of the Esperance town centre. Major Transport and Export Hub Esperance is the major services and logistics centre for surrounding regions with port and rail access, an airport and arterial roads. The Port of Esperance is capable of handling cape size vessels of up to 200,000 tonnes and is the major export terminal for the region, exporting upwards of 13 million tonnes in 2012-13, with further significant growth forecast. The main export commodity is iron ore, whilst significant volumes of barley, wheat and canola are also shipped out on an annual basis. The port provides export opportunities for local mineral and agricultural products and is becoming a popular cruise ship destination. Skilled and Valuable Workforce supported by Business Friendly Environment Esperance has a flexible labour force available of almost 10,000 skilled personnel. The lower cost of living in the region makes Esperance a unique investment option with local employers benefiting from income levels which are lower than regional Western Australia and the State average.

Investment Opportunities in Esperance Average Weekly Wages 1 Region Average Wage ($/week) Workforce Savings in Esperance Esperance Shire $736.9 N/A Regional WA $846.8 8% Metropolitan Perth $839.8 7% Western Australia $841.1 7% ABS (2012). Estimates of Personal Income for Small Areas, Time Series, 2003-04 to 2008-09. Cat. No. 6524.0.55.002. ABS, Canberra. Investment Supported by Local and Regional Partnerships Key public and not-for-profit stakeholders work together in order to support business and economic growth in the Esperance Region. Esperance Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI), in partnership with the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission (GEDC) and the Shire of Esperance have developed a unique Memorandum of Understanding, which fosters the strength of the three organisations to collaboratively support business and investment in Esperance and the broader region. Country Lifestyle with City Perks With a steadily growing population, Esperance offers potential investors and new residents a unique mix of relaxed country lifestyle and all of the services that a regional hub provides. The town has its own airport, advanced inter and intra-regional road network, leisure centre, hospital, library, range of sporting and public and private education facilities. At $355,000 (as of December 2013), median house prices in Esperance are 54.5% cheaper than Perth and 5.3% cheaper than Regional WA (REIWA, 2013). Kalgoorlie Coolgardie- Esperance Hwy Eucla Norseman Airstrip Norseman Eyre Hwy Esperance Airport SHIRE OF ESPERANCE Darwin Hopetoun Ravensthorpe South Coast Hwy Esperance Perth Brisbane Sydney Ravensthorpe Airport Port of Esperance Adelaide Canberra Melbourne Hobart 1 ABS (2012). Estimates of Personal Income for Small Areas, Time Series, 2003-04 to 2008-09. Cat. No. 6524.0.55.002. ABS, Canberra.

For further information regarding potential investment opportunities in Esperance, please contact: Esperance Chamber of Commerce and Industry Phone: (08) 9071 5142 Email: admin@esperancecci.com.au Web: www.esperancecci.com.au/ Shire of Esperance Trevor Ayres (EDM) Phone: (08) 9071 0666 Fax: (08) 9071 0600 Email: shire@esperance.wa.gov.au Web: www.esperance.wa.gov.au/ Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission Shane Liddelow (District Manager) Phone: (08) 9083 2222 Fax: (08) 9071 3765 Email: gedcesp@gedc.wa.gov.au Web: www.gedc.wa.gov.au