What is the outlook for economic growth in Broken Hill?

Answer 1

Not great....

No real resources and fairly desolate. Population has declined by nearly 30% for people moving to the coast and big cities.





During its early years, Broken Hill was known not only for its mineral wealth but also for its dust storms and poor living conditions. Destruction of vegetation around the town for use in the mines and smelters increased the severity of natural dust storms, and smelters and mine plant belched noxious fumes and dust over the town. The shortage of fresh food and water led to the spread of disease - a typhoid epidemic in 1888 killed 128 people. However, it was not until 1892 that a private company constructed the Stephens Creek Reservoir and reticulation systems to the town and mines. By 1891, the population had pased 21,000, making Broken Hill the third largest town in NSW. Significant civic progress was made during the 1890's with the construction of schools, technical college, town hall, post offices and gaol. During this period, many of the timber and iron hotels and business houses were rebuilt in brick and stone. Streets were contstructed and recreation reserves were planted with trees and developed for public use.Street names in Broken Hill are of historical significance as they were generally named after the first alderman (e.g.Ryan, Cornish, Chapple), mining officials (e.g Jamieson, Wilson, Patton) or minerals (e.g. Argent, Blende Sulphide, Chloride). The Far West Region's economic prosperity has traditionally been reliant on the success of the local resources sector. A weakening of this sector over the past 30-35 years has seen the region's population decline by more that 30%.

Given this situation, the Far West Region requires a growth and investment strategy to determine the potential growth implications from current and proposed projects.

Broken Hill City Council on behalf of the Outback Development Forum (ODF) has engaged the AEC Group Limited (AECgroup) to prepare the Strategy. The AECgroup has specialist consulting experience in economic impact assessment and strategic planning projects for regional areas.

How can you get involved?The project team is actively seeking your ideas and suggestions to make the project a success and to deliver positive outcomes. To find out more, please download the information sheet below.