New Zealand Fieldays is the largest agricultural event in the Southern Hemisphere, attracting more than 1,000 exhibitors and 130,000 visitors over four days.

"Circular Head, with its rich farming land, is attracting interest from New Zealand agriculturalists in particular. We wanted to capitalise on the economic opportunities that this major offshore event might bring," said Ms Nelson.

The 120 page, full colour Circular Head Regional & Economic Profile was researched and written by Council's Strategic Projects Officer Lisa Nelson with input from various Government departments and private businesses.

The Profile goes beyond the run-of-the-mill Local Government community profiles, focussing on potential major agricultural and natural resource investment.

"Our major industries in Circular Head work directly in natural resources, or produce goods with commodities from Circular Head. Classic Foods, for example, purchase 100,000 litres of milk per day - six tanker loads - from dairy farmers in the municipality. The company then produces and exports more than 100 milk-based products to international markets," said Ms Nelson.

Circular Head Council General Manager Greg Winton indicated "We wanted our Profile to be much more than the usual community profile offerings from Local Government. It was designed to target specific markets."

The Regional and Economic Profile has twenty sections and includes information on demographics and labour force along with land capability, soils and vegetation, real estate and housing statistics, schooling and higher education, tourism, sport and recreation, climate and health and emergency services.

A section on transport infrastructure covers the capabilities of all sea and air ports across Tasmania.

"Investors need to know where the nearest freight hubs are and what infrastructure is available at each hub", said Ms Nelson.

"But they also need an understanding of the social aspects of the municipality they wish to relocate to, in order to help them to make a decision.

For example, if they like to play cricket, is there a local team they can join where they can make new friends and get involved in the community? Or if they have children, how many schools are there?

And in relatively distant areas like Circular Head, people are very interested in knowing what health and medical facilities are available."

The Burnie office of the Department of Economic Development along with the Cradle Coast Authority provided guidance during the initial phase of the project, which took approximately eight months from conception to publication.

Copies of the Circular Head Regional and Economic Profile may be obtained by contacting the Council on (03) 6452 4800.

Authorised for general media distribution by Greg Winton, General Manager, Circular Head Council on Wednesday 14 June 2006.