Looking to defy the odds at Bourke

The Western NSW town is no stranger to social disadvantage and population slumps.

But Bourke Shire Council’s general manager Ross Earl and tourism and development manager Phil Johnston (pictured) are focused on working with the State government as well as opening their arms to potential investment.

Mr Earl said the big picture for Bourke was to position itself as a transport terminal for freight from Brisbane to Adelaide.

Last year the council finished a 70-hectare industrial development.

“We are readying ourselves for interest,” Mr Johnston said.

Mr Earl agreed.

“We don’t see it all as doom and gloom.

“While (Sydney) city moves out to Parramatta there is still opportunity to develop rural areas.

“We can service each other out here and we can stop the leakage of our dollars to bigger regional centres.

“The key is to strengthen our retail.

“We’ve made it clear, we are open for business.”

Government handouts and short term employment strategies haven’t worked in the town.

“You need long term strategies and meaningful training,” Mr Earl said.

“Because of that social disadvantage and longer term population drift, it starts with education with the kids.”

The council is realistic about the challenges.

Uncertainty about water legislation hurt the region, the drought has choked what would have otherwise been sustainable horticultural businesses, and with that the population has drained.

As for stopping the population demise, Mr Johnston argues once employment is secure, the only way is up.

“The other symptoms of social disadvantage disappear, which in turn increases employment, lifts numeracy, literacy rates (and there are) better health outcomes,” he said.

The council believes the last couple of years are showing a “bottoming out” of that decline and, with a good season, it hopes to see a small population rise.

“The council is confident our population can be maintained if not grow,” Mr Johnston said.

The council hopes for recovery in agriculture, a full staffing in government departments, a push in tourism and it would encourage an increase in local small business.

“We have local families diversifying in differing areas,” Mr Johnston said.

“Then there’s development of new industry.

“With the goat industry there is potential for an abattoir and then they’re value adding all the time in cotton and wool.”

Mr Johnston also said the government’s approach to decentralisation was wrong.

“They talk about taking one department and moving it to a centre.

“We would argue decisions are better made locally – we’d like to see regionalisation rather than decentralisation.”

Mr Earl said the State government was working on the potential reintroduction of an air service in Bourke, which could also be a boon for the town.