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Dubbo Photo News March 28-April 3, 2019 ECONOMY
REGIONAL BUSINESS
Strong Dubbo economy bucks national trend, experts say
By NATALIE HOLMES
DUBBO’S economy is bucking a national trend, with local businesses showing the lowest risk of insolvency in Australia. Figures released by SV Partners in their Commercial Risk Outlook Report for March 2019 show that just 0.8 per cent of Dubbo companies are in the high-risk category in the next 12 months, a decrease of one per cent in the
past six months. SV Partners director Daniel Quinn said that investment in the region had increased confidence levels in the economy, which was keeping it buoyant. “Dubbo is low in the risk category,” he said. “We have seen it across NSW, people have faith in the economy.” Mr Quinn said investment in infrastructure was a key factor, particularly in the lead-up to the recent State
Election, where the construction industry had benefited. Despite the drought, Mr Quinn also said that consumers were continuing to support the retail industry. He said the drought hasn’t stopped people from buying locally. “People are still supporting retail and they are still spending money. “Both local retailers and local agricultural businesses are thriving despite the difficul-
ties of drought.” However, with many businesses in the moderate risk category, Mr Quinn advised them to stay vigilant by securing revenue streams in difficult times and ensuring they have manageable levels of debt. SV Partners data is compiled from commercially sourced records and data assets including ASIC and the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
PHOTO BRIEF
$10m bridge work continues PONTOONS underneath the L.H. Ford Bridge are now dominating the Macquarie River in Dubbo. This was the scene on Tuesday as bridge-strengthening work continued as part of a $10 million project. According to Roads and Maritime Services, the 613-metre long bridge was the fourth longest highway bridge in NSW when first opened to the public in 1969. Now nearly 50 years old, it needs significant maintenance work. RMS says the project involves the construction of two new piers within the Macquarie River to support the drop in span. Two new piers are being built, one either side of the river. The crew will also repair cracking in the concrete next to the bridge bearings, stop further long-term movements in the waterway span, and upgrade the bridge to take Higher Mass Limit vehicles. PHOTO: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS
Feedback requested on impact of election
THE Western Region Institute (WRI) is calling for business owners to complete a two-question survey on the kind of impact the result of the NSW state election will have on their business. They’re also keen to understand why the result will impact businesses in ways described by business owners, and whether the impact is caused by a political ideology, a particular policy platform or the influence or lack of a local member, or something completely different? To have your say, and complete the online two-question survey, visit www.wri.org.au/ soapbox. The poll closes Monday, April 8.
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