The Fleurieu Region

Covering an area of 2,873 square kilometres, with a mild Mediterranean climate of cool, wet winters and warm dry summers, the region is acclaimed for its picturesque coastline and hinterland, and its vineyards and beaches. Diverse topography adds to the region's uniqueness. Quality attractions and growing eco-tourism facilities are also luring visitors from interstate and overseas.

The region is home to 32,000 people, or 2.1 per cent of the State's population. Of the nine main townships, the largest is Victor Harbor, with others such as Goolwa, Mount Compass, Yankalilla and Strathalbyn attracting more and more interest as attractive places to live, visit and do business.

Growth

The many natural attractions of the Fleurieu Region, together with diverse recreational options, entice over a million visitors to the area each year. Attractions include magnificent swimming and surfing beaches, food and wine experiences, river port and coastal shipping heritage, inland water sports, whale watching, and a network of high-quality golf courses. Other popular family recreation facilities include adventure parks, wildlife sanctuaries and conservation parks.

Diverse Primary Production and Industry

Milk provides more than 40 per cent of the region's gross value of agricultural production with sheep, pig and poultry meat contributing another 20 per cent. The bulk of South Australia's late (January) lamb production comes from the Fleurieu. Crops grown include barley, wheat, oats, lucerne, potatoes and vegetables. Other produce includes apples, pears, almonds and strawberries.

Langhorne Creek and, to a lesser extent, Currency Creek, Victor Harbor and Yankalilla are areas of significant growth in viticulture. At Langhorne Creek, strong demand for local wine processing facilities has led to the establishment of several new grape-crushing plants in an attempt to reduce transport time and costs. Some of the larger wineries also have plans to establish bottling facilities in the region.

An olive crushing and bottling facility has been established at Mount Compass to capitalise on the region's ongoing expansion of olive tree plantations. The olive industry and its associated value-added products represent significant potential for the region.

Boat building and maintenance are also considered to have considerable growth potential. The industry is focused almost exclusively at Goolwa, where the town's favorable location on Lake Alexandrina provides a natural advantage. The lake is also popular for recreational boating and fishing. Professional fishing operates around much of the peninsula, in the lakes and along the Coorong.

The region's existing manufacturing base ranges from electrical componentry to furniture manufacturing and other light industries. Small and large furniture manufacturers have been locating in the region over the past few years. The largest, situated in Victor Harbor, employs up to 100 workers. The electrical componentry sector has seen a growth in both large and small electronic firms in the region