The Kingborough and Huon Valley regions are Tasmania's premier locales in which to establish and run a business, to live, work and play.

Kingborough has a population of about 30,000 and a land area of 720 square kilometres.

The municipality covers the mainland hinterland of D'Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island with the bulk of the people living in urban Kingston, Blackmans Bay and Taroona. The municipality is largely a dormitory area for workers in Hobart, Tasmania's capital city, and Kingston, the municipality's major service centre.

Local government is the responsibility of the Kingborough Council comprising twelve elected councillors and a staff of 160. The rateable value of the municipality is $97.6 million, the land value $657 million and the capital (improved) value is $1,712 million.

According to the most recent estimates, the municipality's population is growing at a faster rate than compared with the rest of the state.

Population Growth

Source: ABS Regional Statistics: Tasmania (Cat No 1362.6)

Utiliities and services

Electricity and gas

Electricity supplies are a part of the state grid. Retail management and connections are controlled by Aurora Energy. Origin Energy. Industrial gas suppliers, BOC Gases, service both the Kingborough and Huon Valley regions.

Water and sewerage

Water and sewerage supply and maitenance are the responsibility of the Kingborough and Huon Valley Councils.

Waste management and disposal

The council's land fill disposal site is located at Baretta, approx 10km south of Kingston.
Information on rates and charges are available from the Kingborough Council.

The Kingborough Business Community

The local economy is led by retail, aquaculture, tourism, business services, manufacturing and primary production.

Retail

Blackmans Bay, Channel Court , Channel Highway, Huntingfield, Kingston Beach, Kingston Town and Mertonvale Circuit are the main retail shopping precincts.
The retail sector in the Kingborough region employs 1,400 people.

(ABS Census Data, 1996)

There are about 200 establishments in the Kingborough region covering all areas of retail activities.

Aquaculture

Fish farms are a feature of the waters off the Kingborough coastline. Atlantic salmon, ocean run trout , oysters and mussels form the bulk of the local industry. These gourmet products are relished and enjoyed by locals and gourmet diners in the world's finest reataurants.

Construction

The construction industry employs 872 people.

(ABS Census Data, 1996)

The sector is represented by 215 independent business entities from all fields of construction.

Tourism

The local tourism industry caters for both travelling visitors and those who come to stay a while. The Huon-Kingborough Tourism Assocation represents many of the local tourist operators and oversees the development of the Huon Trail tourist route.

Business services

The Kingborough business community is well served by a full range of local professional business support services including legal, accounting and auditing, marketing and promotion, printing and transport services.

Manufacturing

The manufacturing community is dominated by the light and medium manufacturing sectors. Niche market, high quality, high value food product manufacturing is based on the ready availability of local ingredients represented by fish processing, jam and pickle manufacturing, bakery and products.

Timber and wood related manufacturing is strongly represented in the region.

The manufacturing sector employs 925 people.

(ABS Census Data, 1996)

Primary production

Fruitgrowing is the main horticultural activity.

Poultry and beef are the main meat producing farming activities.

The Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing sector employs 396 people.

(ABS Census Data, 1996)

The Huon Valley Region

The Huon Valley Council covers 5497sq. kms. and is the southern most local government area in Australia. Despite its proximity to Hobart, a 40 minute drive away, the area retains the beauty, charm and heritage of a bygone era.

The natural beauty of the area is evident with pristine rivers meandering through valleys bordered by world heritage listed National Parks. Bush walkers are able to enjoy numerous walks ranging from a tree top walk at Tahune Airwalk or a five hour trek to South Cape, Australia's Southernmost point.

The dolomite caves at Lune River and Hastings are spectacular, the Thermal Pools at Hastings are naturally heated to 28c. The numerous waterways provide the setting for kayaking, sailing or cruising and for the more adventurous white water rafting or jet boat rides.

The area is renowned for its produce, mushrooms, wine, seafood, fruit and gourmet delicacies. The "Taste of the Huon", held each March, is a weekend celebration of the best that the Valley has to offer. Road side stalls sell many of the in season fruits such as apples, pears and berries, for a fraction of the cost of supermarkets.

To sample a few of the best apples in Australia, head to the Huon Apple and Heritage museum, which has over 500 varieties of apples in season. The Apple Factory near Cygnet has recently been developed on the substantial Thorp Estate (Glenco Orchards). Visitors experience guided apple factory tours with audio visual and interactive experiences such as juice crushing and tasting.

Lovers of art and craft are well catered for as well, with local artists creating everything from pottery to wood carvings and everything in between. Craft shops and galleries are dotted throughout the region, many with working displays in addition to sales. The Franklin Wooden Boat School demonstrates how Tasmania's fine timbers are turned into boats, the school is open to the public. Timber lovers can also visit the Geeveston Forest and Heritage Centre to discover the history of forestry in the region. The Cygnet Folk Festival, held in January, highlights the range of folk music and entertainment the Valley has to offer.

A full range of accommodation is available for visitors including guest houses, Bed & Breakfast, Pubs, back packer style, hotel and cottages. Each of the major centres of Huonville, Cygnet, Franklin, Geeveston and Dover have supermarket, fuel and eftpos facilities. The "Huon News" and "Cygnet Classifieds", published each Wednesday, and Huon FM keep residents and visitors up to date with what is happening in their local area.

The Huon Valley has embraced its heritage while forging ahead with newer industries, agriculture, viticulture, forestry, tourism and aquaculture thrive side by side, providing jobs for the 14,749^ residents and the seasonal influx of fruit pickers.

^ Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006