Demand for employment in this sector in this region grew by 6.8% in the census period 2001 to 2006. With an increased freight load in the region as the blue gum plantations are harvested, growth in this sector can be expected to rise strongly.

At a national level, forecasts for growth in transport and storage are slightly higher than the average across all sectors. Within the sector, storage, water, and services to air transport are projected to have the strongest growth, while other areas remain steady. These projections do not take the current global economic crisis into account.

Key employment in this sector in this region is in road transport and postal and courier pickup and delivery.

This industry has 48.4% of its workforce aged 45 years and over
72.5% of its workforce is male.
75.2% of the workforce is in full time work.
The majority of transport and storage enterprises within the region have less than 20 employees.

Likely future workforce picture:

Growth in demand particularly in the southern part of the region leading to the need for a greater number of skilled workers.
Based on increased demand from 2001 to 2006 and on the imminent blue gum harvest, 300 additional jobs is a reasonable target for this sector in the next 5 years.