BUSSELTON Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive officer Ray McMillan has reassured local employees and employers after a recent report suggested unemployment in the region was increasing.
The Small Area Labour Markets Australia report for the June quarter released by the federal department of employment indicated unemployment had risen in Busselton from 4.2 to 4.8 per cent since March.
This figure was quoted as being in a work force of 13,085.
But Mr McMillan said the statistics were a bit misleading and no cause for alarm.
“I’m not sure where they got their data from but the size of the job market in Busselton is over 19,000 which has increased from 18,105 in the previous financial year,” he said.
He said seasonal jobs in tourism and hospitality could play a part in the unemployment figure rising during the winter quarter.
Mr McMillan also said it is important to note any location with an unemployment rate less than five per cent was considered to have “full employment”.
“In the past few years the percentage of the population looking for jobs in Busselton hovered between five and six per cent,” he said.
“If we are now under five per cent it means the labour market is tight and as we head into the events season we will see plenty of new opportunities on offer.”
Vasse MLA Libby Mettam said one of the biggest challenges facing this region is jobs creation.
“Our region is expected to grow by 45 per cent between now and 2026 and it is vital we have the job to support this growth,” she said.
“The state government’s investment in the expansion of Busselton Regional Airport is crucial to leveraging jobs and the Premier’s recent funding announcement shows a confidence in this region’s capacity to attract eastern states visitors.
“I also recognised there is much more that we can do to support agriculture as produce from this region is some of the best in the world with a real opportunity to meet the demands of our Asian neighbours.”
Mr McMillan said the building industry was currently experiencing a growth in the South West with new jobs being created.
“Between 46 and 48 per cent of all new home building approvals in the South West have been awarded in Busselton,” he said.
“This was seen throughout the last financial year and has continued into the second half of 2015 which is pleasing.”
