ACT Overview Report

Product Description

The Capital Territory is surrounded by New South Wales, with the capital Canberra surrounding Lake Burley Griffin, which is man made. Australia’s capital, Canberra, is located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) with a population of nearly 300 000. The name Canberra is derived from an Aboriginal word which is held to mean ‘meeting place’. Canberra was built between Sydney and Melbourne after a dispute over which would become the Nations Capital. Canberra is just a three hour drive or a 45-minute flight south-west of Sydney. Set in a broad valley in the southern tablelands of New South Wales, Canberra is a well-planned lakeside city of cosmopolitan restaurants, beautiful bushland, parklands and leafy suburbs. The ACT has a warm spring, a hot dry summer, a cool autumn and a cold winter – occasionally with snow. Canberra has an average annual rainfall of 630mm, unevenly distributed throughout the year. The territory was transferred to the Commonwealth by the state of New South Wales in 1911, two years prior to the naming of Canberra as the National Capital in 1913. The floral emblem of the ACT is the Royal Bluebell and the bird emblem is the Gang-gang Cockatoo. Canberra is the capital city of Australia and the urban centre of the Australian Capital Territory. The Australian Capital Territory is the smallest state or territory in Australia, with a population of approximately 347,800 occupying an area of 814.2 square kilometres. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the population of the ACT is projected to rise by 24 percent by 2051, an increase of 77,500 people. The ACT is considered an excellent place to do business. Canberra, the seat of the Federal Government has a highly skilled and adaptable workforce, concentrated intellectual capital, an internationally competitive business environment and outstanding educational and research and development capabilities. The Australian Capital Territory Government supports business in many ways, from advice and mentoring programs to information facilities, network facilitation and trade development. The Australian Government also has an array of services to support Canberra business. Many industry associations are also headquartered in the national capital and can provide you with information and advice.