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Tamworth is a city in the New England region of New
South Wales, Australia. Straddling the Peel River, Tamworth
with an urban population of 42,501 people is the major
regional centre for southern New England and in the
local government area of Tamworth Regional Council.
The city provides services for an area population of
55,063. The city is located midway between Brisbane
and Sydney the two largest cities on the Australian
east coast.
Tamworth is nationally famous as the "Country Music
Capital of Australia", annually hosting the Tamworth
Country Music Festival in late January; the second biggest
country music festival in the world. The city is recognised
as the "National Equine Capital of Australia" because
of the high volume of equine events held in the city
and the construction of the world class Australian Equine
and Livestock Events Centre, the biggest of its kind
in the southern hemisphere. The city additionally is
known as the "First City of Lights", being the first
place in the Southern Hemisphere to utilise electric
street lights.
Geography
Tamworth is located on the western side of the Great
Dividing Range, on the banks of the Peel River, about
420 km north of Sydney on the New England Highway, and
280 km inland from Port Macquarie on the Oxley Highway.
The town is situated at a narrow point on the Peel River
floodplain, nestled at the base of the Wentworth Mounds,
a spur of the Moonbi Range, where the Northwest Slopes
rise to the Northern Tablelands. The elevation is around
400 m AHD. The Peel River runs southeast to northwest
through Tamworth. The main town centre is on the northeast
bank, between the river and the Wentworth Mounds which
rise to heights of 800 m, towering over the city. The
southwest bank is much flatter, and the city's suburbs
sprawl to the south. Water for residents and the city's
industry is supplied by Chaffey Dam, 44 km south east
of the city.
Tamworth occupies an area of 486.5 km² as of 2003. Surrounding
towns include Gunnedah, Willow Tree, Uralla, and Nundle.
Central Business District
The Tamworth Central Business District is the city centre
and is located north of the Peel River. It is primarily
a business area of Tamworth, with many shops, restaurants,
car dealerships, as well as shopping centres and public
facilities. The Tamworth Regional Council has its headquarters
in Peel Street at Ray Walsh House. Bicentennial Park
and number one cricket oval are also located in the
suburb.
Aviation
The latter has been a significant part of the local
economy, partly due to the city's exceptionally suitable
flying weather, with the former East West Airlines and
Eastern Airlines having had service and maintenance
bases at the Tamworth Airport. The Tamworth airport
is one of the 10 busiest airports in Australia. and
is an important centre for flying training activities
for both airline and defence force graduates. The BAE
Systems Flight Training College encompasses the flight
screening course for all Australian Defence Force pilot
applicants, Basic Flying Training School for the Australian
Defence Force and the Singapore Air Force. The Australasian
Pacific Aeronautical College and New England Institute
of TAFE in the city also provide aeronautical training..
.Agriculture
Orchard outside Tamworth during Winter
King George Avenue near the Peel River where many farms
are locatedAgriculture is an important industry in the
Tamworth economy. An estimated 307,000 hectares of land
is used for the agricultural industry, with an economic
gross value of $75 million contributing to the Tamworth
economy. Important agricultural activities include beef,
sheep, grain, dairy, poultry and lucerne. Other agricultural
areas include alpaca, buffalo, berry, fish, goat, hydroponic,
nut, olive, specialised game fowl farming as well wineries.
Offices for the Department of Agriculture and the Department
of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources are
located in Tamworth.
Retail
Tamworth is the largest and main retail centre for the
New England and North West Slopes regions of New South
Wales. Retail accounts for 22.5% of the working population
and is the largest employer in the city.
Peel St is the major retail and shopping area of Tamworth
and is located in the Tamworth Central Business District.
Three blocks of Peel St were refurbished over different
stages during the 1990s. There are approximately a few
hundred shops in the main street, as well as restaurants,
street cafés and banks. These include a large Target
(formally Grace Bros.).
Shopping Centres: There are many shopping centres located
in Tamworth, with the majority being located in the
Tamworth Central Business District however many are
also located in various neighborhood suburbs. Shopping
Centres include:
Tamworth City Plaza - Is located in the Tamworth Central
Business District (CBD) with 42 shops including Coles,
Kmart.
Centrepoint Shopping Centre - A $35 million shopping
centre that began construction in early 2007 and was
completed by Christmas 2008 behind the Tamworth Town
Hall, in the Tamworth Central Business District between
the old city library and behind the specialty shops
in the main street Peel st. The Centre contains a Franklins
supermarket as well as The Forum 6 Cinema Complex that
contains 5 cinemas and a performing arts centre/theatre
known as the Capitol Theatre that also doubles as a
cinema, 6 restaurants, food court and 40 specialty shops.
The Atrium - Formerly known as the Tamworth Arcade,
and is located in the Tamworth Central Business District
with entrances from Peel St, and Kable Avenue. The centre
was upgraded in early 2008.
Tamworth Shopping World - Located in West Tamworth along
Bridge st, Tamworth Shopping World with over 50 specialty
shops, including a food court and anchored by Woolworths
and Big W.
Northgate Shopping Centre - Situated in North Tamworth
[[Coles Supermarkets|Coles] is located inside the centre
as well as 18 specialty shops. The centre has been recently
redevelopment with the supermarket being enlarged, changing
from a Bi-Lo to Coles, and the inclusion of more specialty
shops in the centre.
Southgate Shopping Centre - Situated in South Tamworth
Bi-Lo is located inside the centre as well as other
speciality shops. The centre was the first mall to be
built in Tamworth. .
Tamworth Homespace - Is located out at the Longyard.
It is a bulk goods complex. It also contains two large
gyms (Jetts 24hr Fitness & Inspirations) and also Outback
Jacks Bar & Grill, a family restaurant.
Calala Court shopping complex - Is located in Calala
and was opened in 2007. It has 10 specialty shops and
an IGA supermarket.
Other shopping complexes in Tamworth include Robert
St Shopping Centre, and the Longyard Homemakers centre.
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