Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council’s local economy continues to outperform comparable rural areas, according to the latest Spendmapp Spending Insights Report for June 2026. The report reveals robust local spending that has significantly outpaced both regional averages and inflation, supported by a strong visitor economy and rising discretionary expenditure.
Total local spending reached $16.1 million in June 2026, marking a 16.6% increase since June 2024. This growth substantially exceeds the rural council average of 6.1% and the CPI inflation rate of 5.8%, signalling a resilient and expanding local economy.
Resident Spending Patterns
Residents directed 25.8% ($8.3 million) of their spending locally, while 32.0% ($10.3 million) was spent outside the region and a notable 42.1% ($13.6 million) went online — above the rural average. The high proportion of online spending represents the largest opportunity for local economic growth, with calls to encourage more residents to shop and support businesses within the region.
Fastest Growing Categories
Several key sectors posted strong gains:
• Services & Other: +25% ($1.5 million)
• Department Stores & Retail: +14% ($932,900)
• Light Industry, Trades & Transport: +12% ($436,500)
These increases highlight broadening consumer confidence and activity across essential and discretionary areas.
Visitor Economy Boost
Visitors played a major role, contributing 48.3% of the local economy — above the rural average of 46.7%. Visitor spending was led by Consumer Staples (64.1%) and Discretionary Spending (31.5%).
Young emerged as the top source of visitor expenditure, accounting for 14.9% of the total. Overall, 65% of visitor spending originated from within New South Wales, with the largest markets being:
• Regional/Rural NSW (41.9%)
• Greater Sydney (23.1%)
• Greater Melbourne (15.8%)
Demographic Insights
Males aged 65+ were the highest-spending demographic, contributing $2.0 million in June. Meanwhile, the 35–44 age group recorded the strongest annual growth at 17%, reflecting increased spending power among working-age households.
Outlook and Opportunities
The Spendmapp report underscores Cootamundra-Gundagai’s economic strength relative to peer rural councils. With solid growth in local and visitor spending alongside rising discretionary activity, the region is well-positioned for continued momentum.
The key challenge and opportunity identified is capturing more of the substantial online spend (42.1%) by promoting local shopping. Ongoing efforts to attract visitors from regional NSW, Sydney, and Melbourne will also be vital to sustaining this positive trajectory.
The full Spendmapp Spending Insights Report provides detailed data for businesses, community leaders, and policymakers aiming to further strengthen the local economy.
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