The Limestone Coast is an area of over 21,000 square kilometres containing a very diverse range of industry sectors which makes for a robust and expanding business community. The economy capitalises on the region’s significant groundwater resources. It is built from traditional agriculture based activities, but has now expanded to include forestry, manufacturing, tourism, engineering, transport, retail, health, education and service industries.
It is largely characterised by fertile soils, reliable rainfall and significant groundwater resources. The region provides excellent grazing for livestock and productive conditions for cropping viticulture, forestry and dairy production.
The South East region contributes greatly to dairy farming in South Australia, with 161 farms of the 192 dairy farms in South Australia. (Bureau of statistics 2020). This area is the state's highest dairy yielding with nearly 8,000 litres per cow per year which is 40% higher than the Australian average (PIRSA 2014).