It doesn't surprise Sarah McKinney that the health and wellbeing industry is the biggest employer in the Mountains.
The manager of Anytime Fitness gym in Katoomba has seen first-hand the level of interest in getting healthy. Her gym only opened in mid-June and already has more than 430 members.
When the Gazette visited on a hot Friday morning, there were more than 20 people doing their bit to improve their fitness. They are attracted by the 24-hour access, as well as the big windows which make the place bright, Ms McKinney said.
A new report has found there are 5902 Mountains residents who work in the health and wellbeing sector. This is 16 per cent of the total workforce, ahead of education and training (14 per cent), public administration and safety (9 per cent) and the retail trade (8.6 per cent).
And of the nearly 6000, nearly half also work locally, making the sector the largest employer in the Mountains, representing 19.5 per cent of all local jobs.
The report, prepared for Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise, includes people working in traditional health areas, such as hospitals, GP clinics, dental surgeries, chiropractors, physiotherapists and the like, as well as those in gyms, fitness centres, and sport and recreation clubs.
BMEE chairman, Donald Luscombe, said the report was prepared to give the organisation a sense of where to target its efforts.
"The data in the health and wellbeing industry profile confirms the board's decision to allocate this sector as one of BMEE's four strategic pillars, along with the creative industries, education and world heritage development," he said.
"Together, these pillars will be the focus of BMEE's economic development activities over the next three years."
BMEE's CEO, Jacqueline Brinkman, said the report also showed that the sector contributes up to $643 million to the Blue Mountains' economy.
She said the sector included aged care and disability services workers.
"With Australia's aging population and the introduction of the National Disabilities Insurance Scheme, this critical sector presents an opportunity to grow the Blue Mountains' economy and create new jobs and training opportunities locally."
BMEE is developing a leadership taskforce, including the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, Blue Mountains District ANZAC Memorial Hospital, Nepean Blue Mountains Medicare Local and other stakeholders, to discuss the area's medical and allied health needs including facilities, staffing and training requirements.
"BMEE has commenced high-level discussions with a leading university regarding the establishment of a clinical school and satellite campus in the region," said Ms Brinkman.
"This report demonstrates our region's capacity to support a new medical training facility and it has been well received by industry and potential investors."
The introduction of after hours GP services and an out-of-hours clinic beside Nepean Hospital has helped to free up hospital emergency departments for the most serious cases. But Nepean-Blue Mountains Medicare Local, which has supported or funded the new services, wants feedback on exactly what needs are being met and what areas are lacking. The online survey takes five minutes to complete and everyone who does the survey will enter a draw to win $100 worth of groceries and a free supermarket shopping tour with one of Medicare Local's accredited dietitians.
People can participate in the survey at www.nbmml.com.au/healthsurvey.