THIRTY YEARS IN AN OIL CITY

Abstract

The oil industry often provides economic stability for those areas in which it sets up production and processing facilities. In Victoria the City of Sale has benefitted from the activities of the Esso/BHP facilities at Longford. While until recently the direct effect of Sale's municipal finances was relatively small, the facility and Esso/BHP activities at Longford and Sale (and offshore in the Bass Strait) resulted in direct benefits to business houses and other commercial activites in the City of Sale. These benefits arose not only from the joint venture itself but from the domestic requirements of its employees.

The Esso/BHP involvement matured at a relatively early stage and there has been a plateau in the growth resulting from exploration and production activities. However, the economic contribution-at a number of levels-played an important part in underpinning the stability of the city following the withdrawl of the Esso/BHP offices and the closure of the National Safety Council.