Federal Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker has urged the community to buy local North Coast goods and take a holiday at home, while the Australian dollar is low. The drop in the Australian dollar to below 70US cents last week is cause to celebrate for our North Coast exporters, including our local blueberry and dairy producers as the dollar makes our North Coast exports cheaper and more attractive globally. “The lower dollar makes imports and international travel more expensive, so there’s never been a better reason to buy local and holiday at home,” Mr Hartsuyker said. “Our North Coast goods and produce are world class and now the price point is more attractive compared to their imported competitors. More local goods bought equals more money in tills, which translates to job creation for the region. “The devalued dollar has also been a bonanza for inbound tourism on the North Coast as the exchange rate lures overseas visitors who previously shunned Australia when we had parity with the US dollar. “Tourism Research Australia released figures this week which show a 6.3% increase in international visitors to the North Coast in the first half of 2015. More than 292,000 tourists visited the North Coast during that period, injecting $182 million into the local economy. “The influx of tourists spending up big on their holidays fuels the profit and growth of local shops and businesses,” Mr Hartsuyker said. “Domestic tourism has also boomed as the dollar has dropped, with many shunning expensive overseas trips for a holiday at home. “The cost of international travel has increased as the dollar has dropped, so why not venture into our own extraordinary North Coast ‘backyard’,” Mr Hartsuyker said. “From the Maclean Highland Gathering, to the FIA World Rally Car Championship, Woolgoolga Curryfest and the Macleay Riverfest at Kempsey; there are so many stellar events that run the length and breadth of the Cowper electorate to visit. Take the time to holiday in our own region, there is so much to see and it’s easier on a budget compared to a trip abroad. “Holiday at home, bolster the local North Coast economy and save yourself some big dollars on those overseas trips,” Mr Hartsuyker said.