Region. Manufacturing contracts

Manufacturing, which is the dominant industry in Western Sydney, contracted nationally in September for the first time this year, hurt by a strong Australian dollar and rising costs. The Australian Industry Group-PricewaterhouseCoopers Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index fell 4.4 points in September from July to 47.3. A reading below 50 separates contraction from growth. Steep falls in food, beverages, fabricated metals sub-sectors and clothing and footwear pulled back the index.