The surrounding west and north areas of the State are the second most confident as far as consumer sentiment is concerned.

Bank SA monitored the activities of 300 consumers and 300 businesses through their tri-annual survey.

While the statistics did show that people are feeling less positive about their situation personally and financially, the region is well above most other rural areas but did fall below the metropolitan average for the year.

According to the results residents of the region

are also very proud people, with consumer pride in South Australia increasing to 80 percent.

Businesses are also becoming more optimistic and proud of how the State is performing.

About 76 percent of businesses are positive

about their business situation and 88 percent express pride in the performance of the State.

Business confidence has dropped significantly in the local area since 2005 when the area performed well above the rural and metropolitan average but there was a rise between May and August 2008.

The decline could be attributed to the increase in cost of living and the rise of interest rates.

Fewer people are also becoming worried about unemployment but fewer people believe they could switch jobs if needed.

The lastest survey was conducted in early August.

Results were that the area was above average in some area’s but at the rural average in others.

Public affairs manager for the bank Lara Paholski said, “The southern area of the State was the high-est, then the west and east was the next highest”.

She also said "the Mid North and the Riverland were the least confident".