Central West and Orana

Overview

Our work in this diverse landscape of rugged mountains, floodplains, wide valleys and Ramsar wetlands ranges from protecting waterbirds, fish and water plants to investigating renewable energy zones.

Water

Water for the environment

90,000km²

Lachlan valley area

The Lachlan River experiences highly variable flows. We work with Lachlan Riverine Working Group to manage the delivery of environmental water when and where conditions allow to provide feeding and breeding habitat for a range of wildlife.

Lachlan profile

Birds flying across southern marshes at Macquarie wetlands

75,000km²

Macquarie valley area

The iconic Macquarie Marshes have played host to some of the largest water-bird breeding events in Australia’s recorded history. Environmental water is the lifeblood of the marshes along with several rivers, creeks, lagoons and ephemeral wetlands.

Macquarie profile

Threatened species

Featured threatened species

Endangered Booroolong frog

Species profile

Common name
Booroolong Frog

Scientific name
Litoria booroolongensis

Status in NSW
Endangered

Commonwealth status
Endangered

The Booroolong Frog is a medium sized tree frog, with adults growing to about 5 cm. Their body-colour may be grey, olive or brown with indistinct black markings. The abdomen is white. The skin usually has a slightly warty appearance. The fingers and toes have well developed discs, and the toes are strongly webbed. The call is a soft, purring ‘craww craww craww’.

Climate change

Mean temperatures are projected to rise by 2.1 ºC by 2070. The increases are occurring across the region with the greatest increase during summer. All models show there are no declines in mean temperatures across the Central West and Orana.

View interactive map

Download regional snapshot

Air

Air quality Last updated at 6:00 am, 22 February 2025 AEST

Air quality data for NSW is displayed using the Air Quality Index (AQI) scale and is updated hourly.

Central Tablelands Good

Learn more Alert

REGIONAL RESOURCES

Citizen science macroinvertebrate project - collecting samples from a creek, Warrumbungles

Find out how you can be involved in citizen science projects and activities.

Stay up to date

Muddy road with white vehicle in distance, trees on either side

Work to begin at Bungleboori Picnic Area in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area

A single cod fish swimming in clear water, identifiable by its speckled, grey-brown skin and barbels near its mouth

Supporting native fish in the Wambuul-Macquarie

Landscape view of road and wind farm on the horizon at Bungedore NSW

NSW Government grants ACEREZ transmission operator’s licence for Central-West Orana REZ

Staff from Metro South West and Blue Mountains regions undertaking the Pisgah Ridge hazard reduction burn near Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains National Park

Blue Mountains National Park hazard reduction burn underway

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