Orana (New South Wales)

Orana is a region in central northern New South Wales, Australia. It has a population of 120,000 people, and is the largest region in New South Wales with an area of 199,078 square kilometres, approximately 25% of the state.^[1] The major localities are Dubbo, Cobar and Mudgee.^[1]

The Orana region encompasses thirteen Local Government Areas which are the City of Dubbo, Mid-Western Regional Council and the shires of Bourke, Cobar, Bogan, Walgett, Brewarrina, Warrumbungle, Wellington, Narromine, Warren, Gilgandra and Coonamble.^[1][2][3] This region corresponds approximately with the ABS North Western Statistical Division.

Economy

Agriculture is the predominant industry in the Orana region, with 86% of the area under agricultural landuse.^[4]. This land makes up 27% of the total agricultural land in New South Wales.^[4] The output equals approximately $658 million or 11.7% of the state's agricultural production.^[4] Agriculture industry jobs provide over 20 percent of the employment in the region.^[4]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Orana". NSW Regions. NSW Department of Trade & Investment, Regional Infrastructure & Services. 19 July 2011. http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/invest-in-nsw/regional-nsw/nsw-regions/orana. Retrieved 26 August 2011. 
2. ^ Orana Region Business Enterprise Centre Dubbo City Online website, accessed 11 November 2006
3. ^ Map of LGAs department of local government website, accessed 11 November 2006. The LGA boundaries shown on this map correlate with the map of the region on the Dubbo City Online website. Mergers have done away with "Mudgee Shire" (which is now considered a part of Central West Region), and "Coolah" and "Coonabarabran" shires are now merged into Warrumbungle Shire
4. ^ ^{a b c d} Regional Overview ORANA Development & Employment Council (ODEC), accessed on the Orana Regional Development Board website November 12, 2006