New England North West, NSW

Overview

The tablelands, slopes and floodplains of this region – with some of the most fertile soils in Australia – are home to the critically endangered regent honeyeater and is the site of one of Australia's first renewable energy zones.

Air

Air quality Last updated at 11:00 pm, 4 June 2023 AEST

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

North-West Slopes Good

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Threatened species

Featured threatened species

Spotted harrier, listed as vulnerable, in full flight

Species profile

Common name
Spotted Harrier

Scientific name
Circus assimilis

Status in NSW
Vulnerable

Commonwealth status
Not listed

The Spotted Harrier is a medium-sized, slender bird of prey having an owl-like facial ruff that creates the appearance of a short, broad head, and long bare yellow legs. The upperparts are blue-grey with dark barring, and the wingtips are black. The face, innerwing patch, and underparts are chestnut. The long tail is boldly banded, with a wedge-shaped tip. Juveniles are mottled and streaked ginger and brown, with prominent ginger shoulders, fawn rump and banded tail.

Climate change

Mean temperatures are projected to rise by 2.2 ºC by 2070. The increases are occurring across the region, with the greatest increase during summer and spring. All models show there are no declines in mean temperatures across the New England North West.

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Water

Water for the environment

26,596km²

Gwydir Valley area

The largest stand of marsh club-rush sedgeland can be found in the Gwydir valley. As the Gwydir River heads west and branches into three main systems, environmental flows are used to support a range of wetland types along with the plants and animals that live, breed and feed there.

Gwydir profile

REGIONAL RESOURCES

The brush-tailed bettong or woylie (Bettongia penicillata) is presumed extinct in New South Wales

Learn more about the Reintroduction of Locally Extinct Mammals Project.

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Controlled burn by National Parks and Wildlife Service and NSW Rural Fire Service

Hazard reduction burning in Wondoba State Conservation Area

All Female Hazard Reduction Burn, Scheyville National Park

Hazard reduction burn in Bluff River Nature Reserve

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

Hazard reduction burning in Boonalla Aboriginal Area

Georges River National Park hazard reduction burn

Two hazard reduction burns planned for Warrumbungle National Park

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Things to do & see

Collingwood

Once known as Bunker’s Farm, this is a rare surviving example of a Governor Macquarie era residence. Photo: S.Watters

Aboriginal Heritage walk

The Aboriginal Heritage walk highlights rock art and engravings of the Guringai people in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Photo: A.Richards

Sydney Harbour National Park

Sydney Harbour National Park protects islands and foreshore around Sydney Harbour. Photo: K.McGrath

Carisbrook

Carisbrook is a period furnished Victorian house open to the public on a regular basis. Photo: S.Watters

Canoeing on the Hacking River in the Audley precinct of Royal National Park

Audley historic recreational complex

Enjoy nineteenth century parklands and picnic grounds beside the Hacking River. Photo: D.Finnegan

The Coast Track

Discover the magnificent ocean views and rugged beauty of Royal National Park’s coastline as you walk the Coast track. Photo: A.Richards

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New England-North West