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 7:00 am, 6 December 2023 AEST

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

North-West Slopes Good

Learn more Alert

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.

View interactive map

Download regional snapshot

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.

Help a sick or injured animal

Get answers

Who can help with an injured or sick marine animal?

Stay up to date

Aerial view of construction of new visitor facilities at Ebor Falls

Guy Fawkes River National Park: Ebor Falls closes during $5 million upgrades

Two adults watching two children play in the water at Boat Beach, Myall Lakes National Park

Prioritise safety in NSW national parks this long weekend

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is urging visitors to prioritise safety in national parks this long weekend, with predict...

Georges River National Park hazard reduction burn

Hazard reduction burn planned for Maroomba State Conservation Area

Trainee field officer, hazard reduction burn

Hazard reduction burn in Richmond Range National Park

See all

Things to do & see

Thank you for your feedback. Would you like to tell us more?

Your comments (required) Tell us what you liked about the page or how it could be improved.

If you are happy for us to follow up on your feedback, please provide your name and email. The information you provide in this form will only be used for the purpose for which it was collected. By submitting, you consent to storage, use, and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy.

Name

I would like EES to contact me in the future for help improving services and to share information about national parks or other environmental activities.

New England-North West