Welcome to Central Darling Shire Council

Sunset at Menindee

Central Darling Shire was constituted on 1 May 1959 and encompasses an area of over 53,000 square kilometres, making it the largest Local Government Area (LGA) in New South Wales. Conversely, population figures for the Shire are one of the lowest at 2000 residents dispersed throughout and surrounding the towns of Ivanhoe, Menindee, Wilcannia and White Cliffs, and its localities of Darnick, Mossgiel, Sunset Strip and Tilpa.

The principle economic activities within the Shire include pastoral, horticultural, agricultural, mining and tourism. Rural grazing properties represent the largest land use within the Shire, accounting for 97% of the entire area.

Major horticultural and agricultural production is centred on Menindee. The relative ease of access to water from the Darling River and Menindee Lakes Storage Scheme enables producers to grow a large variety of crops and fruits. Producers' routinely trial new plantings, equipment and techniques in an on-going process to improve efficiencies and increase yield.

Opal mining has been the predominant mining industry within the Shire. Opal was discovered in White Cliffs in 1884 and the first commercial opal field commenced operation in 1890, reaching its peak in 1899. Today many small-scale mining operations have continued and White Cliffs' opals can be found around the world.

The Central Darling Shire Council presents: Why I Love Where I Live

Why I Love Where I Live tells the unique stories of locals who live in the Central Darling Shire. You will find the stories quirky, humorous, but it will leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling about the delights and unique qualities of living in the Central Darling Shire.

White Cliffs

Bill Hoskins on Why he Loves Where he Lives

Wendy Dowton on Why she Loves Where she Lives

Wilcannia

Pat Barraclough on Why she Loves Where she Lives

Murry Butcher on Why he Loves Where he Lives

Menindee

Marie Coombe on Why she Loves Where she Lives

Adam Bailey on Why he Loves Where he Lives

Ivanhoe

Erica Ford on Why she Loves Where she Lives

Terry Huntley on Why he Loves Where he Lives

© 2008 Central Darling Shire Council
This page: http://www.centraldarling.nsw.gov.au/index.html