Brewarrina is a rural and remote community located in the north-west region of New South Wales on the banks of the Barwon River, 800 km’s north west of Sydney. The shire has a total population of 1766 persons (ABS 2011), spread over an area of 19,000 sq km’s and boarders the state line of Queensland to the north and is surrounded by the shires of Walgett, Warren, Bogan and Bourke. The nearest major population and regional centre is the city of Dubbo, approximately 400 km’s southeast of Brewarrina. Brewarrina Shire covers approx. 2.4% of the total area of NSW and contains less than 0.00025% of the total population, with one person for every 10.758 sq km’s. In comparison Sydney, which covers 1.5 % of the total area of NSW, contains 63.4% of the total state’s population. Brewarrina is the largest centre in the shire, incorporating two Aboriginal reserves situated close to town (West Brewarrina and Barwon Four). In addition to Brewarrina, there are four other populated centres within the shire. These are Goodooga, Angledool and Weilmoringle. The shire population has steadily declined over the past eight census counts, with 498 persons leaving the district since 1991. As at the last census date, the majority of the Brewarrina population were under 39 years of age, with one quarter younger than 15 years. A greater proportion of these younger people are amongst the Aboriginal population. Aboriginal people constituted 59% of the population at the time of the 2011 census. The Brewarrina Shire is home to the Ngemba, Murri Warri, Euahlayi, Weilwan, Ualari and Barranbinya people. Brewarrina has great historical significance to the Aboriginal people of the region as the town was one of the great inter-tribal meeting places of eastern Australia with the unique fisheries or "Nghunhu”, sustaining hundreds of Aboriginal people during the tribal gatherings held prior to European settlement. The fisheries are elaborate man made stone constructions in the riverbed designed to trap fish. The Brewarrina Fish Traps is an Australian heritage listed site and are of spiritual significance to Aboriginal people. Agriculture is a strong sector of the Brewarrina economy and the area is a major producer of wool, livestock and a significant producer of cotton and wheat.
