Menindee County facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Menindee New South Wales
Location in New South Wales
Lands administrative divisions around Menindee: South Australia Yancowinna Tandora South Australia Menindee Livingstone South Australia Windeyer Perry

Menindee County is a special way Australia divides its land, like a big section on a map. It's one of 141 such divisions in New South Wales. You can find it in the western part of the state, right between the famous Darling River and the border with South Australia. The town of Menindee sits at its north-eastern edge, and the important Menindee Lakes are also found here. No one is quite sure where the name 'Menindee' originally came from!

What is a Cadastral Division?

A cadastral division is like a really old way of mapping out land. Imagine you're drawing a giant grid over a country. Each square or section on that grid is a cadastral division. These divisions help people keep track of who owns what land. They are also useful for planning and managing different areas.

Why are Counties Used?

In New South Wales, counties like Menindee were created a long time ago. They helped with land sales and property records. Even today, they are still used for some official purposes. They are a bit like historical boundaries that help us understand how land was first organized.

Geography of Menindee County

Menindee County is located in a mostly dry part of New South Wales. It's known for its wide-open spaces and unique landscape. The county stretches from the Darling River in the east all the way to the border with South Australia in the west.

The Darling River

The Darling River is one of Australia's longest rivers. It flows along the eastern side of Menindee County. This river is very important for the plants, animals, and people in the area. It provides water in a region that doesn't get much rain.

The Menindee Lakes

One of the most important features in Menindee County is the Menindee Lakes. These are a series of natural lakes that can hold a lot of water. They are connected to the Darling River. The lakes are vital for storing water for towns, farms, and the environment. They also create a habitat for many types of birds and other wildlife.

Smaller Divisions: Parishes

Within Menindee County, there are even smaller land divisions called parishes. These are like smaller neighborhoods or sections within the larger county. Each parish has its own name and helps to further break down the land for mapping. Some of these parishes are part of a Local Government Area (LGA), while others are in "Unincorporated" areas.

What is an Unincorporated Area?

An "Unincorporated Area" means that a place doesn't have its own local council. Instead, the state government manages services directly. This is common in very remote or sparsely populated parts of Australia. Many parishes in Menindee County are in these unincorporated areas. Other parishes are part of the Central Darling Shire, which is a local council that looks after several towns and areas.