Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of the Oberon Council area were the Wiradjuri and Gundungurra Aboriginal people.

Settlement history

European settlement dates from the 1820s, although population was minimal until the late 1830s. Land was used mainly for grazing, farming, and gold and copper mining. Gradual growth took place during the mid and late 1800s, with timber becoming an important industry. The most significant development occurred from the post-war years, aided by the construction of Oberon Dam. Steady growth took place during the 1980s. The population of the Council area increased slightly during the 1990s, rising from about 4,600 in 1991 to nearly 5,100 in 2001. The population was then relatively stable between 2001 and 2011.

Land use

The Oberon Council area is a predominantly rural area, with rural-residential and residential areas in several townships. Oberon town is the main population centre. Smaller villages include Black Springs, Burraga and Edith. The Council area encompasses a total land area of nearly 3,700 square kilometres. Rural land is used primarily for sheep and cattle grazing and timber production, with some mining.

Major features

• Major features of the Council area include Kanangra-Boyd National Park,
• part of Blue Mountains National Park,
• parts of Abercrombie River National Park,
• Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve,
• Jenolan Caves,
• Lake Oberon/Oberon Dam,
• Oberon District Hospital,
• Oberon & District Museum,
• Casey’s Vineyard,
• Oberon Golf Club,
• Oberon Pool Complex,
• Falkirk Daffodil Farm,
• Cunynghame Oval,
• The Common and various state forests.

Included areas