FM The Central West is one of the most diverse agricultural areas in Australia, encompassing wool, sheep, cattle, wheat, cereal crops, orchards, horticulture, viticulture, market gardens and cotton.
Urban consolidation is, however, also substantial.
Orange and Bathurst each have populations of over 35,000 and, there are a large number of smaller centres. Industrially, the area includes light and heavy manufacturing, mining, power generation, and a comprehensive rail and road transport infrastructure.