Brewarrina LGA crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
420 recorded in this period, compared with 481 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Brewarrina
Brewarrina Shire is a local government area located in the far north-west of New South Wales, spanning approximately 19,178 square kilometres of arid and semi-arid landscape. Centred on the township of Brewarrina, the region is defined by the Barwon River, which serves as a vital water source for the surrounding pastoral and agricultural lands. The population is relatively small and notably diverse, with a significant Aboriginal demographic. The community maintains a strong cultural connection to the land, reflecting the area's long-standing history as a hub for regional trade and social gathering.
Local life in the Shire is characterized by its rural setting, with amenities primarily concentrated in the town of Brewarrina, including essential health services, primary and secondary schooling, and local government facilities. The economy is predominantly supported by broad-acre farming, grazing, and local service industries. As a remote community, the Shire emphasizes community-led initiatives and provides a quiet, inland lifestyle that serves as a gateway to the broader Outback region.
The area holds immense historical and cultural significance, most notably for the Brewarrina Fish Traps, known traditionally as "Ngunnhu." These ancient, interconnected stone structures, built by Aboriginal peoples, are among the oldest human-made stone constructions in the world and are listed on the Australian National Heritage List. Historically, the site served as a major meeting place for various nations to conduct trade, ceremony, and negotiations. European settlement in the late 19th century transformed the region into a river port and pastoral centre, though the heritage of the Ngemba and other local Aboriginal peoples remains the defining element of the Shire’s cultural identity.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Breach bail conditions | 69 | 76 |
| Harassment threatening | 60 | 61 |
| Malicious damage to property | 47 | 44 |
| Assault - domestic violence | 46 | 61 |
| Breach AVO | 42 | 54 |
| Assault - non-domestic violence | 21 | 24 |
| Trespass | 18 | 12 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 15 | 33 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 15 | 23 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 11 | 11 |
| Other theft | 9 | 3 |
| Steal from dwelling | 9 | 7 |
| Arson | 8 | 4 |
| Resist or hinder officer | 7 | 5 |
| Sexual Offences | 7 | 10 |
| Fraud | 6 | 9 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 6 | 10 |
| Offensive conduct | 6 | 0 |
| Possession use of cannabis | 6 | 12 |
| Prohibited weapons offences | 5 | 8 |
| Steal from retail store | 5 | 9 |
| Liquor offences | 2 | 0 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 1,356 residents. This is not a current population estimate.
Sources and interpretation
These are police-recorded incident or victim counts, not every unreported incident or a prediction of personal safety. Percentage changes are not tests of statistical significance; small counts need particular care.