Oxley County is one of the 141 cadastral counties of New South Wales, Australia. Established in the 19th century as part of the colony’s land administration system, the county is used primarily for the registration of land titles and the subdivision of land into parishes.
Geography
The county lies in the central‑northwest region of New South Wales. It is bounded approximately by the Wallis River to the east, the Castlereagh River to the south, and the Warrumbungle Range to the west. Adjacent cadastral divisions include Napier County to the north, Bligh County to the east, and Gowen County to the south‑west.
Naming
Oxley County was named in honour of John Oxley (1784–1828), a surveyor and explorer who conducted several expeditions into the interior of New South Wales and contributed significantly to the mapping of the region.
Administrative Subdivisions
The county is subdivided into a number of parishes, each serving as a cadastral unit for land identification. These parishes are used in property descriptions and are listed in the New South Wales Land Registry.
Historical Context
Cadastral counties in New South Wales were introduced in the 1820s and 1830s to facilitate orderly settlement, land sales, and taxation. While the counties no longer serve as functional local government areas, they remain relevant for legal and surveying purposes.
References
- New South Wales Department of Lands, “Cadastral Mapping – County and Parish Boundaries.”
- Australian Surveyor General’s Office, “Historical County Maps of New South Wales.”
Note: The information presented reflects documented sources pertaining to the cadastral division known as Oxley County in New South Wales.