{{Use Australian English|date=August 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}} {{Infobox Australian place | type = region | name = North Central | state = vic | image ={{multiple image | border = infobox | total_width = 280 | perrow = 1/1 | caption_align = center | image1 = BendigoCapitalTheatre.JPG | caption1 = Originally a Masonic Hall, now the Capital Theatre in {{VICcity|Bendigo}}. | image2 = Seymour-aerial.jpg | caption2 = An aerial view of {{VICcity|Seymour}} showing Goulburn River to the left. }} | coordinates = {{coord|36|45|S|144|16|E|display=inline,title}} | pushpin_map_caption = The location of {{VICcity|Bendigo}}, the major city in the North Central region | relief = yes | pop = {{formatnum:249660}} | pop_year = {{CensusAU|2016}} | pop_footnotes = <ref group=Note>Population figure is the combined population of all LGAs in the region</ref> | density = | density_footnotes = | area = 46762 | area_footnotes = | timezone = AEST | utc = +10 | timezone-dst = AEDT | utc-dst = +11 | dist1 = 150 | dir1 = NW | location1 = Melbourne | lga = {{plainlist| * <small>(by population)</small> * Greater Bendigo * Macedon Ranges * Campaspe * Mount Alexander * Central Goldfields * Gannawarra * Loddon * Buloke }} | stategov = {{plainlist| * Bendigo East * Bendigo West * Macedon * Ripon * Murray Plains }} | fedgov = {{plainlist| * Bendigo * Mallee (part) * McEwen (part) * Murray (part) * Wannon (part) }} | near-n = ''New South Wales'' | near-ne = Hume | near-e = Central Highlands | near-se = Central Highlands | near-s = Greater Melbourne | near-sw = Wimmera | near-w = Mallee | near-nw = Mallee }} '''North Central Victoria''' is a rural region in the Australian state of Victoria. The region lies to the south of the Victorian/New South Wales border as defined by the Murray River, to the southwest of the Hume region, to the west of the Great Dividing Range contained within the Central Highlands and Victorian Alps, to the north of Greater Melbourne, to the northeast of the Wimmera, and to the east of the Mallee region.
As at the 2016 Australian census, the North Central region had a population of {{formatnum:249660}}, representing the aggregate population of the eight local government areas that comprise the region.
== Location == Sustainability Victoria, a Victorian Government agency, defines North Central Victoria as the municipalities of Buloke, Gannawarra, Loddon, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Mount Alexander, Macedon Ranges and the City of Greater Bendigo.<ref>{{cite web| title=North Central Victoria| publisher=Sustainability Victoria|date=August 2006| url=http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/www/html/2008-north-central-victoria.asp| access-date=7 January 2008}}</ref> A climate change study by La Trobe University also includes the Shire of Hepburn within the region.<ref name="LaTrobe">{{cite web| title=The Energy Footprint for North Central Victoria: An Initial Step Toward Addressing Climate Change| publisher=University of LaTrobe| year=2002| url=http://www.latrobe.edu.au/csrc/publications/energyFootprints.pdf| access-date=7 January 2008}}</ref>
The major urban centres are Bendigo, Castlemaine, Maryborough and Rochester. Smaller localities include Kyneton, Pyramid Hill, Kerang, Donald and Creswick. In 2002 the estimated population of North Central Victoria was 200,000.<ref name="LaTrobe" />
== Administration ==
=== Political representation === For the purposes of Australian federal elections for the House of Representatives, the North Central region is contained within the Division of Bendigo,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aec.gov.au/profiles/vic/bendigo.htm|title=Profile of the electoral division of Bendigo (Vic)|work=Current federal electoral divisions|publisher=Australian Electoral Commission|date=24 December 2010|access-date=9 August 2014}}</ref> a southwestern portion of the Division of McEwen,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aec.gov.au/profiles/vic/mcewen.htm|title=Profile of the electoral division of McEwen (Vic)|work=Current federal electoral divisions|publisher=Australian Electoral Commission|date=24 December 2010|access-date=9 August 2014}}</ref> the westernmost portion of the Division of Murray,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aec.gov.au/profiles/vic/murray.htm|title=Profile of the electoral division of Murray (Vic)|work=Current federal electoral divisions|publisher=Australian Electoral Commission|date=24 December 2010|access-date=9 August 2014}}</ref> the northeasternmost portion of the Division of Mallee,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aec.gov.au/profiles/vic/mallee.htm|title=Profile of the electoral division of Mallee (Vic)|work=Current federal electoral divisions|publisher=Australian Electoral Commission|date=24 December 2010|access-date=9 August 2014}}</ref> and the northeastern{{endash}}most portion of the Division of Wannon,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aec.gov.au/profiles/vic/wannon.htm|title=Profile of the electoral division of Wannon (Vic)|work=Current federal electoral divisions|publisher=Australian Electoral Commission|date=24 December 2010|access-date=9 August 2014}}</ref>
For the purposes of Victorian elections for the Legislative Assembly, the North Central region is contained within the electoral districts of Bendigo East, Bendigo West, Macedon, Murray Plains and Ripon.
==== Local government areas ==== For administration purposes the region is divided into eight local government areas:
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ North Central region LGA populations |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Local government area ! scope="col" colspan="2" | Area ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Population<br />(2011 census) ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Source(s) ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Population<br />(2016 census) ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Source(s) |- ! scope="col" | km<sup>2</sup> ! scope="col" | sq mi |- | scope="row" | City of Greater Bendigo | {{convert|3048|km2|sqmi|disp=table}} | align="right" | {{formatnum:100617}} | <ref>{{Census 2011 AUS|id=LGA22620|name=Greater Bendigo (C) (Local Government Area)|access-date=9 August 2014}}</ref> | align="right" | {{formatnum:110477}} | <ref>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=LGA22620|name=Greater Bendigo (C) (Local Government Area)|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> |- | scope="row" | Buloke Shire | {{convert|8004|km2|sqmi|disp=table}} | align="right" | {{formatnum:6384}} | <ref>{{Census 2011 AUS|id=LGA21270|name=Buloke (S) (Local Government Area)|access-date=9 August 2014}}</ref> | align="right" | {{formatnum:6201}} | <ref>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=LGA21270|name=Buloke (S) (Local Government Area)|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> |- | scope="row" | Shire of Campaspe | {{convert|1280|km2|sqmi|disp=table}} | align="right" | {{formatnum:36365}} | <ref>{{Census 2011 AUS|id=LGA21370|name=Campaspe (S) (Local Government Area)|access-date=9 August 2014}}</ref> | align="right" | {{formatnum:37061}} | <ref>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=LGA21370|name=Campaspe (S) (Local Government Area)|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> |- | scope="row" | Central Goldfields Shire | {{convert|20941|km2|sqmi|disp=table}} | align="right" | {{formatnum:12496}} | <ref>{{Census 2011 AUS|id=LGA21670|name=Central Goldfields (S) (Local Government Area)|access-date=9 August 2014}}</ref> | align="right" | {{formatnum:12995}} | <ref>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=LGA21670|name=Central Goldfields (S) (Local Government Area)|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> |- | scope="row" | Gannawarra Shire | {{convert|3732|km2|sqmi|disp=table}} | align="right" | {{formatnum:10366}} | <ref>{{Census 2011 AUS|id=LGA22250|name=Gannawarra (S) (Local Government Area)|access-date=9 August 2014}}</ref> | align="right" | {{formatnum:10549}} | <ref>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=LGA22250|name=Gannawarra (S) (Local Government Area)|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> |- | scope="row" | Shire of Loddon | {{convert|6694|km2|sqmi|disp=table}} | align="right" | {{formatnum:7459}} | <ref>{{Census 2011 AUS|id=LGA23940|name=Loddon (S) (Local Government Area)|access-date=9 August 2014}}</ref> | align="right" | {{formatnum:7516}} | <ref>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=LGA23940|name=Loddon (S) (Local Government Area)|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> |- | scope="row" | Shire of Macedon Ranges | {{convert|1534|km2|sqmi|disp=table}} | align="right" | {{formatnum:48160}} | <ref>{{Census 2011 AUS|id=LGA24130|name=Macedon Ranges (S) (Local Government Area)|access-date=9 August 2014}}</ref> | align="right" | {{formatnum:46100}} | <ref>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=LGA24130|name=Macedon Ranges (S) (Local Government Area)|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> |- | scope="row" | Shire of Mount Alexander | {{convert|1529|km2|sqmi|disp=table}} | align="right" | {{formatnum:17591}} | <ref>{{Census 2011 AUS|id=LGA25430|name=Mount Alexander (S) (Local Government Area)|access-date=9 August 2014}}</ref> | align="right" | {{formatnum:18761}} | <ref>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=LGA25430|name=Mount Alexander (S) (Local Government Area)|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> |- | scope="row" align="right" | '''Totals''' | {{convert|46762|km2|sqmi|disp=table}} | align="right" |'''{{formatnum:239438}}''' | style="background:darkgrey;" | | align="right" |'''{{formatnum:249660}}''' | style="background:darkgrey;" | |}
=== Environmental protection === The North Central region contains the Greater Bendigo National Park, Gunbower National Park, Heathcote-Graytown National Park, and the Terrick Terrick National Park.
==Climate== The climate is moderate with wet winters and warm, dry summers. Annual rainfall ranges from {{convert|350|mm}} near Swan Hill in the north, to over {{convert|1200|mm}} in the far southeast.
Temperatures are warm in summer, typically ranging from a maximum of {{convert|31|C|F}} to a minimum of {{convert|14|C|F}} in Kerang in the northwest and from {{convert|27|C|F}} to {{convert|11|C|F}} in the south. Winters are cool with minimum temperatures of {{convert|2|-|4|C|F}} across the region.<ref name="NCRCStrat">{{cite web| title=North Central Regional Catchment Strategy 2003-2007| publisher=North Central Catchment Management Authority|year=2003| url=http://www.nccma.vic.gov.au/library/scripts/objectifyMedia.aspx?file=KMSMedia/pdf/12/16.pdf&fileName=| access-date=7 January 2008}}</ref>
==Natural resources == Natural resource management is administered by the North Central Catchment Management Authority covering {{convert|30000|km}} bounded by the Great Dividing Range, the Mount Carmel Ranges to the east and the New South Wales border to the north.<ref>{{cite web| title=Welcome to the North Central Catchment Management Authority| publisher=North Central Catchment Management Authority|date=December 2007| url=http://www.nccma.vic.gov.au/| access-date=7 January 2008}}</ref> This includes the management of rural water allocations and environmental protection for the Avon-Richardson, Avoca, Campaspe and Loddon rivers.<ref name="NRMAWater">{{cite web| title=Natural Resource Management Assets: Water| publisher=North Central Catchment Management Authority|date=December 2007| url=http://www.nccma.vic.gov.au/What_We_Do/NRM_Assets/Water/index.aspx| access-date=7 January 2008}}</ref>
Regional water consumption for irrigation, stock and domestic use greatly exceeds local supply. Irrigation consumes an average {{convert|1.4|GL|e6impgal+e6USgal}} per annum, while domestic use consumes around {{convert|40000|ML|e3impgal+e3USgal}} per annum.<ref name="NCRCStrat" /> More than 75% of regional water needs are met from water imports from the Goulburn Valley and upper Murray River catchments to the north and west.<ref name="NRMAWater" />
An extensive network of natural lakes includes Lake Buloke (the terminus for the Avon-Richardson River), Lake Batyo Catyo near the town of Donald, and a northern network comprising Lakes Boort, Merna, Kangaroo, Charm, Lalbert and Boga.<ref name="NCRCStrat" /> Groundwater beneath this northern lakes network supplies approximately 80% of Australia's mineral springs, supplying the bulk of domestically produced mineral water and providing substantial local employment.<ref name="NCRCStrat" />
== Land use == The predominant land use is agriculture, including sheep and cattle grazing and the production of cereals, grains and legumes. The gross value of agricultural output exceeds $0.8 billion a year.<ref name="NCRCStrat" /> Forestry is also a major employer in the area surrounding the former gold rush towns of Creswick and Daylesford,<ref name="VRO">{{cite web| title=North Central Land Use| publisher=Department of Primary Industries, Victoria|date=November 2007| url=http://www.nre.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/nthcenregn.nsf/pages/nthcen_landuse| access-date=7 January 2008}}</ref> with a substantial output of firewood, furniture timber and Eucalyptus oil.<ref name="NCRCStrat" />
Approximately 13% of the North Central catchment is public land, comprising flora reserves and state and national parks.<ref name="VRO" />
== Notes == {{Reflist|group=Note}}
== References == {{reflist}}
{{Victoria}}
Category:North Central Victoria Category:Regions of Victoria (state)