may be defined in completely different ways, as shown by the maps in the references. The original basis for descriptive regional names in New South Wales is based on the geography of the State. The State can be divided into four components: the coastal regions fronting the Tasman Sea in the east of the State the highlands which form part of the Great Dividing Range the western (inland) slopes of the highlands, which form the main agricultural region of the State the arid western plains These four components are then typically divided into north, central and southern components based upon their location relative to Sydney. This two-way subdivision gives rise to the generic pattern of regions, and in some cases, subregions: Specific uses of regions for different purposes Weather forecasting The Australian Bureau of Meteorology divides New South Wales into sixteen districts. Northern Rivers Mid North Coast Hunter Northern Tablelands Sydney Metropolitan Illawarra South Coast Central Tablelands Southern Tablelands Snowy Mountains North West Slopes & Plains Central West Slopes & Plains South West Slopes Riverina Lower Western Upper Western New South Wales Government Department of State and Regional Development The Department of State and Regional Development lists fourteen regions in New South Wales. Far South Coast, Central Coast, Central West, Greater Western Sydney, Far West, The Hunter, Illawarra, Mid North Coast, Murray, New England - North West, Northern Rivers, Orana, Riverina, and Sydney Office of Local Government The Office of Local Government listed twelve regions: Central West, Mid North Coast, North Western, Far West, Murray, Richmond Tweed, Hunter, Murrumbidgee, South Eastern, Illawarra, Northern, and Sydney Surrounds Local governments in New South Wales have created regional groupings. The NSW Regional Organisations of Councils, typically with names like "Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils" (WSROC) have the main function of lobbying the State Government on various matters, coordinating economic development, joint purchasing between councils and regional promotion. They have no formal administrative function. There are thirteen networks of regional organisation, in addition to the six networks in Greater Metropolitan Sydney: Canberra Region, Central NSW, Far North West, Far South West, Hunter, Illawarra Shoalhaven, Mid North Coast, Namoi, New England, Northern Rivers, Orana, Riverina and Murray, and Riverina. Shore Region, Central Coast Region, Macarthur Region, Northern Sydney Region, Southern Sydney Region, Western Sydney Region, Sydney Coastal. Department of Planning The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment divides New South Wales into ten regions: