NSW man shot by police in 'confrontation'

A man shot in the lower back by police on a country NSW street on Wednesday is recovering in Orange Base Hospital.

A man has been shot by police in the central western NSW town of Cowra. (AAP)

A man has been shot by police in the lower back in the central western NSW town of Cowra.

Dennis John "DJ" Doolan, 32, was flown to Orange Base Hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

Police were called to Jindalee Circuit about midday on Wednesday and tried to speak with Mr Doolan.

He allegedly armed himself with various weapons, including a screwdriver, during a 40-minute confrontation before he was shot on the street.

"On arrival officers located a man and attempted to speak with him," a NSW police statement read.

"During a confrontation, the man was shot by police."

A critical incident team will investigate the incident, including the discharge of a police firearm, before an independent review.