Best-performing rural councils

Rural councils topping the composite score — a useful reference for tree-changers and remote regional comparison.

Ranked by Composite score

  1. Borough of Queenscliffe — VIC · rural · Composite score: 66/100 · composite 66/100
  2. Central Darling — NSW · rural · Composite score: 64/100 · composite 64/100
  3. Brewarrina — NSW · rural · Composite score: 63/100 · composite 63/100
  4. Carrathool — NSW · rural · Composite score: 62/100 · composite 62/100
  5. Bogan — NSW · rural · Composite score: 61/100 · composite 61/100
  6. West Wimmera Shire — VIC · rural · Composite score: 60/100 · composite 60/100
  7. Ararat Rural City — VIC · rural · Composite score: 59/100 · composite 59/100
  8. Hindmarsh Shire — VIC · rural · Composite score: 59/100 · composite 59/100
  9. Bourke — NSW · rural · Composite score: 59/100 · composite 59/100
  10. Gannawarra Shire — VIC · rural · Composite score: 58/100 · composite 58/100
  11. Loddon Shire — VIC · rural · Composite score: 57/100 · composite 57/100
  12. Alpine Shire — VIC · rural · Composite score: 56/100 · composite 56/100
  13. Pyrenees Shire — VIC · rural · Composite score: 56/100 · composite 56/100
  14. Coolamon — NSW · rural · Composite score: 56/100 · composite 56/100
  15. Warren — NSW · rural · Composite score: 56/100 · composite 56/100
  16. Benalla Rural City — VIC · rural · Composite score: 54/100 · composite 54/100
  17. Mansfield Shire — VIC · rural · Composite score: 54/100 · composite 54/100
  18. Coonamble — NSW · rural · Composite score: 54/100 · composite 54/100
  19. Murrindindi Shire — VIC · rural · Composite score: 53/100 · composite 53/100
  20. Murrumbidgee — NSW · rural · Composite score: 53/100 · composite 53/100
  21. Towong Shire — VIC · rural · Composite score: 52/100 · composite 52/100
  22. Balranald — NSW · rural · Composite score: 52/100 · composite 52/100
  23. Strathbogie Shire — VIC · rural · Composite score: 50/100 · composite 50/100
  24. Hay — NSW · rural · Composite score: 50/100 · composite 50/100
  25. Buloke Shire — VIC · rural · Composite score: 49/100 · composite 49/100

How we rank

Rankings are calculated from Council Scorer's four performance dimensions (Sustainability, Community Services, Lifestyle & Amenity, Core Operations), each derived from statutory data submitted to state and federal regulators. We compare within state and peer group so that metro, regional and rural councils are judged like-for-like. Read the full methodology.