Snowy Monaro Regional
Snowy Monaro Regional is one of NSW's top-performing councils, ranking =15th of 128 and strongest on community services.
"Snow country capital — Cooma, Jindabyne, and the Australian Alps"
See where Snowy Monaro Regional ranks: Best Councils in New South Wales 2026
New South Wales · regional council · Pop. 22,292
Data last updated: 2023-24 · Data confidence: high
Overall Score
63 out of 100
#8 of 79 regional councils in NSW
#15 in New South Wales
Score Breakdown
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Sustainability | 41/100 |
| Community Services | 76/100 |
| Lifestyle & Amenity | 69/100 |
| Core Operations | 67/100 |
What This Means For You
Among regional councils, Snowy Monaro Regional performs strongest in Community Services (scoring 76 out of 100 against peers), with room to improve in Sustainability (currently 41 out of 100).
What Makes This Place Unique
Snow country capital — Cooma, Jindabyne, and the Australian Alps
Snowy Monaro covers Cooma, Jindabyne, and the gateway to the Snowy Mountains ski resorts.
Known For
- Gateway to Perisher, Thredbo, and Charlotte Pass
- Snowy Hydro scheme heritage
- Jindabyne — mountain adventure town
- High-country pastoral farming
Living Here
Snowy Monaro offers mountain lifestyle with ski-season income. Cooma is the service centre. Cold winters are genuine.
Hidden Gem
Yarrangobilly Caves thermal pool — a natural heated pool in the mountains surrounded by snow gums.