Ballina Council Score: 47/100 — What Residents Should Know
Ballina scores 47/100 overall, with its strongest performance in Lifestyle & Amenity (67/100). Ranked #49 of 79 regional councils in NSW.
Ballina records a composite score of 47/100 (developing), ranking 49th of 79 in its regional peer group and 84th of 128 across NSW. It sits in the lower half of NSW's regional councils, serving around 45k residents in a regional centre.On Financial Sustainability, Ballina posts 53/100 (solid). That roughly matches the regional peer average of 51 and roughly matches the NSW state average of 51. It captures how well the council balances its books, manages debt, and funds future infrastructure without over-relying on rates increases.Community Services comes in at 54/100 for Ballina, rated solid. That roughly matches the regional peer average of 51 and roughly matches the NSW state average of 51. It captures the reach and quality of libraries, childcare, aged support, community centres, and grants that touch daily life.The council's Lifestyle & Amenity result — 67/100 — reads as strong. That stands well above the regional peer average of 51 and stands well above the NSW state average of 51. It captures parks, sportsgrounds, cultural venues, events, and the general liveability of the area relative to what residents pay.For Core Operations, Ballina lands on 17/100, a needs improvement result. That lags well behind the regional peer average of 51 and lags well behind the NSW state average of 51. It captures the essentials — roads, waste, planning approvals, and how efficiently the council runs its day-to-day services.
What This Means For Residents
Ballina's strongest showing is on Lifestyle & Amenity (67) and Community Services (54). Practically, strong lifestyle and amenity scores point to better-maintained parks, sportsgrounds and cultural venues, and generally a more liveable public realm. Alongside that, strong community services translate into more reliable libraries, maternal health, aged support and community programs — a real day-to-day benefit for families and older residents.On the flip side, weaker financial sustainability often shows up over time as sharper rates increases, deferred renewals, or borrowing to cover recurrent costs. And a low core operations score is often felt through slower planning approvals, patchier road maintenance, and rougher waste and customer service experiences. The weakest dimensions here — Financial Sustainability (53) and Core Operations (17) — are the areas most likely to shape resident complaints and future rates decisions.Score Breakdown
| Dimension | Score | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Sustainability | 53/100 | solid |
| Community Services | 54/100 | solid |
| Lifestyle & Amenity | 67/100 | strong |
| Core Operations | 17/100 | needs improvement |
| Composite | 47/100 | developing |
Related Councils: ballina