Coffs Harbour Council Score: 42/100 — What Residents Should Know
Coffs Harbour scores 42/100 overall, with its strongest performance in Financial Sustainability (60/100). Ranked #66 of 79 regional councils in NSW.
Coffs Harbour records a composite score of 42/100 (developing), ranking 66th of 79 in its regional peer group and 106th of 128 across NSW. It sits in the bottom quartile of NSW's regional councils, serving around 80k residents in a regional centre.On Financial Sustainability, Coffs Harbour posts 60/100 (solid). That runs comfortably ahead of the regional peer average of 51 and runs comfortably ahead of 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 40/100 for Coffs Harbour, rated developing. That trails the regional peer average of 51 and trails 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 — 40/100 — reads as developing. That trails the regional peer average of 51 and trails 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, Coffs Harbour lands on 27/100, 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
Coffs Harbour's strongest showing is on Financial Sustainability (60) and Community Services (40). Practically, a stronger financial position tends to mean rates rises are less likely to be driven by budget shortfalls, and long-term infrastructure planning is better funded. 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 lifestyle and amenity results tend to show up in ageing sportsgrounds, tired playgrounds, or a thinner events calendar. 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 — Lifestyle & Amenity (40) and Core Operations (27) — are the areas most likely to shape resident complaints and future rates decisions.Score Breakdown
| Dimension | Score | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Sustainability | 60/100 | solid |
| Community Services | 40/100 | developing |
| Lifestyle & Amenity | 40/100 | developing |
| Core Operations | 27/100 | needs improvement |
| Composite | 42/100 | developing |
Related Councils: coffs-harbour