Dungog Council Score: 32/100 — What Residents Should Know
Dungog scores 32/100 overall, with its strongest performance in Community Services (44/100). Ranked #76 of 79 regional councils in NSW.
Dungog records a composite score of 32/100 (needs improvement), ranking 76th of 79 in its regional peer group and 123rd of 128 across NSW. It sits in the bottom quartile of NSW's regional councils, serving about 9,500 residents in a regional centre.On Financial Sustainability, Dungog posts 31/100 (needs improvement). That lags well behind the regional peer average of 51 and lags well behind 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 44/100 for Dungog, rated developing. That sits modestly below the regional peer average of 51 and sits modestly below 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 — 19/100 — reads as needs improvement. That lags well behind the regional peer average of 51 and lags well behind 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, Dungog lands on 35/100, a developing 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
Dungog's strongest showing is on Community Services (44) and Core Operations (35). Practically, 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. Alongside that, strong core operations mean waste, roads and planning approvals are running smoothly and rates are more likely to be delivering visible value.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 weaker lifestyle and amenity results tend to show up in ageing sportsgrounds, tired playgrounds, or a thinner events calendar. The weakest dimensions here — Financial Sustainability (31) and Lifestyle & Amenity (19) — are the areas most likely to shape resident complaints and future rates decisions.Score Breakdown
| Dimension | Score | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Sustainability | 31/100 | needs improvement |
| Community Services | 44/100 | developing |
| Lifestyle & Amenity | 19/100 | needs improvement |
| Core Operations | 35/100 | developing |
| Composite | 32/100 | needs improvement |
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