Hay Council Score: 50/100 — What Residents Should Know
Hay scores 50/100 overall, with its strongest performance in Community Services (63/100). Ranked #11 of 15 rural councils in NSW.
Hay records a composite score of 50/100 (solid), ranking 11th of 15 in its rural peer group and 72nd of 128 across NSW. It sits in the lower half of NSW's rural councils, serving about 2,861 residents in a rural community.On Financial Sustainability, Hay posts 44/100 (developing). That trails the rural peer average of 53 and sits modestly below 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 63/100 for Hay, rated solid. That runs comfortably ahead of the rural peer average of 53 and runs comfortably ahead of 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 — 51/100 — reads as solid. That roughly matches the rural peer average of 54 and roughly matches 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, Hay lands on 40/100, a developing result. That trails the rural peer average of 53 and trails 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
Hay's strongest showing is on Community Services (63) and Lifestyle & Amenity (51). 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 lifestyle and amenity scores point to better-maintained parks, sportsgrounds and cultural venues, and generally a more liveable public realm.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 (44) and Core Operations (40) — are the areas most likely to shape resident complaints and future rates decisions.Score Breakdown
| Dimension | Score | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Sustainability | 44/100 | developing |
| Community Services | 63/100 | solid |
| Lifestyle & Amenity | 51/100 | solid |
| Core Operations | 40/100 | developing |
| Composite | 50/100 | solid |
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