Muswellbrook Council Score: 44/100 — What Residents Should Know
Muswellbrook scores 44/100 overall, with its strongest performance in Community Services (58/100). Ranked #59 of 79 regional councils in NSW.
Muswellbrook records a composite score of 44/100 (developing), ranking 61st of 79 in its regional peer group and 99th of 128 across NSW. It sits in the bottom quartile of NSW's regional councils, serving around 17k residents in a regional centre.On Financial Sustainability, Muswellbrook posts 38/100 (developing). That trails the regional peer average of 51 and trails 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 58/100 for Muswellbrook, rated solid. That sits modestly above the regional peer average of 51 and sits modestly above 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 — 48/100 — reads as developing. That roughly matches the regional peer average of 51 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, Muswellbrook lands on 34/100, 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
Muswellbrook's strongest showing is on Community Services (58) and Lifestyle & Amenity (48). 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 (38) and Core Operations (34) — are the areas most likely to shape resident complaints and future rates decisions.Score Breakdown
| Dimension | Score | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Sustainability | 38/100 | developing |
| Community Services | 58/100 | solid |
| Lifestyle & Amenity | 48/100 | developing |
| Core Operations | 34/100 | needs improvement |
| Composite | 44/100 | developing |
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