NSW · Far West · Local council, made simple
Broken Hill City Council
The outback 'Silver City' of the Far West — around 17,500 people in a remote, self-contained city that was the birthplace of BHP and the first place in Australia listed as a National Heritage city. Broken Hill City Council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, the library and art gallery, parks, the airport, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2025–26 rate peg: 4.0%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 6 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyBroken Hill's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
1 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Tom Kennedy (Independent)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: 08 8080 3300
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~17,500 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
15 updatesAuto-collected from Broken Hill City Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Event
Splash into Spring - Spring Safe Story Time at the Pool
16 Sep 2026 In partnership with the national water safety program Kids Alive, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), and the Australian Public Library Alliance (APLA), Broken Hill City Library and the Broken Hill City Aquatic Centre are hosting a free Spring Safe Storytime session.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Carer Gateway Carers Morning Tea
14 Sep 2026 A monthly meet up for carers to remain connected with other carers living with similar experiences.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Waste
Waste 2 Art Regional Showcase Opens in Broken Hill
Published on 10 August 2026 Broken Hill will welcome outstanding recycled artworks from across regional NSW this week as the 2026 Waste 2 Art Regional Showcase opens at the Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum (GeoCentre).
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Lucas Guilbert Wins 2026 Pro Hart Outback Art Prize
Published on 05 August 2026 Selected from 319 entries and exhibited among 50 finalists from across Australia, Guilbert's work was awarded the $20,000 acquisitive First Prize and will become part of the Gallery's nationally recognised permanent collection.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
City must benefit from uranium deal
Published on 31 July 2026 "We want environmental protections and we want royalties from any mining in our region.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
2026 Pro Hart Outback Art Prize Opening Night
Published on 27 July 2026 "The Pro Hart Outback Art Prize continues to attract exceptional artists from across Australia, and this year's exhibition is no exception.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
DJ PlayUP - free entry
12 Sep 2026 DJ PlayUp takes over The BHP once again! Expect nothing but the hottest beats from 8.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Community invited to help tell Pro Hart’s story in major retrospective
Published on 10 September 2026 “We would be grateful for the community’s help in bringing together this special tribute to Pro and his enduring legacy, If you have a piece of Pro’s story, we would love to hear from you.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Hundreds more apprenticeships available under the Fresh Start Program
Published on 09 September 2026 Since the Program was announced in 2024, more than 1,100 apprentices, trainees and cadets have started work in NSW councils, helping councils fill skills gaps and build their workforce for the future. Of those recruits, 726 are working in rural and regional councils.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
New partnership for plant giveaway
Published on 11 September 2026 “Every shrub or groundcover we can get planted in the community will help control dust and lead, and there's never a bad time to offer locals some extra help with mental health.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Game On! Switch 2 Saturdays
12 Sep 2026 Can’t get enough of the Nintendo Switch 2? Book yourself and your mates in for a slot and game on every Saturday!
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Call for Entries: 2026 Maari Ma Indigenous Art Awards
Published on 04 September 2026 The Broken Hill City Art Gallery, Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Health Corporation and West Darling Arts are proud to announce that entries are now open for the 2026 Maari Ma Indigenous Art Awards (MMIAA).
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Council service hours for the 2025 Broken Hill Picnic Day
The council published its hours of operation for the 2025 Broken Hill Picnic Day, the local public holiday, covering council offices and services.
What this means for you: If you need a council service around the Picnic Day holiday, check the published hours first, as offices and some services close or change hours for the day.
Source: Broken Hill City Council — 2025 Picnic Day hours of operation
- Event
Nominations open for the 2026 Australia Day Awards
The council opened nominations to recognise local people and groups through the 2026 Australia Day Awards.
What this means for you: Residents can nominate individuals, community groups or events they think deserve recognition; the council's page below explains how and by when.
Source: Broken Hill City Council — Nominations open for top awards
- Development
$5 million toward Broken Hill Airport runway upgrade
Broken Hill received $5 million toward an upgrade of the council-owned airport's runway through the NSW Government's Regional Development Trust.
What this means for you: The funding is for work on the airport runway, which supports the city's air links (including for medical, freight and passenger flights); the council's page below has the details.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Broken Hill City Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.