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
3 updatesRecent items from Broken Hill City Council's public channels, in plain language.
- 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.
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