Moorabool council’s chief executive says it is “disheartening” to discover that people don’t think things are improving across the shire.
“It’s disheartening that there’s no significant improvement in the results from last year,” Rob Croxford told a recent council meeting about feedback from this year’s community satisfaction survey.
“That’s frustrating because we do make a conscious effort to make improvements,” he said.
“Categories like public consultation and aged care services need improving.
“I think the community satisfaction survey is a very useful way of identifying what we should be focusing on.”
Residents scored the council poorly on overall performance and direction, community consultation, advocacy, and decision-making during February and March.
Meanwhile, traditional areas of complaint, such as the condition of sealed roads and council’s customer service, improved on last year’s survey.
But the condition of streets and footpaths, support services for elderly people and recreational opportunities were cited among people’s biggest concerns.
Moorabool council’s results were generally on par or above other large rural council performances, despite its overall performance scoring lower than last year.
The annual community satisfaction survey, which is now available for public perusal, provides a snapshot of community views of the council’s performance during the two months.
The surveys are used as a yardstick to gauge the importance people place on a range of council services relative to how they are delivered.
Key areas for improvement listed in Moorabool’s survey report included recreational facilities, family support services, the appearance of public areas, waste management, and business and community development.
The survey showed that Ballan residents are the most dissatisfied with Moorabool council services, while 18 to 34 year-olds were the age group most favourably disposed towards their council.
Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins said this year’s council elections should give more background on the candidates than ever via the Know your Council website.
Candidates for the October poll are being urged to include details of any training they have had to prepare themselves for the role.
