Liam McNally
Residents in the Melton municipality are slightly more satisfied with their local council than last year according to the findings of the 2023 Community Satisfaction Survey.
For the past nine years, Melton council has conducted an annual community satisfaction survey through an independent research organisation.
The results, tabled at a council meeting on Monday, September 25, found Melton resident’s overall approval of council rose from 6.5 to a score of 6.9 out of 10, similar to average results for western region councils and metro councils of seven out of 10.
Satisfaction rose for core governance, perceptions of safety, planning and development outcomes and appearance and quality of new development, while it decreased for customer service and community services for babies, children, youths, seniors and persons with disability.
Councillor Justine Farrugia said the survey provides critical insights to what matters to residents and opportunities for improvement.
“It is an important snapshot that helps to tell the story of those who live in the city of Melton,” she said.
“Our waste and recycling services along with our libraries, community events and festivals performed at a high standard with residents rating them as ‘excellent’.”
A quarter of respondents named traffic management as a main issue for council to address, 13 per cent brought up roads and road works and 12 percent raised parks, gardens, and open spaces, and eight per cent raised safety, policy and crime.
“There are a number of issues that are top of mind for our residents… Council continues to advocate for the state and federal government for more investment in roads and public transport and this financial year council is spending $29.4 million on upgrading local roads and $15.2 million to improve road safety,” Cr Farrugia said.
“Parks, gardens and open spaces are also important considerations for our community and we will be spending $14.2 million to upgrade local parks and streetscapes and $14.1 million to upgrade recreation, leisure and community facilities in the 2023-24 budget.
This year’s survey comprised 806 face-to-face interviews with residents.
