MOORABOOL Council is among the most complained-about councils in Victoria, a new report reveals.
The State Ombudsman’s annual report, tabled in Parliament last week, showed the shire was in the top 10 for complaints per 1000 people (1.12) — nearly double the state average — last financial year. The report stated Moorabool Shire was the ninth-most-complained-about council in the state.
Melton was the fifth-least-complained-about council.
Moorabool Council was only marginally behind Melbourne City (1.4), while Hepburn Shire was third (1.65). Thirty formal complaints were made against Moorabool Council. However, the Ombudsman’s office would not provide a breakdown and the council was also unable to provide detailed figures.
The Ombudsman warned results could be misleading: “These complaint rates can be useful when assessed in the context of other data. Their significance needs to be carefully considered when used in isolation.”
Statewide, the most common reasons for complaints involved delays or no response from relevant authorities, planning matters and parking.
Moorabool Council is also yet to reveal the results of a statewide community satisfaction survey. As reported by the Weekly, the Local Government Services Report was released on August 22. It included results from almost 30,000 respondents who judged the performance of 71 councils.
Brimbank, Wyndham, Macedon Ranges and Moonee Valley councils released their results in the past few weeks. A Moorabool Council spokesman said the results were likely to be released after the next council meeting.
