Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey results are in
Published on 03 July 2024
The Surf Coast Shire Council has again scored higher than other large rural councils in all categories in the Victorian Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey.
The Council’s overall performance index score of 57 was one down from the previous year but still well ahead of the average rating of 50 for large-rural councils group, and 54 for all Victorian councils.
The annual survey co-ordinated by the Department of Government Services provides insight into community views on areas including overall council performance, value for money in services and infrastructure, decisions made in the interest of the community, customer service, and council direction.
Key findings for the Surf Coast Shire Council included:
- Waste management registered the highest satisfaction index score of 73 out of 100, up from 70.
- Sealed and unsealed roads maintenance categories were both up on 2023. Sealed roads scored 57, up from 56 and unsealed score 48, up from 46. Both ratings were well above the large-rural scores of 38 and 34 in these categories and statewide 45 and 36.
- Consultation and engagement remained unchanged at 52, higher than large-rural 48.
- Value for money remained unchanged at 51, higher than large-rural 43 and state 48.
- Customer service remained unchanged at 71, compared with large-rural 65 and state 67.
- Overall Council direction slipped one point to 45, higher than large-rural on 42 and equal with the state score.
Cr Gary Allen said the annual survey provided valuable insight.
“We thank community members for having shared their input,” Cr Allen said.
“We are pleased our ratings continue to be higher than other councils across the board and survey responses have highlighted areas with room for improvement.
“Even though maintenance of unsealed roads ranked two points higher this year it clearly remains an area our community is looking for improvement. We look forward to community input from our recent extensive unsealed roads review helping to guide our work in this area into the future. As always, doing more in one area requires decisions on how to deliver it whether that be reducing something else we are doing or looking for new revenue.
“We are also really pleased to see our waste management score increase. Knowing how passionate and aware our community is about our environment, waste reduction and recycling, the endorsement from community means a great deal.”
View the 2024 Community Satisfaction Survey results.