Community Satisfaction Survey 2023 results released

Published on 28 July 2023

The latest Community Satisfaction Survey results has seen residents in the Loddon Shire rate positively the appearance of public areas, recreational facilities and waste management.

Council’s Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey, conducted by JWS Research, collected responses from 400 residents in Loddon Shire across four quarters (surveying 100 residents each quarter) on a range of Council services.

With a score of 70, the appearance of public areas rated above the state-wide average (score of 67), while Council’s recreational facilities with a score of 69 was above that of the state-wide and small rural council average (68 and 67 respectively).

Likewise, Council’s score of 69 for waste management rated higher than both the state-wide and small rural council average of 66.

Council’s overall performance was rated at 56 – matching that of the state-wide average and slightly above the rating of 55 for the small rural council average.

Informing the community received a score of 58, consistent with the small rural council average and slightly above the state-wide average of 57.

Community decisions at 54 scored above that of the small rural council average (52) and state-wide average (51).

The survey also showed areas residents thought more work needed to be done, including unsealed roads, planning and building permits, and sealed local roads.

Council’s Chief Executive Officer Lincoln Fitzgerald thanked the residents who were contacted as part of the survey for providing their feedback.

“This year’s survey has again provided some insights into areas where Council performs well and where we could perform better,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

“For example, it’s good to see Council’s waste management, recreational facilities and appearance of public areas being rated well.

“Our unsealed road and sealed road network, however, were areas of concern for our residents.

“The above average rainfall last year and subsequent flood event in October saw severe damage to our unsealed and sealed road network, which continues to undergo repairs as part of flood recovery.

“We thank the community for their patience while these works continue,” Mr Fitzgerald added.

The Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey (CSS) is conducted each year to gather data on how satisfied residents are with Council’s resources, facilities and services.

You can view Council’s 2023 Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey at www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Community-Satisfaction-Surveys