Thumbs up in community survey results

Community satisfaction rates with Council services and facilities increased significantly over the past year with strong ratings in recent research.

More than 700 households, selected at random, took part in Council's annual Community Satisfaction Survey conducted face-to-face, by independent consultants over February-March 2019. Thanks to the residents who took the time to share their feedback.

Of the residents surveyed, just over 95% were satisfied with Council’s overall performance, with an average score of 7.3 out of 10.

As well as providing feedback on satisfaction with 26 Council services and facilities, the survey also provides insights on issues concerning the Bayside community.

This year car parking overtook development as Bayside residents’ number one concern. In particular residents are concerned with the availability of parking on residential streets and shopping strips.

Building, housing, planning and development issues continue to rate with the number of new developments being the chief concern. Traffic management was the third area of biggest concern with survey participants identifying congestion and commuting times as reason for the poor rating.

Over 2019/20 Council will work with the federal and state governments to address Bayside’s car parking challenges via the $10 million investment in commuter parking infrastructure announced during the federal election campaign. Traffic management issues are also being addressed via strategies to improve pedestrian, bike and road safety and reduce our reliance on cars.

Council will also continue its advocacy to strengthen planning controls.

About the survey

This is the second year Council has used this approach as it provides detailed information on community views on the importance as well as performance of Council services and feedback on Council as whole, along with areas for improvement.

Compared to the Local Government Victoria survey program, this survey research provides feedback from an additional 300 householders and is conducted as a personal interview, which is the most effective means of including respondents from a broad spectrum of the Bayside community.

Key results Half of all respondents are very satisfied with our overall performance, giving an average score of 7.3 out of 10 The number of residents who are very satisfied has increased from 37.1% in 2018 to 50% Satisfaction with our overall performance was higher than the average for the six inner eastern region councils. Key community concerns Availability of car parking Building, planning, housing and development Traffic management.