Council's report card from the community shows best results in 24 years

Blue Mountains City Council is pleased to share the results of the latest Community Satisfaction Survey.

91% of residents surveyed were at least somewhat satisfied with the performance of Council. Of these 60% were very satisfied or satisfied. 

Council conducts a survey every two years, as a way to check in with our community to find out how we’re doing serving you, and which areas we need to work on. The survey was conducted by Micromex Research, an independent social research consultancy. 

Compared to survey results for other councils across NSW, Micromex said that Blue Mountains residents had significantly higher levels of general satisfaction. It was the highest level of satisfaction Blue Mountains City Council has achieved in the 24 years the survey has been running.

Chief Executive Officer Dr Rosemary Dillon said: “It is so important that we hear community views on the performance of the Council in delivering services. Council staff work hard to provide the best quality service possible to our residents.

“These results reflect that hard work, and I’m extremely proud and excited to see that work and dedication is making a difference and being recognised by our community.

“While Council is excited about these results, we know that there is always room for improvement.”

This year’s results were presented to Council at the 26 May meeting. The survey was conducted in March and we spoke to more than 1,000 residents. 

Results showed that the key drivers of satisfaction with Council are: consultation with the community; Council provision of information; and opportunity to participate in Council decision-making.

“It’s often easy to see Council as separate to the community, but it’s important to remember that over 85% of Council staff are also Blue Mountains’ residents, which means it’s their Council and their home too, and we are all committed to doing the best we can for our community,” Dr Dillon said.

Highlights

91% are at least somewhat satisfied with the performance of Council in providing services to the community. 93% are at least somewhat satisfied with Council’s leadership and response when natural disasters impact the Blue Mountains. 88% are satisfied with Council staff performance 96% agreed with the statement “I feel that I am generally safe in my neighbourhood” 83% feel they belong to the community they live in. 64% feel that the quality of life and wellbeing in the Blue Mountains is improving. What matters most to Blue Mountains’ residents? Bush fire/natural disaster prevention, maintaining the natural environment and overdevelopment/appropriately managing development.

Mayor Mark Greenhill said: “I thank Dr Dillon and all the staff for their hard work and diligence to achieve this outcome.”

More information and download the full report.