Public areas and elderly support top satisfaction survey

Published on 25 June 2020

Corangamite Shire residents continue to rate Council higher than the both the state and large rural shire group average according to the 2020 Community Satisfaction Survey.

Council’s overall performance index score of 65 is significantly higher than the average rating for councils State-wide and in the Large Rural group (58 and 55 respectively).

The overall score is down from its peak of 69 in 2019, but roughly in line with 2018 (66) and other previous years.

Almost six in 10 residents (59%) rated Council’s overall performance as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.

The appearance of public areas, elderly support services, and emergency and disaster management were the best performing areas, with an index score of 76 each.

The overall performance rating was driven by Council’s advocacy on behalf of the community, and business and community development. Other key service areas that perform well include informing the community (69), waste management (67), community decisions (63) and planning and building permits (61).

Of the 26 service areas in the survey, Corangamite was above the State average in 22 categories and above the Large Rural Councils average in 23. Corangamite was rated significantly higher than both averages for overall direction, customer service, emergency and disaster management, recreational facilities, family support services, informing the community, disadvantaged support, tourism development, consultation and engagement, business and community development, town planning policy, environmental sustainability, community decisions, lobbying, and building and planning.

The widest positive margins were in overall performance, elderly support, informing the community, consultation and engagement, town planning policy, community decisions, lobbying, and building and planning permits.

Roadside slashing and weed control, and sealed local roads continue to be the lowest performing areas.

Chief Executive Officer Andrew Mason said the overall result was pleasing but there was room for improvement in the lower-scoring areas.

“When compared to Large Regional Councils and State averages, Corangamite continues to outperform in this Community Satisfaction Survey.

“I think that is something we should be proud of, but we should work hard to maintain those good results.

“Local roads and weed control are challenging for us and we are very aware of the need to improve on our results.

Mr Mason thanked all Corangamite Shire staff for their work in the community.

“In particular, I want to acknowledge the great work of our outdoor teams who are responsible for the appearance of Corangamite’s public areas.

“Also, our community carers who deliver in-home and personal care.

“Their work is highly valued by the community and this is reflected in the feedback,” Mr Mason said.

Mayor Neil Trotter Council thanked the 400 residents who took part in the phone survey between 30 January and 22 March.

“The annual Community Satisfaction Survey is a major source of feedback on our performance,” Cr Trotter said.

“Road maintenance and roadside weeds remain primary areas of concern for our residents, despite added resources being allocated consistently each year for the life of this Council.

“We live in an area with relatively high rainfall. For the main part, these roads are heavily utilised. There is no easy solution or quick fix.

“What we need are cost-effective solutions. Additional State and Federal Government funding from their roads budgets would help.”

A full report of the 2020 Community Satisfaction Survey is available at www.corangamite.vic.gov.au/communitysatisfaction