The 2022 Community Satisfaction survey of Southern Grampian Shire residents indicates there is room for improvement in key areas, despite Council's overall performance figure staying steady at two points down from 2021.
The survey, coordinated by the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions and completed annually by an independent research company, interviewed 400 shire residents between February and March this year.
The results were officially received by Council at Wednesday's Meeting and indicate Council's overall direction currently sits on par with the statewide average at 50 points, however satisfaction with roads (37) and engagement (50) has declined from 2021 (scores of 42 and 57 respectively).
Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Cr Bruach Colliton said while the results were slightly disappointing, they solidify Council's commitment to invest in capital works, roads and infrastructure.
"The Community Satisfaction Survey really provides us with an important pulse check each year to see how we are measuring up to other similarly sized Councils across the State," said Cr Colliton.
"The local roads satisfaction score has fallen and while that is disappointing to see, I think our 2022-23 Council Budget where we have committed our largest ever total of $30 million to capital works, major projects and importantly roads, will go some way to address this.
"The capital works includes $4.8 million for local road projects, investing $2.2 million for local road reseals, $2.4 million for rehabilitations, $250,000 for gravel resheets, $765,000 for bridges and culverts, and $425,000 into footpaths and cycleways.
"We know there are key arterial roads within our shire including between Hamilton and Dunkeld that are in seriously poor condition. These are VicRoads roads and Council will continue to advocate for better State and Federal Government funding to enhance roads and increase road user safety within the Southern Grampians region.
"Residents are encouraged to check our Roads Register on the Council website and continue to report issues as they arise to the relevant authority. Residents can report concerns or issues with VicRoads roads via a link that is accessible on our website," concluded Cr Colliton.
The score for engagement and consultation at 50 was also down significantly from last year's score of 57 but was comparative to other large rural shires (51).
Southern Grampians Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Tony Doyle said Council continues to look for new ways to reach out to residents despite facing challenges.
"There's no doubt, Council and our community has faced widespread challenges over the past few years which has limited the way we have been able to engage with residents, restricting contact to online engagement which we acknowledge is not for everyone," said Mr Doyle.
"However, since the survey was undertaken earlier in 2022, we have worked hard to reconnect with our communities including getting back out to all our outer townships via our successful Listening Post program which will continue throughout the year and through successful events like IDAHOBIT Day, Harmony Day and our New Residents Function.
"A new online newsletter has also been launched to help keep residents informed, and our Council meetings, which continue to be livestreamed and recorded, ensure locals have direct access to Council decisions in real time."
Council received a score of 70 points for COVID-19 response, ranking just higher than the state average of 69.
"What's pleasing from the 2022 survey is our overall COVID response results still rank higher than the State average and we have seen slight improvements in our waste management since the introduction of our Food and Garden Organics kerbside service which has increased by two points from the previous year," concluded Mr Doyle.
Feedback from residents on what they consider to be the best thing about Council was Recreational and Sporting Facilities, Parks and Gardens, and Community Support Services.
The full survey results are available here. To access Council's Road Register or to report an issue with Council's roads, visit https://www.sthgrampians.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.aspx?Page_Id=2550. To report an issue with VicRoads roads, please visit https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/about-vicroads/corporate-responsibility/complaints-reporting.
