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Community Survey 2008Results from the 2008 community survey have been collated and were presented to Council at its May Meeting More than 550 people returned the survey which represented a 17 % response rate. The majority of those who responded were females - 54% while males represented 46% of respondents. The age group of respondents was dominated by the 45-64 age group (45%) and the over 65 age group (36%) while the 30-44 age group (16%) and the under 30 age group (3%) made up the balance. On the combined results, Council’s performance is down on the previous year in every category except for animal control and economic development. It is also down in every category from the 2005 survey except for animal control and youth services. The larger reductions in the satisfaction ratings were 9% in sealed roads maintenance and footpath maintenance, 7% in the overall assessment of Council and garbage collection/recycling and 6% in racecourse/showground and youth services. The highest satisfaction ratings were emergency services 95%, Library services – 94% and aged and disabled services – 93%. The lowest satisfaction ratings were unsealed roads – 57%, sealed roads – 62% and footpath maintenance -62%. Following are brief comments on each area: Quirindi The results of Quirindi do not correlate with the other areas with 15 of the 24 categories having a satisfaction rating of equal to or better than in 2007. The results of the remaining categories show only a small reduction in satisfaction levels. The highest satisfaction ratings were library services -99%, emergency services and sporting fields – 97% and racecourse/showground, garbage collection/recycling and aged & disabled services - 96%. The lowest satisfaction ratings were unsealed roads – 68%, footpath maintenance – 73% and sealed roads maintenance – 76%. Some of the main issues raised in the comments section of the survey include; · Fix the main street surface (now completed)· Main Street by-pass· More grading on unsealed roads· Improved footpaths· Seal Callaghans lane· Upgrade swimming pool (new child’s pool on the way plus shade covers)· Walking trail/cycle ways· More youth facilities· Improved street lighting· Larger garbage bins (coming in 2009/10)· Clean up creeks (some external funding already available) Werris Creek Council’s satisfaction ratings have reduced in all but five categories with some relatively large reductions in several categories including 18% in sealed roads maintenance and footpath maintenance, 15% for the swimming pool and urban street lighting, 14% in development application processing, 11% in customer service, 10% in unsealed roads and animal control and 9% in sporting fields, racecourse/showgrounds and public toilet provision. It is difficult to determine why such a downturn in satisfaction ratings has occurred as service levels have not diminished from the previous year. The highest satisfaction ratings were emergency services 94%, aged and disabled services – 93% and garbage collection and recycling –91%. The lowest satisfaction ratings were footpath maintenance – 41%, sealed roads maintenance – 55%, stormwater drainage and unsealed roads maintenance – 57% and development application processing – 59%. Some of the main issues raised in the comments section of the survey include · Council only supporting Quirindi· Council relying too much on volunteers· Wants main street upgrade· Improved/more footpaths· Improved kerb and gutter Other RuralCouncil’s satisfaction ratings have reduced in all but four categories with some relatively large reductions in several categories including 19% in sealed roads and cemeteries maintenance, 17% in footpath maintenance, 14% in stormwater drainage and water & sewerage services, 12% in racecourse/showgrounds and youth services & facilities and 9% in parks facilities. The highest satisfaction ratings were emergency services 98%, library services – 97%, swimming pools and sporting fields – 94%, aged & disabled facilities and community buildings – 93% and parks facilities – 91%. The lowest satisfaction ratings were unsealed roads maintenance – 41%, sealed roads maintenance – 47%, development application processing – 62% and council’s overall performance – 73%. The main issue raised in the comments section of the survey was predominantly improved roads. Willow Tree Council’s satisfaction ratings improved in 14 categories and like Quirindi went against the general trend. However there were some large reductions in the satisfaction ratings particularly in unsealed roads maintenance – 21%, stormwater drainage – 19%, swimming pools – 18%, youth services – 15% and parks facilities – 9%. The highest satisfaction ratings were sporting fields – 100%, urban street lighting – 100%, community buildings and emergency services – 96% and tourism facilities and heritage culture – 95%. The lowest satisfaction ratings were in unsealed roads maintenance – 41%, stormwater drainage – 61% and youth services – 71%. Some of the main issues raised in the comments section of the survey include;· Improved unsealed roads maintenance· More footpaths Wallabadah Council’s satisfaction ratings improved in 14 categories and like Quirindi and Willow Tree went against the general trend. However there were some large reductions in the satisfaction ratings particularly in parks facilities – 24%, garbage collection/recycling – 15% and public toilets – 6%. I t is likely the parks and public toilets reductions were due to the second fleet memorial issue. The highest satisfaction ratings were swimming pools and emergency services – 100%, sporting fields and library services – 96%, added & disabled services – 94%, racecourse/showgrounds and customer service – 93% and cemeteries and community buildings – 92%. The lowest satisfaction ratings were stormwater drainage – 55%, water and footpath maintenance – 59% and unsealed roads maintenance – 60%. Some of the main issues raised in the comments section of the survey include;· Against First Fleet Gardens· Improve maintenance of roads· Improve street lighting· Improve stormwater Currabubula Council’s satisfaction ratings reduced in 16 of the 24 categories with some relatively large reductions in several categories including sealed roads maintenance – 34%, tourism infrastructure – 23%, youth services and racecourse/showground – 20%, economic development and footpath maintenance – 17%, cemeteries – 14% and stormwater drainage – 13%. The highest satisfaction ratings were swimming pools – 100%, garbage collection/recycling – 94%, emergency services 93%, sporting fields and community buildings – 92% and library services – 91%. The lowest satisfaction ratings were sealed roads maintenance – 43%, footpath maintenance – 50%, stormwater drainage – 54%, tourism infrastructure – 55% and youth services – 57%. Some of the main issues raised in the comments section of the survey include;· More weed poisoning/roadside slashing· Improved unsealed roads maintenance Spring Ridge With only 19 surveys returned the variations from 2007 are quite large in most of the categories and the results cannot be accepted as a true reflection of all of Spring Ridge. However the main issues are water pressure and quality and improved roads. Summary It is obvious that some of the results within the various areas have been impacted by localized issues such as house fires, second fleet memorial as well as works undertaken in other areas resulting in a request for similar works. Results of the community survey are a performance target for various services throughout the 2007/08 Management Plan. ROBERT HUNT GENERAL MANAGER Contact details |
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© 2008 Liverpool Plains Shire Council |
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