Council consolidates Community Satisfaction Survey results position
Published on 19 July 2024
Community perceptions relating to Gannawarra Shire Council’s efforts in engaging with the community have improved during the past 12 months.
This is the key outcome of the 2024 Community Satisfaction Survey results, presented at the July 2024 Council Meeting.
Conducted via telephone interviews with 400 Gannawarra Shire Council residents over the age of 18 between February and March 2024, the survey found that Gannawarra scored an index of 54 out of 100 for ‘Overall Council Performance’ for a third consecutive year, and places Gannawarra in line with the State-wide average and above the small rural average (score of 53).
“Council thanks all residents who took the time earlier this year to complete the survey, which plays an important role in Council’s assessment of its performance,” Mayor Ross Stanton said.
“Our Overall Council Performance rating of 54 has been consistent throughout this current term of Council and is significantly higher than the results of four years ago, however the survey’s results will guide how Council will improve its relationship with residents.”
Appearance of Public Areas (score of 75), Arts Centres and Libraries (score of 73), Customer Service (score of 68) and Waste Management (score of 67) continue to be Council’s strongest areas, with all areas recording increases compared to 2023 results.
Improvements were also recorded in areas where Council engages with the community, including Overall Council Direction (score of 48 compared to 45 in 2023) and Community Consultation (score of 51 compared to 49 in 2023).
“The results of the 2024 Community Satisfaction Survey show that data relating to Council’s overall performance and performance in each service area has been stable during the past 12 months, providing scope to improve community perceptions relating to community decisions, lobbying and community engagement,” Mayor Stanton said.
Areas identified as needing attention are the condition of sealed local roads, which retained its score of 41 from 2023, and lobbying on behalf of the community, which fell by one to 48, as these service areas have a moderate to strong influence on Council’s overall performance rating and are among the lowest rated service areas.
“Council is committed to improving on its performance and will use the results of the 2024 survey and recommendations suggested in the report to achieve this,” Mayor Stanton said.
ABOVE: Appearance of public areas continues to be a strong area for Gannawarra Shire Council's performance, according to the results of the 2024 Community Satisfaction Survey.