City satisfaction below average

COMMUNITY satisfaction within the City of Ballarat is lower than the Victorian average.

The City of Ballarat scored 51 out of 100 in the 2024 Local Government community satisfaction survey.

This is the same as last year’s result, however, the average for both regional centres and the state was 54.

“Clearly we need to accept the results that we’ve got,” said City of Ballarat mayor Cr Des Hudson.

“I also wonder about the fact that it’s a really tough time for families and everyone with cost-of-living pressures and I think governments at every level are probably part of that assessment that we all contribute to the tough economic times.

“I’m certainly not looking for excuses, we need to own that result and always stive to continuously do better.”

Younger residents aged 18 to 34 years old were the most positive in their responses and 50 to 64 year olds rated performance the lowest.

The top performing area for the City of Ballarat was waste management, with a score or 63, however the statewide average was 67.

Cr Hudson said this result reflects the community’s commitment protecting the environment.

“I think we’ve got a community not just in Ballarat of people far broader than that who want to do the right think in relation to their waste,” he said.

“We all have a responsibility to leave the planet better than what we found it in doing our little bit.

“We have to get better than keeping sending our waste to a hole in the ground.”

The lowest rated area was sealed roads with a score of 33 and there was no significant change in this area from the previous year.

“Our roads are failing, and I question whether the standard the roads are being built meets the current heavy load of traffic,” said Cr Hudson.

“There needs to be some great thinking around re-setting the standard.”

He thanked the community for their feedback and said City officers strive to provide the best services possible.

“We are there to serve the community and do that as best as we can,” he said.