Municipal satisfaction results released

RESIDENTS have had their say on the City of Greater Bendigo’s performance over the last twelve months.

Just over 400 responses were given between 28 January and 12 March this year as part of a cold call phone survey conducted by private company engaged by the State Department of Job, Precincts and Regions.

Questions were asked across seven different topics including consultation and engagement, community decisions, sealed roads, waste management customer service and overall council direction.

The City’s overall performance was rated just lower than the state average of 61, and City chief executive officer Craig Niemann said the survey indicated the municipality performance has been consistent.

“The overall performance was up from 58 to 59 and our scores on community decisions and consultation and engagement were in line or above regional centre averages,” he said.

“The City continues to perform well in customer service and waste management with strong scores.

“This survey took place after almost a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is good to see that most people who contacted the City reported a strong and positive experience in their feedback.”

Customer service scored 70 and two thirds of respondents who had contact with the municipality gave ratings of very good and good.

Waste management scored 69 and the sealed roads category scored 61, four more than the state average of 57.

Every category score either improved or remained the same from the 2020 survey and overall council direction was the lowest scoring category with a score of 48.

The survey results show the most satisfied with the City’s direction are rural residents aged 18 to 34 years and the least satisfied are women and those aged 35 years and over.

Mr Niemann said the results of the survey will help guide the municipality’s decision making.

“Although the survey only takes in a small sample of residents, we are always seeking to improve the way we serve our community and these results will help to guide us,” he said.

The survey is a mandatory requirement for all municipalities under the Local Government Act.