‘Work to do’: Community satisfaction survey results are in

By Anna McGuinness

Mar 9, 2023

Recovery: A decrease in community satisfaction with the condition of sealed local roads, sports fields and maintenance of parks and reserves was expected by council given the recent floods. Photo: Megan Fisher. Photo by Megan Fisher

The results are in for the community’s satisfaction with Greater Shepparton City Council’s performance, with some decreases, such as in the condition roads and parks, being attributed to the floods.

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The quarterly survey measures residents’ views on the council’s delivery of services, including overall reputation, value for money, waste services, facilities and events.

Council corporate services director Chris Teitzel said the feedback from quarter two showed there was work to do to ensure council was servicing the community to the best of its ability.

“The feedback we receive helps us better understand the needs of residents and what they would like to see from council moving forward,” he said.

Of the 2022/23 year-to-date results, several indicators dropped, with the largest decreases for the condition of sealed roads, sports fields and the provision and maintenance of parks and reserves.

The overall performance score for council was 63, down from 64 in 2021/22.

The highest increases came in categories for building control, transfer stations and annual property rates being fair and reasonable.

There were eight categories with no change, including community consultation and engagement, footpath maintenance, events and festivals.

Mr Teitzel said the decrease in indicators such as the condition of sealed local roads, sports fields and maintenance of parks and reserves was expected given the recent flooding.

“The October 2022 flood event had a huge impact on the condition of our sealed local roads, with many roads across the region experiencing significant damage,” he said.

“This is clear in the results of the survey, with the indicator score decreasing from 55 to 43.

“The flooding and recent wet weather also impacted our local sporting fields and the provision and maintenance of our parks and reserves.

“Council is continuing to address the impact of the flood event on our region as we all continue to work through recovery.”

The survey is completed quarterly by research resource company Thinkfield, with 800 surveys expected to be completed for 2022/23.

The quarter one survey was not conducted due to the October floods, so this year’s surveys will be across three quarters instead of four.

Thinkfield will be conducting quarter three surveys from March 15 to March 31. For information, contact council on 5832 9700 or email council@shepparton.vic.gov.au