Posted 10/8/08
DPCD Community Satisfaction Survey 2008
Summary of Macedon Ranges results
This table shows the category, Macedon Ranges Shire's 2008 satisfaction rating, the % change from 2007, the rating scored by other Councils in the Large Rural Councils group in 2008 and % change from 2007, all Councils in 2008 and % change from 2007, key shifts in satisfaction levels, and key reasons why residents thought improvement is needed.
| Category | Mac. Ranges | Change | Lge Rural Councils | All Councils | Key Shifts | Key Reasons Why Improvement Is Needed |
| Overall performance | 75% | +2% | 75% n/c |
80% -1% |
2% more people thought Council did an excellent job while 2% fewer said "good". 3% fewer said improvement is needed but 1% more said a lot of improvement is needed. | Town planning policy and approvals Local roads and footpaths Communicating/ leading discussion with community Make decisions despite community consultation/ don't listen to community |
| Advocacy | 78% | +4% | 74% -2% |
77% -2% |
3% more people said "excellent" while the number saying needs a lot of improvement stayed the same. 9% more people said "good" and 6% fewer said needs improvement. | Don't represent the interests of the community, Not doing enough/ need to lobby harder on local issues Council does not make sufficient effort, Not sure what Council does/ need to promote/communicate more effectively. |
| Community engagement | 63% | +4% | 65% -2% |
69% -1% |
2% more people said "excellent", 3% more said "adequate" but 2% more said a lot of improvement needed. | Don't consult adequately/effectively/with entire community Need to keep community better informed/communicate more Need more community consultation/use consultants les/more public meetings Don't listen/need to take more notice of community's wishes |
| Customer Contact | 73% | -1% | 78% n/c |
79% -2%
|
4% more said "excellent" but 5% fewer said "good". 2% more said a lot of improvement is needed. | Lack of follow up Not interested in helping/ didn't take an interest/responsibility Took too long to respond Poor customer service/ need better communication/personal service |
| Local Roads & Footpaths | 43% | -6% | 49% -2% |
58% -2% |
2% fewer said "good" and 4% fewer said adequate while 6% more said a lot of improvement is needed. | More frequent/better resurfacing of roads More frequent/ better slashing of roadside verges Improve/fix/repair uneven surface of footpaths Improve standard of unsealed roads (loose gravel, dust, corrugations) |
| Health & Human Services | 81% | +3% | 89% -1% |
89% -1% |
3% more said "good", and 1% fewer said a lot of improvement was needed. | More facilities/resources for Aged Care/better nursing homes More funds/resources to reduce waiting lists for services Increase resources for/availability of home help/meals on wheels Improved/more childcare facilities/after school/holiday care |
| Recreational facilities | 75% | N/C | 74% -5% |
81% -1% |
5% more said "excellent" while 5% fewer said "good" while 1% more said improvement is needed. | More/better sporting complexes (including pools) Better maintenance of sporting facilities (including pools) More/better sporting complexes and/or facilities in smaller towns More facilities/activities for young people/teenagers |
| Appearance of Public Areas | 79% | -3% | 79% -2% |
79% -2% |
7% more said "excellent", 10% fewer said "good", 1% more said "adequate", while 4% more said improvement needed. | Better maintenance of parks and gardensbr /> More frequent/better
street cleaning More frequent slashing/mowing of public areas/fire hazard More frequent/better pruning of street trees/plants |
| Traffic Mgt and Parking Facilities | 67% | -12% | 63% -4% |
65% -3%/i> |
9% fewer said "good", and 4% fewer said "adequate", while 8% more said improvement needed and 4% more said a lot of improvement needed. | More parking facilities adjacent to shopping and business centresbr
/> More parking facilities/capacity Poor traffic/parking management Improve traffic flow/congestion |
| Waste Mgt. | 74% | -1% | 77% -3% |
82% -1%/i> |
3% more said "excellent", 6% fewer said "good" and 2% more said "adequate". 3% more said a lot of improvement needed. | More consistent/lower fees for tips, etc (reintroduce vouchers)br
/> No garbage collection More comprehensive recycling program/no recycling program Any/more frequent hard waste collection |
| Enforcement of Local Laws | 76% | -2% | 77 -1% |
78% -1%/i> |
2% more said "excellent", while 3% fewer said "adequate, and 1% more said improvement needed. | Greater enforcement of animal local lawsbr /> Greater enforcement
of fire prevention local laws to clean up properties Greater enforcement of local laws generally/more local laws officers Greater enforcement of fire prevention local laws |
| Economic Development | 71% | +4% | 68% -1% |
73% n/c/i> |
3% more said "excellent", 2% more said "good", and 5% fewer said improvement needed | More/better job creation programs/employment opportunitiesbr />
Encourage more tourism Too little support for local businesses/new business/many closing down Greater emphasis on economic development in general |
| Town Planning Policy & Approvals | 46% | +6% | 57% n/c |
65% -1%/i> |
6% more said "good", 4% fewer said improvement needed and 2% fewer said a lot of improvement needed. | Better planning policiesbr /> More efficient/faster approval processes More consistent decisions Too much residential subdivision Ugly/inappropriate design/development/out of character with area |