Community Satisfaction Survey inspires changes for Council

Golden Plains Shire Council undertook a briefing on Tuesday 26 July 2016 to discuss the results of the 2016 Community Satisfaction Survey.

The results, now available on Council’s website, demonstrated a decline in community satisfaction with elements of Council’s services.

Council is already working on a number of measures designed to improve community engagement and satisfaction; the Community Engagement Strategy has been developed as part of Council’s commitment to improve its community consultation and engagement practices. Developing the Strategy involved thorough community consultation, and the draft Strategy is currently available on Council’s website for public comment until 31 July.

In response to feedback from Golden Plains residents requesting better communication, Council this week launched a new website, designed to make communicating with Council even easier, and has been endeavouring to be more responsive on social media.

Council also discussed that the broad nature of the negative feedback supports the current plan of continuing to prioritise and perform service reviews, to ensure the services provided for the community are meeting needs while being financially feasible under the State Government’s new rate capping system.

Following the October Local Government elections, Council will develop the 2017-2021 Council Plan, a four-year document designed to guide Council in achieving the vision for Golden Plains Shire to ‘offer a lifestyle and opportunities that foster social, economic and environmental wellbeing’. Results of the Community Satisfaction survey and further community consultation will guide the development of the Council Plan.

Mayor, Cr Des Phelan, said that Council is listening. “Council takes this decline in community sentiment extremely seriously, and is already taking steps to ensure the work of Council is answering the needs of the majority – it is a difficult balance but one we are determined to get right.”

“While the survey provides high-level community views on a range of issues, Council needs to have honest conversations with residents and ratepayers to get feedback specific to our Shire,” said Cr Phelan.

“The Council Plan will involve a comprehensive review of the 2013-2017 Council Plan, as well as extensive community consultation and Council encourages the community to get involved – it’s a great opportunity to feed into what Council achieves over a four year period.”

“Council is made up of Golden Plains Shire residents who are passionate about making our Shire the best it can be, and we want to partner with the community to make sure we’re on the right track.”

The Community Satisfaction Survey results can be found at www.goldenplainsdigital.com.au/news/publications

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