Community Satisfaction Survey Results Released
Published on 30 July 2024
The 2024 Community Satisfaction Survey for Hindmarsh Shire Council saw residents participate in quarterly surveying between June 2023 and March 2024.
Results from the survey shows the three areas where Council’s performance is higher than or on par with other small Victorian rural councils are appearance of public areas, waste management and recreational activities.
The three lowest performing areas which are on par with other small Victorian rural councils are unsealed roads, planning and building permits, and slashing and weed control.
Hindmarsh Shire Council CEO Monica Revell said, “The results from the 2024 community satisfaction survey provides Council with valuable information on areas of importance to our community and areas for improvement.”
Mrs Revell continued “Although the results show improvements from 2023, we understand from the feedback that our community would like us to provide more activities for seniors and younger people, give more support and encouragement to businesses, increase communication and consultation with the community (including talking to people more), deal with planning permits more quickly, and have younger Councillors.”
Mrs Revell said “We have commenced improving our communication and consultation with the community (including talking to people more) through the introduction of monthly CEO Drop-in sessions in each town, farmer consultation sessions, sporting club BBQs, and drop-in sessions for specific topics. Informing the community through the preparation of fortnightly e-newsletters, monthly hard copy newsletters available at our Customer Service Centres and libraries, and the new quarterly hard copy newsletter which is delivered to mailboxes across the Shire by Australia Post and local catalogue distributers has also been a focus.”
Community members are encouraged to read Council’s newsletters to stay up to date with events and activities planned for youth and seniors including the Youth Council ‘Let it Glow’ disco, monthly classic movies, weekly cuppa connections, school holiday activities, and senior’s week activities.
Council is currently advertising for a panel of suppliers for the provision of town planning and associated services. Mrs Revell said “Our aim is to establish a panel that ensures responsiveness to requests, increased communication through the planning application process, and delivers planning decisions within the statutory timelines. We have also recently implemented GreenLight for planning applications which will improve the planning process by enabling applicants to track their planning permit as it progresses.”
The 2024 survey feedback also indicated that the community would like younger councillors. With the elections due to be held in October this year, now is the time for community members to consider standing for Council or encouraging a community minded person to nominate for Council. Council will be hosting the Municipal Association of Victoria’s Stand for Council session on Wednesday 14 August from 6:30pm at the Nhill Memorial Community Centre. Hindmarsh Shire has six Councillors representing three wards (East, West and North).
Hindmarsh Shire scored higher than the average of small Victorian rural councils in 12 areas being overall performance, value for money, overall council direction, appearance of public areas, waste management, recreational facilities, local streets and footpaths, lobbying, consultation and engagement, community decisions, sealed local roads, and unsealed roads.
Mrs Revell concluded “Thank you to the residents who participated in the survey and shared their thoughts. We are proud of what our team has achieved over the previous year and look forward to working hard to meet and exceed community expectations.”
For more information, please contact Monica Revell, Chief Executive Officer, on 03 5391 4444.
Monica Revell
Chief Executive Officer
CLICK HERE TO VIEW SURVEY RESULTS