A LOCAL government community satisfaction survey has found most ratepayers believe their council is “doing a good job” but there is still room for improvement.
The survey was carried out by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning on behalf of Victorian councils.
Kingston Council was one of 69 out of 79 councils across the state participating in the survey.
Parks and gardens, recreational and sporting facilities and customer service were listed as “the best features” of councils.
More than 28,000 people statewide were polled via telephone calls made in February and March this year.
The maintenance of unsealed and sealed roads, rate rises and the condition of streets and footpaths were named as concerns for ratepayers.
Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins said the survey showed 69 per cent of residents believe their council is heading in the right direction.
“On the whole, councils are doing a good job, but there is still room to improve. That’s why we’re working with councils to reduce waste and improve services.
“We’re making local government services better for communities, establishing the Fair Go Rates Cap, reviewing the Local Government Act and creating the local council reporting website.”
The Labor state government’s proposed rate capping policy – dubbed the Fair Go Rates Cap by the Minister – is being reviewed by the Essential Services Commission before implementation in the 2016-17 financial year.
Future annual rate rises will be capped at the rate of inflation if the policy goes ahead.
The Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey noted: “Fewer residents than ever are willing to consider a rate rise to improve services, with more wanting service cuts to ensure that their rates are not increased.”
Kingston mayor Cr Geoff Gledhill said council should be accountable to the community.
“To me, if you’re making decisions that are supported by the community [after consultation] … then you don’t have a problem with anything,” he said.
Under Labor’s rate cap plan councils will be able to appeal to the Essential Services Commission to raise rates to fund specific projects.
Cr Gledhill said it is vital to have such an independent body involved to take politics out of the decision process.
The overall performance of Victoria’s councils – based on a statewide index score of 100 points – was 60, consistent with survey results over the past four years.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 1 July 2015
