Survey shows Ararat on track

Ararat Rural City Council has improved its community satisfaction survey results for the second year in a row, with the organisation’s chief executive acknowledging it still has work to do.

Tim Harrison said it was encouraging to see the community’s views on council had improved as it meant the organisation was still heading in the right direction.

He said it was pleasing to note that Ararat Rural City’s position within a group of similar-sized rural councils, and against statewide averages, had also improved.

“This is recognition for the work we have done over the past 12 months, but we won’t become complacent – we’ll continue to work hard to improve our performance,” he said.

“The survey results are heartening, and councillors, council staff and I are committed to further improving our performance on all levels.

“We’ll continue working hard on that for as long as we need to.”

Dr Harrison said the council’s score for overall performance had improved from 49 percent in 2019 to 60 percent this year. This is above the statewide average of 58 percent and the small rural council average of 56 percent.

Other 2020 survey results include: • Local streets and footpaths – 62 percent, up from 55 percent in 2019, state average 58 percent. • Overall council direction – 63, up from 55 in 2019, state average 51. • Appearance of public areas – 73, up from 69 in 2019, state average 72. • Elderly support services – 68, up from 65 in 2019, state average 68. • Customer service – 70, up from 69 in 2019, state average 70.

• Arts centres and libraries – 78, up from 76 in 2019, state average 74. • Recreational facilities – 71, up from 68 in 2019, state average 70. • Community and cultural – 63, the same as in 2019, state average 68.

Dr Harrison said organisational changes implemented last year coupled with the 2020-2021 budget would continue to focus the council’s attention and resources on issues of great importance to the community, such as local roads and advocacy.

“I would like to acknowledge the support of our councillors in the work we’re doing, and the efforts of council staff, which have contributed to this improvement,” he said.

The annual statewide community satisfaction survey is carried out by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, with at least 400 telephone interviews with randomly selected residents carried out across the municipality.

The survey rates Victorian councils on issues such as overall performance, community consultation and engagement, advocacy, customer service and overall direction.

• Budget approved, page 19.

“This is recognition for the work we have done over the past 12 months, but we won’t become complacent – we’ll continue to work hard to improve our performance” – Tim Harrison