Rising satisfaction for Ararat council

An annual statewide community survey has shown increased satisfaction for Ararat Rural City Council, though results are still below state average.

Chief executive Tim Harrison said the council’s score for overall performance had improved to 49 percent, from 37 percent in 2018, with a state average of 60 percent.

He said it was encouraging to see community views had improved as it meant the council was heading in the right direction, but acknowledged there was still ‘a long way to go’.

“I am acutely aware the council still has a long way to go to improve its work outputs, financial stability and overall standing in the community,” Dr Harrison said.

“The survey results are heartening, and I am really glad to see the community appreciates the work we have done so far.

“The councillors, council staff and I are committed to further improving the organisation’s performance on all levels and we’ll continue working hard on that as long as we need to.”

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

The survey rates the council on areas including overall performance, community consultation and engagement, advocacy, customer service and overall direction.

Dr Harrison said Ararat’s greatest improvement was for the council’s overall direction, which rose to 55 percent from 29 percent in 2018.

He said organisational changes alongside the 2019/2020 Budget would assist the council to better focus its attention and resources to issues of community importance.