Wodonga Council has recorded a strong performance in the statewide annual community satisfaction survey with significant improvements across all areas.
The council’s overall performance increased by six points to 65 in 2020 compared to the Regional Centre average of 56 and the state average of 58.
It experienced significant improvement in the core measure areas which form the Local Government Performance Reporting Framework, bucking against the statewide trend of a decline in performance.
The council’s customer service score went up four points to 80, returning to the peak rating experienced in 2018.
The overall council direction score increased by nine to 61, equal to the 2017 score.
The council saw increases in the other core measures including:
- Community consultation up six to 59;
- Lobbying up six to 60;
- Making community decisions up eight to 59; and,
- Sealed local roads up four to 68.
The statewide survey shows art centres and library, appearance of public areas and recreational facilities as councils’ top-performing areas.
Wodonga Mayor Cr Anna Speedie thanked the community for their feedback and for acknowledging the hard work of the council and staff.
“It has been a tough year but with long-term planning and vision coming to the fore that can be seen through outstanding delivery over the past 12 months by the council and staff, it is something of which to be proud,” Cr Speedie said.
“These are fantastic results and I want to thank the community for that, but also want to thank the staff across the organisation who work so hard to deliver an amazing array of services and projects that make our city better.”
Chief Executive Officer Mark Dixon said the results was a testament to the hard work council staff undertook every day in serving the community.
“It is a reflection of our staff and their commitment and dedication that we did not experience any declines in performance ratings and nearly all our individual services areas were significantly higher than regional and state averages,” Mr Dixon said.
“Our community has recognised the continued hard work our Outdoor Operations crews do across the city with many rating the appearance of public areas as one of our highest-performing service areas.
“But as always there is much to be learnt from these results and there are areas in which we can continue to improve.”
Mr Dixon attributed the completion of CBD roadworks, the reopening of the Hovell St offices and the start of the library-gallery redevelopment, as well as improvements following last year’s results including the introduction of community forums, as drivers behind this year’s results.
This polling, organised by Local Government Victoria, was undertaken in February and March this year. This is the fifth consecutive year the council has been participating in the state survey. In 2020, 62 of 79 councils took part. The statewide report can be found on the LGV website here.
