We love it here but want better roads: survey

Research specialist McGregor Tan surveyed residents from across the region to understand their satisfaction with Council services and facilities.

It’s official – we love living in Wakefield! About 75% of the community enjoy the quality of life the region has to offer according to Council’s recent community survey.

 However, levels of dissatisfaction in the region’s vast roads network dominate the results, despite this being Council’s largest area of expenditure.

 Research specialist McGregor Tan surveyed residents from across the region to understand their satisfaction with Council services and facilities. This was an important opportunity to gauge Council’s performance in the eyes of our community. 

 The research garnered responses from 400 people (a statistically valid amount) and consisted of surveys through telephone contact, face-to-face activities, online, social media and a focus group.

 Council’s road network was a clear concern for respondents, especially those who live in the South Ward, which includes the towns of Hamley Bridge and Owen. 

 Road maintenance and surfacing were identified as the most important services by 50% of respondents. Unsealed road maintenance received an importance rating of 96% but levels of satisfaction were only 25%, while road surfacing (bituminising) received an importance rating of 92% and a satisfaction rating of only 24%. 

 Mayor Rodney Reid said maintaining Wakefield’s road network remained a significant challenge for Council and the majority of residents clearly wanted more done to address the quality of roads throughout the district.

  “Council understands roads are an issue and that’s why our plans are to spend about $43 million over the next 10 years on our roads, making up 75% of our total capital works program,” Mayor Reid said.

 “With limited revenue from rates and a road network that would stretch from Adelaide to Perth, we need to continue to seeks different ways of addressing this concern for our community.” 
 The report – to be considered by Council at its meeting next week – also showed:
 
• Overall, 42% of residents were satisfied with Council, 35% were neither satisfied or dissatisfied, and 17% were dissatisfied

• Residents are most satisfied with kerbside waste services (61%), parks, reserves, playgrounds (56%) and public toilets (51%)

• The country lifestyle yet being close to the city (59%) and the warm and friendly community (44%) were the most attractive reasons to live in the Wakefield region.

• Respondents identified priority areas for further improvement as: Unsealed road maintenance, Road surfacing (bituminising), Footpath maintenance

• Most reported being satisfied with the service they received from Council, with 87% noting the courtesy and politeness of staff, and 75% noted staff professionalism.  
 
“We value the views and feedback of our community and are committed to continuously improving how we go about maintaining our roads and other infrastructure, in line with the community needs and expectations,” Mayor Reid said.

 “This survey has given us some clear indications of how people feel and will be a valuable tool as we consider plans for the future.” 

 Feedback is always welcomed via Council’s Contact Council portal on our website, wrc.sa.gov.au.