A survey of ratepayers has found relatively high levels of satisfaction with council’s performance, its staff and its councillors.
The community survey polled a random 1001 residents and found 58 per cent were satisfied with council’s overall performance, 11 per cent dissatisfied and 32 per cent neutral.
On value for money, 46 per cent were satisfied and 67 per cent of people rated their dealings with staff as “high”.
The survey also asked the opinions of those who had had recent contact with councillors, with 65 per cent giving a high performance rating.
The areas where council scored best were with recycling and garbage collection, managing the bushfire risk on council land and providing clean, safe and healthy living environments.
The areas which residents deemed important but which they were not satisfied with were clean creeks and waterways, litter control, public toilets in town centres, traffic safety and protection of heritage values in towns and villages.
When asked about the greatest issues of concern in local neighbourhoods, roads came out at number one (25.7 per cent), followed by footpaths (11%), bushfires (10%), the environment (7%) and Badgerys Creek airport (6%).
The Community Survey has been conducted for council every two years since 1996. This year’s overall satisfaction score compares well with 2014 (58% compared with 60%) but the dissatisfaction rating has increased (11% compared with just 6% in 2014). Approval of council hit a low mark in 2000 with only 37 per cent satisfied.