Southern Grampians Shire Council is encouraging residents to take part in the annual Community Satisfaction Survey (CSS) which is now open and runs through until mid-March.
Council CEO Tony Doyle said the telephone survey was important as it provided council with valuable feedback on its performance.
“Participation in the annual CSS means that we can gain insights into areas where efforts are paying off and identify areas that may need improvement,” said Mr Doyle. “This information allows council to stay attuned to the needs and opinions of the community, facilitating better decision-making, long-term planning, and overall governance.”
Council has appointed an independent company National Field Services (NFS) to conduct the telephone survey and collect feedback from community members. The survey covers topics including performance, community consultation and engagement, customer service, and overall council direction.
“We want to public to know that NFS will always identify themselves before the phone call. They will never ask for people’s names, and the phone call will not come from a mobile phone number,” said Mr Doyle.
The survey is conducted by the Department of Government Services on behalf of participating councils. In 2023, 30,000 ratepayers were surveyed across 66 local government areas. Participating councils receive a report which includes comparisons to previous years, the state-wide results and the results compared to other similar councils.
General enquiries about the survey can be directed to council on 5573 0444. More information about the state-wide survey can be found at www.localgovernment.vic.gov.au or by calling Victorian State Government Services on 136 186.