Surprise findings in council survey as residents list their main concerns

The cost-of-living crisis might be the big worry across Australia right now, but not so in Rockhampton where another issue is keeping people awake at night.

What’s the big concerns for Rockhampton residents?

The cost-of-living crisis might be the big worry across Australia right now, but not so in Rockhampton where another issue is keeping people awake at night.

That concern happens to be crime and security.

That finding was revealed in a Community Satisfaction Survey commissioned by Rockhampton Regional Council late last year where crime/security topped the list of top issues for the region at 38 per cent.

The future of the economy (24 per cent), road quality (20 per cent) and affordable housing (16 per cent) also rated as leading concerns.

Survey of major issues concerning Rockhampton region residents.

The survey was presented to council this week with Cr Shane Latcham expressing surprise at the results.

“Cost of living is only six per cent on the list of concerns of what’s happening in this region, but you turn the news on and the media and all you hear about is cost of living, cost of living,” he said.

“I even picked up the brochure in the mail today, Michelle Landry’s newsletter, and she says cost of living is without a doubt the biggest issue affecting local families and businesses.

“That’s how she starts her newsletter off, and we’re all talking about it, but (the survey) only mentions six per cent.”

Crime/security topped a Rockhampton Regional Council Community Satisfaction Survey of residents.

Cost of living was well down the list with just six per cent of respondents ticking that box.

He questioned the size of the leading issues survey which was taken from 400 people (aged from 18 years to elderly) who come from suburbs and localities across the region.

A council officer in a report said two separate sampling methodologies were undertaken – a random/representative telephone survey of 400 residents and an opt-in/self-selecting online sample, which received 469 responses.

A Rockhampton Regional Council survey of residents has surprised one councillor.

“The results of these two approaches were analysed separately to avoid skewing data and to provide a more nuanced understanding of community opinions,” she said.

Her report on the survey said the findings would allow council to better understand key issues, community needs and priorities regarding the services and facilities provided by council.

There were numerous positive comments for council in a survey of Rockhampton region residents.

She said it would also allow council to rate satisfaction with specific services and facilities, and with overall satisfaction; it would also provide data to benchmark council against other regional Queensland councils, compare results between age, gender, sub-region and length of residence, and explore community sentiment on a range of topical issues.

The overall satisfaction findings showed 48 per cent of residents surveyed were satisfied or very satisfied against 15 per cent who were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied.

The mean score out of 5 was marginally lower than the average for 10 Queensland councils of 3.49.

Rockhampton residents surveyed believe roads and infrastructure need to be improved.