Community satisfaction up 15 per cent after Mornington Peninsula Shire spends $119k on survey
The latest report card for a council once dubbed Victoria’s worst has come at a cost of $120,000 of ratepayer money and it’s still behind the state average.
South East
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A council once dubbed Victoria’s worst spent almost $120,000 of ratepayer money on its annual community satisfaction survey — a massive 220 per cent jump on the previous year — but still failed to reach the state average.
Mornington Peninsula Shire spent $119,350 on its 2024 survey, and while the latest report card showed a 15 per cent rise in community satisfaction in the council’s overall performance, it was still lower than the metropolitan average.
The expensive changes, which included appointing Metropolis Research and surveying residents quarterly and in person, were rolled out after the council received its worst report card ever in 2023 and poor results in 2022.
Previously the surveys were co-ordinated by the State Government and conducted by JWS Research and in 2023 cost Mornington Peninsula ratepayers $37,000.
During 2023-24 Metropolis surveyed 1604 randomly selected Mornington Peninsula residents, twice as many as the 800 who took part in the 2023 survey.
The results found that overall satisfaction had risen by 15 per cent – to a score of 6.5 – compared to 5 the previous year.
“While the increases in satisfaction from the historical results are a positive result for the shire, it is noted that satisfaction with many, but not all, aspects of council performance remain below the metropolitan Melbourne average, with some also below the interface councils’ results,” the report says.
The average overall performance score for metropolitan councils was 7 while interface councils achieved an average of 6.9.
Regional councils across the state scored an average of 5.2.
Mayor Simon Brooks said it was “really encouraging” to see the shire’s “commitment and hard work” on delivering more than 150 services to the community had resulted in higher levels of satisfaction over the past 12 months.
“I also note there are areas in need of improvement, and we will continue to strive to deliver the best services we can for our community,” Mr Brooks said.
However, ratepayer group Council Watch was not impressed.
“This council was told by 800 residents that it stinks, so councillors spend almost $120,000 of public money for a new survey, and then claim a great improvement,” president Dean Hurlston said.
“The truth is the new survey results are pathetically well below the state average of most councils. So, in reality, this council still stinks, but isn’t listening.”
A shire spokesperson said increasing the sample size reduced the margin of error and ensured the results better reflected community views.
“Surveying in-person costs more than an automated phone call but will bring many more benefits in terms of services better suited to the needs and priorities of our community,” the spokesperson said.
Top performing areas for the Mornington Peninsula included waste collections, library services and recreation centres.
Locals weren’t as happy with customer service and or the state of roads, footpaths, drains and public toilets.