Swan Hill Rural City Council has recorded a significant uplift in community satisfaction in the 2025 Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey, with results showing improvements across almost every key area.
Council's overall performance index rose to 54 - an eight-point increase from 2024 - positioning Swan Hill above the Large Rural Councils group average and the State-wide Councils benchmark.
Mayor Cr Stuart King welcomed the results, describing them as a testament to Council's ongoing efforts in community engagement and delivering outcomes.
"These results show that we are delivering results for the community in the areas that are important to them. It's pleasing that the work happening behind the scenes is generating positive outcomes."
"We've made it a priority to listen, act, and continuously improve - and it's great to see that reflected in the feedback.
"Our ratepayers are our customers, so it is pleasing that their satisfaction is increasing," Cr King said.
CEO Scott Barber said that this result marks a strong turnaround in contrast to the downward trend for Councils across Victoria, which have seen a steady decline from 2021 to 2025, of 61 to 53 respectively.
"I am grateful our communities recognise the service delivery of the Council team which is reflected in this improved result," he said.
The 2025 survey highlighted strong satisfaction in several key areas, with art centres and libraries achieving a standout index score of 72, alongside impressive results for waste management and the appearance of public areas (both scoring 70). These gains were particularly evident among younger residents and women, indicating the positive impact of recent community-focused initiatives. Customer service also saw a notable lift, rising to a score of 66 - with in-person interactions rated exceptionally well at 75.
While planning and building permits (39), along with the condition of sealed (45) and unsealed roads (39), remain among the lower-scoring areas, each has seen a solid recovery from last year's results. Cr King acknowledged these remain priorities and reaffirmed Council's commitment to continued advocacy, investment and improved customer service to address them.
There was also a marked improvement in perceptions of Council's overall direction, with the index score rising 10 points to 50 - placing the municipality ahead of both State-wide and Large Rural averages.
Cr King said the survey not only affirmed Council's progress but also helps chart a clear path forward.
"We're not just aiming to improve our scores, we're focused on casting a vison for the future, building stronger relationships, delivering better services, and shaping a vibrant region for everyone who calls our municipality home," Cr King said.
