Council's latest Service Satisfaction Survey has revealed roads remain the community's number one priority, while key services including water, libraries and waste management continue to receive strong approval from residents.
The 2026 Service Satisfaction Survey, conducted independently by Place Score, gathered feedback from 430 residents and ratepayers across the Shoalhaven. The survey achieved representation across all age, gender and geographic groups and provides Council with valuable insights to help guide future planning and investment.
The results reflect the dedication of Council's frontline teams who deliver essential services to the community every day. Four customer-facing service areas achieved satisfaction ratings above 90 per cent, including water supply and quality (93 per cent), libraries (93 per cent), waste depots (91 per cent) and cemeteries (91 per cent).
CEO Andrew Constance said while the survey highlights areas where Council is performing well, the results also reflect a broader national trend of declining satisfaction with local government services, with 57 per cent of respondents rating their satisfaction with Council's performance as average or above.
"Our residents have given us clear feedback about what matters most to them, and roads continue to be the number one concern across the Shoalhaven," Mr Constance said.
"With more than 1,900 kilometres of local roads to maintain, we know there is significant work to do, and we're continuing to advocate strongly for additional state and federal funding to help address our road renewal backlog.
"I'd like to thank our staff who work hard every day to deliver the important services our community values and appreciates," he said.
The survey also found community consultation and engagement, communication and information sharing, stormwater and drains, bike paths and car parking recorded improvements in satisfaction compared with previous results.
Road maintenance emerged as the community's highest priority, with sealed roads recording the lowest satisfaction rating across all services and ranking as the most important issue for residents. Providing value for money from rates and responsible financial management were also identified as key areas of concern.
Council will use the findings to inform future service delivery, strategic planning and advocacy priorities, ensuring resources are focused on the areas that matter most to the community. Head to Council's website for the full report.
