The annual Community Satisfaction Survey results are in and reflect the changing economic circumstances, the increased weather impacts on infrastructure, costs of living and associated changing community expectations and mood.
Victorian councils across the board have seen a decline in community satisfaction over the range of measures in the survey of the past year's performance but Wodonga has performed well in comparison with councils across the state.
The council performed higher than or in line with the Regional Centres group and the statewide average for councils across all core measures and service areas evaluated.
The survey showed customer service continued to be one of council's top-performing service areas.
However, it showed measures including the condition of local roads community decisions and lobbying and advocacy as areas that declined.
Wodonga Mayor Cr Ron Mildren said the council remained very strong in customer service and consultation and engagement areas, however, marked satisfaction decline is acknowledged in respect to sealed local roads and making community decisions.
"The condition of roads is one key area where we are fully aware of the impact of the prolonged wet weather and we have both programs within our resources and for further funding lobbying to undertake required maintenance, he said.
"I've been aware of many of the community concerns and since becoming Mayor at the end of December last year there has been a number of key focus changes generally in recognition of the impacts of the events of the past several years and the changing experiences and expectations of the community.
"We acknowledge the changing community expectation that the elected councillor group should take more responsibility for decisions of community interest and Council direction.
"Wodonga Council has recognised the changed circumstances as we emerge from a series of years of natural disaster events of bushfires, floods and COVID-19 and prolonged wet weather and are now experiencing a major economic impact from rising costs of living.
"We have started this community recovery and recognition of changing expectations with a lower than cap regime of rates for 2023-2024 and by commencing a review of council priorities and overall council direction.
"Wodonga Council is changing focus to ensure longer term financial sustainability so that we can continue to maintain the priority infrastructure and services that our community wants and values.
"This year the council will start the process of community consultation and preparation of a new community vision which will provide an opportunity for re-evaluation of priorities and the council focus into 2050.
"We are also continuing to lobby for a single site purpose built hospital which will recognise the needs and opportunities of the whole regional health services catchment and the potential for increased specialist services aggregation around a single site. There is a big opportunity to develop a comprehensive regional health position that reduces referrals and reliance upon already over used capital city facilities."
The survey polling, organised by Local Government Victoria, was undertaken in February and March this year. The core performance results form part of the mandated Local Government Performance Framework reporting.
