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Council Approval On The Rise.Bass Coast Shire Council’s approval rating in the annual Community Satisfaction Survey has risen to 63, their highest level ever. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 25th June 2009 - Back to News Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden, said he was pleased with the result.
"This improvement shows that the processes and changes we have put in place over the past few years are starting to have a positive impact," Mr Bawden explained.
"Since 2004, our rating has improved from 51 to 63 and the rating has gone up every year since 2007.
"This survey shows that our approval rating is now comparable to other Victorian Councils, whereas in the past, it has been lower.
Mr Bawden said he was confident Council could continue the upward approval trend and was committed to working to improve the level of community satisfaction.
Areas of improvement
The 2009 Survey showed Bass Coast had recorded significant improvement in their performance in key areas of Advocacy and Community Engagement, as well as Economic Development and Town Planning Policy and Approvals.
"In all areas of the survey, our performance rating improved or remained unchanged," said Mr Bawden.
"Our performance in Advocacy went up to 62 this year. Council has done a lot of work in this area, particularly in relation to the desalination plant, so this is a very pleasing result.
"The work we have done around the Community Vision and the new program of Community Planning is obviously having an impact on the rating for engagement on key local issues, which is up to 60 from 56."
In specific performance areas, Economic Development was the clear leader, with a performance rating of 64.
"This is a strong improvement and sees Bass Coast with a higher approval rating in this area compared to most other councils.
"The work our Economic Development team has done with local businesses, promoting the area and helping to create job opportunities is yielding results, and the survey reflects this," commented Mr Bawden.
"The continued work done by our planning team, to improve our processes and ensure our planning scheme is updated is also delivering positive results.
"However, we still need to concentrate on this area to get it to a level where it is performing as strongly as some of the other service areas."
Mr Bawden said Council would be looking closely at the results to determine what action needed to be taken to continue the improved performance.
Every year the State Government conducts the Community Satisfaction Surveys on all councils in Victoria. The survey is conducted by telephone with the head of households, asking them to rate their level of satisfaction in 13 key areas.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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