Narrabri Shire Council’s biennial 2021 Community Satisfaction Survey has found that 91 per cent of the community is supportive of the group’s vision for the future.
The satisfaction rating in the research was higher than the average benchmark set by Micromex Research, which conducted the survey.
Results were collected independently in July, with participants chosen at random.
The cross section of survey interviewees included people from every corner of the shire, in order to represent the entire area.
Mayor Ron Campbell said the survey is about assessing and establishing the community’s priorities.
He said it also explores the local levels of satisfaction in relation to council activities, services and facilities in alignment with the Community Strategic Plan.
Cr Campbell said he was delighted to see that a majority of respondents were very happy with their lifestyle in the Narrabri region.
“The survey showed that 87 per cent believe that quality of life is excellent in Narrabri Shire, which is very pleasing,” he said.
“There is also a high value placed on community engagement, roads, and council’s operation and responsiveness.”
The research found that roads, water, business support, housing, job creation, community safety and crime prevention are all regarded as a top priority among local people.
Areas of most satisfaction included libraries, The Crossing Theatre, parks and open spaces, cemeteries and swimming pools.
Council facilities such as libraries, landfills and transfer stations, the airport and the cinema all received ticks of approval.
As did the organisation’s commitment to environmental compliance, indigenous reconciliation activities and access to nature.
According to Cr Campbell, the survey findings also reflected on members of the local community and their personal activities.
“The results showed active participation in the shire in volunteering, sport and recreation and creative arts,” he said.
“It also found that residents are keeping up-to-date by sourcing their information about council through social media and local news outlets.”
The research touched on the pandemic too, and how it’s impacting local lives.
“Despite COVID-19, quality of life has strengthened, with 87 per cent of residents rating their experience as ‘good’ to ‘excellent’,” Cr Campbell said.
Council’s strategic direction was well-supported in the survey results, with participants happy with how these plans will bring business and growth to the area, benefitting the community.
“80 per cent of Narrabri Shire Council residents are satisfied with our performance in the last 12 months,” Cr Campbell said.
In the coming years council will be focusing on economic growth, the impact of external factors such as drought and the pandemic, and upgrading and maintaining infrastructure such as roads.
See more from Narrabri Shire Council:
- Housing summit drives shire strategy structure
- Narrabri Shire leads full immunisation rate among North West councils
- Jordan Kay elected mayor of inaugural youth council
