The Clutha District Council has carried out resident satisfaction surveys since 2013, canvassing ratepayer views on the council’s performance in key areas.
The council released its latest results last week, giving an overview of resident satisfaction in areas including Three Waters, roading, waste management, public facilities and overall council strategy and performance.
The council’s own performance figures have been declining since 2018-19, from the 80%-87% range, to 47%-66%.
Satisfaction with elected members’ decision-making, planning and leadership plunged below 50% for the first time this year, from 62% to 47%.
Despite the decline in satisfaction, Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan said he had "never been prouder" of his council.
"Despite the statistical change I have never been prouder of the honesty and commitment that the council’s political arm is maintaining under the most extraordinary of circumstances. We have been given the most impossible of tasks to balance the unbalanceable, and to maintain the momentum when presently 92% of all council’s spend is on Three Waters and roading.
"I am pleased that many of the key indicators are showing positive trajectory and, from a political perspective, we’re avoiding the unnecessary embarrassment that plagues many councils and remain a cohesive, functional team that works for the best interests of the district we are proud to serve."
Although elected member grades may have made for worrying reading, Mr Cadogan’s positive spin was borne out by feedback on key areas of council activity, which largely remained consistent, or showed small increases.
Satisfaction with roading showed improvement, 73% of respondents saying they were satisfied with local roading overall, up from 65% last year.
Water supply reliability also showed a small increase — 77% of respondents saying they were satisfied, up from 74%.
Solid waste services remained a star performer — 95% of respondents showing satisfaction with the district’s main landfill at Mt Cooee (2023: 92%).
Satisfaction with council facilities including libraries, service centres, parks, playgrounds and cemeteries all remained above 90%.
Independent firm Research First conducted the survey for the council, canvassing 301 residents by phone during June. A further 164 people responded online.
