Residents' discontent grows over roadworks

WDC chief executive Rob Forlong, pictured here during a ceremony at Porowini Marae, said the result was in part due to a large drop in traffic flow satisfaction. Photo / File

Overall satisfaction with Whangarei District Council services has dropped slightly, according to an annual resident survey.

Ninety per cent of residents were satisfied with council's overall performance this year, compared to 94 per cent last year, the survey found.

WDC chief executive Rob Forlong said the result was in part due to a large drop in traffic flow satisfaction.

"There has been a lot of work on major transport routes around the district over the past year, at Nixon St, Riverside Drive, Maunu Rd ... as projects on these major routes complete, we expect satisfaction to rise again," he said.

Residents earning less than $40,000 per year and males were less likely to be satisfied with council services.

Initiatives designed to make the district safer jumped up to 77 per cent satisfaction from 66 per cent last year.

People were also more pleased with services for the ageing, disabled and young, compared to previous years.

Mr Forlong said the survey's results measure levels of service across the council and are incorporated into key indicators in the Annual Report, which is due for adoption in October.

"This year's results show that we are on the right track, but there is work to do.

"Year-on-year we are seeing consistent performance, with overall service satisfaction remaining steady across the organisation as we work towards building a better Whangarei, and delivering the services that our residents need," he said.

The annual survey of a representative sample of residents was carried out by Versus Research.