Survey says life's a lot better here

NEW LOOK: Thanks to new public toilets in Greytown (pictured) and Martinborough, nearly 90 per cent of South Wairarapa residents say they love public loos.PHOTO/FILE

South Wairarapa residents are particularly pleased with their public toilets, parks and libraries, according to an independent survey.

Overall people were more satisfied with council services than they were three years ago, according to an NRB Communitrak telephone survey of 302 people held last year.

Public toilets led the way with 88 per cent of people very or fairly satisfied, up from 61 per cent in 2010.

This may have had something to do with new loos installed in Greytown and Martinborough.

People continue to love their libraries - 87 per cent of those surveyed were satisfied and the same percentage was happy with parks and reserves.

The lowest satisfaction levels were for sewage treatment and disposal, quality of water supply, provision of sewer services and stormwater drains.

A large percentage (33 per cent) couldn't give an answer about sewage treatment and disposal.

But views on the quality of the water supply improved with 60 per cent of respondents satisfied, up from 47 per cent in 2010.

Thirty five per cent of respondents felt South Wairarapa was a better place to live than it was three years ago, almost half felt it was the same and eight per cent said it was worse.

More people were not satisfied with town halls, in particular residents of Martinborough.

Of the people who had contacted council staff in the last year, 89 per cent rated their overall dealings with them between very good and acceptable.

"The results show that council has continued the positive progress made in previous years," said council chief executive Paul Crimp.

"While the improvement in almost all areas is pleasing, we recognise that there is still more work do, particularly with regard to storm water, footpaths, sewerage and quality of water supply."

Mr Crimp said he wasn't surprised at several 'hot topics' highlighted by the survey - the Martinborough Town Hall, Featherston's appearance and sewerage systems.

"These are all issues that council has already identified and is either addressing already or has plans to do so."

"It was interesting that more than a third of residents were not able to give an answer about their satisfaction with sewerage services, treatment and disposal.

"Upgrading these is going to be by far the council's biggest future project and the survey has highlighted a need to more actively engage communities on this issue."

Mr Crimp said information gathered through the survey would be used in the upcoming planning for the council's Long Term Plan and Annual Plan.