Community survey results reveal we're happy in Whanganui, councillors need to do better

The recent Community Views Survey results reveal a high level of lifestyle satisfaction along with criticism of councillors. Photo / Bevan Conley

A majority of Whanganui residents are satisfied with their standard of living.

But Whanganui district councillors are grappling with how to improve community perceptions of them.

Those were the two major themes from Whanganui District Council's latest annual Community Views Survey conducted during March and April.

"The number of residents who rated their standard of living as good or extremely good has increased from 80 per cent last year to 85 per cent this year," council's general corporate manager, Stephanie Macdonald-Rose, said.

"The results showed that 84 per cent of residents were satisfied or very satisfied with living in Whanganui and 91 per cent felt their quality of life had either improved or remained the same as last year."

The survey asked respondents about their satisfaction with libraries, cultural facilities, sports grounds, parks, and playgrounds to waste and litter control, roads and footpaths, animal management, property services, emergency management, and communications.

"Across the board, these activities have very high targets, but where these haven't been reached, we are certainly seeing some positive improvements in community perceptions compared with previous years," Macdonald-Rose said.

She said Covid-19 continued to have an impact on business, events, facilities and community activities.

"This year we saw a drop in the number of residents who used a sports ground, used, visited or attended an event at Cooks Gardens or were satisfied with community sports grounds.

Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall advised councillors that the best way to change public perception was to attend more public events and be visible. Photo / Bevan Conley

"However the council recently ran a parks and open spaces survey to which 360 residents responded. This survey provided a rich amount of information which the council is currently digesting and will use to inform a revised parks and open spaces strategy. This is intended to include recreation opportunities and address the community's feedback."

The survey was conducted on behalf of the council by Versus Research and the company's representative Natalie Richards reported on the results at the council's strategy and finance committee meeting this week.

Richards said the survey was conducted with a mix of online responses and phone interviews.

Councillors' performance

Although respondents were mostly satisfied with the services and amenities provided by the council, the results showed that they were less satisfied with the performance of the mayor and councillors.

While 22 per cent said the council was doing a good job, 14 per cent said the council was wasting money and another 14 per cent said the council didn't do anything or could do more.

Thirteen per cent said the focus is on the wrong things.

Eight per cent of respondents said they didn't see councillors around while 10 per cent said they never hear from them.

Councillor Alan Taylor asked Richards about the accuracy of the results.

"There can be noise within the data," Richards said.

"It is hard to say what can be done to improve these results as people are not specific about how they think the council is wasting money on for instance."

Richards said it was worth considering a review of the data collection and content for future surveys as it had been hard to engage with sectors of the community and young people in particular.

Taylor said it was important for elected members to look at what they can do to lift community perceptions.

"If the perception of what we do is remaining low - it's not good enough," he said.

Councillor Josh Chandulal Mackay recommended the use of social media to communicate directly with the public.

"Elected members are most effective when they are speaking directly to people."

Mayor Hamish McDouall said while he applauded Chandulal Mackay's social media efforts he believed the method of communication too often invites trolls and abusive messages.

"Some platforms on social media have reached a tipping point and it's a race to the bottom," he said.

"I don't wish to engage in a platform that allows trolls and negativity to bubble up."

McDouall said the dialogue often included racist and homophobic comments.

He advised councillors that the best way to change public perception was to attend more public events and be visible.

"I find my social media is actually talking on the street," he said.