Independent Survey Shows Improvements Across Council Services

Published on 16 July 2026

Southern Grampians Shire Council has welcomed encouraging results from an independent community survey, with residents reporting improved satisfaction across each area of Council performance measured this past year.

The 2026 Community Satisfaction Survey, coordinated by Local Government Victoria and conducted independently by Klein Research, recorded a seven-point increase in Council's overall performance, alongside significant improvements in customer service, waste management and sealed local roads.

Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Cr Dennis Heslin said the results showed the value of listening to the community while remaining focused on delivering better services.

"These results are encouraging because they show some community recognition of the improvements we've been working hard to deliver," Cr Heslin said.

"We were particularly pleased to see strong gains in customer service and waste management. I do want to be clear that we're equally conscious that the survey highlights areas where our community fairly expects us to do better."

Customer service recorded one of the strongest improvements, increasing 10 points to a score of 68 which places Southern Grampians above the average for large rural councils. Waste management also saw significant improvement, increasing 11 points to 69, while perceptions of sealed local roads rose eight points.

When asked what they valued most about Southern Grampians Shire Council, residents most frequently highlighted recreation and family facilities, areas which Council has invested in to improve community infrastructure and liveability.

More than half of respondents had interacted with Council over the past 12 months, with many praising the helpfulness and professionalism of staff during those interactions.

Cr Heslin said Council considered the survey an important tool for shaping future priorities.

"One of the most valuable additions to this year's survey was the opportunity for residents to explain why they gave the ratings they did. That gives us a much clearer understanding of what's working well and where we need to focus our efforts."

While overall satisfaction increased, the survey also identified opportunities for further improvement, particularly around community perceptions of decision making, opportunities to provide feedback and ensuring decisions are seen to be in the community's best interests.

"The survey provides an independent snapshot of how our community sees us. We'll continue listening, learning and using that feedback to improve the services we provide because that's what our residents deserve," Cr Heslin concluded.

The Community Satisfaction Survey is conducted annually across Victoria and provides councils with an independent benchmark of community perceptions, helping inform future planning, service improvements and accountability.

To view the results of the survey, check out our website. To stay ahead of all things Council, subscribe to our monthly eNews. Top of Form

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