Hindmarsh and West Wimmera shire councils have both ranked above average of all participating municipalities state-wide in annual Local Government Community Satisfaction Surveys.

The surveys asked residents to rate council performance across several key areas, including overall performance, community consultation, lobbying, decision making, customer service, sealed local roads, and overall council direction.

Hindmarsh chief executive Monica Revell said across the past year, council had placed a strong focus on improving communication with the community, both in listening to residents and providing information about services, decisions and spending. 

She also said work that was not immediately visible to the community had an impact.

“Much of what we do happens quietly in the background – from maintaining local infrastructure to supporting vulnerable residents,” she said.

“These results show that even when our work isn’t always visible, it’s having a real and lasting impact on our community.”

Council performed significantly higher than the small rural group and state-wide averages on all core metrics, including overall performance, and in 10 out of 15 service areas included in the survey. 

“Our highest-performing areas were appearance of public areas, waste management, and recreational facilities,” Mrs Revell said. 

“These results reflect not only council’s work, but also the incredible efforts of our local volunteer groups, sporting clubs, businesses, and every resident and visitor who contributes to keeping our towns clean, welcoming and vibrant.”

Council’s lowest performing areas reflect feedback received through community engagement with farmers and for the Council Plan and 2025-2026 Budget.

Mrs Revell said council would continue to focus on service improvement in: planning and building services, by increasing administrative support for faster permit processing and better communication; elderly support services, such as continuing classic movie screenings, Cuppa Connections, and seniors’ concerts; enforcement of local laws, such as addressing the overpopulation of cats, and a review of local laws; slashing and weed control, by directly hosting a Landcare facilitator; and investing $4.15-million in sealed and unsealed local roads.

Ongoing efforts

West Wimmera chief executive David Bezuidenhout said his municipality’s results reflected consistency and ongoing efforts across the organisation.

“We’re pleased to see our overall performance continuing to sit well above average for councils of our size,” he said.

“Customer service remains a real strength for us, and it’s encouraging to know our residents value the work of our staff.”

Top-performing service areas this year were appearance of public areas, elderly support services, enforcement of local laws, and waste management.

Council’s lowest-rated areas were unsealed roads, slashing and weed control, and sealed roads – all of which improved on last year’s results and rated well above both the small rural and state-wide averages.

Mr Bezuidenhout said roads, slashing and weed control remained a high priority and a key focus moving forward, with council currently developing its 2025-29 Council Plan, which outlines the organisation’s priorities and direction for the next four years.

“The insights gained from the survey will play an important role in shaping this plan, helping to ensure council’s future actions align with the needs and expectations of the community,” he said.

A minimum of 400 interviews were undertaken by the Department of Government Services in each municipality.

Councils received individual reports, which included comparisons to previous years, state-wide results and results grouped by like-councils.

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