Hume council needs to lift its game and communicate better about key local issues, according to the latest community satisfaction survey.
The level of consultation and engagement with the community on issues that require councillors to decide an outcome and the council’s efforts at lobbying federal and state governments and other organisations on key issues were found to be the most unsatisfactory in the eyes of ratepayers.
But traditional local government areas of roads, rates and rubbish got the thumbs up – except when it came to parking.
More than 570 people took part in the survey conducted in November and December last year.
After another year spent fending off resident complaints that many local roads are not wide enough to allow kerbside parking on both sides of streets, and that local laws officers spend too much time looking and booking, mayor Casey Nunn said there would be “some big policy changes” in coming weeks.
“We are always working to improve what we deliver to our community, and feedback from our residents ensures we continue to address the priorities that matter to them,” Cr Nunn said.
But while more leniency may be in order for motorists stuck for parking spots, there will be no overlooking those who dump rubbish on streets or in backyards. And beware those with overgrown blocks or flammable materials lying around.
Cr Nunn said of the 4600 property inspections carried out in the past summer, 800 were found not to comply with fire safety standards.
These property owners were given two weeks to clean up or cop a $1444 fine and pay contractors to do the job they’d neglected.
