Whittlesea was the fifth-most-complained-about council in Victoria during 2014-15.
The 2015 Victorian Ombudsman’s annual report shows Whittlesea council was the subject of 115 complaints in the 12 months to June 30.
But the council’s acting director of governance and economic development, Michael Tonta, was quick to point out not all complaints had been substantiated.
The Ombudsman’s annual report shows 115 ‘closed jurisdictional approaches’ for Whittlesea,” Mr Tonta said.
“Council is only aware of 14 complaints that the VO’s office has referred to council for investigation.” City of Melbourne council was subject of the most complaints (149), followed by Yarra Ranges (131), Casey (130) and Port Phillip (118).
Whittlesea’s research unit analysed the relationship between the number of complaints in 2014-15 and the estimated residential population of each local council in 2014.
Fewer complaints per capita
It suggested a strong correlation between the number of complaints and the population size of the council area. Whittlesea’s population is about 187,000, the fourth-largest in the state behind Casey, Geelong and Hume.
Placed in the context of the number of complaints for every 100,000 residents, Whittlesea council fell to 37th place with about 62 complaints for every 100,000 people.
Mr Tonta said the 14 complaints the council investigated related to barking dogs, overdue rates and car parking signage.
“And all were resolved to the satisfaction of the Ombudsman without the need for an investigation,” he said.
