A poor satisfaction rating of Dubbo Regional Council is reflective of the current climate, says mayor Ben Shields.
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A recent survey undertaken on behalf of council found only 56 per cent of residents were satisfied with the organisation. Only 42 per cent said they were satisfied with the performance of the councillors.
Conducted by IRIS Research, the survey was available online during two weeks in April.
There were 352 residents from the local government area who responded, including 35 from Wellington, seven from Geurie, six from Wongarbon, three in Mumbil and Stuart Town and 267 from Dubbo.
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The survey recorded positive results when it came to housing and public services. The survey respondents were also satisfied with the way council promotes development and tourism, the facilities and customer services.
However, the infrastructure results were below average.
Only 55 per cent were happy with street lighting. Dissatisfaction was also registered with the sealing of roads and car parking.
Dubbo council was also under performing when it came to the maintenance of public toilets, as well as the appearance of Dubbo and Wellington's central business districts.
But Cr Shields said the results were a good opportunity for council to look at where they could do better.
"I think the results that this survey has shown are accurate. I think it's reflective of what community does think of levels of government at this stage in the political cycle. People are rightfully sceptical of all levels of government," he said.
"But it's a really great opportunity for us to really dissect those results and figure out how we can get it better."
The mayor said he believed the survey results were "right on the money".
The results are far lower than those received by the former Dubbo City Council, but Cr Shields said that was like comparing apples with oranges.
"I don't pay much attention to previous surveys of Dubbo City Council for two reasons. Firstly, we've got Wellington involved and after the amalgamation we had a lot of problems there. And if you were to believe that the previous Dubbo council was getting 80 and 90 per cent success rates, than that would be the firt political organisation at a council or political party to get 80 or 90," he said.
"I find it to be almost absurd that there could be councils out there that could get 90 per cent success rates, it just doesn't happen."