Council & Business
28 July, 2026
Council divided over Community Satisfaction Survey’s merits following damning results
Central Goldfields Shire Council were divided over the Community Satisfaction Survey's value after receiving one of their lowest scores.
Central Goldfields Shire councillors have weighed in on their worst community satisfaction result since 2018, the year after council was sacked.
The 2026 community satisfaction survey, which gauges community sentiment, revealed council’s results were down in six of eight of their core measures.
Their overall performance decreased to 44, almost equal to that of the first year of administrators in 2018, and was below both the state and small shire benchmarks.
Their lowest evaluation and sharpest decline was the community’s view on the spending of public funds, dropping nine points to 35, compared to the small shire benchmark of 47.
Perceptions on council’s direction scored 38, compared to the small shire benchmark of 46, and below their score of 47 the first year of administrators.
Core measures which saw improvement was sealed roads, by five points to 43, and waste management, three points to 70.
However, council was divided with three votes for and three against noting the report.
Councillor Anna de Villiers, who was in favour, said her main concern was the overall decline in the past five years.
“We’re trending downwards year after year and this should be addressed,” she said.
“Whether or not we agree with that perception, we can not dismiss it.”
Cr de Villiers said areas in decline needed “urgent attention” while specifically highlighting the spending of public funds and decision making.
In both cases she said the fix did not “necessarily” have to be expensive, likely considering council’s poor financial position, but required improved and transparent communication.
“The survey is sending us a clear message, we are not currently meeting community expectations. These results should not simply be noted in a report and then set aside. They should influence our priorities, our communication, our engagement practices, and our strategic direction,” she said.
“We need to identify what is not working, make the necessary corrections, and begin the important task of restoring confidence in council. Much of this can be achieved without substantial cost but it will require openness, discipline, and a genuine willingness to listen.
“I believe we have significant work to do. The most important question we should ask ourselves is why. Why does our community feel this way and what are we prepared to do about it?”
Councillor Geoff Bartlett, who voted against, questioned the mandated survey’s expense.
The Community Satisfaction Survey is mandated under the Local Government Act 2020 and cost the council, according to Cr Bartlett, $19,000 to complete.
“As someone who has got his ear to the ground all the time I don’t think I needed a survey to tell me things were going to be disappointing,” he said.
“All these mandated programs just a little bit of wastage there from above.”
Councillor Grace La Vella, who also voted against, criticised the survey’s methodology.
The survey was undertaken through a mix of 302 phone calls and 106 online responses during February and March this year.
The survey’s respondents are designed to mirror the demographic profile of the Central Goldfields Shire.
However, Cr La Vella said the survey had become a “tick the box” exercise.
She said unsolicited phone calls, which made up the majority of responses, weren’t the best way to get an accurate picture of community sentiment.
“People contacted at inconvenient times are unlikely to engage while those who have had a negative experience are often far more motivated to stay online and express their dissatisfaction,” she said.
“This report states the survey identifies areas for improvement that council will address within our resource constraints and financial limitations but if the data itself is not representative then I question the value of relying on it to guide our priorities.
“For those reasons I can not even support noting this, to be honest. I believe we should be looking for better more representative ways of engaging with our community rather than continuing as what I see as a compliance exercise.”
In response, Cr de Villiers said the methodology was “scientific” and gave a response too consistent to ignore.
“The decline stays. We’re not improving our performance. I do not think we can just say this is not representative of the community,” she said.
Councillors Jake Meyer, Geoff Bartlett, and Grace La Vella voted against.
Councillors Liesbeth Long, Anna de Villiers, and Ben Green voted in favour, who had the casting vote as mayor, deciding the motion.
Councillor Gerard Murphy was absent.