WEST Wimmera Shire Council has once again ranked well above the state average in the 2025 Community Satisfaction Survey.
The annual survey, conducted by JWS Research on behalf of Local Government Victoria, 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.
Council’s overall performance index score was 60, higher than both the small rural council average (54) and the state-wide average (53).
This marks the fifth consecutive year West Wimmera has scored above 58 on overall performance.
Customer service remained council’s strongest core area, with an index score of 72, significantly above the state average of 66.
Among residents who had contact with council over the past year, 71% rated the experience as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.
West Wimmera Shire Council chief executive, David Bezuidenhout said the results reflected consistency and ongoing effort 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 the 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.
Council’s overall direction received an index score of 49, unchanged from last year.
Of those surveyed, 70% said Council’s direction had stayed the same, 12% felt it had improved, and 14% believed it had deteriorated.
Mr Bezuidenhout said council was developing its 2025-29 Council Plan, which would outline the organisation’s priorities and direction for the next four years.
“The insights gained from the Community Satisfaction 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 total of 400 interviews were completed across a range of demographic groups for the survey.
This sample size reflects the ABS demographic indicators for the West Wimmera Local Government Authority region and is regarded as statistically valid to represent overall community views.
