Strathbogie Shire Council has noted the results of the 2025 Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey, with overall performance improving but roads and planning still drawing criticism.

The survey, received at Council’s recent meeting, showed the Shire’s overall performance index rose by 12 points — from 36 in 2024 to 48 in 2025.

While the result was described as a step in the right direction, councillors agreed there was more work to do.

Councillor Greg Carlson said the report was “a very detailed and voluminous” document that highlighted mixed results.

“We have some good results in terms of public areas, libraries, and waste management,” he said.

“But we still struggle in the areas of planning, sealed roads, and unsealed roads.

“The transport network is really a function of resources, and of course, we had major flooding events in recent years which seriously distorted our capital works and maintenance programs.

“The key takeaway is that overall performance has improved significantly; it’s still not good enough but we are heading in the right direction.”

Councillor Clark Holloway said the results showed Council was beginning to rebuild confidence after a low point last year.

“The chart as presented in terms of the summary of core measures shows that we have made significant increase in 2025 versus 2024,” he said.

“The 2024 results, it should be said, were during a position of administration and great change within the council structure — really the low point for the past eight years.

“We are significantly improved.

“I think we are back to our historical averages.

“The important thing is the community wants to see the ship being turned around, and I think the ship is turning around.”

Councillor Fiona Stevens noted planning and roads were common complaints but pointed out not all road issues raised were Council’s responsibility.

“We didn’t do well in the planning and building permits area, but we are addressing that,” she said.

“Roads have been raised at every single meet that I’ve attended.

“But interestingly enough, when you sit down and clarify where the road is, a lot of them haven’t been our roads — a lot of them have been VicRoads roads.

“That doesn’t mean we step away from our responsibilities, but once you explain that, we can then advise residents how to advocate, and we also bring those problems to VicRoads’ attention.

“With more education, it may show the problem isn’t quite as bad as the perception.”

Councillor Binks said the results were a sign that Council and staff were on the right track.

“These results show that we are a very committed council group and staff that are working in the right direction,” she said.

“It’s not an opportunity to take our foot off the pedal — and we have no intention of doing that. “The significant work we’ve undertaken in the last nine months has been a learning curve for all of us, and the results speak for themselves.

“We are going to keep working really hard to improve those benchmarks for the betterment of our community.”

The full survey results are available at https://www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au/latest-news/