How Port Macquarie-Hastings Council rated in community satisfaction survey 2020

But on the flip side, the survey revealed an overall satisfaction of 90 per cent with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's performance.

The council engaged market research and consulting business Micromex to undertake the independent random telephone community needs survey.

The survey of 605 landline and mobile numbers was carried out in early April.

A report to the August council meeting said the findings showed while the community reported overall satisfaction of 90 per cent with council's performance, the results also highlighted areas where the council could improve its communication and delivery.

Some 45 of 48 services and facilities had a satisfaction rating of 70 per cent or higher.

Some 88 per cent of respondents rated the level of satisfaction as "somewhat satisfied" to "very satisfied".

The top drivers of the community's overall satisfaction were the level of communication with the community; strategic planning; providing strong leadership; and opportunities to engage with council.

The report identified top community concerns as the condition of our roads and supporting infrastructure; council's financial management; infrastructure to service our growing populations and over development of our place.

Cr Sharon Griffiths said she thought it was interesting to note roads and infrastructure was sitting at the top of the preference list for our local government area again.

Cr Lee Dixon said the survey was about hearing what the community had to say.

Mayor Peta Pinson said it was a great report which really did identify where the council could make improvements based on what the community identified as important.

"We should never take any concerns as criticisms - they are just an opportunity for us to do better," Cr Pinson said.

The overall satisfaction level was 90 per cent in 2015, 87 per cent in 2017 and back to 90 per cent in 2020.

Cr Geoff Hawkins said that was a big thumbs up.

Council's general manager Jeffery Sharp said the overall satisfaction levels were a snapshot in time.

"There is always room for improvement," he said.

"I think we all recognise that and our community expects that of us as well.

"They are good results and it shows that our community is satisfied at that point in time with what we are up to.

"We've seen a number of things recently where segments of our community are not satisfied so the challenge is for us to remain relevant, to be listening, to be active and to continue to provide the services that benefit our community across the board."

The survey is one of a number of measures the council uses to understand community sentiment and inform its measure of customer experience.

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