The impact
of the global economic downturn is reflected in the Dunedin
City Council's latest residents' opinion survey.
The survey's findings, released yesterday, showed the number
of people who thought Dunedin was a thriving city was down
11% from last year's Dunedin City Council satisfaction survey
results.
Council chief executive Jim Harland, speaking at a media
briefing yesterday, singled out the "noticeable drop" as the
most startling result to come out of this year's survey.
However, the figure had to be seen in the context of the most
difficult financial crisis the world had faced since 1929, Mr
Harland said, and what he believed was New Zealand's first
annual decline in economic activity since 1992.
A similar result would be obtained if the same question was
asked in any city in the country and, Mr Harland said, the
council, through its Economic Development Unit, was working
to support local businesses.
"We are doing what we can to address that," he said.
This year's survey, conducted by Christchurch-based company
Research First, was mailed to 4500 randomly-selected Dunedin
residents in early May, with 1359 responses (30.2%) received
by the closing date.
The survey asked respondents to judge the council's
performance in relation to services, facilities and other
measures, using a five-point scale ranging from "very
satisfied" to "very dissatisfied" and also including a "don't
know" option.
In other areas, the survey results painted a largely positive
picture for the council.
The city's Botanic Garden (91% satisfied or very satisfied),
city architecture (90%) and Otago Museum (89%) all scored
highly, as did rubbish collection (88%), public libraries
(85%) and parks and reserves (85%).
The worst results were for the overall look and feel of South
Dunedin's retail area (17% satisfied or very satisfied) and
contact with the city's elected councillors and Mayor (18%)
and community board members (14%), the survey showed.
The survey contained no specific question about the
controversial Forsyth Barr Stadium, but the performance of
the council was at 41% satisfied or very satisfied, with 29%
of people dissatisfied or very dissatisfied.
That compared to 40% of respondents who were either satisfied
or very satisfied, and 25% dissatisfied or very dissatisfied,
last year.
"What that says to me is there are two quite strongly
polarised views, almost equal," Mr Harland said.
Trivial pursuit
The whole exercise is an expensive ego massaging exercise for Mr Harland and staff. I liken it to a new version of "trivial pursuit."
Silent majority
Research First director Carl Davidson believed there was no evidence of a "hidden majority" against the new stadium in the survey results.
Mr Davidson is confused. The "silent majority" is supposed to be in favour of the stadium, they just find it hard to express themselves in public forums.
Maybe this new "hidden majority" is against the stadium, whilst the "silent majority" is in favour.
Or maybe absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
Not hidden
The majority against the stadium is not 'hidden' - I saw 1000s marching in the streets and a full town hall
I also can't believe that rugby fans are so wimpy or inarticulate that they can't express themselves in public - I've been to Carisbrook, I know otherwise.
Surveys
Interesting how the DCC acknowledges this survey yet the DCC, Mayor and Farry's mob ignore a recent academically conducted survey about the stadium.
'The missing category'
We are continually being reminded that the Stadium is the biggest single undertaking in Dunedin's history. Why, then, was there no category, which dealt with that as a matter of 'satisfaction/dissatisfaction'? I think we all know the answer.
The question should have been
Are you satisfied with Jim Harland? The answers may have knocked the smile off his face.
How things have declined
How things have declined since the title Town Clerk was changed to Chief Executive Officer.We now have along with all other Local Bodies, these people who imagine they run the show and are indespensable making statements.Get back in your office and get on with the job.
Survey is a clear message that "most" people are satisfied
There is no other way to read this. The council can be happy that the silent majority has spoken and they are doing a good job overall.
Interesting that public consultation scores positively no matter the STS tries to lead us to believe. The mayor and his team should feel vindicated and treat the media campaign being run by the STS as what is is. Scurrilous propaganda.
The question that they didn't ask
Are you satisfied with the level of rates that Dunedin ratepayers are being asked to pay?