Respondents to this year’s Greater Green Island Community Network household survey have accentuated the positives, 95% of residents saying the area is a good place to live.
However, on the negative side, many neighbourhoods showed a low level of community spirit.
Only 32% of people felt there was a strong and active community in their neighbourhood, and only one in five (19%) had done voluntary work in their neighbourhood in the past 12 months.
The household survey, which was carried out in May and distributed to residents in Abbotsford, Brighton, Concord, Green Island, Fairfield and Waldronville, attracted 402 responses.
The research team, led by Dr Bronwyn Boon, has analysed the responses in detail, coming up with both overall results and individual results for each suburb.
Network members, including chairman Steve Hayward, Dr Boon, community workers Leanne Stenhouse and Amanda Reid, Senior Constable Fred Jansen and Pip Weber, were on hand at the Green Island Market Day to discuss the results with local residents.
‘‘We had a lot of interest in the results from people at the market day, and also a lot of feedback for our ongoing work on the traffic and pedestrian safety plan,’’ Ms Stenhouse said.
‘‘People seem to really appreciate the opportunity to give their input into these community projects.’’
Dr Boon said analysis of the household survey showed most residents in the area knew their neighbours (81%) and were happy with the level of contact they had with them (81%).
In addition, 95% of residents felt the Greater Green Island area was a good place to live, 78% saying the quality of life was high and 76% feeling they ‘‘belonged’’.
While 91% agreed neighbourhoods in the area were good for children, only 59% said the same for the elderly.
Concerns about the lack of playground facilities, the volume of traffic and the layout of roads were emphasised in the comments about what people liked least about their neighbourhoods.
Community worker Amanda Reid said work on improving neighbourhoods for elderly residents and enhancing community spirit were high priorities for the network.
The network was active in helping to promote community spirit, holding regular morning teas in different neighbourhoods and larger community events such as the market day and family fun day, Mrs Reid said.
