The council's annual residents' survey report was published as an attachment to the finance, audit and risk committee agenda on Thursday.
While its executive summary notes the council suffers in the category of "trust", it does have an "acceptable reputation" across all age groups, ethnicities and wards, the report states.
A telephone survey of 412 residents was completed over four time periods to fill quotas for age, ward and ethnicity. The sample was then weighted so it aligned with 2013 census data.
Considering leadership, trust, financial management and quality of services provided, respondents were asked to rate the council for its overall reputation.
Oamaru residents and those over 60 years of age were most complimentary: both categories rated the council reputationally at 83, landing it in the "excellent" (over 80) category.
Waihemo ward residents had the poorest view of the council, giving it a score of 60, which is marginally acceptable. Both Corriedale (73) and Ahuriri (71) residents landed the council in the "acceptable" range: 60 to 79.
Resident satisfaction with the mayor and councillors was among one of the largest gains, up 8% to 64% satisfaction in 2019 after a dip to 56% in 2018.
The council's consultation with the community remained low but jumped 8 percentage points as well, from 39% satisfied in 2018 to 47% this year.
Satisfaction in the sealed roading network in Waitaki climbed 6%, from 35% in 2018 to 41% last year.
And satisfaction with unsealed roads continued to languish, falling 1% from 29% satisfied in 2018 to 28% this year.
The Oamaru Opera House received the greatest vote of confidence with 96% satisfaction, up from 92% last year.
At a glance
Waitaki residents’ satisfaction. —
- Performance of mayor and councillors 64%
- Consultation with the community 47%
- Sealed roads 41%
- Public toilets 74%
- Unsealed roads 28%
- Safety 85%
- Sports fields 80%
- Aquatic centre 77%
- Cemeteries 82%
