Libraries and wheelie bins get top marks in Clutha, but the report card from residents suggests more work is needed on the district's footpaths and roads.
The findings of the Clutha District Council-commissioned 2008 residents' survey are in and give officials food for thought in some areas while giving them encouragement in areas where they have consistently performed well.
In a telephone survey last November, 603 randomly selected residents were asked for their views.
Council policy analyst Larissa Brown said the survey helped gather feedback about the services provided by the council and how well residents thought they were being provided.
"It is one tool that council can use to try to gauge whether the projects, programmes or changes it makes alter residents' perceptions about those services," she said.
The 2008 results varied only slightly on the findings from surveys in 2006 and 2007.
Those services rated highly by residents - libraries, cemeteries and waste disposal - increased in favour slightly but so too did those services which residents believed needed improving. These include local gravel roads, public toilets and storm-water services.
The biggest gripe seemed to be the standard of gravel roads which, on a list of 25 items, polled 24th and received the second-lowest overall rating. A telling statistic was the 0.30% increase in people not happy about the quality of gravel roads throughout Clutha.
There was good news on the appeal Clutha holds for its residents in a general sense, with a slight jump in those who rate the district as a great place to live. This question attracted an overall average rating of 4.42 out of five.
Also up were ratings on the safety of Clutha as a place to live, the sense of community and residents' sense of pride in the appearance of their town or area.
A new question this year focused on whether residents believed they had access to the health facilities they needed. This attracted an average rating of 3.83.
Meanwhile, those surveyed were also asked what areas the council should be focusing on over the next decade as it conducted a review of its long-term council community plan.
Roading and footpaths were rated as the most important priority, receiving nearly twice as many votes as consideration by the council of areas outside its main centre, Balclutha.
Water services, community development and the attention paid to disadvantaged groups polled the lowest.
