Improving the quality of the district's drinking water and swimming pool should be the Clutha District Council's priority, while introducing a green waste collection and upgrading Balclutha's main street can wait, a survey of residents reveals.
The telephone survey, conducted between May 8 and 17, involved responses from 400 randomly selected residents.
It was used to help guide the council on key decisions it faces as it pieces together its 2009-19 long-term council community plan.
The survey found strong support for key features of the plan, including the introduction of recycling drop-off centres, having a recycling wheelie bin and contributing towards the cost of a new recreation centre. However, there was only muted support for a planned $2 million upgrade of Balclutha's retail area and retaining a district community co-ordinator.
Improving drinking water standards should be a top priority for the council over the next decade, with 80% of those polled putting their support behind small-scale upgrades in the district's townships.
There was similar backing for rural upgrades.
A majority (84%) agreed they would use a recycling drop-off centre if it was provided, with most of those (62%) preferring to use one at the Mt Cooee landfill near Balclutha.
Residents also strongly backed paying an extra $18 a year to have a recycling wheelie bin to use.
Other findings. -About two-thirds (62%) of those surveyed believed it was either very important or important to have a swimming pool in their community.
Just over half (52%) did not believe the look of Balclutha's main street needed to be improved, and those who liked the idea were divided on who should pay.
Three-quarters (75%) thought the planned new Clutha Recreation Centre would benefit residents and agreed ratepayers should help pay for it.
But exactly which ratepayers should foot the bill divided respondents, with 37% saying every district ratepayer should pay the same, while 32% said Balclutha ratepayers should pay half the $1.2 million.
Just over half (56%) wanted the council to continue funding a community co-ordinator.
Two-thirds (66%) agreed that larger towns should pay a bit extra annually to relieve the financial burden faced by small areas looking at expensive infrastructure improvements.
