Strathbogie Shire Achieves Biggest Community Satisfaction Boost in Six Years

Strathbogie Shire Council is celebrating its strongest improvement in community satisfaction since 2019, with the latest state-wide Victorian Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey showing a 12-point jump in overall performance.

The annual survey, conducted independently on behalf of the Victorian Government, revealed an overall performance score of 48 for Strathbogie Shire — a significant rise from 36 in 2024. This improvement marks a turning point after several years of decline and reflects the community’s recognition of Council’s efforts to lift service delivery and engagement.

Highlights of the results include:

• Public spaces rated at 72 — above the State average.
• Waste management rated above the State average.
• Arts centres and libraries performing solidly in line with similar councils.

Customer service also remains a consistent strength, with a score of 68 — in line with State and rural averages.

Mayor Claire Ewart-Kennedy said the results were a tribute to the hard work of Council staff and the willingness of the community to share feedback.

“This is a fantastic result for our Shire. We’ve listened to our community, focused on what matters, and the results show we’re heading in the right direction. While we’re proud of this improvement, we’re not stopping here — we’re committed to continuing the momentum and tackling the areas that still need attention, particularly roads and communication,” Mayor Ewart-Kennedy explained.

The survey shows that better communication and transparency remain key opportunities to build further trust and confidence in Council. Two-thirds of survey respondents had contact with Council in the past year, most commonly by phone, in person, or email.

“These results are proof that when we work together, we can achieve great things,” Mayor Ewart-Kennedy said.

The full report can be viewed at: Community Satisfaction Survey Report 2025