YVC Listens: Community feedback highlights strengths and growth areas

Published on 06 June 2025

Yass Valley Council has released the results of their Community Satisfaction Survey 2024.  The report provides valuable insights into how residents feel about local services, facilities, and communication. The survey, conducted by independent research firm Taverner Research Group, gathered feedback from 400 residents across the region.

Ms Gayleen Burley, Yass Valley Council CEO, thanked all residents who participated in the survey.  “Your feedback is helping shape a better, more responsive Yass Valley Council” she said. “We hear the community loud and clear.  We’re proud of the areas where we’re delivering well - our parks and recreational spaces are clearly valued and we’re committed to maintaining these strengths.  Council understands that roads, water, and communication are top priorities for the community, and we’re already working on a detailed action plan to address these concerns.”

What We’re Doing Well

The community expressed strong satisfaction with several key services:

• Parks, reserves and playgrounds received the highest satisfaction rating, with residents praising their quality and accessibility.
• Sporting facilities and waste & recycling services were also rated positively, with many residents acknowledging their importance to daily life.
• Customer service professionalism was a standout, with Council staff recognised for being respectful and courteous.

Where We Need to Improve

The survey also highlighted areas where residents wanted to see change:

• Road maintenance - both sealed and unsealed roads - was the most significant concern, with many residents citing poor conditions and the need for urgent upgrades.
• Water quality was another key issue, particularly in town areas, with residents calling for improvements to drinking water infrastructure.
• Weed control and disability access were also identified as needing attention.
• While many residents had contacted Council in the past year, satisfaction with timeliness and clarity of communication during those interactions was lower than expected.

Next Steps

Council has developed a comprehensive Action Plan, which includes:

• A multi-year Roads Improvement Program
• Water infrastructure upgrades
• A renewed focus on accessibility and inclusion
• Enhanced customer service training and systems
• Expanded use of digital communication channels, like social media and SMS

The full survey results and the action plan are available on our 'IP&R Documents' webpage.

Thank You for Your Voice!  Yass Valley Council again thanks residents who participated in the survey.