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Special Rate Variation
Community Research ReportPrepared By: Micromex
Research Date: April 2011
Key Findings
33
Key FindingsKey Findings
Considering the size of the increase of the proposed SRV, the fact that 47% of residents
support what is
primarily a roads’
levy, indicates that there is a significant level of
community support for WSC’s plan to address ageing infrastructure
1.
A significant proportion of residents (47%) were in favour of Council’s proposed delivery plan
•
The proposed SRV received majority support from males (52%) and those 18‐34y/o (56%)
•
The proposed SRV received the lowest support from those aged 55y/o and over (40%) and females (42%)
2.
70% of residents feel that it is at least ‘somewhat important’
to ‘very important’
that Wollondilly Shire Council be allowed to
introduce this special rate variation
Background
55
Background & Core Research Objectives
Background & Core Research Objectives
The outcomes of this research are being provided to IPART so as to provide them with a clear understanding of the wishes of the Wollondilly
community
1.
To measure community support for the introduction of a special rate levy
2.
To provide an avenue for feedback in order for residents to express their views on the proposed
SRV
Wollondilly Shire Council determined that it needed to apply for a special rate variation in order to implement a range of
programs and initiatives for its residents.
As part of the application process, Wollondilly Shire Council conducted a robust community research survey:
66
•
In
order
to
assess
the
community’s
response
to
the
special
rate
variation,
Wollondilly
Shire
Council commissioned some quantitative research
Methodology & SampleMethodology & Sample
The scope of this consultation provides Wollondilly Shire Council with
research findings that they can confidently assert reflect the attitudes of the
broader community
Specifics of the SurveySpecifics of the Survey
→ A robust and statistically valid measure of community acceptance
• Random telephone survey with n=400 residents aged 18 y/o +
•
A sample size of 400 residents provides a maximum sampling error
of approximately +/‐
4.9%
at 95% confidence
•
Participants were asked some profiling questions, then specific questions relating to the
proposed rate increase and promised delivery plan
• Fieldwork was conducted on the 28th
and 29th
of March 2011
• The sample was weighted by age against the 2006 ABS data
•
NB: All percentages are calculated to the nearest whole number and therefore the total may
not equal 100%
77
1.
In which suburb do you live?
2.
How long have you lived in the Wollondilly Council area?
3.
How satisfied are you with the quality of infrastructure currently provided by Council in the local area?
4.
How satisfied are you with the quality of community facilities currently provided by Council in the local area?
5.
How important do you believe it is for Council to implement programs that will provide better infrastructure and community
facilities?
READ CONCEPT – Rate Increase
6.
Do you support the Council’s application for a rate increase in order to fund the increased
maintenance of roads, buildings and
other assets?
7.
How important do you believe it is that Wollondilly Shire Council is allowed to introduce this special rate variation?
8.
Demographic profiling, age, gender, lifestage, etc.
Questionnaire FlowQuestionnaire Flow
A detailed concept statement is located further in this document
•
The questionnaire, of approximately 8 minutes in duration, was designed to establish current
attitudes and explore community response to the proposed special
rate variation
Questionnaire StructureQuestionnaire Structure
Profile Of Sample
99
The Sample Was Weighted To Reflect The Age Demographic Of The Wollondilly LGA
The Sample Was Weighted To Reflect The Age Demographic Of The Wollondilly LGA
Weighted Base: n=400
1010
Suburbs Across The Wollondilly LGA Were RepresentedSuburbs Across The Wollondilly LGA Were Represented
Weighted Base: n=400
1111
Over 60% Of Participants Have Lived In The LGA For More Than 10 Years
Over 60% Of Participants Have Lived In The LGA For More Than 10 Years
The majority of the sample is very familiar with the assets and infrastructure
of the Wollondilly Shire LGA
Q2.
How long have you lived in the Wollondilly Council area?
Weighted Base: n=400
1212
How To Interpret Mean Rating ScoresHow To Interpret Mean Rating Scores
Ratings questionsThe Likert Scale of 1 to 5 was used in all rating questions, where 1 was the lowest importance or
satisfaction and 5 the highest importance or satisfaction.This scale allowed for a mid range position for those who had a divided or neutral opinion.
1.99 or lower
‘Very low’
level of importance/satisfaction2.00 – 2.49
‘Low’ level of importance/satisfaction2.50 –
2.99
‘Moderately low’
levels of importance/satisfaction3.00 –
3.59
‘Moderate’
level of importance/satisfaction3.60 –
3.89
‘Moderately high’
level of importance/satisfaction3.90 –
4.19
‘High’
level of importance/satisfaction4.20 – 4.49
‘Very high’
level of importance/satisfaction4.50 + ‘Extreme’ level of importance/satisfaction
The Detailed Response
1414
Comparatively, Residents Were Significantly More Satisfied With Community Facilities Than They Were With The Quality Of The LGA’s Infrastructure
Comparatively, Residents Were Significantly More Satisfied With Community Facilities Than They Were With The Quality Of The LGA’s Infrastructure
Residents recognise that local infrastructure requires attention
Weighted Base: n=400Mean ratings: 1=very dissatisfied, 5=very satisfied
Q3. How satisfied are you with the quality of infrastructure such as
roads and footpaths currently being provided by Council in the
local area?
Q4. How satisfied are you with the quality of community
facilities such as halls, sporting facilities and playgrounds
currently provided by Council in the local area?
1515
89% Of Residents Feel It Is Highly Important For Council To Implement Programs That Will Provide Better Infrastructure And Community Facilities
89% Of Residents Feel It Is Highly Important For Council To Implement Programs That Will Provide Better Infrastructure And Community Facilities
There is no doubt that the community feels very strongly that Wollondilly Shire Council
needs to implement programs to provide better infrastructure and
community facilities
Weighted Base: n=400
Mean ratings: 1=not at all important, 5=very important
*Significant difference in 95%
Q5. How important do you believe it is for Council to implement programs that will provide better infrastructure and community
facilities?
Response To The SRV Concept
1717
Wollondilly Shire Concept Statement – Rate Increase
Wollondilly Shire Concept Statement – Rate Increase
This concept statement was read to all participants in order to ensure that
they were aware of the scale and scope of the proposed SRV
Last
year
Wollondilly
Council
reviewed
its
assets
and
has
determined
that
it
needs
additional
funds
to
maintain
its
ageing
infrastructure and facilities, as well as additional assets it has acquired from the State Government,
including 42km of roads and
the associated bridges and culverts.
As
such,
Council
had
sought
community
feedback
regarding
the
potential
introduction
of
a
special
rate
variation.
The
Council’s
preferred scenario was an 8% cumulative special rate variation, which included CPI.
After reviewing community feedback, the elected Council has decided to apply for a lower rate increase of 6.7% per annum. The
proposed Special Rate Variation is cumulative and would be introduced over the course of 7 years.
If this rate increase is approved by IPART, the typical ratepayer would pay an additional $0.97 a week (or $50 a year) to start with
in the first year.
In
the
seventh
year,
the
typical
ratepayer
would
be
paying
an
extra
$494
in
rates,
an
increase
of
$293
above
the
usual
CPI
approved increase.
Wollondilly Council guarantees the increase will be used in the following ways:• 82% of all funds to roads (i.e. $34m)• 12% to building maintenance (i.e. $5m)• 6% for parks and reserves works (i.e. $2.5m)
Council recognises that the community is facing increases in the
daily cost of living and has not taken this decision lightly. Council
does,
however,
have
a
responsibility
to
plan
for
the
future
of
the
Wollondilly
Shire
and
the
need
to
act
now
to
avoid
more
significant costs in the years ahead.
“I am satisfied that the levy is making a valuable contribution to maintaining the natural environment in
our community”
“Happy to see 40% allocated to roads as they require
ongoing maintenance. Enhancing parks and
recreational areas is also important to the area”
““The Wollondilly area is big and needs The Wollondilly area is big and needs more maintenance to infrastructure and more maintenance to infrastructure and
facilities than other Council areas. This facilities than other Council areas. This proposed rate increase will provide proposed rate increase will provide
funds for the much needed upkeep of the funds for the much needed upkeep of the Wollondilly Council areaWollondilly Council area””
1919
47% Of Residents Indicated That They Support The Proposed SRV
47% Of Residents Indicated That They Support The Proposed SRV
Older residents and females were the least likely to support the
proposed
SRV
Coles
89%
Weighted Base: n=400
Q6a. Overall, do you support this rate increase?
Male Female 18‐34 35‐54 55+
Yes 52% 42% 56% 45% 40%
No 48% 58% 44% 55% 60%
Key reasons for believing Council should/should not be allowed to
introduce the special rate variation ‐
Q6b
In favour of SRV: net 47%
1.
Council needs the extra money in order to
make these important improvements to the
area
33%
2.
Happy to pay, provided Council ensures the
money is spent as indicated and that results
are visible
8%
Against SRV: net 53%
1.
The proposed increase is not affordable 21%
2.
I have lived in the area for a long time and have
not seen any improvements from the funds
that have been provided by residents in the
past
11%
3.
Council needs to spend money more wisely,
they should be able to provide these
improvements within the current rates
8%
2020
Those In Favour Of The SRV Support The Plans To Improve And Upgrade The Infrastructure In The LGA –
But They Want Council To Deliver Their Promise
Those In Favour Of The SRV Support The Plans To Improve And Upgrade The Infrastructure In The LGA –
But They Want Council To Deliver Their Promise
Verbatim responses from: Quantitative Open Ended Question Q6b –
positive responses 47%
“We need these things done
for the community and it's
not much extra to pay”
“We need these
improvements and if the
increases are introduced
gradually as stated then it will
be affordable”
“Money has to come from
somewhere and if residents want
upgrades and more facilities, we
need to pay for it”
“We need the
facilities maintained
so they do not age
and break down to
the point of
discouraging people
to live in the area”“The facilities in the Shire are very lacking in every
area. If this is the only way for it to be done, then it
has to be done”
“Only if I was certain the money would
be spent on what they have said it will
be”
“If Council doesn’t have
enough money, they
cannot fix things. It is a
large area with a small
number of ratepayers, so
the financial burden is
huge”
“It's important that the Council has
the funds to improve these things”
2121
Negative Responses (53%) To The SRV Concept Were Driven By Issues Of Council Spending Accountability, A Lack Of Perceived Benefit & Affordability
Negative Responses (53%) To The SRV Concept Were Driven By Issues Of Council Spending Accountability, A Lack Of Perceived Benefit & Affordability
89%
Verbatim responses from: Quantitative Open Ended Question Q6b – negative responses 53%
“Too expensive and over 7 years the increase is too dramatic.
Not enough done in the community with the money they have.”
“We live on a rural property in
Silverdale and do not feel that the
rate increase would benefit us, as
the roads out here are in a very poor
state of repair and have not been
upgraded for years”
“I've lived in the area for years and
haven't seen any improvements. Council
appears to be doing jobs twice, such as
the roundabout in Tahmoor”
“I feel Council wastes too much money
and could fund these items if they spent
money more wisely”
“They have already put it up by 20% since
we've been here. My wife and I are pensioners
and I don't feel we would benefit from the
increase.”
“Rates are already very high, but no additional
services are being provided. The roads are
deplorable. There are no curbs, no guttering, and no
sealed roads”
“I understand the need for
the rate increase, but I
don't support it because
Council should have
realised what was
required and planned for
it a long time ago”
“If Council worked smarter not harder and used
money more wisely, they could manage their
existing budget. Until Council can prove
productivity gains I cannot support increased fund
generation via rates”
“For the last 16 years I have paid rates and seen increases in
rates but seen no improvements to my local roads. These
roads are full of potholes and are very unsafe”
“We pay so much as it is now and I am not
confident that they are going to use it in
the way they say they are going to”
2222
70% Of Residents Feel It Is At Least Somewhat Important For Wollondilly Council To Introduce This Special Rate Variation
70% Of Residents Feel It Is At Least Somewhat Important For Wollondilly Council To Introduce This Special Rate Variation
20% of residents feel that Council’s proposed SRV concept is ‘not at all
important’
Coles
89%
Weighted Base: n=400
Mean ratings: 1=not at all important, 5=very important
Q7. Based on what you have been told, how important do you believe it is that Council is allowed to introduce this special rate variation?
NB: All percentages are calculated to the nearest whole number
and therefore the total may not exactly equal 100
2323
Conclusion –
A Significant Proportion Of The Community Do Support The Proposed SRV
Conclusion –
A Significant Proportion Of The Community Do Support The Proposed SRV
•
89% of residents feel it is important for Council to implement programs that will provide better infrastructure and community facilities
•
47% of residents support the proposed rate increase to fund the Council’s delivery plan
o Key barriers to support of the SRV were claimed affordability, lack of perceived personal benefit or a lack of confidence in Council
accountability
•
It should be noted that, even though the proposed SRV did not receive majority support, 70% of residents still indicated that the SRV is at least a
‘somewhat important’
investment for the future of the Wollondilly Shire
Residents overwhelmingly want improvements to the infrastructure
and community
facilities, however slightly less than half of them are willing to support an SRV to get them
Appendices‐ Quantitative questionnaire
‐ Tables from survey
2525
Quantitative Questionnaire (Pages 1 & 2)
Quantitative Questionnaire (Pages 1 & 2)
2626
Quantitative Questionnaire (Page 3)Quantitative Questionnaire (Page 3)
2727
Tables From The SurveyTables From The Survey
Q3. How satisfied are you with the quality of
infrastructure such as roads and footpaths
currently provided by Council in the local area?
Q4. How satisfied are you with the quality of community
facilities such as halls, sporting facilities and playgrounds
currently provided by Council in the local area?
7 2%
88 22%
110 28%
124 31%
70 18%
400 100%
Very satisfied
Satisfied
Neutral
Dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
Total
Count Column %
26 7%
194 48%
132 33%
35 9%
14 3%
400 100%
Very satisfied
Satisfied
Neutral
Dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
Total
Count Column %
2828
Q5. How important do you believe it is for Council to implement programs that
will provide better infrastructure and community facilities?
Tables From The SurveyTables From The Survey
212 53%
143 36%
36 9%
6 2%
2 0%
400 100%
Very important
Important
Somewhat important
Not very important
Not at all important
Total
Count Column %
2929
Tables From The SurveyTables From The Survey
Q6a. Do you support the Council’s application
for a rate increase in order to fund the
increased maintenance of roads, buildings
and other assets?
Q7. Based on what you have been told, how important do
you believe it is that Council is allowed to introduce this
special rate variation?
187 47%
214 53%
400 100%
Yes
No
Total
Count Column %
36 9%
129 32%
114 29%
43 11%
78 20%
400 100%
Very important
Important
Somewhat important
Not very important
Not at all important
Total
Count Column %
3030
Q1.
In which suburb do you live?
Tables From The SurveyTables From The Survey
54 14%
41 10%
40 10%
40 10%
37 9%
18 5%
16 4%
15 4%
13 3%
12 3%
12 3%
11 3%
10 3%
10 2%
9 2%
8 2%
Picton
Bargo
Thirlmere
Tahmoor
Silverdale
The Oaks
Buxton
Orangeville
Appin
Oakdale
Camden South
Razorback
Camden Park
Warragamba
Pheasants Nest
Menangle
Count Column %
8 2%
7 2%
6 1%
5 1%
5 1%
5 1%
4 1%
3 1%
3 1%
2 1%
2 0%
2 0%
1 0%
1 0%
1 0%
400 100%
Werombi
Douglas Park
Wallacia
Mount Hunter
Belimbla Park
Couridjah
Wilton
Theresa Park
Glenmore
Lakesland
Brownlow Hill
Maldon
Yanderra
Cawdor
Nattai
Total
Count Column %
3131
Q8.
Please stop me when I read out your age
bracket:
Q9.
Which of the following best describes the
house where you are currently living?
Tables From The SurveyTables From The Survey
Q2.
How long have you lived in the Wollondilly
Shire
Council area?
Q10.
Gender.
123 31%
168 42%
109 27%
400 100%
18-34
35-54
55+
Total
Count Column %
11 3%
47 12%
96 24%
110 28%
136 34%
400 100%
6 months - 2 years
3 - 5 years
6 - 10 years
11 - 20 years
More than 20 years
Total
Count Column %
366 92%
34 8%
400 100%
I/We own/are currently buying this property
I/We currently rent this property
Total
Count Column %
191 48%
209 52%
400 100%
Male
Female
Total
Count Column %
Telephone: (02) 4352 2388 Fax: (02) 4352 2117Web: www.micromex.com.au Email: [email protected]
