Council
7 July, 2026
Council satisfaction improves
THE Hindmarsh Shire Council has recorded one of its strongest community satisfaction results in recent years, but residents continue to raise concerns about sealed roads, waste services and engagement in the West Ward.
The 2026 Community Satisfaction Survey gave the council an overall performance score of 61 out of 100, up from 59 last year and 53 in 2023.
The result placed Hindmarsh above the statewide participating-council average of 57 and broadly in line with the small rural council average of 60.
Mayor Ron Ismay thanked residents who took part and said the survey helped the council identify areas for improvement.
“The Community Satisfaction Survey forms part of the picture of how we identify areas for improvement and track progress over time,” he said.
“We also look at other input like complaints, service requests, in-person consultations and the feedback received from community members who take the time to tell us when we’re doing something well - everyone’s experience matters.”
Residents aged 18 to 34 gave the council its highest overall performance rating of 66, up 13 points from last year.
West Ward residents gave the lowest overall score of 57.
Customer service remained one of the council’s strongest areas, receiving an index score of 69.
Among residents who contacted the council during the past 12 months, 66 per cent rated its customer service as good or very good, including 29 per cent who rated it very good.
East Ward (Dimboola) residents gave customer service the highest score of 76, while North Ward (Rainbow) residents recorded the lowest score of 64.
Waste management remained the council’s highest-rated individual service area, with a score of 68.
However, the result fell from 72 in 2025 and remained below the small rural council average of 71.
Residents aged 18 to 34 gave waste management the highest score of 74, while those aged 50 to 64 recorded the lowest score of 63.
The survey found that perceptions of waste management had declined significantly among residents in the North and West wards, and among people aged 35-64.
Sealed local roads remained the council’s lowest-rated service, despite improving from 47 to 49.
North Ward residents gave sealed roads the highest score of 53, followed by East Ward residents at 52.
West Ward residents recorded the lowest result at 45.
Cr Ismay said the council would work with West Ward residents to push for greater attention to roads managed by the Department of Transport.
“This survey helps us identify areas for improvement, and we’ll be working with our West Ward residents to advocate for better funding and attention for local Department of Transport-managed roads and address their concerns,” he said.
Community consultation and engagement received a score of 61, above the statewide average of 53 and the small rural council average of 57.
However, West Ward residents also recorded the lowest ratings for consultation, community decision-making and council direction.
The council said it would prioritise stronger consultation and engagement over the next 12 months, with targeted work in the West Ward.
JWS Research surveyed 400 Hindmarsh Shire residents by telephone between February 2 and March 15.