NEWS DESK
Shire hits ‘all time’ low in satisfaction Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au PUBLIC satisfaction with the performance of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is at an “all time low”, according to a mandatory yearly satisfaction survey. It rated “significantly lower” than the state average in nine out of 28 service areas as well as in customer service, value for money and overall performance, according to J W S Research which surveyed Victorian municipalities for the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions. “Indeed, more than twice as many residents feel that the direction of council’s overall performance has deteriorated than improved in the last 12 months,” the survey company stated.
“This is reflected across most individual service areas, as well as customer service, where perceptions have declined significantly and are at the lowest levels recorded.” The only areas where the shire performed better than similar councils was in tourism development and “the appearance of public areas”. The poor result follows reports of rifts between councillors elected in November 2020. Eight of the 11 elected councillors had not previously been councillors and one of the three reelected councillors has since resigned. Among the problems faced by the new council were factions (including the at the time mayor sometimes only emailing five “supportive” councillors) and complaints laid with the Local Government Inspectorate by councillors and community groups.
At least three of the first time councillors have political aspirations, with one missing Liberal Party preselection, one failing to be elected as an independent at the May federal election and another now standing for Labor in the November state election. The mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said last week that it had been “disappointing” to see the drop in public satisfaction of the shire’s performance. “While we performed well in a few areas, I believe the results in part reflect the circumstances we’ve faced during the year, being the pandemic, a major storm clean-up and a severe shortage of contractors,” he said. Marsh said an extra $3.5 million had been allocated to “mitigate the damage caused by the 2021 storm events and a $10 million COVID recovery budget to support the community”.
Extra staff had also been deployed to fix potholes. However, Marsh said “it’s clear we need to do better”. “Ultimately, council needs to take responsibility for these results as the buck stops with us. I am confident that together with the [recently reappointed] CEO [John Baker], we can address these concerns and improve our service to the community.” Cr Susan Bissinger said she had pushed for the survey results to be published promptly so “we could start to address the serious issues raised … and hopefully not just sweep the results under the carpet”. “Quite honestly, the results aligned with the feedback I receive from my community, but to see it was shirewide and in print was a little shocking,” she said.
“I am here to represent my ward, and the feedback I am consistently receiving from them is that at council level there is too much emphasis on global issues and not enough on local issues.” Bissinger said the council needed to “evaluate where it is going wrong, find out exactly what the community wants and try and align more to the community we serve”. “Council officers and councillors then have to look at the hard facts, including extensive feedback from our residents, and make changes accordingly,” she said. “My biggest concern is the direction of council [rating] 41/100 as, according to the survey results, the council has missed the mark with their own community.” The report is on the shire website under community reports.
Sailing success
to hone his sailing skills, putting in time with his training partners at MYC and through the scholarships he earned with the Victorian Institute of Sport. Although Eickmeyer led the charge, Davey said Mornington Yacht Club was well represented on the night, with Lachie Weber first in the Victorian Sailing Cup in the Laser Radial class, and Olivia Cameron and Lily Fogarty first in the 420 dinghy. James Jackson and Weber were co-captains in Peninsula Grammar’s winning Victorian Schools State Championship team, and Eickmeyer, Weber, Sophie Jackson, Fogarty and Matilda Richardson were acknowledged as MYC’s six Australian
Sailing Victorian Youth Scholarship winners out of a state total of only 18. Davey said the high performances came about through personal endeavour and reflected the support network provided through MYC’s training and development program. Club commodore Andrew Young said the club was committed to the inclusiveness and growth of youth sailing in Mornington. “The commitment to hard work combined with the obvious comradery among this group is terrific to witness and inspiring to the next crop of young sailors” he said. “Credit is also due to their coaches, volunteers and parents supporting these efforts.”
MORNINGTON Yacht Club’s Jack Eickmeyer, 17, is Australian Sailing Victoria’s Youth Sailor of the Year. The win, announced at the organisation’s annual awards in early September, recognises Eickmeyer’s performance at a state, national and international level over the past year. Club spokesman Peter Davey said Eickmeyer has always worked hard MORNINGTON Yacht Club’s Jack Eickmeyer has sailed to success as Australian Sailing Victoria’s Youth Sailor of the Year. Picture: Supplied
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$3.5 million to save the historic Flinders Pier
Authorised by C McQuestin, Level 12, 257 Collins Street, Melbourne Southern Peninsula News
5 October 2022
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