QLDC drops council performance from annual satisfaction survey

A latest survey by the council to gauge how happy or not Queenstown Lakes residents are with life in the district has launched - but a set of questions that provide something of a report card on the council itself has been culled.

It will be the seventh time the council has run its annual Quality of Life Survey, which asks for views on issues such as housing, health services, the environment, transport, employment, sense of community, and, usually, council performance.

However the council has confirmed it will not be asking residents their views on this last topic this year.

According to the 2023 survey results, 72 percent of people who responded reported a 'good' or 'extremely good' quality of life, however feedback specific to the council was less positive.

Only 15 percent of people who responded were either 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied' with the council's overall performance, while the performance of the elected members also received a 15 percent satisfaction rating.

In a statement today to coincide with the launch of the survey, QLDC acting chief executive Ken Bailey notes the change in tradition for 2024.

He says a new dedicated annual survey on trust and satisfaction in council services and decision-making will now take place in the new year. 

"At QLDC, we really value local’s views on the trust they hold in council to deliver and make good decisions and understanding your level of satisfaction with our services and facilities," he says.

"To give that the focus it deserves and ensure we can turn the results into meaningful improvements, we will be running a standalone annual survey on these subjects early in 2025."

The decision means there will be no chance for residents to officially provide feedback on the council's communications, engagement, future planning and decision making this year.

Crux has asked the council for details of who made the call as well as any cost implications for ratepayers of the council running two surveys.

The council has indicated participants in this year's Quality of Life Survey be given the option to be notified of the new survey when it launches.

Taking part in the 'Quality of Life' survey

A group of people randomly selected from the electoral roll will receive letters or emails asking them to participate in the Quality of Life Survey, and it’s also available online to anyone living in the district aged 18 and over.

"I encourage all Queenstown Lakes residents to take part and help us maintain and further develop the quality of life in the district," Mr Bailey says.

Anyone can access the survey at letstalk.qldc.govt.nz. It will take 15-20 minutes to complete and is open until Sunday, November 10. 

As a small incentive, all respondents will go into the draw for a $250 prezzy card at the end of the survey as well as weekly $50 prezzy card spot prizes.  

Mr Bailey says data collected over previous surveys has provided strong evidence to aid council planning and projects.

"Past findings helped shape QLDC’s Long Term Plan, supported our advocacy with government agencies, and guided projects such as the Climate and Biodiversity Plan and the Welcoming Communities Programme," he says.

"This year’s survey will give us broader insight into what’s currently going well in people’s lives and what they would like to change. It’ll help us and other organisations identify priority issues, pain points, and opportunities to improve the quality of life for our communities."