CODC claims increased satisfaction levels - but the survey only got 195 responses

The Central Otago District Council has released results for their 2025 resident survey, claiming positive results but only from 195 responses.

The sample size was significantly lower this year when compared to 2024 when there were 455 responses.

Comments included in the survey results though reflect familiar concerns around transparency and "pre-determined" council consultation.

Respondents were asked to provide a comment regarding their satisfaction with the CODC.

Resident satisfaction in CODC - by ward

Forty-four respondents provided multiple comments on this topic.

Communication (41 comments) Dissatisfaction with transparency, accessibility, and relevance of council communications; preference for more frequent, concise updates; concerns about misinformation and biased information. “Communication is difficult. A new approach to getting coherent information to as many people as possible is required.”

Customer service (34 comments) Concerns about lack of transparency, poor telephone technique from staff, and unhelpful responses; appreciation for the mayor’s communication and helpful phone reception. “As noted previously, I had 2 calls from 2 different staff members who had very poor telephone technique. In both calls I felt belittled.”

Council staff (32 comments) Mixed feedback on Council staff; some appreciate helpfulness, others report poor communication skills and lack of transparency. “When I have rung CODC office I have always been impressed with the reception I receive from staff manning the phones.”

Rates (27 comments) Concerns about rising rates, lack of transparency in financial information, and decisions made without proper consultation. “I dont feel I have ever been kept informed by council (apart from increasing the rates) I don’t feel they are truly working for the ratepayers.”

Notification of roadworks (16 comments) Frustration with lack of notification for road closures and works; desire for more accessible information. “Road closure notification about Clyde area is rubbish...once again publications of dates aren’t adhered to”

Here's the full CODC media release and link to the full survey results.

The Central Otago District Council received an increase in satisfaction levels for its services in this year’s residents survey with key services scoring highly, which was reflected in an overall increase from 79% in 2024 to 82% in 2025.

What the Council did well:

Satisfaction level was high in our libraries, kerbside recycling, emergency management, council offices reception, public toilets, parks and reserves, noise control and sports grounds, all recording scores in the 90 percents: Libraries 96%, Kerbside recycling 94% – green bin, yellow and blue bin 93%, Emergency management (civil defence) 93%, Council offices reception 93%, Public toilets 93%, Parks and reserves 92%, Noise control 91%, Sports grounds 91%.

What has improved the most since last year:

Noise control, waste reduction education and customer rates enquiries recorded the greatest increase in satisfaction level this year compared to 2024: Noise control 91% satisfied in 2025, 64% satisfied in 2024; Education to reduce waste 80% satisfied in 2025, 68% satisfied in 2024; Customer rates enquiries 75% satisfied in 2025, 65% satisfied in 2024.

Where Council could improve (percentages given as satisfaction level):

Cemeteries and/or burial process 69%, Building consents 65%, Environmental health inspections 60% and Resource consents 41%.

What people’s top four priorities were:

Water supply, Sewerage system, Economic development; Footpaths, Refuse Shop and Stormwater tied for 4th equal.

The comparisons and full report can be read on Let’s Talk: Residents' Survey 2025 | Let’s Talk Central Otago

There were significant changes in some areas, including an increase in priority given to stormwater in 2025 compared to a relatively low priority in 2024 (ranked 14th).

Another significant change was the increase in priority for community halls and stadiums in 2025 (8th equal) from 19th in in 2024. Respondents also increased the priority given to Council’s elderly persons’ housing units, from 21s in 2024 to 8th equal in 2025.

When asked about the performance of elected councillors, 56% of respondents reported that they were satisfied compared to 44% in 2024.

This survey was accessible from the Council’s consultation platform Let’s Talk Central Otago and was widely promoted throughout the district between 28 May and 27 June 2025. This was the tenth year Council conducted the survey online and the fourth year using Let’s Talk.

Based on the number of responses and the population of the Central Otago District (24,306 people), the data in this survey is accurate to a margin of error +/- 7 at a 95 per cent confidence level. The sample size was significantly lower this year (195) when compared to 2024 (455).

It is worth noting that there were a number of other community engagement projects open during the same timeframe leading up to the residents’ survey: The Long-term Plan was consulted on between 1 April and 1 May, had record numbers (1,216), followed by the Southern Water Done Well consultation (9 May – 6 June), which also had a high level of engagement.

While every attempt was made to achieve a demographically representative sample (age, gender, ward etc) in the residents’ survey, this was not completely achieved. Gender and ward distributions roughly reflect the district distributions, but the 55+ age group are overrepresented (64%).

Some of the feedback highlighted key points such as the closure of reuse and recycle facilities in 2023: End of an era – Wastebusters to withdraw from Alexandra - Central Otago District Council .

Residents felt strongly that this was something that Council should support, based on the reuse shop being ranked first in priority in 2023 and a second in priority in 2024. As a result, the reuse shop had remained in the survey despite its closure.

CODC Chief Executive Peter Kelly thanked the community for taking the time to participate.

“We look forward to hearing from more next year, especially those people with young families, first homeowners or new to the district to give us some feedback on how we are doing delivering our services.

“We always want to keep improving. The feedback received will be carefully considered, as there is always room for improvement.”