Greater Hume ratepayers are less satisfied with their council compared to previous years, with solar developments and the state of roads thought to have contributed to the decline.
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IRIS Research conducted interviews with 402 people in April and found just over half of residents were happy, but the overall mean satisfaction rating was lower than past surveys.
Out of 5, the council scored 3.53, compared to 3.68 in 2016 and 3.59 in 2012.
Satisfaction was lowest in Brocklesby (2.6) and highest in Morven (4), but generally people living in urban areas were more satisfied than those in rural parts of the shire (3.7 as opposed to 3.4), and those living in the area for longer were happier than new residents.
In other news:
Two thirds of residents believe council services and facilities are value for money and satisfaction with council staff is high at 73 per cent, remaining better than comparable councils (69 per cent).
The areas where approval dropped slightly the maintenance of unsealed roads and community consultation.
In a report to Wednesday's council meeting, general manager Steven Pinnuck said the score for roads maintenance was "somewhat disappointing given the additional funds being invested into the road network via the special rating variation and external funding received".
He also noted "potentially topical issues such as solar farms and road projects in the Brocklesby and Woomargama areas may have impacted on the overall satisfaction rating".
Solar developments will be discussed again at this week's meeting.
CWP Renewables has responded to a recent decision of councillors not to earmark part of the the solar company's contribution for the new Jindera hall, telling staff that for a voluntary planning agreement to be agreed upon, they want the initial $500,000 payment to go to the project.
Councillors will consider that request.
If the Glenellen Solar Farm is approved by the state government, Greater Hume Council could receive about $2 million overall from CWP.