Community satisfaction in Council performance at record high

Published on 19 February 2026

Libraries, and general waste, green waste and recycling collection are among the highest rated Council services identified in the 2025 Annual Community Satisfaction Survey.

Door-to-door interviews were conducted of 800 respondents in September 2025, and the 44 per cent response rate – up from 38 per cent in 2024 – revealed an overall Council performance of 7.1 out of 10. This is considered a ‘good’ level of community satisfaction and matches the metropolitan Melbourne average.

This is the highest level of satisfaction across the 22 years Council has participated in the annual survey, and there was also a further decline in those ‘dissatisfied’ in Council performance – down from seven per cent in 2024, to four per cent in 2025.

Mayor, Cr Mohamed Semra said the Annual Community Satisfaction Survey was a valuable tool to recognise where community sentiment was at for Council services. In addition to the libraries, general waste, green waste and recycling collection, additional paid hard rubbish collection was also part of the top five rated services.

“The survey showed the key issues in the municipality remain safety, policing and crime; road maintenance and repairs; and traffic management. Council has heard these concerns, and has been working hard to put in place and plan a variety of ways to address them. This includes our Footscray CBD Place Plan 2025/26, which is dedicated to our commitment to revitalise the area,” Mayor Semra said.

Other findings from the Annual Community Satisfaction Survey revealed the average satisfaction with 40 Council-provided services and facilities increased one percentage point to 7.7, which is considered a ‘very good’ performance level.

Satisfaction with planning and development outcomes all remained at or near record high levels, including the design of public spaces – rated 7.6, up from 7.4 in 2024 – and appearance and quality of new developments – rated 7.4, up from 7.3 in 2024.

Find further information in the summary report at https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/About/Our-plans-and-performance/Annual-Community-Survey