More Chch ratepayers dissatisfied—survey

Press, 22 May 1986, Page 5

More Chch ratepayers dissatisfied —survey

Almost all Waimairi District ratepayers feel they are getting value for money from their council while substantially fewer people in Christchurch City feel the same about their council, a survey of local bodies has shown.

The survey was commissioned on behalf of the District Council and done by the Business Improvement Group. Project Public Relations asked for the survey as part of its brief from the District Council to promote its two-city concept for Christchurch.

A total of 455 people in metropolitan Christchurch were surveyed. The survey had an estimated error level of 4.6 per cent. It showed that 93 per cent of Waimairi ratepayers were satisfied with the value the council pro-

vided for the rates they paid. Four per cent were dissatisfied and 3 per cent did not know.

Only 66 per cent of Christchurch ratepayers were satisfied with the service the City Council provided. Twenty-three per cent were dissatisfied and II per cent were unsure.

The combined ratepayers of Heathcote, Riccarton, and Paparua also had a high level of satisfaction with their councils. Eighty-four per cent of those surveyed said they were satisfied with the councils’ services while 8 per cent were dissatisfied and 8 per cent did not know.

Most people surveyed either wanted Christchurch local bodies to stay as they were or had no opinion on the issue. A

total of 35.6 per cent wanted no change while 33 per cent had not made up their minds.

The single-city option, as preferred by the Christchurch City Council and the Local Government Commission, was favoured by 21.5 per cent of people surveyed. The two-city plan, proposed by Waimairi, was supported by 8.4 per cent. Two cities with representation through community councils was favoured by only 1.5 per cent

The Christchurch City Council’s image was not as well regarded as those of other councils in the survey. Sixty per cent of its ratepayers were happy with the council’s image while 40 per cent were not.

By comparison, 80 per

cent of Waimairi ratepayers thought their council’s image was good while 20 per cent thought it was bad.

The other councils fared even better. A total of 85 per cent of their ratepayers were satisfied with their council’s image while 15 per cent were not

Waimairi ratepayers were, more aware of the plans for local body reorganisation than their counterparts in other areas, the survey found. About 93 per cent of those surveyed knew of the plans while only 7 per cent did not.

Only 82 per cent of city ratepayers knew of the reorganisation plans while 18 per cent did not. About 90 per cent of ratepayers in other councils knew of the plans.