Survey feedback helps enhance communication

Noosa Council has thanked residents for taking part in the 2015 Communications Survey.

More than 3000 people responded to the online survey aimed at identifying residents’ preferred source for Council Information.

Among them were Ron and Madé Keenan of Tewantin, whose contribution earned them two books about Noosa in a random prize draw.

Noosa Council Executive Manager Debra Iezzi said the survey results will help Council enhance its communications methods.

More than 70% of respondents said they were satisfied with the level of information they receive from Council and that the local media and an e-newsletter were the preferred channels for receiving information.

More than 70% thought that Council was doing a good job of protecting the environment, delivering on roads, rubbish and other basic services and protecting Noosa’s lifestyle. “Protecting our lifestyle” was the number one thing respondents thought Council should be doing.

The survey found Council’s website was residents’ preferred avenue for seeking Council information, with social media, e-newsletters and the local media also popular.

“The data can be sorted by occupation type, gender and age groups. So if Council wished to communicate with people who are under 35 for any specific reason, for example, we may use different communication channels than if we were communicating with over-65s on any one issue,” Ms Iezzi said.

She said Council was now better informed as to the sorts of media people read, watched and listened to.

“While the survey results are not an absolute representation of what all Noosa Shire residents think, they do give us a clearer picture of where to allocate resources and target our audiences more effectively and cost-efficiently,” she said.

Council presented Mr and Mrs Keenan with their prize at their Tewantin home. They were drawn at random from respondents who supplied their contact details.

Mr Keenan said he had felt a “sense of responsibility” to take part.

“When we moved here from the Northern Territory 10 years ago we were pleasantly surprised at how close the old Noosa Council was to its community,” he said.

“The type of Council we had experienced in the NT was very removed from its people.”

5 May 2015