Strong report card for council

Our library, airport and swimming pools have been rated the best services and facilities in the Parkes Shire by residents who took part in council's satisfaction survey. Ratepayers have provided valuable feedback on the services that matter most to them, with Parkes Shire Council reporting the results of its 2026 Service Satisfaction Survey show strong overall satisfaction across many areas. A total of 303 people participated in the survey, conducted by independent social research company Place Score between 25 March and 3 May this year. Overall 81 per cent of respondents rated their satisfaction with council’s overall performance as very good, good or average. More than half of the 50 council service areas assessed received a satisfaction rating of 80 per cent or higher, while overall satisfaction in the Parkes Shire was seven per cent higher than the NSW benchmark. The survey found particularly high levels of satisfaction, with the top three spots going to library facilities, services and programs at 99 per cent, the Parkes Airport at 96 per cent, and our swimming pools at 95 per cent. Mayor Neil Westcott said the results provided council with a valuable snapshot of what residents think is working well and where they would like to see continued focus. “It’s encouraging to see the strong levels of satisfaction across so many of council’s services, particularly our libraries, airport, swimming pools, sport and recreation facilities and community events,” he said. “At the same time, the survey gives us a clear understanding of the areas our community would like council to focus on, including the condition of our roads, value for money from rates and water supply and quality. “Community feedback is an important part of how council plans. These results give us another piece of evidence to help us understand what matters to our community and where we need to keep working to improve services. “I thank everyone who took the time to participate and share their views." Other areas in the survey to score above 90 per cent include sport and recreation facilities and programs with 95 per cent, tourism and visitor information services 93 per cent, cemeteries 92 per cent; festivals and community events 92 per cent, caravan parks 91 per cent, parks and public spaces 91 per cent, and playgrounds 91 per cent. There were significant increases in satisfaction across 18 service areas compared with 2024, including the airport (+24 per cent), swimming pools (+16 per cent), footpaths (+nine per cent), roads (+seven per cent) and council communication and information sharing (+five per cent). The survey also identified areas where residents would like to see greater focus. The three areas identified as priorities for investment and improvement were providing value for money from rates, road maintenance and condition of sealed roads, and water supply and quality. The three lowest-rated service areas were youth services and/or programs (56 per cent), road maintenance and condition – unsealed roads (60 per cent) and council making decisions in the best interests of the community (60 per cent). Council has since appointed a new youth officer, in September, for an initial three-year term who will lead initiatives that support young people and help them access a broad range of programs, activities and pathways across the shire. Residents were also asked what they would like council to focus on over the next two years, contributing 215 ideas. Around 30 per cent of these ideas related to management and safety, followed by environmental sustainability at 22 per cent. Council has been measuring community satisfaction for more than a decade and transitioned to Place Score’s Service Monitor in 2026. The survey sought participation from a cross-section of the Parkes Shire community, including residents and ratepayers, people who had and had not contacted council in the previous two years, and people from different age groups and areas of the shire.