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Why Local Government Matters
Mid North Coast Joint Organisation of Councils
Results of a Phone Survey (DRAFT)
Gra
ph
ics
crea
ted
by
Ullu
pta
con
ecu
mre
vo
lup
taev
elig
nis
pe
et d
olu
ptu
am.
Research objectives
Provide baseline data to
• Understand what matters about local government across the Mid-North Coast
• Understand strengths of each Council
• Understand what matters regionally, as potential basis for MNCJO work program
Questions on
• Local government (knowledge, what’s important about place, service delivery and governance preferences)
Method
Gra
phic
s c
reate
d b
y
Ullu
pta
conecum
re v
olu
pta
evelig
nis
pe
et
dolu
ptu
am
.
Methods
• Discussions with MNCJO Executive to scope
• Review MNCJO Draft Strategic Plan to align questions
• Review other surveys for comparison questions and data
• Phone survey, fieldwork late February 2019, stratified and proportionate to LGA population
Mid North Coast‘The Place’
Place Attachment – Top 2 BoxResidents of the Mid North Coast love the environment around them.
It enables and reflects their lifestyle, which makes them feel good.
87%
77%
71%
59%
82%78%
43% 42%
89% 88%
65%62%
74% 75%
81%
77%
54%
49%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia
There is somethingabout the landscapethat makes me feel
good
It reflects the type ofperson I am
It has the qualities Ivalue
I feel part of thehistory
I feel at home here The place is full ofimportant memories
and stories
I feel connected tomy friends and
neighbours
Living here makesme feel good about
myself
I feel a culturalconnection to the
place
Regional Comparison
Difference to region
MNC PMHC Bellingen KempseyCoastal Centres
Outlying Areas
There is something about the landscape that makes me feel good
87% 0% -7% 11% -2% -6%
It reflects the type of person I am 71% 0% -1% 2% 2% -8%
It has the qualities I value 82% -1% 1% 1% 0% -4%
I feel part of the history 43% 1% -1% -2% 4% -6%
I feel at home here 89% 0% -5% 6% -1% -3%
The place is full of important memories and stories
65% 0% -2% 3% 2% -11%
I feel connected to my friends and neighbours 74% -4% 3% 8% -6% -3%
Living here makes me feel good about myself 81% 0% -4% 7% -2% -3%
I feel a cultural connection to the place 54% -2% 2% 2% 1% -12%
Where people live on the Mid North Coast influences their attachment to place and lifestyle connection to the region.
Residents of Kempsey and coastal centres have a stronger connection compared to people living in outlying areas.
What’s important about the MNC? (1/2)
52%
36%
63%
29%
52%
25%
40%29%
48%
30%
56%
27%39%
31%42%
22%
53%
33%44% 40%
28%
40%
24%
40%
29%
39%19%
30%
27%
38%
24%
30%
22% 33%
32%
44%
23%
41% 23%38%
12% 19%8%
23%13%
26%
17% 19%
16%24%
12%
21% 19% 19%
19%25%
14% 22%22%
15%
4% 5% 3% 6% 4% 8%
10% 9%
6% 6% 4%
13% 10% 10%
4% 7% 6%4%
7%4%
4% 2% 3% 2% 2% 2%14% 14%
3% 2% 4% 9% 10% 8% 3% 2% 4% 1% 5% 3%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia
Recreational areassuch as parks and
walking tracks
Availability ofpublic services like
schools andhealthcare
A supportive andcohesive
community
Job opportunities A positiveeconomic outlook
Availability of goodhome or aged care
Convenienttransport options
A vibrant andcreative community
Good quality roadsand bridges
Availability ofaffordable housing
Extremely important Very important Moderately important Slightly important Not at all important
Overall, what is important to a Mid North Coast
resident is similar to your average Australian. But
what stands out is just how much these things matter.
Mid North Coast residents do not consider affordable
housing as high a priority as other Australians
These Really Matter to Mid North Coast Residents
Essential Services Social Cohesion
Creative Community Good home and aged care
What’s important about the MNC? (2/2)
63%
42% 44%
24%
59% 58%49%
35%
49%
65% 66%
34% 38%
56% 52%
23%
36% 28%
37%
26% 34%
25%
28%
26%
23% 24%
29% 25%
21% 27%
9%16%
19%29%
10%7%
15%
23%
19%
9% 8%
23% 21%
12%15%
3% 5% 5% 8%2% 2%
6%9%
2% 2% 1%
7% 8%5%
4%2% 1% 4% 2% 2% 0% 4% 7% 3% 1% 1% 6% 7% 5% 2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC MNC MNC MNC MNC MNC MNC
Levels of water, air andnoise pollution
Shops located nearby thatsuit your needs
A safe public domain andopen spaces
Being close to friends andfamily as you get older
How long ittakes for life
to get back tonormal after a
disaster
Using land,energy and
waterefficiently
The health ofplants and
animals
A culturallydiverse
community
Tourismactivities
Good phoneand internetconnections
Availability oflocally grown
food andproduce
Extremely important Very important Moderately important Slightly important Not at all important
The Mid North Coast lifestyle is clean and green, away
from the hustle and bustle, but connected to friends,
family and the services they need locally. Residents
see a more sustainable future for the region.
Locally
grown foodBiodiversity
Local
shops /
services
Close to
friends
and family
Land, water,
energy
efficiency
Pollution
levels
Good
phone and
internet
Regional ComparisonResidents in smaller communities and outlying areas are less
likely to identify specific features as important place attributes.
For them, it is about ‘the feel’ of the place. Difference to region
MNC PMHC Bellingen KempseyCoastal Centres
Outlying Areas
Using land, energy and water efficiently 91% -1% -1% -2% 2% 1%
The health of plants and animals 88% 2% 3% -3% 0% 2%
Availability of public services like schools and healthcare 87% 3% 1% -10% 9% -7%
Tourism activities 86% -21% -3% 0% 6% -19%
Availability of affordable housing 85% -19% -3% 4% 0% -7%
A supportive and cohesive community 81% 1% 1% -4% 4% -7%
Availability of good home or aged care 81% 3% -7% 3% 4% -7%
Recreational areas such as parks and walking tracks 80% 0% 8% -14% 10% -16%
How long it takes to get back to normal after a disaster 79% -5% 2% 3% -3% 1%
Being close to friends and family as you get older 77% -4% 7% -8% 2% 0%
A vibrant and creative community 76% -3% 12% -11% 4% -7%
Levels of water, air and noise pollution 76% 10% 7% -10% 4% 0%
A positive economic outlook 75% 3% -2% -5% 6% -3%
Good phone and internet connections 75% 5% -2% -4% 5% -1%
Availability of locally grown food and produce 74% 3% 9% -8% 1% 1%
Good quality roads and bridges 73% 5% -7% 5% -1% 3%
A culturally diverse community 66% -6% 11% -8% 3% -9%
A safe public domain and open spaces 64% 23% 2% -8% 7% -8%
Shops located nearby that suit your needs 63% 7% 7% -4% 5% -21%
Convenient transport options 61% 4% -7% -2% 8% -11%
Job opportunities 59% 2% -1% -4% 5% -4%
The Environment
Concern for environmental problems
69%74%
31%26%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
MNC NSW
Concerned Not Concerned
66% 65%
58% 58% 57%51% 50%
39%
34% 35%
42% 42% 43%49% 50%
61%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Futuregenerations
Nature Your qualityof life
Othercommunitymembers
Theeconomy
Yourphysicalhealth
Youremotionalwellbeing
Yourfinancialsituation
Yes No
The impact on future generations, plants and
animals, and their lifestyle motivates Mid North
Coast residents’ concern for the environment.
Regional Comparison
Difference to Region
MNCPMHC Bellingen Kempsey
Coastal Centres
Outlying Areas
Concern 69% -1% 3% -1% 1% -2%
Your physical health 51% -2% 4% 1% 0% 0%
Your emotional wellbeing 50% -2% 6% 0% 0% -1%
Your financial situation 39% 0% 0% 0% 0% -1%
Your quality of life 58% -1% 5% -2% 1% -3%
Future generations 66% -1% 3% -1% 1% -3%
The economy 57% 0% 3% -1% 2% -4%
Nature 65% -1% 4% -1% 1% -2%
Other community members 58% -1% 5% -2% 1% -2%
No major differences in how concerned residents in different places are, or what they are concerned about.
Bellingen is clearly the LGA with the strongest environmental conscience whilst residents in outlying areas
tend to be less environmentally conscious.
Climate change impacts
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Drought Bushfires Sea level rise Intense rainfall Heatwaves Severe storms
Impacts most concerned about
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Watershortages
due todrought
Floodingfrom severestorms andrain events
Propertydamage from
bushfires
Poor healthdue to
heatwaves
Poor healthdue to
pollution
Flooding dueto sea level
rise
Propertydamage from
storms
Requires greatest attention from government
Mid North Coast residents worry most about the impact of drought and bushfires - they worry about a drying
continent more than the more intense wetter conditions of a changing climate. They think government has to take
more concerted action on securing water, and responding to flooding should be ‘business as usual’.
Regional comparisonDifference to Region
MNC PMHC Bellingen KempseyCoastal Centres
Outlying Areas
Drought 40% 4% -6% 3% 0% 2%
Bushfires 22% 3% -2% -10% -1% 3%
Sea level rise 11% -3% 0% 4% 2% -5%
Intense rainfall 10% -3% 3% 5% 0% 1%
Heatwaves 10% 1% -1% -2% 0% -2%
Severe storms 6% -1% 7% 0% 0% 2%
Difference to region
MNC PMHC Bellingen KempseyCoastal Centres
Outlying Areas
Flooding due to sea level rise 3.81% -1% 3% -2% -1% 2%
Flooding from severe storms and rain events 12.69% -3% 3% 5% -5% 0%
Poor health due to heatwaves 6.09% 0% 0% 0% -1% 3%
Poor health due to pollution 6.09% 0% 0% -1% 1% 0%
Property damage from bushfires 9.77% 0% 0% -1% 0% 3%
Property damage from storms 2.54% -1% 3% -4% 0% 3%
Water shortages due to drought 59.01% 4% -10% 3% 6% -10%
Disaster Planning and Recovery
Disaster planning
12% 14%
28%20%
33%36%
10%
7%
16%23%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Confident they have information to develop ahousehold plan
Confident they have information to develop a businesscontinuity plan
Extremely confident Very confident Moderately confident Slightly confident Not at all confident
47%53%
Have a household plan for what to do in the lead up and after a natural disaster
Yes No
56%44%
Have a plan for business continuity in the lead up and after a natural disaster
Yes No
More businesses than households have a plan for what to do in the event of a natural disaster. More information on
what to include in a plan would benefit up to two thirds of Mid North Coast residents and businesses.
Disaster recovery
14%24%
14%
21%
36%
25%
35%
29%
42%
16%
8%
13%15%
3% 5%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Different parts of government can work together and help thecommunity get back to normal after a disaster
The environment in your area can bounce back from a naturaldisaster
Agriculture and primary producers in your area can bounce backfrom a disaster
Extremely confident Very confident Moderately confident Slightly confident Not at all confident
Whilst Mid North Coast residents highly value locally grown food, they are not confident the region’s agriculture and
primary producers can bounce back from a disaster. They are also not particularly confident governments can help
the community after a disaster.
Regional comparison
Difference to Region
MNC PMHC Bellingen KempseyCoastal Centres
Outlying Areas
Has a household plan for a natural disaster 47% -2% -5% 6% -4% 10%
Has a business continuity plan for a natural disaster 56% 0% -6% 3% -3% 3%
Have the information they need to make a household plan
73% -2% 4% 1% -1% 3%
Have the information they need to make a business continuity plan*
70% -13% 30% 3% 5% -6%
Confident governments can work together during and after a disaster
69% 1% -4% 1% 4% -9%
Confident the environment can bounce back from an environment
89% -1% 2% 1% 0% -1%
Confident agriculture and primary producers can bounce back
81% 0% -1% 1% 2% -4%
*caution, small sample at LGA level
Residents and businesses in outlying areas and smaller communities tend to be more prepared for what to do in a natural
disaster. They are also the most sceptical that governments can work together to support the community during and after.
Those in more heavily populated coastal centres are more confident in government.
Local Government Functions
73%
43%
72%
29%
56%
29%
49%
30%
62%
39%
56%
35%47%
21%
61%
41%51%
27%
19%
39%
20%
42%
26%
45%
31%
39%
26%
42%
27%
39%26%
32%
26%
35%
28%
39%
5%12%
6%
20%
14%21% 13%
21%
8%15% 12%
18%17%
22%
8%
14%12%
24%
2% 4% 2%6%
2% 4% 5% 6%2% 4% 3% 5%
7%
12%
3%7% 6% 7%
2% 2% 1% 3% 2% 1% 3% 4% 2% 1% 2% 3% 4%13%
2% 3% 2% 3%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia
Water, sewage,stormwater, drainage
Roads, bridges andfootpaths
Parks Land use planningand development
applications
Street cleaning andwaste management
Health andenvironmentalmanagement
Child care and agedcare
Emergency anddisaster management
Libraries
Extremely important Very important Moderately important Somewhat important Not important at all
What’s important about what councils do across the MNC do? (1/2)
What’s surprising is not so much what matters about local government to a Mid North Coast
resident, but how much. What councils do is more likely to be very important to a Mid North Coast
resident compared to your average Australian.
What’s important about what councils do across the MNC? (2/2)
48%
23%33%
13%
40%
22%
47%
25%
41%26%
59%
40%52%
24%
58% 58%
32%
41%31%
25%
33%
37%
31%
37%
36%
40%
28%
41%27%
33%
28% 27%
14%
27% 25%
36%
20%
27%
16%
24%
19%26%
8%15% 15%
27%
9% 11%3% 6% 6%
18%
4%9%
4%9%
3% 6% 3% 4% 4%12%
3% 2%2% 3% 5% 8% 3% 4% 2% 5% 2% 2% 3% 1% 2% 3% 2% 2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC Australia MNC MNC
Sporting and recreationfacilities
Arts and culture Economic development Youth services Communitydevelopment
Planning for the future Promoting the benefitsof the local area
Advocatefor the
needs ofthe
community
Supportslocal
businessand
industry
Extremely important Very important Moderately important Somewhat important Not important at all
But there are some differences in what matters most
to a Mid North Coast resident compared to your
average Australian
Council Responsibilities that Matter Most
Supporting
Business
Advocacy Disaster Mgmt
Strategic Planning Essential Services Parks, sport and rec
What matters more…and less…
Availability of good home or aged care 23%
A supportive and cohesive community 18%
Availability of public services like schools and healthcare 17%
Shops located nearby that suit your needs 12%
Being close to friends and family as you get older 12%
A vibrant and creative community 9%
Levels of water, air and noise pollution 8%
A positive economic outlook 8%
Recreational areas such as parks and walking tracks 5%
Good quality roads and bridges 2%
Job opportunities 0%
Convenient transport options -3%
A safe public domain and open spaces -6%
Availability of affordable housing -12%
To a Mid North Coast resident compared to your average Australian
Regional comparisonResidents in smaller communities tend to value what their
council does more highly, particularly human and environmental
services. Residents in outlying areas do not value it as highly.
There are mixed views on the role of councils in economic
development and promoting the benefits of the area. Difference to Region
MNC PMHC Bellingen Kempsey Coastal Centres
Outlying
Areas
Water, sewage, stormwater, drainage 91% -1% 1% 0% 2% -5%
Roads, bridges and footpaths 91% -1% 1% -1% 0% 0%
Street cleaning and waste management 89% -1% 1% 3% 2% -5%
Emergency and disaster management 87% -1% 3% -4% 2% -5%
Planning for the future 87% 0% -3% 2% 0% -1%
Advocating for the needs of the community 87% -2% 0% 4% 2% -4%
Supporting local business 85% 0% -2% 2% 1% -2%
Parks and gardens 83% 0% 5% -1% 2% -5%
Health and environmental management 83% -2% 2% 4% 1% -2%
Sports facilities 81% 1% -3% 3% 3% -7%
Land use planning and development applications 80% -1% 3% 2% 1% -3%
Libraries 79% 1% 4% -1% 3% -8%
Promoting the benefits of the local area 79% -1% -7% 8% 1% -2%
Youth services 77% 0% 0% 2% 1% -2%
Community development 77% -1% 1% 0% 3% -6%
Economic development 73% -2% -2% 7% 2% -5%
Child care and aged care 72% -1% 0% -1% 0% 0%
Arts and culture 64% 2% -1% 0% 2% -4%
Service Delivery and Governance
Compared to your average Australian, Mid North Coast residents have a more positive view about government and
public servants. They are skeptical of market based service delivery models, and see an enlarged and direct role for
council in service delivery. This sentiment is strongest in smaller communities and outlying areas.
94% 92% 92%95%
86% 87%81% 83% 82%
67% 64% 63%
85% 84% 82% 82%79% 78% 76% 74% 74%
63%59% 58%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
There are somethings like
health care andeducation thatgovernmentsshould deliver
Governmentsshould work
with each otherand otherservice
providers toprovide local
services
Governmentsand
communitiesshould make
decisionstogether abouthow servicesare delivered
I wantgovernments todeliver servicesthat contributeto a healthier
and fairersociety
Communitiesneed to workwith expertsand publicservants tomake good
decisions aboutwhat services
they need
Governmentshould be
advocating forthe needs of my
localcommunity
There is a rolefor governmentin providing anyof the servicesthe community
needs
Governmentsshould use a
mixture ofpublic, privateand not-for-
profitorganisations to
deliver publicservices in my
area
I wantgovernment toinvolve me in
makingdecisions aboutwhat services
are delivered inmy local area
There are someservices thatgovernments
can provide at ahigher quality
than the privatesector
People who areusing a servicewill best knowhow much ofany particular
service isneeded
It is acceptablefor services inone area to be
delivereddifferently toservices in
another area
Australia MNC
Service delivery and governance preferences (1/2) – Top 2 Box
Service delivery and governance preferences (2/2) – Top 2 Box
62%
51%
43%47%
36%31%
22% 23%25% 25% 25%
19% 21%
56%
41% 41%38%
35% 33%29% 28% 26% 24% 23% 22% 20%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Communitiesknow enoughto make good
decisions aboutwhat services
they need
The marketshould decidewhat servicesare delivered
based on levelsof demand
I am preparedto pay more
taxes to get abroader range
of publicservices
Serviceproviders have
the bestknowledgeabout how
services shouldbe delivered
Decisionsabout how
services aredelivered in myarea should bemade primarily
on value formoney
Thegovernment ofmy local areahas enough
ability to deliverservices by
itself
There are timeswhen
governmentexceeds myexpectations
The peoplewho work ingovernmenthave enoughknowledge todecide whatservices are
needed in myarea
My taxesshould only pay
for basicservices
Governmentdelivers thebest quality
services
The privatesector deliversthe best value
services
Governmentshould focus onproviding onlybasic services
Government should only
provide services where
the private sector doesn’t
Australia MNC
The preferences of Mid North Coast residents for service delivery and governance models tend to mirror your
average Australian, particularly those living in coastal centres and Port Macquarie-Hastings. But what is surprising
is that these preferences are not as strongly held as the rest of Australia.
Regional comparisonDifference to Region
MNC PMHC Bellingen Kempsey
Coastal
Centres
Outlying
Areas
I want governments to deliver services that contribute to a healthier and fairer society 90% 0% -1% 3% 1% -2%
Governments should work with each other to deliver services in my area 89% 2% -3% 1% 0% 0%
Governments and communities should make decisions together about how services are delivered 88% -1% 3% 1% 1% -2%
Governments should use a mix of public, private and other organisations to deliver services in my
area 81% 1% -6% 7% 2% -4%
Government should advocate for the needs of my community 80% 3% 1% -4% 0% 0%
Communities need to work with experts and public servants to make good decisions about services
they need 79% 4% -3% -1% 2% -4%
I want government to involve me in making decisions about what services are needed in my area 75% 1% 2% -1% 0% 1%
There is a role for government providing any of the services the community needs 75% 4% -2% -7% 0% 1%
Communities know enough to make good decisions about what services they need 67% -2% 0% 4% -1% 2%
People who use a service will know best how much of any particular service is needed 65% -2% -2% 3% -1% 2%
There are some things like health care and education that only governments should deliver 57% -2% 11% -5% 2% -5%
There are some services that government can provide at a higher quality than the private sector 56% 6% -7% -4% 0% 0%
It is acceptable for services in one area to be delivered differently to another area 54% 0% 6% -5% -3% 8%
I am prepared to pay more taxes to get a broader range of public services 43% 0% 2% 0% 1% -2%
The market should decide what services are delivered based on levels of demand 40% 1% -6% 2% 2% -6%
My taxes should only pay for basic services 35% -3% -2% 9% 1% -3%
Service providers have the best knowledge about how services should be delivered 35% 1% -5% -1% 2% -4%
Decisions about how services are delivered in my area should be made primarily on value for
money 35% 0% -4% 4% 3% -8%
Government should only provide services where the private sector doesn’t 27% -3% 1% 7% 2% -5%
Government delivers the best quality services 26% 2% -4% -1% 0% -1%
The government in my area is capable of delivering services by itself 25% 4% -4% -4% 1% -1%
Government should focus on providing only basic services 25% 1% -1% 4% 0% -1%
The private sector delivers the best value services 24% 0% -4% 4% 1% -3%
There are times when government exceeds my expectations 19% 1% 0% 1% 0% 0%
The people who work in government know enough to decide what services are needed in my area 15% 2% -5% 0% 0% -1%
Local Government and Communities
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Local State Federal
MNC Australia
Level of government best able to make decisions about your area
Like most other Australians, most Mid North Coast residents think local government is best
placed to make decisions about their area.
Knowledge of local government
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Port Macquarie-Hastings
Bellingen Kempsey Australia
Knowledge of Council Name
Correct (or reasonable attempt) Incorrect / Don't Know
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Bellingen Kempsey Port-MacquarieHastings
Australia
Knowledge of Mayor's Name
Correct (or reasonable attempt) Incorrect / Don't Know
Mid North Coast residents are more aware of who represents them and who to hold to account. They
are more likely to know their council and Mayor than your average Australian.
Who is part of this community?
Mid North Coast residents arenot as inclusive as youraverage Australian community.
Those in outlying areas andlarge employment centres tendto be less inclusive of renters,students and workers.
Those in smaller communitiestend to be more inclusive.
97%
77% 71%85%
96%87% 84% 89%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Ratepayers Renters Students People who work here
MNC Australia
Difference to Region
MNC PMHC Bellingen KempseyCoastal Centres
Outlying Areas
Ratepayers 97% 0% 0% 1% 0% 0%
Renters 77% -1% -1% 2% 2% -6%
Students 71% 0% 2% -1% 3% -6%
People who work here
85% -2% 0% 3% 1% -2%
Implications for MNCJO Strategic Plan
Strategic Plan ImplicationsIn many ways, the Mid North Coast is a bellwether for the many coastal lifestyle regions that dot theAustralian coastline and have been luring people away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. Whilst thereare some differences what residents of each LGA see the role of council being, their views of localgovernment as a highly valued layer of government reflect the average Australian.
There are spatial differences across the region. Those in outer areas and smaller communities, whilstresourceful and resilient, feel forgotten by government. This does not mean they value government any less –in fact, they appear to value it more highly than their counterparts in coastal centres. This is not such a badthing; part of why they live where they do is to be away from the hustle and bustle – including government.But when things go wrong, like a disaster, they expect government to be their. This also means good phoneand web connections, local shops and services are more crucial to these community members.
• Mid North Coast residents are eager for a more sustainable future for the region; one that supports locallymade produce, uses scarce land, energy and water resources wisely, and protects from pollution theunique biodiversity and pristine environment that contribute so much to what makes this a great place forthose who live here.
• Whilst residents want their councils to support local business and industry, particularly agriculture andprimary producers, they have not yet made the link between the crucial role of councils in supportingsustainable economic development and other industries, particularly tourism in the region’s major centres.
• The strategic planning function of the MNCJO is highly supported by the community, as are regionalleadership and advocacy and pursuing shared and direct service delivery between member councils,particularly for highly valued services such as aged and home care.
• There is potential for more work to be done improving social cohesion and inclusion across the region insuch a way that all members of the community are valued for their unique contribution the community, notjust their postcode or status as a resident.
Core MNCJO Functions
Strategic planning and priority setting –
based on robust processes for identifying
regional goals, with the flexibility to respond
to changing priorities and needs of member
councils as required
Intergovernmental collaboration –building
effective working relationships with other
JOs, councils and the NSW and Australian
Governments
Regional leadership and advocacy –
creating a shared purpose and strategic
direction for the region; and a commitment to
constructive and cooperative implementation
by all member councils
Building efficient and effective councils –
by examining opportunities for shared
services and capacity building across the
region.
Strategic Plan Implications• The following insights from the survey can further inform the MNCJO Strategic Plan
Action Detail Survey insights
1.1Provide regional facilities and services for recreation, sports, arts and culture within the
context of a changing population Parks, sports and rec amongst the most highly valued council functions
1.2Build capacity in the regional community to deal with severe weather events and natural
disasters
Half the community do not have a disaster plan, and up to two thirds
would benefit from information on how to make one
1.3Plan for the regional impact of ageing populations on health services, accessible and
affordable housing and employmentAged and home care amongst the most important council functions
2.1 Plan for the regional impact of climate change on the community, environment, economy
and council services
Intergenerational, biodiversity and community impacts most concerning
to residents – particularly drought, bushfires and water security
2.2 Preserve strategic biodiversity and identify land with high environmental value and
biodiversity corridors across the region
Unique biodiversity and pristine natural environment free of pollution
are major place qualities
3.1 Assess the availability of land across the region for different purposes and instigate cross-
council planning where land is scarce/unavailable for a specific purpose
Using land, energy and water resources efficiently important to this
environmentally conscious region
3.3. Continue to support industries which deliver food security for the region and support a
focus on agriculture and agriculture-related industries
Locally grown food and supporting local business and industry,
particularly agriculture and primary producers, highly valued
3.4 Continue to support tourism as a main regional industry and explore options to ‘keep
tourists in the region’ for longerTourism under-valued across the region, particularly major centres
4.1Support the roll-out of reliable telecommunications and internet access across the region
Good phone and internet considered an essential service across the
region, particularly outlying areas
4.2 Design and create safe public places and preserve the unique regional/local character of
cities, towns and villagesDesign of safe public spaces particularly important in major centres
6.1Effectively work with state and federal governments to ensure resources are available for
the Mid North Coast
The regional leadership and advocacy function of MNCJO is supported,
but this should not dwarf the importance of shared, direct service
delivery