Residents feel safer in Point Cook at night than Hoppers Crossing, results of a new survey reveal.
The results were detailed in Wyndham council’s 2014 Community Survey, which found perceptions of safety in public areas fluctuated from suburb to suburb.
Compared to the Melbourne metropolitan average, safety levels in Point Cook, Truganina, Tarneit and Wyndham Vale were rated higher, but lower in Werribee and Hoppers Crossing.
More than 48 per cent of the 800 survey respondents – more than double the metropolitan Melbourne average – ranked traffic management, including roads, congestion and commuting times, as the most pressing issue for the council to address.
Metropolis Research managing director Dale Hubner said the company had never recorded as much dissatisfaction with traffic management during surveys at other councils.
Other major frustrations for residents include road maintenance and repairs (16.6 per cent), public transport (13.8 per cent), parking (12.5 per cent), parks, gardens and open space (10.3 per cent), and safety, policing and crime (7.2 per cent).
Among the leading barriers to using public transport recorded were a lack of parking at train stations, the length of travel times, overcrowded trains and infrequent buses.
More than two-thirds of those surveyed reported some housing-related financial stress, while a third of those surveyed volunteered with a community organisation or club.
Overall satisfaction with Wyndham council was up on 2013, and was slightly higher than the western region average, with high ratings for garbage and green waste collections, immunisation services and the city’s libraries.
Residents were least satisfied with footpath maintenance and repairs, road maintenance and repairs, parking enforcement and public toilets.
More than 34 per cent of people were “very satisfied” with the council’s performance, with 12.4 per cent “dissatisfied”.
Mayor Peter Maynard said the results were pleasing but there was room for improvement.
“It’s no surprise residents are concerned about traffic and transport issues,” he said.
“Seventy per cent of our residents travel outside Wyndham for work, totalling an average of 20 days a year in their cars.
“We will continue to advocate to all levels of government for better roads and public transport, including more frequent trains and buses.”
