Received a text message from Wyndham council? You’re not the only one.
The council is trying out new ways to communicate with residents, most recently sending out SMSs to registered pet owners asking them to complete a survey on its domestic animal management plan.
Chief executive Kelly Grigsby said the text message prompts had been a successful method of getting
community feedback.
“It is paperless, direct, instantaneous, and targeted,” Ms Grigsby said.
“When we last sought feedback on the domestic animal management plan four years ago, we received 172 responses.
“Adding SMSs as part of our communications strategy, we have seen a dramatic increase, having received 806 responses and more are coming in daily.
“Pet owners are able to opt out of receiving the text messages, but very few have done so.
“It is also used across other council departments, for example, with parents of children at kindergarten.”
Ms Grigsby said text messages were just one way the council communicated with residents as it also used advertising, printed materials, social media, the council website, digital newsletters, meetings, direct mail, listening posts and forums to keep residents in the loop.
