Published on Thursday, 30 July 2020 at 4:17:39 PM
Strong levels of approval and trust in local government have been uncovered in the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries’ and Local Government Professionals Australia WA’s Markyt Resilience Scorecard, investigating how WA communities are coping with COVID-19 restrictions.
A majority of respondents said local governments have demonstrated clear thinking and decision making during the crisis, as well as agreeing that there are good health and safety practices in place at community facilities.
48% of respondents believed economic recovery and local employment opportunities should be the top recovery priority for local government, followed by 37% selecting community health and wellbeing and 35% selecting local infrastructure investment.
Digital channels continue to dominate media consumption, with 49% selecting social media as the primary source of local government COVID-19 information, followed by 30% selecting local government websites and 27% preferring email.
Hon. Commissioner Fred Riebeling AM JP said the results provide the Town with valuable information as WA cautiously eases COVID-19 restrictions.
“The Town’s record capital infrastructure investment program is supporting local job creation, the top priority for respondents of the Markyt Resilience Scorecard.
“Throughout the crisis, the Town in fact expanded the organisation’s workforce and continued on the trajectory of strong public investment. Keeping people employed and spending in the local economy is vital for Hedland’s economic recovery.
“It was encouraging to see that 69% of respondents feel hopeful and enthusiastic about the future, giving local government’s response to COVID-19 a solid overall score of 68%.
“The Town provided consistent communication updates throughout the crisis, emphasising federal and state government public health advice and applying this to a local context.
“The Town’s public facilities and spaces maintained a high standard of sanitisation, as well as keeping people aware of social distancing rules and health requirements.
“I’d like to thank the Hedland community for stepping up to the unprecedented challenge, taking the public health advice seriously and preventing a local outbreak of the virus.
“The results of the Markyt Resilience Scorecard show the central role local government plays in responding to national challenges, keeping communities together and building a better future.”
For media information:
Laura Hawes
Manager Corporate Affairs
(08) 9158 9365 | lhawes@porthedland.wa.gov.au
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