The closure of the Trafalgar Centre has dented Nelsonian’s satisfaction with the region’s recreation and leisure facilities, but overall confidence in Nelson City Council’s performance has increased.
The latest residents survey of the council’s performance has been released and it shows that overall satisfaction is at 54 per cent, up from 49 per cent last year but down from 2012, when it was at 62 per cent.
The biggest drop in satisfaction came with the region’s recreation and leisure facilities which recorded 63 per cent satisfaction, down from 78 per cent in 2012.
The survey was done by Versus Research in May and June, and a report by them was presented to the council last month. The report says almost half of those who were dissatisfied with recreation and leisure stated this was because of the Trafalgar Centre being unused.
Solid waste management, transport, water supply and managing emergencies and natural hazards also recorded small decreases in satisfaction, but well within the 4 per cent margin of error.
The big winner was culture and heritage facilities, recording 72 per cent satisfaction, up from 65 per cent two years ago.
The survey also showed Nelsonians care about the environment and think the council should play an active role in keeping it clean. Ninety-one per cent of respondents said the water quality of local streams and rivers rate as important or very important for the council to focus on.
Eighty-eight per cent said the same for the coastal environment and beaches, and 86 per cent for marine water quality. The Maitai River and Nelson Haven came in for particular mention as areas of concern.
Opinions on air quality were interesting, with an equal split of those saying that woodburners create too much smoke and that woodburners should be allowed. Thirty-seven per cent of those surveyed use a heat pump, with exactly the same percentage using woodburners.
The survey showed that 73 per cent had attended at least one event as part of the summer festival or arts festival.
Forty-four per cent of those surveyed were working full-time, with a further 21 per cent working part-time.
Private vehicle remained the main way that Nelson residents were travelling to work, however this was at a significantly lower level than previously, 54 per cent compared to 63 per cent in 2012. That was driven by an increase in those who were using company vehicles, 15 per cent compared to 7 per cent.
