Blue Mountains City Council says its latest Community Satisfaction Survey shows residents remain highly satisfied with the organisation’s performance.
The 2026 survey, conducted independently by Taverner Research Group in January and February, found 82% of residents are satisfied with Council’s performance in providing services to the community. The result is similar to the strong results recorded in 2024 and remains above the benchmark for NSW councils.
Mayor, Mark Greenhill said the results were encouraging, while also highlighting areas where Council must continue to improve.
“These results show Council is continuing to deliver strongly for the community, particularly in the services residents use and value every day,” Mayor Greenhill said.
“We are very pleased that overall satisfaction remains high, but we also know there is always more work to do.
“The survey gives us clear feedback from the community and will help guide our planning, decision-making and how we communicate with residents.”
Key results from the 2026 survey include:
- 82% of residents are satisfied with Council’s performance in providing services to the community;
- 83% are satisfied with Council’s leadership and response when natural disasters impact the Blue Mountains;
- 95% are satisfied with the performance of Council staff;
- 93% feel generally safe in their neighbourhood;
- 76% feel they belong to the community they live in;
- 78% have a non-family member in their area they can turn to in times of crisis.
Residents reported improvements in Council’s management of public amenities in town centres, community centres and halls, parks and playgrounds, cultural and arts facilities, and cemeteries and ashes placement sites.
Satisfaction was highest for library services, swimming pools and leisure centres, visitor information centres at Glenbrook and Katoomba, Council lookouts and walking trails, and kerbside red, yellow and green bin services.
The survey also identified priority areas for continued focus, including how Council provides information and consults with the community, opportunities to participate in decision-making, stormwater and drainage, access to local employment, managing residential development, sealed roads and weed control.
Council has conducted community satisfaction surveys since 1996 to better understand community priorities and track performance over time.
The full 2026 Community Satisfaction Survey Report and Survey Highlights are available on Council’s website.
The next Community Satisfaction Survey is scheduled for 2028.
