Oakville survey finds affordable housing, urban sprawl front and centre for residents
Published April 28, 2022 at 12:57 pm
While Oakville residents expressed high satisfaction with Town programs and services, the recent survey also revealed key issues of concern include affordable housing, urban sprawl/rapid development, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Town of Oakville’s 2022 Citizen Survey results showed residents’ overall satisfaction with the Town remains high at 93 per cent and 80 per cent feel positive about their local government.
When it comes to overall customer service experience, 85 per cent of those surveyed expressed overall satisfaction.
“The Citizen Survey results are encouraging and a reflection of the town’s livability and commitment to delivering high quality programs and services that residents value. As we take a closer look at the results,” said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton.
“I know this information will help keep Council and the town focused on our strategic priorities and ensure town programs and services continue to improve to meet our residents’ needs and expectations.”
The survey found affordable housing and urban sprawl/rapid development are front and centre of the important issues impacting the community.
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Unsurprisingly the COVID-19 pandemic has also been top of mind over the last two years and nearly 78 per cent of those in the survey expressed that they were satisfied with how the town adapted its services in response to the public health emergency.
“I am extremely proud of town staff and their unwavering commitment to serve the community,” said Oakville CAO Jane Clohecy. “Their efforts throughout the pandemic haven’t gone unnoticed as the survey results show and I want to thank them for doing their part to protect our community.
“I also want to thank our residents for their valuable feedback that will help us make improvements to our programs and services and shape our future strategic priorities.”
Other key findings from the resident survey include:
- High marks for service delivery: Results show that eight out of 12 service areas received satisfaction ratings above 80 per cent. The town’s top rated services include parks and green spaces (93 per cent), harbours and waterfront areas (90 per cent), public libraries (88 per cent), recreation fields and facilities (87 per cent), and emergency services (85 per cent).
- Value for money: 85 per cent of residents said they receive good value for their tax dollars.
- Satisfaction with town attributes: Residents were asked to rate ten attributes of the Town of Oakville, giving us an overall satisfaction rating of 87 per cent. The highest levels of satisfaction were feelings of safety (95 per cent), overall appearance of the community (92 per cent), and feeling of belonging (87 per cent).
- Receiving information: Results show that in the past 12 months residents connected most with the town through the town’s website (61 per cent), both as a way to contact the town and to find information about programs and services. Of those who have used the town’s website, 9 in 10 (89 per cent) were satisfied with it.
- Identified priorities: To help the town in planning for the future, residents outlined the following top priority area within six areas of focus:
- Climate change: Protecting and maintaining parks, trails and green spaces.
- Economic growth: Attracting new companies to Oakville to create more local job opportunities.
- Parks amenities and recreation programs: Offering park space for unstructured use.
- Ease of travelling: Adding and widening roads and bridges and increasing the frequency of public transit.
- Governing and managing the town: Ensuring open and accountable government decision-making.
- Controlling the rate and type of growth: Protecting the character of existing neighbourhoods.
- Focus areas for service delivery: Availability of online services and transit.
- While satisfaction with online services and transit services increased from 2019 (online services up one per cent to 79 per cent and transit up two per cent to 61 per cent), residents have identified them as primary areas of improvement.
- Three other services identified by residents that may need attention in the long-term to maintain current high satisfaction ratings: recreation programs (81 per cent); arts, heritage and culture offerings and venues (82 per cent); and town roads and sidewalks (81 per cent).
- Customer service: More than 85 per cent of residents feel town staff are respectful and knowledgeable, and that the information they need is easy to find and understand.
Oakville conducts a survey every two years to gather information on residents’ overall satisfaction with town programs and services, identify emerging issues important to the community and to help guide strategic priorities and ensure continuous improvement in the town’s service delivery.
Forum Research conducted the telephone survey on behalf of the Town between January 24, 2022 and February 6, 2022.
A random sample of 811 residents were asked about their views on town services and the community. Findings were accurate to +/- 2.9 per cent. In addition to the phone survey, 990 responses were received through an online survey.
View the 2022 Citizen Survey Report Card for highlights and the 2022 Citizen Survey Results for details on the Town’s strengths and areas of focus.
Last year’s survey was postponed due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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