Mean scores were calculated for all rating scales. Table 4.2.1 outlines mean score interpretation. Results Satisfaction with facilities and services Respondents were to indicate how satisfied they are with the quality of facilities and level of services currently provided by Council. Overall, 67% of respondents indicated they were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of facilities provided by Council (Figure 4.2.2). Similarly, 65% of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the level of service provided by Council (Figure 4.2.3). Analysis of mean scores revealed little in the way of significant differences in key demographic groups. Importance of Council providing better facilities and services Respondents were also asked to indicate the extent to which they thought it important for Council to provide improved facilities and services. The vast majority of respondents (93%) said it was important or very important for Council to provide better facilities and services (Figure 4). Analysis of mean scores revealed no significant differences in key demographic groups. Figure 4.2.2: Quality of facilities (Micromex survey) Figure 4.2.3: Level of service (Micromex survey) Figure 4: Importance of facilities and services (Micromex survey) Awareness of Council’s financial position Overall, 44% of respondents were aware that Council is exploring options to ensure financial sustainability. As the survey was conducted at the beginning of the engagement period, it is envisaged this figure would have been higher by the end of the engagement period given promotional activities continued after the survey had closed. Awareness is higher amongst those who own their property versus those who rent, and higher among respondents aged 40-70+ years versus those aged 18-24 years. Table 4.2.2: Awareness of Council's financial position (Micromex survey) Support for the three rating options Respondents were asked to indicate their level of support for each of the three rating options using a 5 point scale. Results are presented in Figure 4.2.5. Overall, Option 2 - fund financial sustainability - received the highest level of support, with 54% supportive or very supportive of this option. Levels of support for Options 1 and 3 were similar with 33% and 32% of respondents respectively indicating they were supportive or very supportive of these options. Figure 4.2.5: Support for each rating option (Micromex survey)
facilities or activities being provided to the special rate payers beyond those funded by a 2.4% increase in special rate income. As there is no additional benefit provided, there is no justification to increase the special rate income from these areas. Table 5.1.1 – Rates Structure if application approved. RATE MINIMUM RATE AD Valorem Amount Cents in $ BASE AMOUNT ESTIMATED RATE YIELD PA $’s $ Ordinary Rates % of Total Rates Residential Nil 0.247486 579.85 50 70,890,399 Business $768.40 1.782303 Nil Nil 31,302,949 Farmland $768.40 0.362939 Nil Nil 37,516 Business Sub-Categories Inner City Suburban Shop. Centre $768.40 2.423125 Nil Nil 127,941 Suburban Shopping Centre $768.40 2.67045 Nil Nil 361,846 Kotara Major Commercial Shopping Centre $768.40 2.794778 Nil Nil 1,131,885 Maj. Commercial Shopping Centre (Inner City) $768.40 Nil Nil 268,664 Kotara Homemaker's Centre $768.40 1.357076 Nil Nil 444,171 Jesmond Major Commercial Shopping Centre $768.40 3.828448 Nil Nil 444,100 Waratah Major Commercial Shopping Centre $768.40 4.239159 Nil Nil 312,426 Wallsend Major Commercial Shopping Centre $768.40 4.302056 Nil Nil 355,780 The Junction Major Commercial Shopping Centre $768.40 3.211115 Nil Nil 166,978 Kooragang Industrial Coal Zone $768.40 1.325456 Nil Nil 877,796 Kooragang Industrial Centre $768.40 1.229051 Nil Nil 2,275,051 Mayfield North Heavy Industrial Centre $768.40 0.738126 Nil Nil 519,641
Mayfield North Industrial Centre $768.40 1.306877 Nil Nil 685,692 Carrington Industrial Centre $768.40 1.889113 Nil Nil 2,261,908 Broadmeadow Industrial Centre $768.40 2.449381 Nil Nil 118,795 Hexham Light Industrial Centre $768.40 2.143608 Nil Nil 747,893 Carrington Industrial Coal Zone $768.40 2.106797 Nil Nil 632,039 Kooragang North Coal Zone $768.40 1.562737 Nil Nil 1,093,916 Special Rates City centre - City East Nil 0.390465 Nil Nil 181,450 City centre - St Nil 0.091603 Nil Nil 27,512 City centre - City West (Close Zone) Nil 0.168818 Nil Nil 246,014 City centre - City West (Distant Zone) Nil 0.084409 Nil Nil 20,341 City centre – Nil 0.390465 Nil Nil 149,598 City centre – Mall Nil 0.390465 Nil Nil 119,365 City centre – Civic (Close Zone) Nil 0.219906 Nil Nil 85,444 City centre – Civic (Distant Zone) Nil 0.109953 Nil Nil 6,034 Hunter Mall Nil 0.315818 Nil Nil 85,240 Mayfield Business District Nil 0.111995 Nil Nil 73,031 Hamilton Business District - Zone A Nil 0.247916 Nil Nil 81,809