Augusta-Margaret River ratepayers were quizzed on a range of issues including their satisfaction with the Shire’s service, priority projects and the issue of amalgamation.

The survey was posted to 4000 randomly selected ratepayers in April, with 773 returning completed questionnaires.

Seventy six percent of respondents said they wanted to stay as an independent local government rather than amalgamate with neighbouring shires Busselton or Nannup.

CEO Gary Evershed commented in the report that this was a “powerful indicator” of the community’s desire to remain as an independent local government.

The report recommends the Shire writes to the Minister for Local Government and other relevant members of parliament and stakeholders advising that more than three quarters of ratepayers did not support amalgamation.

When quizzed about the level of satisfaction with Shire service, 82% of respondents rated their experience as either good or very good.

Residents were also asked to rank 12 council projects earmarked for the next 10 years from the most important to least important.

The Augusta streetscape was identified as being the overall most important project for council to spend ratepayer money on.

Extending and upgrading the Margaret River Library received the second highest ranking and the river mouth toilet and storage upgrade was rated third.

The Margaret River perimeter road received the fourth highest importance rating ahead of the Old Settlement site, Turner Caravan Park redevelopment and Gloucester Park upgrades.

Other projects were ranked in the following order Gracetown boat ramp, Gnarabup boat ramp, Cape Leeuwin tourism precinct project, southern extension of Rails to Trails and the Margaret River Cultural Centre refurbishment.

Mr Evershed has written in the report that the data provided a “snapshot of the community’s priorities” and could be used for future planning purposes.

Other findings from the survey will be reported on in August.

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