Survey results show local governments pivotal in COVID-19 recovery

• State Government has launched the results of an online COVID-19 survey that mapped community wellbeing and resilience levels across WA.
• MARKYT® Community Resilience Scorecard was completed by 7666 residents of 128 local governments across WA.
• The report shows local communities have shown strength and resilience in response to the pandemic.
  

Local Government Minister David Templeman today launched the results of an online COVID-19 survey which mapped community wellbeing and resilience levels across WA.

The MARKYT® Community Resilience Scorecard was undertaken from 5 June to 8 July 2020 and completed by 7666 residents aged 18 years and over, of 128 local governments across WA, from the Kimberley to the Great Southern.

The survey results will help local governments determine priorities and action required to respond to COVID-19. This includes:

• how to cope with short-term disruption
• how to anticipate, prepare and adapt to longer-term changes
• how to build hope, trust and confidence that WA is on the path to recover.

Local communities across Western Australia have shown strength and resilience in response to the pandemic. The key findings from survey and its report include:

• Community members are happy with local government responses to COVID-19 and have confidence and trust in local government to make good decisions.
• Main priorities for local government were economic recovery, community health and wellbeing, local infrastructure, recovery plan, support services and community safety.
• The top five concerns were family and friends getting sick, recovery of the local economy, personal finances, staying connected and work and employment opportunities.
• 69 per cent of community members feel hopeful and enthusiastic about the future.
  

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries funded and partnered with Local Government Professionals WA and Catalyse to develop the MARKYT® Community Resilience Scorecard.