Residents of Greater Bendigo can help shape the city's 2027-2028 budget by completing a survey on the Let's Talk Greater Bendigo website. The budget funds more than 60 essential services, including bin collections, park maintenance, early learning centres and arts venues such as Ulumbarra Theatre. Mayor Thomas Prince said community feedback plays an important role in council's decisions on services and infrastructure. Feedback can be provided until Tuesday 10 November.
The City of Perth and the WA Government are asking residents for feedback on plans for the 2029 bicentenary of the Swan River Colony. The city says past colonial anniversaries involved little or tokenistic Aboriginal participation, and it wants this program to advance reconciliation instead. Proposed events include truth-telling initiatives, an expanded Boorloo Heritage Festival, and river-focused experiences. Community surveys close on October 31 for the State Government and November 15 for the City of Perth. Premier Roger Cook said the commemoration should reflect shared history and the diversity of WA communities.
Central Coast Council is running a community survey to gather suggestions for safety improvements between Gosford and Erina Creek. The $2 million project is held in honour of Audrey Griffin, following her murder.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Residents, businesses, property owners, volunteers and visitors on the Peninsula are being invited to weigh in on community safety and animal management services. A community survey forms part of a broader review examining how these services should be delivered in future. Council wants to learn which priorities matter most, what the community expects, current concerns and where effort should concentrate. Mayor Stephen Batty said the feedback would help Council plan services for the coming years. The survey covers the balance between education and enforcement, service visibility, seasonal pressures and priorities over the next three to five years.
Port Stephens Council is inviting residents to take part in its annual Community Satisfaction Survey. The survey asks about roads, footpaths, waste collections, parks, beaches and libraries. Mayor Leah Anderson said last year's feedback led to a $29 million Roads Acceleration Program and a draft Road Futures Strategy. This year, Taverner Research Group may phone residents for anonymous verbal feedback. Residents can also complete the survey online or collect a hard copy from council facilities.
Snowy Valleys Council has placed a revised financial plan on public exhibition, asking residents to help decide the finances of two proposed councils. The council says only one of four modelled scenarios puts both councils on a path to sustainability. That scenario combines rate rises, lower spending and changes to fees. It proposes a special rate variation of 4.3 per cent a year in the north and 9.5 per cent a year in the south, on top of the ordinary rate peg. Residents can complete a community survey until 11:59 pm on Sunday 1 November.
The Cassowary Coast Council has opened its MARKYT Community Scorecard and is asking residents to complete it by 6 November 2026. The survey lets residents rate council performance, services, facilities and programs, and share priorities for the region. The survey runs every two years. Earlier responses helped the council advocate for better medical services in Cardwell and Mission Beach, a university centre, and funding to improve the safety and accessibility of public spaces. Residents can complete the survey online or by returning a paper copy.
