The results are in.
A phone and online survey of approximately 400 Colwood residents conducted through January and early February has been completed and presented to council. While there were a number of issues to keep an eye on, the surveyB次元官网网址檚 findings showed a positive view on the work being done by Colwood staff and council.
B次元官网网址淭he Citizen Satisfaction Survey confirmed what we have always thought,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Gordie Logan. B次元官网网址淭hat Colwood residents believe that they have a high quality of life, that Colwood is a great place to live, and the city provides excellent customer service.B次元官网网址�
The 2016 citizen survey showed 54 per cent of Colwood residents said what they loved about Colwood most was itB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址減eaceful, relaxed lifestyle close to nature and the ocean.B次元官网网址�
When asked to rate the City on a scale out of 10 on particular subjects, response scores averaged 7.5 for B次元官网网址渁 high quality of life,B次元官网网址� 7.6 for B次元官网网址渁 great place to raise a family,B次元官网网址� and 7.4 for B次元官网网址渁 great place to retire.B次元官网网址�
Although, Logan did acknowledge there were challenges to overcome.
B次元官网网址�(The study) also highlighted areas that are top of mind for Colwood residents. Development and planning, transportation and traffic, and the sewer system are seen to be the CityB次元官网网址檚 biggest challenges,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲hile a diverse housing stock and safe routes to school are identified as areas to improve upon, fire services, snow and ice removal and the CityB次元官网网址檚 parks and trails were (also) tops in the minds of residents.B次元官网网址�
Of those surveyed, 28 per cent noted the top issues in the municipality as development and planning, with 22 per cent noting transportation and traffic, and 20 per cent noting the sewer system.
A Colwood resident since 1971, Melanie Davis said she was less impressed with some of ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 work, and hoped to see improvements starting with increased communication.
B次元官网网址淭hey need to talk to the people first before they start doing some of these things,B次元官网网址� Davis said. B次元官网网址淧eople that live in (some developed areas in Colwood) didnB次元官网网址檛 know that trees would be cut down before they got home.B次元官网网址�
While she doesnB次元官网网址檛 live in those areas, Davis also pointed to the large retaining walls as B次元官网网址渢he worst thing she has ever seen,B次元官网网址� and a potential safety hazard, with concerns about their strength in the face of natural disasters.
While new rules regulating the height of such walls are in the works, she wondered why they werenB次元官网网址檛 there before.
She also pointed to partially developed areas now sitting incomplete and B次元官网网址渦gly,B次元官网网址� wondering aloud how developers could leave areas like that in disrepair.
B次元官网网址淎 prime example is the (Capital) City Centre development, what a mess that is... I think itB次元官网网址檚 unprofessional... They need to screen developers (more),B次元官网网址� Davis said.
She also pointed to the potential costs of sewage as a major concern, and said Colwood may not even need sewage.
B次元官网网址淚 just think we live on a natural gravel bed in Colwood and we donB次元官网网址檛 need sewage (systems)B次元官网网址� I donB次元官网网址檛 think we should be forced into something we donB次元官网网址檛 need,B次元官网网址� she said.
B次元官网网址淚 can see them having it in Victoria and Esquimalt but we donB次元官网网址檛 really need it out here.B次元官网网址�
Overall she hoped for more from a council she said wasnB次元官网网址檛 living up to their mandate.
Logan on the other hand was satisfied with the results, but promised to continue to work hard and improve all facets of life in his community.
B次元官网网址淐ouncil and staff embrace these results and are truly thankful for the honest opinions given. ItB次元官网网址檚 clear that Colwood residents love their city,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址�(However) we are set to work our collective butts off to make Colwood even better.B次元官网网址�
alim@goldstreamgazette.com
