General News
30 June, 2026
Survey yields shocking results for TRC
A COMMUNITY survey on the performance of Tablelands Regional Council has yielded shocking results, with nearly 80% dissatisfied with the organisation.
The survey attracted 1172 responses and revealed just how unhappy residents are about their council, with 77% dissatisfied with its financial management; 77% believed it did not represent the best interests of the community; and 70% thought council was not honest or transparent.
Just over 80% of respondents also disagreed that the level of rates paid was appropriate for the services provided, with families and younger residents the most dissatisfied.
Over the past 12 months, TRC has faced community backlash for its reduction in concessions for some sporting clubs; its decision to get rid of a number of assets and some public land parcels; a perceived lack of maintenance in Atherton and other towns; criticism of the funds being spent on Priors Creek Parklands; the demolition of the Vernon St toilets and the imminent demolition of the Patrick English Pavilion in Malanda; and the significant increase in the number of items being decided behind closed doors.
When the survey was presented at last week’s council meeting, only Cr Annette Haydon and Acting Mayor Dave Bilney made some short remarks.
“Yeah, look um, while the results do show a decline since the initial 2019 survey, seven years have passed and the local government environment has changed dramatically since that time,” Cr Bilney said.
The council report on the results listed what the organisation intended to do in a bid to regain the trust and confidence of the community, along with a recommendation that a similar survey be undertaken every two years.
“The survey is not comfortable reading in several areas,” the report stated.
“That is useful. It tells council where trust has declined, where information is not landing, where services need clearer reporting and where the community expects practical improvement.”
Among the actions to be undertaken was “improving transparency around council meetings” which was in response to the significant increase in the number of items that are now decided in closed sessions.
“Council is reviewing ways to limit confidential council sessions and bring more matters into open sessions where this is legally, ethically and practically possible,” the report stated.
“Council will also change how council meeting updates are prepared so the community receives clearer and more accessible summaries of matters considered by council.”
Other actions included improving visible service delivery, strengthening community engagement, and making council information clearer and easier to find.
To that end, council will upgrade its website in the coming financial year to make it more user-friendly and accessible.
“Responding directly to rumours and misinformation, council has introduced the ‘Is It True’ inbox and web page to give the community one place to find factual answers to questions, rumours or misinformation circulating online or in the community,” the report stated.
“Council will also shift more communication toward positive stories and practical explanations of what council does, alongside factual updates.
“This is not about pretending problems do not exist. It is about giving the community a fuller picture of council services, decisions and outcomes.
“Council will also continue improving how issues are followed up and closed out, because the survey shows that unresolved issues are a major source of dissatisfaction.”
