Main recovery priorities for local government
48% Economic recovery and local employment opportunities
37% Community health and wellbeing sport and recreation, library, community development, etc
35% Local infrastructure to improve roads, footpaths, cycleways, facilities, internet, etc
35% Recovery Plan in collaboration with local business and community
27% Support services for people most vulnerable to COVID-19
26% Community safety and crime prevention
The community would like Local Government to prioritise economic recovery and employment opportunities in the short-term (next 6 months).
Secondary priorities are community health and wellbeing initiatives, local infrastructure projects and engaging with local businesses and the community to develop a local Recovery Plan.
The community does not consider public health education to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to be a high priority role for local government. Instead, the focus for local government should be on providing support services for those most vulnerable to COVID-19.
With digital innovation rated the lowest priority, local governments may need to revise planned investment in Smart Cities initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure green-lighted projects are essential, or that these projects are enablers to help address priority areas,
Spontaneous mentions under 'other' mostly related to freezing or reducing rates (2%), or cutting unnecessary spending to focus on core business (1%).