The results of the 2026 Community Satisfaction Survey are in, and we are pleased to share that the City of Boroondara continues to perform strongly. Our overall performance score of 70 out of 100 sits above both the metropolitan average (64) and the statewide average (58), confirming Boroondara as a leading council across Victoria.

Our top performing areas

This year, our top 3 highest-rated service areas are: 

• Feedback from the 80 libraries shows that it is one of the most important services. It provides a place for people to connect and learn. 
• Waste management (76) is rated as the single most important service we deliver (importance score: 87, up 5 points) and is being delivered well, with performance improving by 4 points compared to last year.
• Appearance of public areas (74) – feedback shows how central this is to community pride with 19% nominated parks and open space as the best thing about Boroondara, with a further 9% citing cleanliness and presentation.

Improvement areas 

Your feedback helps shape our priorities and guides how we deliver services across Boroondara.

Since the 2025 survey, we’ve taken your feedback on board and made improvements in the areas you suggested needed more focus. It’s encouraging to see this reflected in this year’s results, with strong improvements in key areas such as keeping you informed (up 9 points), environmental sustainability (up 6 points), and opportunities to have your say (up 5 points).

While we’re pleased with this progress, we know there’s more to do. This year’s results highlight further areas where you want us to keep improving, including:

• Making decisions in the best interests of the community (63)
• Maintaining the condition of footpaths (63)
• Being transparent about how public funds are spent (62)
• Strengthening the overall direction of Council (52).

Our 2026–27 Budget includes major initiatives and performance measures to help us improve these and other important services for our community, with a strong focus on transparent decision-making and clearly showing how public funds are being used to deliver the outcomes our community values most.

What residents love about Boroondara

When asked what the best thing about Boroondara - residents, as in previous years, highlighted parks and open space maintenance, recreation and family facilities, cleanliness and town presentation, libraries, arts and cultural facilities, waste collection and management and our natural environment and outdoor amenity. This feedback aligns with what our community told us matters during community consultation for the Boroondara Community Plan 2025-35, which guides how Council makes decisions, deliver services, invests in the community and plans for the long term.

Overall, the results reflect a solid performance in a challenging environment of both global uncertainties, rising living costs, housing demand and climate impacts. 

Visit our Community Satisfaction Survey page to read the full report.

About the survey

The survey is conducted by Klein Research, an independent research consultant endorsed by the State Government. A representative sample of 600 Boroondara residents were asked to share their perceptions on key council services and performance. 

In 2026, an online survey option via social media was introduced to broaden the participation and make sure the survey sample is more representative of our community. This option has had a notable impact on engagement among younger residents with participation of those aged between 35 to 49 increasing by 40% from 93 to 129 respondents.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in this year’s survey. Your feedback helps us serve you better.