The random telephone survey, which cost the council $5290, was conducted to measure community support for a proposed rate increase to fund ‘road renewal and maintenance’ in the shire.

The survey of 300 residents aged over 18 was conducted by Jetty Research from May 4 to 6.

According to the result, 45 per cent of people said they were unhappy or very unhappy with local roads, with only 14 per cent claiming to be happy.

Out of the four council-run services for which opinions were sought (drainage, parks and reserves, swimming pools and roads), roads received by far the lowest satisfaction scores.

The survey found 99 per cent of respondents agreed the council should spend more money on road maintenance.

People were asked how much per week they would be prepared to contribute in extra rates to fund road and drainage improvements, with 40 per cent saying they did not want to pay any extra.

Sixty per cent agreed they would be prepared to pay more, with 43 per cent nominating a maximum of 50 cents or one dollar a week and seven per cent nominating up to three dollars.

A report to councillors said the survey indicated an ‘extremely high level of support for council allocating more funds to road maintenance and improvement’.

“This was re-inforced by the fact that 60 per cent of respondents were prepared to back a special rate variation specifically to fund road improvements,” the report said.