The vast majority of people living in the Cowichan Valley Regional District are happy with their lives, according to a recent survey.
The 2016 Community Satisfaction Survey found that 95 per cent of respondents rate the overall quality of life in the CVRD as “good” or “very good”. But, despite the general enthusiasm for the local quality of life in the regional district, the survey also shows there are still issues facing the region.
At 11 per cent, issues around drinking water in the region was listed in the survey as the most important one that concerns people.
Other issues raised include increasing traffic and roads, taxation and municipal government spending, education and schools, and affordability.
The NRG Research Group conducted the satisfaction survey over a three-week period last fall, with 600 people completing the survey on the phone, and another 12 online.
Among other findings in the survey:
• Sixty-nine per cent of those who receive curbside recycling collection from the CVRD are satisfied with the service, while nine per cent are dissatisfied.
• During the past six months, 37 per cent of regional district residents have not used any of the district’s recreational facilities.
• Ninety-three per cent of residents support the CVRD’s developing strategies for long-term water security planning, and 90 per cent supports the CVRD’s development of strategies to deal with affordable housing.
• Eighty-five per cent each support the development of strategies for climate adaption strategies and alternative energy, and 82 per cent support developing strategies for pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
A similar satisfaction survey conducted late last year in the City of Duncan by Discovery Research indicated that, out of the 400 respondents in the poll, the quality of life in the city was rated as eight out of 10.
“The survey was held to get input from residents in the Valley about their quality of life, delivery of CVRD programs and services, as well as how best to communicate with residents,” said CVRD board chairman Jon Lefebure.
“The last survey was conducted in 2011 and it was important to the board to reconnect with the residents on issues that matter to them.”