COVID-19 changes liveability priorities for Gulliver residents
Date published: 11 August 2020
Being close to nature, access to quality public spaces, and being able to walk to public shops have been ranked as the top priorities for 417 Gulliver residents in the latest Liveability Survey.
Townsville City Council and PLACESCORE completed the survey as a follow-up to the 2019 Liveability Study to see how COVID-19 and physical distancing measures had impacted residents.
Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said the survey has provided valuable information for prioritising projects that are important to the community as it recovers from the impacts of COVID-19.
“There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 global pandemic has had a profound impact on our community,” Cr Greaney said.
“This follow-up survey has shown just how quickly our values and priorities can change, and how important it is to stay in touch with community needs.
“In 2019, the residents in Gulliver rated safety and management as their top community values and now with more time being spent in their neighbourhoods because of physical distancing measures, these values have shifted with more valuing walking and bike paths and a decrease in people valuing the easy commute to work.
“This data will allow Council to focus on the projects that are most valuable to the community which will support them as we all recover from the impact of COVID-19.”
The results of the survey were presented at the Community and Cultural Development Committee meeting and will go to Full Council on Tuesday 25 August.
