In September and October this year, Logan City Council asked locals ‘If it was up to you, what would the City of Logan be like in the future’? 20% of comments submitted by Logan City locals were considered ‘unconstructive’, ‘abusive’, and contained profanities.
The open-ended question was the first stage in Council’s journey to develop a new vision for Logan City, which is growing at the fastest rate in its 40-year history.
Council said it received 397 responses to the questions through:
- Have Your Say Logan website
- Council’s social media platforms
- Hard copy postcards
The largest category of comments made contained profanities and were considered ‘abusive’. A total of 20% of all comments made to Council were considered ‘unconstructive’ and included single line profanities, abusive opinions, and comments on corruption. A total of 81 comments of this nature were made by Logan City locals.
The main themes which emerged from this survey were:
- Development
- The look and feel of the city
- Transport
- Safety and crime
- Recreation
- The natural environment
- Rates and value for money
Theme 1: Development
The ‘Development’ theme included comments about commercial and residential land development. 65 comments from the survey related to this theme, representing 16% of total comments received.
According to a publicly available Council document, Logan City locals told Council they want development to be ‘considered and well planned’.
“Overdevelopment damages the environment and causes overcrowding. Land clearing should be reduced and rural areas need to be protected,” the document read.
“Retail hubs are tired and rundown and industrial spaces are unsightly.
“Overdevelopment of small blocks in rural areas impacts the surrounding property owners.
“Population increases leads to traffic congestion. Cheap housing on small blocks can turn into ‘slums’ and attract ‘undesirable’ neighbours.”
Theme 2: City look and feel
The ‘City look and feel’ theme includes diverse comments relating to pride, investment, and creating places. There were 58 comments relating to this theme, representing 15% of total comments received.
According to a publicly available Council document, Logan City locals told Council they want ‘an increased positive image and improved look and feel for residents and visitors’.
“Build places with people, for people. Recognise and celebrate Logan’s diverse community and create icons and events that improve how people see Logan. Increase affordable and sustainable alternative housing,” the document read.
Theme 3: Transport
The ‘Transport’ theme includes comments about transport connections, public transport, and active transport. 49 comments relate to this theme, representing 12% of total comments received.
According to a publicly available Council document, Logan City locals told Council they want to ‘make it easy to get around the city’.
“Better planning of road infrastructure to accommodate population growth and planned developments,” the document said.
Theme 4: Safety and crime
The ‘Safety and crime’ theme includes comments about safety perception, family, drugs, gangs, and criminals. 39 comments relate to this theme, representing 10% of total comments received.
According to a publicly available Council document, Logan City locals told Council they want ‘a crime-free, drug-free community where everyone can feel safe and enjoy the city’.
“Children and families have places to go where they are completely safe. Focused education and investment to improve community perception on safety and crime in the city,” the document read.
Theme 5: Recreation
The ‘Recreation’ theme includes comments about activities, parklands, gardens, and nightlife. 31 comments relate to this theme, representing 8% of total comments received.
According to a publicly available Council document, Logan City locals told Council they want ‘a great range of activities and things to do in Logan including safe nightlife’.
Theme 6: Natural environment
The ‘Natural environment’ theme includes comments about wildlife conservation, eco-housing, and waste management. 28 comments relate to this theme, representing 7% of total comments received.
According to a publicly available Council document, Logan City locals told Council they want ‘better planning to balance population increase and development with the natural environment’.
Theme 7: Rates and value for money
The ‘Rates and value for money’ theme includes comments about the collection of rates, management of public money and communication of information. 12 comments relate to this theme, representing 3% of total comments received.
According to a publicly available Council document, Logan City locals told Council they want ‘more transparency to provide a better understanding of rates collection and management of money’.
