Annual household survey 2011

In February 2011, we undertook our annual household survey.

This survey helps us better understand Moonee Valley residents and how they use our services. The information provided will be invaluable in helping us review and plan our services.

Highlights from the 2011 household survey

Age

Residents were most likely to be aged between 46-60 years (25.5 per cent) and between 61-75 years (22.5 per cent). 

Country of birth

The majority or residents were born in Australia (71.1 per cent), followed by Italy (4.5 per cent) and United Kingdom (3.3 per cent).

Health and wellbeing

The majority of surveyed residents (88 per cent) engage in sporting activities.

Walking is the main sporting activity followed by swimming, gym, cycling, exercise in the park and running.

Arts and culture

71 per cent of residents in 2011 reported they engage in arts and cultural activities.   These were evenly divided between visiting galleries/museums (32.1 per cent) and attending festivals (32.1 per cent).

Disability

One in five surveyed residents in 2011 reported they have a permanent or long term disability*.  Of those who have a disability, this is most likely physical (49 per cent), followed by hearing impairment/deafness (32 per cent) and mobility (16 per cent).

The degree of disability was not measured.

Employment

Among residents aged 15 years and over, 61 per cent reported being in paid employment, 27 per cent were retired, 8 per cent were unpaid volunteers or involved in home duties, 3 per cent were unemployed and 3 per cent were on disability benefits.

While a variety of work locations were identified, residents were the most likely to work in the CBD.

Transport

Around half of students and workers reported they use public transport as a mode of travelling to work or study. 

Key factors discouraging public transport use, were waiting time, travel time, personal safety and comfort aspects.

Close to half of residents (49 per cent) indicated they owned a bicycle.  Cycling frequency was most likely to be occasional (56.4 per cent) or weekly (22 per cent).

Communication

The majority of households (87 per cent) indicated they had access to the internet.

Sense of community

There is a positive sense of community across the Municipality with all statements asked surrounding this receiving a score of at least 6.8 (out of 10).

The highest scores were received for a good library service (8.4 per cent), a good place to walk (8.1 per cent), good schools (8.1 per cent) and good retail trade areas (8.0 per cent).

Aspects that were important to residents in choosing to live in the area were distance from the Melbourne CBD (69.6 per cent), proximity to shops (69.2 per cent), housing in price range (67.8 per cent) and good access to public transport (61.4 per cent).

A total of 71 per cent of residents indicated they participated in a community group.  This was most likely a sports club (29 per cent), gym or exercise (27 per cent) or church/religious group (17 per cent).

Awareness of festivals and events

Awareness was greatest for the Moonee Valley festival (75 per cent) and Carols by Candlelight (69 per cent). 

In 2011 there were significant increases in the number of residents aware of the Moonee Valley Festival, Carols by Candlelight and the Moonee Valley Classic Fun Run.

Recreational and leisure

The Municipalities Recreational and Leisure reserves and facilities are well used by residents.

Over half of residents (56.5 per cent) indicated they use passive open space, with walking tracks and the library service also being well used, at 56.9 and 52.7 per cent respectively.

Retail trade

Not surprisingly residents were most likely to shop for daily needs (eg. bread and milk) and groceries locally. 

When shopping for larger household goods, residents were most likely to shop at Highpoint or DFO.