Survey

Background

Park Users of Balmain (PUB) conducted a qualitative survey in September 2003, using the services of a professional research company for advice, design, training, data entry and tabulation. The survey was designed to identify issues of concern to park users. Random sampling techniques were used to survey more than 300 residents of Balmain and Birchgrove.

Interviewers were all dog owners, briefed in market research interviewing techniques. They were instructed not to take dogs with them, not to indicate the purpose of the survey and not to discuss personal preferences with respondents.

The sample contained both male and female respondents and covered a wide range of age groups. Dog owners comprised 36% of respondents. This is consistent with ABS figures on dog ownership per household.

Major findings

· More than 71% of dog owners use the parks on a daily basis and 95% use them on, at least, a weekly basis.

· When asked, if anything had made the parks less enjoyable in the last 12 months, only 2% mentioned issues relating to unleashed or uncontrolled dogs.

· When asked what could make the parks more enjoyable, only 1% mentioned anything relating to restricting unleashed dogs or wanting more control over the dogs.

· Even when specifically asked if they had any problems with dogs in the parks, 82% stated that they had no problems whatever.

· Of those who mentioned a problem, only 20% had a problem with the dogs being off-leash. Most concerns related to dog droppings. So, even when pressed, only 3.6% of people mentioned off-leash dogs as being a problem.

· Major concerns, both making the parks less enjoyable and potential for making them more enjoyable, were litter and maintenance. Significant numbers of respondents also thought that upgrading of play facilities and general amenities had potential for improving the parks.

Detailed Results

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