Making a Formal Complaint

Glenelg Shire Council is committed to providing customers with quality services.  We are an organisation that views complaints as a positive opportunity to improve the services we provide. 
 
An important part of a successful customer service program is ensuring that we have systems in place to manage complaints and feedback effectively.  To ensure your feedback and request is managed appropriately, an overview of the complaints process and service requests is provided below.  
 
What is a Complaint?

A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction with the quality of an action taken, a decision made, or a service provided by or on behalf of Council. 

It may relate to a delay or a failure to provide a service or take action, or it may refer to a decision made by Council or on behalf of Council, its contractor or volunteer. 

What is a Service Request? 

A report relating to a problem, a request or feedback relating to works and/or services.   If you need to report a problem that may require action e.g.  footpaths, trees, waste, animals, damage etc or other feedback please submit a Service Request. 

If you need further information please contact our customer service team on 1300 453 635.

Making a Formal Complaint

Prior to submit a formal complaint, please review the information noted below and on subsequent tabs.

Step 1.Complete the Complaint Form

Please complete the Customer Complaints Form.

Step 2.What should you include?

When submitting a complaint, please include as much information as possible.

Details like the date and time of the incident, contact names, or reference numbers will help us identify the problem. 

You may also choose to upload a photo or other documentation. 

 

Step 3.Refer to the Policy

Council will aim to resolve customer complaints, where possible. All Complaints will be processed in accordance with the Council's Customer Complaint Handling Policy(PDF, 242KB).

The Process

Council's complaint handling process will generally follow the steps below.

Please note:  We can only contact you with the outcome of your complaint if you have provided an email address or phone number with your submission.

Step 1.Receipt of Complaint

A Council officer receives the complaint and takes necessary steps to resolve it immediately. 

Step 2.Investigation

If a Council Officer cannot resolve a complaint, they will refer it to a more appropriate Council officer or more senior Council officer for resolution or investigation, as required.

Step 3.Option for Internal Review 

If the Complainant believes that the outcome is unfair or unreasonable or does not conform to any Council Policy that is relevant to the complaint, a request to review the outcome can be submitted.

To start the Internal Review process, you must submit your request in writing and include all details of the complaint, including the case number, and detail the reason for your dissatisfaction.  Internal review requests can be emailed to complaints@glenelg.vic.gov.au.

Step 4.Option for External Review

In the Complainant is not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, they can pursue the matter further via external agencies.  Council will provide contact details other organisations/agencies who may be able to assist the complainant. 


Your Privacy

When submitting complaints or service requests, you may have to divulge some personal information.

Glenelg Shire Council respects the privacy concerns of its community members and treats all collection of data with due consideration.

All personal and/or health information collected by Council is for municipal purposes, as specified in the Local Government Act 1989.

The personal information is used by Council solely for these purposes and/or directly related purposes. Council may disclose this information to other organisations if required by legislation.

The applicant understands that the personal and/or health information provided is for the above purpose. They may apply to Council for access to and/or amendment of the data.

Requests for access and/or correction should be made to Council's Privacy Officer.