Millrace Residents Survey 2011 Results

Overview
First of all, a big thanks you to all the residents who completed the online survey - 48 in total. We hope that the results will give you some idea about how your fellow residents feel about living in Millrace. Generally speaking, the majority of residents in Millrace are happy to live here which is good news. A lot of residents, however, feel that life in Millrace could still be improved in a number of ways. We will make sure that the results of this survey are passed on to all our public representatives and O'Farrell Property Management (the property management agency for Millrace) and William Neville and Sons, the builders of Millrace and the current directors of the Millrace Management Company.

Survey questions
The survey contained the following questions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. How long have you been living in Millrace? Do you rent or own your property? Do you like living in Millrace? How do you think Millrace could be improved as an estate? Have you ever contacted O'Farrell Property Management? If you have dealt with O' Farrell Property Management in the past 6 months were you satisfied with the response or service you received from OFPM? 7. What do you feel is the biggest negative issue about living in Millrace? 8. Would you be willing to help out the Millrace Residents Committee at some stage?

Survey Results
1. How long have you been living in Millrace?

Less than a year 1-2 years 3 or more years 2. Do you rent or own your property? Own Rent Rent a Room

8.3% 18.8% 72.9%

91.7% 4.2% 4.1%

3. Do you like living in Millrace? Yes No 91.7% 8.3%

Reasons for Negative Response As part of the survey, residents that answered No to question 3 (Do you like living in Millrace?) were invited to provide reasons for their choice. Some of the main reasons are outlined below.

Please note that some of the responses have been edited in order to better preserve resident anonymity and because more than one resident has raised the same issue(s). The only thing I don't like is the illegal dumping - although this has improved significantly - and the noise at night from dogs. I do like it but I see issues also. My street is half empty. I feel that it attracts non-residents to park and sit in their cars at weekend nights. The block is a few months old and the paint on the window sills has come off. If I lived on the Avenue I would crack up with the unsightly parking. Inconsiderate neighbours above us in duplex make constant loud noise. (Their) running and jumping has ruined our millrace experience. The estate doesn't look like we expected. In 5-10 years, it will look very grubby. The build quality is not good. External painting really bothers me. The exterior of our building looks dreadful with mildew down the walls. Parking is a nightmare. We need UPC in Millrace The corridor lights need to be sensor-activated. Some of the roads need to be finished. Parts of the estate are unsafe for children as there are no speed ramps. Concrete and pebbled areas should be replaced with green areas. There has been a lot of antisocial behaviour recently.

4. How do you think Millrace could be improved as an estate? Please note that this question was multiple-choice so this is reflected in the results. For example, 54.8% of residents that answered this question highlighted an enforced parking system as an improvement but may have indicated other answers as well. Enforced parking system Nicer communal gardens Playground for children Improved signage Better street lighting Better road surfacing 54.8% 47.6% 64.3% 31% 14.3% 88.1%

Regular external painting

57.1%

5. Have you ever contacted O'Farrell Property Management (the property agents for Millrace)? Never Once or twice Many times 9.5% 40.5% 50%

6. If you have dealt with O' Farrell Property Management in the past 6 months were you satisfied with the response or service you received from OFPM? Yes No 71% 29%

7. What do you feel is the biggest negative issue about living in Millrace Please note that this question was multiple-choice so this is reflected in the results. For example, 34.1% of residents that answered this question highlighted the quality of landscaping as a negative issue about living in Millrace but may have indicated other answers as well. Landscaping 34.1%

High service fees Building a sense of community Getting residents involved Crime and antisocial behaviour Parking regulation

39% 56.1% 36.6% 26.8% 51.2%

8. Would you be willing to help out the Millrace Residents Committee at some stage? Yes No 90% 10%

Conclusion
As already noted, the majority of residents in Millrace are happy to live here but many residents feel that life in Millrace could still be improved in a number of ways. As residents, remember that we can all actively confront many of the issues that affect our estate. For example: Antisocial behaviour: Join the Millrace Neighbourhood watch External painting, landscaping and dumping: Services in Millrace are funded by our service charges. Paying your charges ensures that these services not only improve in the future but exist at all. External appearance of the estate: why not join the regular planting days and litter cleanups organised by the residents committee? Getting to know your neighbours: why not come along to one of the Know Your Neighbours days organised by the residents committee or get in touch with us via our website? Making yourself heard: o Keep your local representatives and OFPM abreast of any issues that you are worried about o Attend the management company AGM The recent decision by Dublin Bus to retain the 69 bus service (following the response to a public consultation) shows that we can make a difference if we get involved and make our voices heard.

The Millrace Residents Website and forum (http://www.millracesaggart.com) is a good way to keep informed about what's going on in Millrace, including social events, neighbourhood watch and news. We will make sure that the results of this survey are passed on to all our public representatives (TDs and Councillors) and O'Farrell Property Management.