Survey to assess impacts of COVID-19 pandemic in Mackay

Published: 13 May 2020

An independent COVID-19 Community Pulse Survey is about to begin to assess the impact of coronavirus and its social distancing restrictions on the Mackay community.

The survey will include a random phone poll of residents, as well as the option for people to respond online.

It will be undertaken by IRIS Research on behalf of council. IRIS Research has conducted Community Attitude Surveys for council dating back to 2009.

Mayor Greg Williamson said council was aware there had been major impacts on Mackay region residents due to the coronavirus pandemic and associated restrictions.

“But much of the information council and the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) has to date is anecdotal,’’ he said.

“This comprehensive survey will provide us with much clearer data to help assist the community during recovery from the pandemic and the associated economic crisis it has created.”

Cr Williamson said other surveys conducted in the region to date had focused on the economic impact on businesses.

He said this survey, which would take about seven minutes to complete, would focus more on households.

“There will be a range of questions which will provide a clearer picture of the economic impact on residents in our community.

“The survey will also cover impacts on health, both physical and mental, as well as social impacts.

“It will provide a snapshot of residents’ immediate and future concerns.”

IRIS Research will be calling Mackay mobile phones and landlines to conduct the phone survey. The callers will clearly identify that they are calling from IRIS Research on behalf of Mackay Regional Council.

Anyone wanting to complete the survey online will also be able to do so on council’s website mackay.qld.gov.au