Wild about Waihi (WaW)
Wild about Waihi was previously known as HELP - the Habitat Enhancement and Landcare Partnership established in 1994.
It is a project initiated by Newmont Waihi Gold to promote and support local sustainable land use practices. A key feature of the project is its structure. WaW promotes an active partnership between industry, education and community groups.
Primary and secondary students and community volunteers identify local areas requiring habitat enhancement and landcare inputs. All projects have a strong action focus and participants are provided with the skills and knowledge that allow them to participate meaningfully in all components of ecological restoration activities.
Western Layback Communication Survey
Between September 2007 and April 2008, while Newmont Waihi Gold was investigating the feasibility of the western layback proposals, we used a range of methods to present information to residents and groups and gathered feedback on the proposals. A decision not to proceed with the western layback proposals was made in May.
In order to assess the effectiveness of our communications during consultation - timeliness, content and usefulness - we conducted a survey.
A total of 200 surveys were distributed; 53 were completed and returned. This number is more than enough to provide a statistically significant result.
The Questions
The first question was to establish where people got their information about the western layback proposals and, on a scale of 1-5, respondents were asked to rate the usefulness of each information source they used from the following:
- Staff visits
- Meetings and/or presentations
- Layback newsletter
- Website
- Update in Waihi Leader
- Newspapers
- Radio
- Television
- Other
The second question asked respondents to rate the information content on a range of factors:
- Was the information too technical, understandable or not enough detail
- Was the information very relevant, acceptable or not relevant?
- Was there too much, an appropriate amount or not enough information?
- Was the information provided too early, at an appropriate time or too late?
- Were the information updates provided too often, at appropriate intervals or not enough?
The last question asked respondents what they thought Newmont Waihi Gold could have done better or differently in communications with the community regarding the western layback proposals.
The Survey Results
Where did you get information about the Western layback?
The NWG Update in the Waihi Leader, the NWG Layback newsletter, and meetings or visits held by NWG staff with residents rated the highest in terms of where people received their information. These same four methods of communication were rated most useful for survey respondents.
Although both the Update and the Layback newsletter are published on the website, this medium rated the lowest with this audience.
Content information was rated as understandable by a large majority of respondents. A small number were evenly split between finding the information too technical and not containing enough detail. A significant majority rated the information usefulness as acceptable.
The information was also rated as being timely and of an appropriate amount by the majority of respondents. A small number of respondents were almost evenly split between believing that the information was provided too early and too late. Information updates were seen as being at appropriate intervals by a large majority.
A number of respondents provided additional comments.
