1. Update on what’s happened in the last two weeks

• At the last meeting a question was asked about the status of the exploration permits renewal for Waitekauri and Waihi East. The answer is that the company is finalising negotiations of conditions. It is expected this will be concluded within a couple of weeks, certainly before the end of May.
  In response to a question about the opportunity for public input into the process of extending the permits, Dave said that there was consultation with the Min of Economic Development and with Iwi but there was no process for public consultation.
• Tomorrow’s Update column in the Waihi Leader contains information on the exploration programme. A copy was handed out and attendees were asked if they had any further questions.
• The focus of the Golden Legacy is to shift from explaining to people about Favona to explanations regarding “Exploration”.
• A question was asked as to what distance from private land the exploration would be carried out. Dave responded that negotiations would be undertaken on a case by case basis with landowners.
• Rod Lawrence talked about his attendance at the recent eco fest which was memorable for – its walks, the 500 people who attended, Rod’s 1st time up Black Hill, great view, informative, fantastic asset, annual event.
• HDC Finance & Planning Committee have made a recommendation to Council to prosecute NWO re vibration. This is to be considered by Council on 29 April 2004.
• Thanks were extended to Collette Spalding for her ongoing assistance in opening up and setting up the venue for the WCCC meetings.
• A question remains as to whether there is a hot water source that could be utilised for hot pools etc. Adriaan has said he will ask Don McKay to attempt to answer this question.
• Clare, in the tourism presentation, commented about the facilities at Golden Cross which might be able to be relocated and used in Waihi. Kit said that at least one of the buildings might be able to relocated if appropriate. Kit also suggested it would be valuable to ask the question why Golden Cross has not been utilised by Universities as yet. This would be good information that could be used by the WCCC to make sure its initiatives are a success.
  

2. Presentations
a. Clare Mewse - The Tourism Group.
Clare gave a stunning presentation on behalf of the tourism group which was a further development of the ideas already presented by them.
ÿ A summary of the presentation without the graphics is included at the end of these minutes.
ÿ An electronic copy of the last page will be sent to you electronically or posted to you – depending on how you get your minutes.
Full copies of this presentation can be obtained through Tim and Sharon.

b. Mark Samson – A Model for a Discovery Centre at Waihi
Visit www.buried village.co.nz and take a virtual tour. Mark outlined the features of his family’s tour of the Buried Village – a warm welcome, gift shop that you have to go through, interactive discovery centre focused on the Tarawera eruption in 1886, a walk through the buried village via trails where you can observe various levels of digging, including a restored whare and the hotel - some preserved, some renovated and working, interpretation signs presented as letters home from an English female visitor The trails went past the river and waterfall and ended at the café (again that you have to walk through). Cost for family of 5 for admission and refreshment was approx $100.00.

Mark suggested that the WCCC could do a tour to include: the trial of the Maungatautari predator proof fence, Tirau as a reinvented town, then the Buried Village in Rotorua. Dave said that NWO would resource this trip as a research exercise for the WCCC.

c. Social Impact –
We discussed the question of how the Social Impact subgroup’s interests fit with the work of the WCCC. The discussion was not able to be completed and therefore can be addressed again at the next WCCC meeting.

The discussion points thus far are.

• The work that the WCCC is doing to enhance the future for Waihi does have a benefit for the social impact side of things.
• The four major effects that concern the group are
  • Noise;
  • Vibration;
  • Dust; and
  • Property values
• The future development of Waihi will be great for property values and for those who want to continue living in Waihi.
• Is there an interim way to address the effects?
• Langley commented that one objective of the WCCC is to provide feedback to the Company regarding impacts.
• The complaints process now does not produce a clear outcome, things don’t change.
• What people want –
  • Peace of mind
  • The effects are better (less negative effects) than before – in particular the noise is better.
  • It is a dilemma because reduction in effects conflicts with maintaining production
  • Moving is not always an option for people.
• Ideas – The following were a bunch of ideas suggested that might assist.
  • Providing a warning of each blast.
  • Clare – In 1985-86 the assessment of environmental impact suggested some way of assisting those people affected.
  • Is there a way of providing breach related compensation e.g. if there is a breach then can any payment made go to the community as a whole or to those people affected?
  • Collette – could the next survey combine the energies of HDC, NWO and Community representation (DRAT?). A collaborative approach may be possible producing more effective solid outcomes.
  • There are links between Social Impact, Social Development, and Community Marae issues. The Social Development and Community Marae initiatives will assist in ameliorating the effects.
  • Barry - It is helpful to look to the future, look at where we are going. It is important to communicate with people about the future plans for Waihi. People being aware of what is proposed, and the progress we make, may result in issues disappearing. It is helpful to talk about the social impact of issues across the whole town not just re the mine.
  • People need some certainty as to how long the effects will last.
  • It is hard to move away when your property is identified as an impacted property.
  • Dave – There are a number of organisations in Waihi – smarter communication is required to achieve the best result. A lot of this is Government funded, and we don’t want to step on toes. If a WCCC recommendation is for a Social Development coordinator then NWO is happy to look at it.
• You agreed as a committee that the Social Impact issues are very much alive and should stay on the table. The committee will continue to work on ways in which the Social Impact issues can be addressed.
• This discussion is to be continued.

d. Sport and Recreation
It was decided to defer discussion of this subject until Steve Moore is able to be present at the next meeting.

3. The future shape of the WCCC
We talked about what needs to happen from this point and how the structure of the WCCC should be adapted to make the next steps possible.
We discussed this to the extent that we have agreed on a draft outline that will be discussed again at the next WCCC meeting on 10 May 2004. We reminded ourselves that these are recommendations that will next go to NWO and HDC.
The proposed future structure is:

• A summary outlining each of the proposals is to be produced. The purpose of this document is to clarify each proposal and its relationship with the other proposals in a form that is easily disseminated.
• In addition to the “developmental proposals”, there will also be a proposal for the formation of a Trust or Incorporated Society to carry the proposals forward. It was agreed by the WCCC that a legal entity is required so that it can stand alone, source funding and carry out business, including employing people as required.
• That Trust or Society is to consider employing a coordinator/ manager to work actively on promoting and planning the proposals, making them happen, and seeking funding. This person may be able to be partially self-funded by fund raising.
• The WCCC as it stands will remain and meet with the Trust/Society on a regular basis to preserve the intentions and philosophy of the WCCC and the community it represents. This will also provide a vehicle for continuing to consult with the community.
• Preliminary thoughts about the membership of the Trust/Society are that it needs to contain representation in the areas of:
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Project planning/implementation
  • HDC rep
  • NWO rep
  • WCCC reps (maybe 2)
  • EW would only participate in an advisory role.
• You agreed that it was a good idea to go back to the community. It was suggested we do this by setting up a meeting similar to the one from which the WCCC was formed on 19 May 2003. The purpose of this meeting would be for fine tuning and providing information. We do not want to create a false impression that we want to reinvent the wheel.
• The proposals would then go to HDC / NWO.

At the conclusion of this discussion the question was raised as to whether we needed to inform the other (non WCCC) members of the HDC of the proposals before or after meeting with the community. There are pro’s and con’s for each and we will need to decide this at the next meeting.

When the question was raised about whether putting the proposals to the Company and Council was going to be worthwhile, Dave for NWO said that they do want to support as they are able. That they haven’t sat at meetings because they do not want to be involved. Councillor Mike Hayden for HDC said the Council needs good direction from the WCCC.

4. Process from Here - To Do List
a. Summarise proposals and the way things interlink (Mark Samson/Kit Wilson/Tim Clarke/Sharon Stewart by 10 May 2004)
b. Description of structure for the Trust or Society for discussion at the next WCCC meeting. (TC:SS to source, plus info from Clare, and any information we can find on other models.)
c. Summary of process from here:

• At meeting on 10 May 2004 the WCCC needs to agree on:
  • Proposals to be presented at the meeting with the Public group that were consulted with in 2003;
  • The method of presentation;
  • The structure of a Trust / Society and the WCCC.
• Set up a meeting of invited representatives as per original list of invitees to 19 May 2003 meeting. Comments from this meeting will be recorded to be addressed by the future working group and employee.
• Presentation to HDC.

5. Next Meeting
The discussion at the next meeting will include.

• Social Impact
• Sport and Recreation
• Proposals presentation
  • Draft ok?
  • Who presents?
  • HDC fist or public group first?
• Structure of future Trust or Society.

NB. This next meeting will be important for the WCCC. It may be your last opportunity for input before the format of the presentations to Council and the Public Group takes place. Please make sure you are there and encourage the others you have contact with to attend also.

6. Road Trip
Those who want to go on the road trip need to give names to Mark for the proposed trips on either Saturday 22 or Sunday 23 May.

Next meeting @ 7pm on Monday 10th May 2004.


Meeting finished: 9.45 p.m.

Tim and Sharon