Anglesea Futures: Community Conversation Number 1

Anglesea FuturesCommunity Conversations

The series of Anglesea Futures Community Conversations are designed for the State Government, through the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, and the Surf Coast Shire to listen to the community to better understand community expectations, needs and ideas on the future of Anglesea following the closure of Alcoa mine and power station.

The closure of the mine and power station provides a unique opportunity to think about and discuss what the future looks like for both the land affected and the Anglesea region.

There are a number of active community forums that exist within Anglesea. These conversations by no means seek to replace or supersede those.

These series of Community Conversations are focused on the future of Anglesea after Alcoa.

Their purpose is for government to:

Listen and learn from the community their visions, visions and hopes for the former Alcoa lease area, and to hear questions, concerns and aspirations

Gain feedback from the community on theirneeds and ideas on ways of working togetheron the future of the region

The results of these Conversations will help us design a way of ongoing community engagement and participation that willin turn lead to better planning and decision-making on the future of the region.

Report on Community Conversations – Events 1 & 2

Over 60 people attended the first community conversation on Anglesea’s futures at the Anglesea Senior Citizens Hall, 19 August 2015.

Approximately 25 people attended the second community conversation on Anglesea’s future at the Anglesea Community Hall, Saturday 26 September

A summary report on key themes and messages from the two conversations follows.

Appendix 1 provides the raw data of participant comments and feedback.

Appendix 2 provides the agenda and questions asked at the forum.

Summary report on key themes and messages

1. What’s most important about Anglesea…

  • Strong consistent message about the natural environment
  • The compactness of the town, lifestyle opportunities
  • Access to nature based recreation
  • Fire protection from mine site

2. Big opportunities for the future of the area…

  • A stronger partnership approach between community and government in planning and decision-making, with a greater sense of inclusiveness (e.g. with children)
  • Expansion of the natural assets
  • Nature based recreation
  • New recreation facilities (e.g. lake)
  • Education, research and development
  • Cultural activities (indigenous and other)
  • Tourism
  • Leadership in rehabilitation

3. Biggest challenges to the future of the area

  • Strong concern about the relationship between government and community
  • Finding agreement between diverse interests
  • Development pressures
  • Environment protection (water, biodiversity, groundwater, etc.)
  • Fire risk

4. Most important questions about where we end up

  • Process – time frame, inclusiveness, representativeness, information
  • Accountability – Government responsiveness to community aspirations, measurement of change
  • Parameters – constraints, costs
  • Benefits – community, social and economic improvement, environment protection, sustainability,legacy

5. Key principles and practices that ensure process is resilient and inclusive

Principles / Practices
Respect
Transparency
Honesty /
  • Do things that build trust and diminish fear
  • Rich and relevant information
  • Well-advertised meetings
  • Listening by decision-makers
  • Inclusive of diversity of ideas and perspectives
  • Clarity about purpose, what’s negotiable, what’s not
  • People are satisfied that they have been meaningfully consulted
  • Data collection and dissemination open and easily accessed
  • Multilayered communication strategy
  • Differentiate between those wanting to be involved vs. informed

6. Sorts of information needed to participate collaboratively, and in what forms

Types of information

Context / Relevant legislation, Alcoa’s responsibilities
Process / When the meetings are what they are about, ground rules and boundaries
Parameters / What’s negotiable what’s not negotiable (constraints)?
Technical / Expert input – facts, river data, land tenures and what it means
Decision-making / Decision-making processes; how ideas and plans feed into decision-making
Financial / Costing for proposed options, potential funding
Participants / All stakeholders are identified and invited to participate
Research / What has been done elsewhere (in the world)

Forms of information

Digestible, single point, multi-format, two-way

7. Questions of government

Roles and Responsibilities / Roles of Local and State governments, who is responsible for what, who is going to answer the questions prior to the next meeting, who makes the decisions?
Parameters / What flexibility do we have, what are the givens, is there finance to support the vision?
Agency / Do we have real or token influence, are we included, has it already been decided? Is it transparent?
Information / What are the scenarios potential impacts of options?

8. Who needs to be involved and how they can be included

Broad community involvement including Alcoa, youth, non-residents, visitors

9. Those most interested in the results

Great diversity of interested parties, including future generations

10. Participant reflections(First conversation)

  • The knowledge base in the community is lacking – needs developing
  • Expectations of the workshop/conversation were different to what actually happenned on the night
  • A briefing early during the workshop on legal contraints and existing commitments would have helped
  • There is a lack of trust between community and between community and government. How do we build trust?
  • There was not enough information, so didn’t help build trust and felt that time was wasted. Feeling disempowered.
  • There is lots of passion about Anglesea and so how do we channel that into something great for our town.
  • Alcoa wasn’t here so how can we trust them?

Appendix 1Raw data (participant feedback)

1.What’s most important about Anglesea?

Conversation 1:
Lifestyle
Fire protection
It’s not Torquay
It’s on the coast and offers all the activities that implies
Create a better harmonious supportive community that considers all residents
Environmental, limit size (not Torquay)  balance, Village and friendship
Maintain the Great Ocean Road
Second Road Escape 
Firebreak created by the mine site
Relatively low key tourism
Not suburbia, not concrete
Return undisturbed heath to create Otway Park – protect heath
Retain its natural qualities – small-scale tourism – eco tourism – camps
Fire risk (information needed)
Preserving a thriving community housing, jobs
Community safety. Keep Anglesea small as it is compact.
Protecting the uniqueness of Anglesea Bush and Sea. Not Torquay. A special place. Integrity.
The town’s boundary is a strength
Low growth area
Community cohesion
Connected caring community
Full and flowing river
Beauty coast, bush, cliffs, river
Keep housing blocks reasonably large
Strong environmental education and eco-activity providers
The heathland and natural environment, minimise development
Natural vegetation within the town and retention of (sic)
Preserving the natural environment that surrounds the town
That the majority of residents appreciate the natural environment
Well resources for emergency – beds available
Diversity of environment
Wildlife
Protecting the natural environment
Nature amazing biodiversity
Metro rail tunnel spoil use to reshape pit to a more gradual shape
Recreation opportunities
Biodiversity heath
Accessibility of natural wonders
Conversation 2: Additional comments
Health of the river
Diversity of community
  • Housing for diverse groups
  • Jobs?
  • Working from home
Internet access
Maintenance of the “undeveloped” vibe of Anglesea that makes it more attractive than Torquay; this is what attracted me to move to Anglesea
Change in population structure.
Growth of Geelong
Anglesea has increase in community (sic)
Natural Environment
  • Wind farm
  • Fire escape
  • Some balance for eco housing for more diverse populations
  • Solar environment
Return to natural environment
Social/eco village

2.What are the big opportunities for the future of the area?

Conversation 1:
The working partnerships between community and shire
Discovery centre
Small-scaled project that will have little effect on the town
Setting precedent for Hazelwood
Surf Coast botanical garden (like Cranbourne) native local vegetation
Eden Park like offering
Activities that bring new revenue streams to the Surf Coast
Opportunities to influence the outcome
Bring the children from school and ask then about some ideas
Employment
Retain transmissions likes to link a solar array from pit area to Geelong/Waurn Ponds – power Anglesea too!
World-class offering
Nat resource centre – mine museum, Christophel fossil collections, Dalntrege (sic) maps 1861
Recreation activities biking, yachting, hiking, rock climbing rowing
Aboriginal heritage park
Alcoa freehold donated to the university to build R&D centre focused on environmental research and technology to grow an export industry
Usable lake
To have an area that is accessible where people can go to walk, ride, bikes, camp in a sustainable way
Open responsible recreation
= (Not all lock (sic) up)
= Mountain biking
= Hiking, walking
= Swimming
Heath becomes parkland
Round the year tourism
Recreational fishing
Beautiful walks
Use some Alcoa buildings for community
-Large men’s shed
-Historical society
-Youth centre
To have a lake where there area activities on water
A lake and trails for bike and horse riding. Back to nature 
Ecotourism 
Thermal pools
Terrace the mine area for different activities
Museum of the mine
To be a world leader to set a high benchmark for coalmine rehabilitation
An opportunity to make Anglesea a place that stands for culture, education and eco-friendly recreation
Utilising existing mine infrastructure to capture town’s history and landscape. E.g. Landshaftpark (sic) in Germany
Thermal lake for swimming and water activities
Water offering
-Rowing course (International)
-White river rafting course
-Hydroelectricity
New Zealand type model for tourism success
To use the area and its diverse range of environmental assets (heath, ocean, river, estuary) to educate (especially the younger people) and foster an environmental culture
Education concentrating (sic) on biodiversity conservation
Bypass road? “Fire escape”
Rehabilitate to pre-mine heathland conditions extend National Park to include damaged areas
To draw on the Koori heritage of the area to educate
Adventure tourism/ecotourism 
Educational activities/schools/youth
Small-scale eco/educational tourism development that respects the natural environment
Solar technology
-Employment
-Attraction
-Eco fit
-Infrastructure for feeding to the grid
High quality rehabilitation (see Czech Republic) – great record
Eco-accommodation like a new caravan park
Economic viability revenue source
Good example: Zollyerein mine complex in Germany
Retain existing zoning to harmonise with town character – recreation conservatory 
Maintaining the uniqueness and manage visitation
Improve infrastructure and opportunity for eco business and tourism
Aquatic centre, fill big holes with water, also for fire safety, develop/or consider new or future tip site to be developed in the future
Within existing uses
-Recreation
-Renewable
-Eco-tourism
-Education
-Lake
Conversation 2: Additional comments
A scientific research centre

3.What are the biggest challenges to the future of the area?

Conversation 1:
Development (non sustainable)
DELWP enforces hard boundaries at mine site edge
Keep the river as it is
Water quality
Communication 
Create a unified sense of positivity one voice
Layers of bureaucracy (sic)
Preventing (over) development by business interests
Alcoa freehold not for private sale
Dealing with fire risk aspects 
Retain town boundaries, no houses or shops; retain bushland, with ring rough thro (sic) providing Anglesea with an escape route
Sustainable permanent living and business and maintaining the environment
Finding a balance to suit a diverse population with different needs
Identifying and agreeing on most important issues for Anglesea
Who pays?
Influencing government to rethink previous decision to be flexible
Compulsory purchase of freehold by State – desired
Fire prevention
Preventing commercial development
Preserving what is there now (native flora/fauna)
Gaining consensus
Traffic management fire protection
Drawing all community groups together for a town outcome (not individual pressure groups)
To get a collective point of view of what are the “guiding principles” for the area
Jobs?
Communication with adolescents
Dickheads in government
Maintaining river environment
Gaining consensus
Mr Robot
Who pays for maintenance?
Managing fire risk
Honest brokering – political and commercial aspect transparent
PH levels of thermal groundwater 
Conversation 2: Additional comments
Ensuring the final decision on development and future lease reflects community and is not just political.
Social housing
Younger com. in Anglesea
Accept this river will change and revert to swamp.

4.Looking back from the future, what’s the one question you most want answered?

Conversation 1:
Did we get what we said we want?
Have we engaged the future community?
Has the mean age of club and group member s decreased?
Did we deliver the communities need?
Need or want? (Refers to above)
Timeframe: how long is the planning/community consultation of government plan and in final execution?
Did we create something that that the experience user wowed and wanting more?
Better communication strategy from powers that make decisions
Did it enhance Anglesea?
Did it connect (or divide) the community?
Is it sustainable (in the broad sense)?
Was the process worthwhile or will we find out suggestions are overridden by government decisions and financial constraints?
Is this the best result for Anglesea’s future as a protected and natural environment?
How did you make sure this outcome respects Anglesea values rather than just the noisy voices?
How much money is available and who pays?
Where does the buck stop? Who are the decision makers?
How have things changes after the mine shut down? Is there enough baseline information captured?
What will the impact of climate change?
Have we understood the value of “small community” and re-established a harmonious supportive coastal town?
Did we do the best we could for our children?
Conversation 2: Additional comments
What are the anticipated landscapes – positive and negative?
Build on strengths
Education base for Anglesea activities
What are the implications of choices made on freehold land public use as opposed to freehold land for housing?
What is vision for Anglesea reflected in Structure Plan – does it need to be reviewed?
What actions need to be taken to encourage Alcoa to sell/donate freehold land to the Crown?
What will have to the freehold?

5.What are the key principles and practices to build into the process to ensure it is resilient and inclusive?

Conversation 1:
Who are we talking to?!
No fear of stating an opinion
Open meetings advertised time space . Issues. Updates. What is negotiable? Re possible
Decision makers must listen to the community
Differentiate between those that want to be informed and those that want to be involved
Build trust start with respect
Are people satisfied that they’ve been meaningfully consulted?
Process and transparency
Need multilayered communication strategy feed in and out that suits all willing participants
Respect for diversity of ideas and perspectives
Transparency and honesty 
A communication forum which allows young and old to engage in conversation
Updates whether can be – illegible – for those who don’t live here and inputs allowed. Background information.
Must be a majority Anglesea decision  not just those who are at meetings (and might have louder voices).
Must reflect the broad view of Anglesea residents
Data collection and dissemination must be open/easily located on the Internet
Conversation 2: Additional comments
Consultation and feedback – structured and ongoing and in different forums
Information tent at markets with reps fro Council, SCAA etc.

6.What sorts of information do you need to participate collaboratively, and in what forms?

Conversation 1:
When the meetings are what they are about?
What’s negotiable what’s not negotiable?
What is the mechanism for deciding and who will make it
All stakeholders are identified and invited to participate
Ground rules and boundaries
Clarity on the relevant legislation 
Access to expert input eg. geologist, land/space design
A realistic and honest statement on constraints – ie what is really negotiable
Where do we go to get better information?
-Simple, Easy
Single point of information and communication
How you can put forward ideas and plans that will reach the right place
Single point of information and communication
What has been done elsewhere (in the world) in similar sites?
More opportunity to ask questions and get answers
It needs to be answers to our questions
-Timelines
-Who we are talking to
-Who is listening
Clarity of land tenures and what is it means
What are the negotiables and what are the non-negotiables? 
Make the data on the river available
Costing for proposed options – potential levels of funding that may be available
Nuts and bolts information jar – a place that everyone knows about to go for information
Fact sheets with background information
Community consumable synopsis of relevant legislation and reports
Website or social media site tracking progress of discussion.
What are Alcoa’s responsibilities – short and long term?
Conversation 2: Additional comments
Posters in the street, café, pub
Schools project is great – sporting clubs, community groups?
Survey monkey

7.What questions do you have of government?

Conversation 1:
Who is responsible for what?
What flexibility do we have?
How do we get government to make changes we request?
Transparent process – candid process
Please state the respective limitations, what is “given” and not negotiable
Who is going to answer the questions prior to the next meeting?
What level of government
We know that you know what you are already doing. We need to be informed and have a voice.
Who makes the final decision?
-Are they listening?
Is the plan/vision already decided?
What financial willingness is there to support the vision?
Respective roles of Local and State governments
What ideas do they already have?
What are the scenarios potential impacts of options? Expert panel.
Can we influence a change in legislation to successfully executethe plan?
Conversation 2: Additional comments
How is government going to structure proactive community with stakeholders? E.g. monthly meetings

8.Who needs to be involved and how can we include them?

Conversation 1:
Schools
Youth camps
Tourist operators (Invite them)
Permanent residence
Local business and community groups
More information through all forms of media
Missing the youth
Ecotourism business which create employment
Architects and designers
Direct contact
Some examples:
  1. C-mine expedite, Belgium
  2. Zollverein mine complex, Germany
  3. Landschaft Park, Germany
  4. Eden project, UK
  5. Seel stacks, USA
Indigenous
Where are Alcoa?
Whole community over to groups:By better communication across multi-media
-Youth
-Visitors
-Non-residents
Young people
The next generation
Families The future of Anglesea
Broad community involvement is needed. All households need to be notified and encouraged to contribute ideas
Environmentalists/conservationists to guide the protection of the land
Conversation 2: Additional comments
Experts in relevant disciplines, e.g.:-
  • Environment
  • Rehabilitation
  • Government/corporate deals

9.Who will be most interested in the results of our work?

Conversation 1:
Me
Our children
Visitors
Users
Residents
Other min sites!!
Could be a national model
Council
State Government
Community
Other Communities
Next generation
-School kids
-University students
Future generations and current community (us)
The surf coast community and visitors

10.Plenary

Conversation 1:
In repsonse to the question: “what did you notice about tonight?”, participants said:
  • The knowledge base in the community is lacking – needs developing
  • Expectations of the workshop/conversation were different to what actually happenned on the night
  • A briefing early during the workshop on legal contraints and existing commitments would have helped
  • There is a lack of trust between community and between community and government. How do we build trust?
  • There was not enough information, so didn’t help build trust and felt that time was wasted. Feeling disempowered.
  • There is lots of passion about Anglesea and so how do we channel that into something great for our town.
  • Alcoa wasn’t here so how can we trust them?

Appendix 2Conversation 1Agenda

530Welcome