{{current_weather.dt | moment( atts.date )}}
{{current_weather.temp | temp}} °{{units}}
{{day.dt | moment(atts.date)}}
{{day.temp | temp}} °{{day.temp_min | temp}} °{{units}}
Understanding how our local community feels is critical to the health and long term success of a mining town like Tieri. Which is why, back in 2020, Glencore’s Oaky Creek Coal engaged Voconiq to run their community engagement program: ‘Local Voices’.
Local Voices is a series of anonymous, confidential surveys that provide anyone over the age of 18 and living or working in Tieri and surrounds with the opportunity to express their thoughts, opinions, ideas and experiences on a range of topics relating to Oaky Creek’s mining operations and its relationship with the community of Tieri.
To encourage as many people as possible to have their say, the survey can be completed online, anywhere and anytime during the survey period.
Oaky Creek Coal uses the responses and community insights from each of these surveys in their decision-making, strategic planning and their investment and resource allocations.
“We want everyone to know that their voice is heard,” says Kate French, Environment & Community Advisor at Oaky Creek. “We might not always have the answer straight away, and we might not be able to solve or resolve every issue, but I can guarantee you that we always read every single response and every single comment and take them all into consideration when making decisions.”
The Local Voices surveys began in Dec 2020 – Jan 2021 with a detailed ‘anchor’ survey to get a baseline understanding of the key drivers of trust among the community. This anchor survey has been followed by a series of ‘pulse’ surveys to track changes in community sentiment over time. Pulse surveys were conducted in July 2021, Dec 2021 – Jan 2022 and, most recently, in Dec 2022 – Jan 2023.
“The surveys help us understand what’s on your mind and what matters to you most,” says Kate. “Armed with these insights we can determine the most appropriate course of action.
For example, in the most recent survey responses, we could see that 50% of respondents were neutral on whether Oaky Creek listens to and respects your opinions on community issues. This tells us two things. Firstly, we have some work to do in promoting the various ways in which you can share your views. And secondly, we can do a better job of closing the loop on how we’ve taken your feedback on board.”
There are 3 primary channels through which you can provide feedback and ideas to Oaky Creek Coal:
| You’ve told us… | …so Oaky Creek… |
| You need more viable childcare options in town | Undertook months and months of research to find a viable option. In the end, Oaky Creek engaged Enhance Family Daycare and Lisa Austin-Richards who opened Ladybugs and Rugrats Family Day Care earlier this year.
We’re now working with Enhance to explore a second family day care centre in town. |
| You want more family-friendly events | Partnered with CTM Links to create ‘Tieri Together’, a social-cohesion plan designed to provide a range of events, activities and projects for all members of the Tieri community.
We also launched the Oaky Creek Coal Local Community and Family Events Grant program which provides funding for family-based activities and Tieri Community Events. If you have an idea for a family-friendly event, you have until 15th December 2023 to apply for a grant. |
| You want to know more about Oaky Creek Coal’s Progressive Rehabilitation Closure Plan (PRCP) | Included articles in the last three editions of Tieri News, as well as on tieri.com.au:
Planning for the Future – Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan Planning for the Future of Oaky Creek Coal We also provide updates and encourage questions on the PRCP at the Tieri Community Reference Group meetings. Meeting dates are advertised on the CHRC website and we invite you to come along to listen and be heard. |
| You would like to have an indoor space in town that the community can use for a variety of reasons, especially in the heat of summer.
You also told us it would be good to fill the empty shops in the shopping centre. |
Transformed the Old Tieri Credit Union Shop into a new, purpose-built, dedicated Community Space.
We wanted to provide a blank canvas for the local community to benefit from. A space at a key location in the town to hold events and activities that bring our community together. |
Tieri considers the health and wellbeing of the community a priority. Due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic we have created the Tieri Covid-19 Hub. Please subscribe if you would like to receive a notification when important information is updated on this site.