Dealing with salinity in Wheatbelt Valleys - Department of Water

with Salinity in Wheatbelt Valleys Conference
Dealing
Prospects and Practical Options
Processes,
Vision Setting
The initial response to the survey showed that the vast majority of people attending the conference were in
support with the statement that it is important to have a shared vision for salinity in wheatbelt valleys (43%
agreed; 47% strongly agreed). This perception was strengthened at the conclusion of the conference, with
the percentage of respondents who strongly agreed with the statement increasing to 57 per cent.
Respondents were also asked to prioritise what groups should be included in the vision . 2 To analyse this
question we considered cumulative values. For instance, to obtain the percentage of people that ranked
neighbours as their third choice, we would add together the percentages of people that ranked it as their
first, second and third choice.
In the initial survey the highest ranked choice for sharing the vision between was neighbours. This was
followed in order by; catchment groups, regional groups, local government, state government and federal
government. The rankings were the same in the second survey, but there was far less variation in people’s
choices (see table below).
Question 3.2 Who should the vision be shared between?
Values appearing in this table are cummulative percentages.
Ranking (1 Neighbours Catchment Regional Local State Federal
is highest
Groups Groups Government Government Government
priority) Befo After Befo After Befo After Befo After Befo After Befo After
re
re
re
re
re
re
1 56 68 21 14 10 9 3 3 7 3 8 3
2 64 77 67 80 31 23 11 11 20 8 10 3
3 74 86 79 92 57 68 44 35 29 15 21 5
4 75 92 89 94 87 97 69 82 53 26 30 9
5 87 95 97 98 93 98 83 92 98 98 44 17
6 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Respondents also considered the timeframe for the vision. By the end of the conference there was a
significant increase in the percentage of respondents wanting the vision to cover a 20 year timeframe.
This could possibly relate to the strong message delivered by the workshop facilitator that this is the
appropriate timeframe for vision setting.
2 A number of responses could not be incorporated in the analysis because equal ratings were placed on some of the options. Thirtyone
responses were excluded from the first survey and 10 were excluded from the second survey.