The Waihemo area in East Otago is a great place to live, but ...
A survey has found people love living in Palmerston and the surrounding area because of its peaceful, quiet rural environment. They have optimism for the future but concerns about circumstances beyond their control.
The survey of residents and businesses in the Waihemo area was undertaken as part of the Waihemo 2020 Future Project. The results will be used as the basis for discussion at a public seminar in Palmerston on Monday.
Along with the appeal of living in the area, the survey identified concern about services, transport costs, jobs and income levels.
Survey co-ordinator Pat Shannon, who is compiling the results, said responses from businesses, especially farms - most of which had been operating in the district for a considerable period - indicated stability and a general lack of intended change, although some expressed concern about issues such as water and government services.
However, most responses were from households newer to the district and highlighted concerns about transport costs, income levels and jobs.
While there was a realistic appreciation much of the future would be affected by factors outside the control of people in Waihemo - international prices for agricultural products, the global economy generally and the continuation of the Oceana Gold mine - there was also a feeling concerns needed to be addressed at a local level.
Major issues around transport and other costs made the development of local services more likely.
"People will simply travel less and do things locally with local spin-offs," he said.
Concern about employment when the Macraes gold mine closed could stimulate the community to do things for itself, creating employment in Waihemo rather than leaking all services to outsiders.
The seminar, at East Otago High School, would create an opportunity to discuss action Waihemo could take to control its future, employ its own people and find its own answers.
The survey would help the seminar panel, comprising nationally and internationally recognised authorities in climate, energy efficiency and economics, relate those issues to the local issues.
The panel members are Jim Salinger, Bob Lloyd and Rod Oram.
