Appendix A: Letter of authorisation
August 2003
Dear householder
Notice of community survey for the NSW Government
You have been randomly selected to take part in a telephone survey a State Government agency is conducting on a range
of issues important to NSW.
Expect a call from … Research Company
… Research Company has been commissioned to carry out this survey. An interviewer from … Research will call you in the
next week or so to talk to someone in your household who is aged between 15 and 70.
Your participation is important
The survey is easy to answer and responses will remain strictly anonymous and confidential. The information from this
survey will help the government develop programs that contribute to the needs and interests of the people of NSW. It will
ensure the community’s attitudes and values are reflected in such programs.
We appreciate your participation
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. We want to be sure that the findings represent all the views of all people in
NSW and we are grateful for your assistance.
We would appreciate it if you could please show this letter to the other adults in your household.
Yours sincerely
Who Cares about the Environment in 2003?
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Appendix B: Questionnaire
Good (..) I am … from … Research Company. Did you receive the letter we sent inviting someone in your household to take
part in a study we are conducting on behalf of the NSW Government? We are conducting a survey about issues that are
important to the people of NSW. Your household has been randomly selected (from the telephone directory) to take part in the
survey and we would appreciate your help.
For the purposes of training, this call could be monitored by my supervisor. We only need to speak to one person in each
household and it is very important that we randomly select that person. May I speak to the person in your home whose birthdate
comes closest to today’s date?
Q1A
What would you say are the two most important issues for attention by the State Government at present?
Q1B
Now thinking ahead about ten years, what do you think will be the two most important issues for attention by the
State Government at that time?
Q1C
For each of the following, please tell me how important it is in your life by using the scale, where 1 means ‘Very
important’, 2 – ‘Rather important’, 3 – ‘Not very’ and 4 means ‘Not at all’
1. Family
2. Friends
3. Leisure time
4. Politics
5. Environment
6. Work
7. Religion
8. Service to others
Q2A
What would you say is the single most important environmental issue facing NSW today?
Q2B
And the second most important environmental issue?
Q3A
In general, how concerned are you about environmental problems? Would you say you are concerned:
1. A great deal
2. A fair amount
3. Not very much or
4. Not at all?
5. Don’t know [Do not read out]
IF 4–5 IN Q3A SKIP TO Q2TM
Q3B
Which of the following best describes why you are concerned?
1. Health effects of pollution
2. Quality of life
3. Concern for future generations
4. Long-term economic sustainability
5. Maintaining ecosystems – nature, plants and animals
6. Other (specify)
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Appendix B: Questionnaire
Q3C
Thinking about the things you do in your everyday life to help protect the environment, how much do you feel you are
doing? Would you say you are:
1. Doing a great deal
2. Doing quite a lot
3. Doing at least some things
4. Doing just a few things
5. Doing nothing
6. (Don’t know/not sure)
Q6A
Over the past five years or so, has there been anything you have changed either in your own behaviour or in the way
you live or work, for environmental reasons?
Q7
Most of us, in one way or another, probably do things that may be bad from an environmental point of view. This
might be at home, in our work or leisure activities, etc. What would you say are the most damaging things, from an
environmental viewpoint, about your own behaviour or the way you live or work? Anything else?
Q10
I’ll now read out a list of different environmental issues or situations. For each one can you please tell me if you think
that, over the last three years, things in NSW have become 1 – much better, 2 – better, 3 – worse, 4 – much worse or
5 – there has been little or no change? ROTATE LIST
a) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
b) Protection of endangered plants and animals
c) Cleanliness of beaches and the ocean
d) Dealing with household rubbish
e) Minimising the amount of waste the community produces
f) Quality of the air
g) Water quality in rivers, lakes and creeks
h) Reducing water consumption
i)
Transport, storage and use of dangerous industrial chemicals
j)
Protection of soil and soil quality
k) Dealing with industrial emissions
l)
Quietness, control of noise
m) Prosecuting environmental offenders
n) The environment in general
o) Encouraging alternatives to motor vehicles such as more use of public transport, cycling or walking
p) Reducing risks associated with the use of pesticides (such as herbicides, insecticides, fungicides)
q) Reducing electricity use
r) Ensuring there is enough water flowing in rivers to maintain healthy rivers and streams
Who Cares about the Environment in 2003?
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Q11
Now I’ll read out a list of statements. For each one, could you tell me whether you think that it is a true or a false
statement? ROTATE LIST
a) Chemicals and pesticides that are available to the general public do not pose a risk to the environment
b) Woodsmoke is a significant source of air pollution in urban areas of NSW in winter
c) The greenhouse effect is caused by a hole in the earth’s atmosphere
d) Gas hot water systems use less energy than electrical storage systems
e) Laws affecting environmental offenders have been relaxed
f) Much more water in NSW is used for agriculture than for domestic and manufacturing purposes combined
Q12
Doing the right thing for the environment is not always easy for people in today’s busy world. Different people find
they can do different things and, perhaps for people in some situations, there is not a lot they can really do. From
the list of things I’ll read out, can you please tell me for each one whether or not in the past 12 months you have
1 – often done that, 2 – sometimes done it, 3 – just occasionally done it or 4 – never done that? ROTATE LIST
a) Decided for environmental reasons to reuse something instead of throwing it away
b) Avoided plastic bags to carry shopping home
c) Composted food and/or garden refuse
d) When doing the shopping, tried to avoid products with lots of packaging
e) Chosen household products that you think are better for the environment
f) Made an effort for environmental reasons to reduce water consumption
g) Avoided putting things like oil and fat or turps and paints or chemicals down the sink or toilet
h) Taken active steps to prevent stormwater pollution, for example by not washing your car in the street, etc.
i)
Taken active steps to reduce energy consumption, for example by turning off lights, and using appliances or
home heating and cooling more efficiently
j)
Purchasing energy-efficient appliances or light globes
k) Taken active steps to reduce fuel consumption and vehicle air pollution, for example by car-pooling, using public
transport, bicycling or walking
l)
Tried to get information on some topic that you thought was relevant to protecting the environment
m) Participated in local development or environmental issues with the aim of protecting or improving the
environment, ie. by writing a letter, attending a meeting, etc
Q12B I am now going to read out some statements about the environment. For each one I read out, can you tell me
whether you 1 – agree strongly, 2 – agree, 3 – disagree or 4 – strongly disagree?
ROTATE LIST
a) I would give part of my income if I were certain that the money would be used to fix environmental problems
b) I would agree to an increase in taxes if the extra money were used to fix environmental problems
c) The government should fix environmental problems but it should not cost me any money
d) Products that cause environmental problems should cost more
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Appendix B: Questionnaire
Q13
I will read you a list of people or organisations in the community who may provide us with information on issues
relating to the environment. In general, how reliable do you think information from each of these sources would be?
Would you say information from...[SOURCE]...would be 1 – very reliable, 2 – fairly reliable, 3 – fairly unreliable or 4 –
very unreliable? ROTATE LIST
a) Local councils
b) Schools
c) Business and industry
d) Scientists and technical specialists
e) Government departments or agencies
f) National environment and conservation organisations
g) Local environment and conservation groups
h) Community service groups such as Rotary, scouts etc
i)
Members of your family or neighbours or friends etc
j)
Religious leaders, churches etc
k) Media personalities
l)
Q13A
The United Nations
How do you personally mainly get informed about environmental issues?
Q13AB What other main ways do you personally get informed about environmental issues?
Q17
The NSW Government is responsible for enforcing rules which are intended to protect or improve the environment,
by regulating what individuals, companies, farmers and community groups may do. I’ll read out a number of
different groups in NSW and I’d like you to tell me if you feel that the environmental regulations that apply to these
groups are 1 – much too strict, 2 – a bit too strict, 3 – about right or 4 – a bit too lax or 5 – much too lax for each
one. ROTATE LIST
a) Farming and agriculture
b) Manufacturing industry
c) Individuals and households
d) Mining industry
e) Forestry industry
f) Retailing industry
Q17B When purchasing a car, how much would an environmental rating, for example in fuel economy and pollution
contribution, influence your decision? Would that have:
1. A significant influence on your decision
2. Some influence on your decision
3. Little influence on your decision
4. No influence on your decision
5. (Don’t know)
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Q17C If you were building or renovating a home, how much would an environmental rating influence your choices in, for
example, building design or the choice of materials, plumbing fittings and appliances? Would that have:
1. A significant influence on your decision
2. Some influence on your decision
3. Little influence on your decision
4. No influence on your decision
5. (Don’t know)
Q17D Should there be compulsory requirements for environmental performance of new homes, building developments and
renovations, for example in building design or the choice of materials, plumbing fittings and appliances?
1. Definitely should be compulsory requirements
2. Probably should be compulsory requirements
3. Probably do not need compulsory requirements
4. Definitely no need for compulsory requirements
5. (Don’t know)
Q18B For each of the following groups or organisations, could you tell me whether you think they are doing too much,
enough or not enough to protect the environment? ROTATE LIST
1. Commonwealth Government
2. State Government
3. Local councils
4. Manufacturing industry
5. Retailers
6. Farmers
7. Individuals
Q21
What would you say is the single most important thing that the NSW Government could do to protect the
environment over the next few years?
Q52
The last few questions are about the use of water in NSW. Do you think that there is a need for the community in
NSW to use less water or is there not a need to use less water? READ OUT
1. Definitely need to use less water
2. Probably need to use less water
3. Probably do not need to use less water
4. Definitely no need to use less water
5. (Don’t know/cannot say)
IF 1–3 IN Q12 AND 6 IN Q12L SKIP TO Q55A
Q55
You said earlier that you have made some effort to reduce water consumption in the past 12 months. What led you to
use less water? Why did you decide to do that? What prompted you?
Q55B What else, if anything, led you to use less water?
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Who Cares about the Environment in 2003?
Appendix B: Questionnaire
Q56
I will read out some suggestions that might make it easier for the community in NSW to use less water. As I say each
suggestion, please tell me if that would make it easier for you to save water or not make it any easier: ROTATE LIST
1. If I had more information about ways to save water
2. If I could get incentives to save water (e.g. credit towards installing a rain water tank or dual flush toilet)
3. If water saving devices were cheaper (e.g. dual flush toilets, water saving shower heads)
4. If there were more public demonstrations of water saving techniques
5. If water prices were higher
6. If I could be assured that recycled water was safe for non-drinking purposes (e.g. for lawns etc)
To close, I’d just like make sure we have spoken to a good cross-section of people.
Q22
Firstly, can I just confirm your age?
Q24
What is the main language spoken at home?
1. English
Q25
2. Other (specify)
What is the highest level of education you have completed?
1. No formal schooling
2. Primary school
3. Some secondary school
4. Completed secondary school (HSC, Leaving Certificate, etc.)
5. Trade or technical qualification (e.g. TAFE)
6. University or CAE diploma, degree or higher degree
7. (Refused)
Q26
Which one of the following best describes you?
1. In paid work (full-time or part-time – includes being self-employed)
2. Unemployed and looking for work
3. Student
4. Home duties
5. Retired/age pensioner
6. Other pensioner
7. Other (specify)
8. (Refused)
Q31
Gender
1. Male
2. Female
Who Cares about the Environment in 2003?
79
Q32
Which of the following best describes the type of dwelling you live in?
1. Detached house
2. Semi-detached/townhouse/row house/terrace/villa, etc.
3. Flat, home unit
4. Other (specify)
9. (Refused)
Q36A Do you have children of any age, including step/adopted children?
1. Yes
2. No
Q36B How many children do you have, including adult children?
Q36C What age group (are they)? ACCEPT MULTIPLES
1. Under 5
2. 5 – 11
3. 12 – 17
4. 18 – 29
5. 30 +
6. Not established (Do not read out)
Q36D Do you have grandchildren? How many?
0. No grandchildren
Q34
1. Record number
Can I confirm that you live in:
1. Greater Sydney (incl. Campbelltown, Windsor, Penrith, Gosford)
2. Newcastle (urban)
3. Wollongong/Illawarra (urban)
4. Large country town (over 15,000 to 100,000 (specify Q34A)
5. Small country town (population between 3000 and 15,000) (specify Q34B)
6. Country rural area (under 3000)
Q35
Please could you tell me your postcode (where you live)?
And just in case my supervisor needs to check anything about this survey, could I please have your first name?
Thank you for taking part in this study. If you wish to check that my company is listed with the Market Research
Society, you can call the Market Research Society Survey Line on 1300 36 4830.
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Who Cares about the Environment in 2003?
Appendix C: Qualitative research
discussion guide
Introduction
Introduce research
Explain group discussions and confidentiality
Explain taping/colleagues listening in/possible post-session recording
Today we will be talking about issues that are important to people in NSW. We are trying to understand what people in NSW
feel are the important issues the State Government should be doing something about (including why these issues are
considered important).
1.
Important issues facing State Government
What are the top one or two issues you feel the State Government needs to concentrate on at the moment? Why is that?
[look for relative importance of environment]
Why is (each issue) important? What aspects in particular need attention? Why?
What were the issues five or even ten years ago? Same as today or different? Why? What has happened in that time
[look for issues addressed/problems in hand etc]
Now thinking ahead about ten years from now – what do you think will be the most important issues? Same as today or
different? Why? What do you see changing in that time?
2.
Environmental issues
When I mention the words ‘the environment’, what does that mean to you? PROBE
How important is the environment to you? Why? What is it that is important?
Do you discuss the environment or environmental issues with friends or other people ever? When? What do you talk about
[local, overseas]?
Are you concerned in any way about the environment or environmental problems [here/overseas]? Why?
What is the most important reason for concern about the environment? [PROBE quality of life, future generations,
sustainability of ecosystems, economic sustainability, health effects of pollution. With ‘future generations’ particularly – is
it concern for their children/grandchildren or is it concern about the future for themselves].
How concerned do you think other people are about environmental issues? How does this compare with (say) five years
ago or ten years ago? Why?
Why do you think that the environment might not be rated as a number one concern for some people (eg. not as
important as a government focus on health or education)? [look for appropriate actions already in place]
Some people think the environment will be more of an issue again in ten years’ time, rather than being a big concern
now. What do you think? Why?
What do you think the really important environmental issues are today? What environmental issues are you concerned
about? Have these changed from (say) five years ago or ten years ago? In what way? [REFER Q2 CHECKLIST]
What is your view of how the NSW Government ranks environmental issues these days? Is it more or less urgent now
compared to five or ten years ago? Do you think they give the environment too much or not enough priority?
Is the environment becoming more or less important in terms of people wanting government action? Explain.
If programs to fix the environment cost a great deal, where should the money come from (from other programs in normal
government revenue, increased taxes or levies, voluntary donations)? Why?
Who Cares about the Environment in 2003?
81
3.
Environmental situations: improved or deteriorated
In NSW have you noticed any improvements in the environment, say over the last 3–5 years? [REFER TO CHECKLIST]
In what way has (...) improved?
Are there any aspects of the environment that are worse now/have deteriorated? In what ways? CHECKLIST
4.
–
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
–
Protection of endangered plants and animals
–
Littering
–
Dumping
–
Cleanliness of beaches and the ocean
–
Dealing with household rubbish
–
Minimising the amount of waste the community produces
–
Quality of the air
–
Water quality in rivers, lakes and creeks
–
Reducing water consumption
–
Transport, storage and use of dangerous industrial chemicals
–
Dealing with industrial emissions
–
Quietness, control of noise
–
Prosecuting offenders
–
Alternatives to motor vehicles
–
Reducing risks associated with the use of pesticides
–
Others?
Environmentally friendly behaviour
Are you doing anything to help the environment or reduce effects on the environment? Are you doing (a great deal, quite
a lot etc)
Do you do any things regularly now which are good for the environment that you never used to do? What? [REFER TO
CHECKLIST] Why do you do this (these) now?
Why have people embraced environmentally friendly behaviour? What motivates them?
What sort of things help people to adopt environmentally friendly behaviour?
What stops people doing the right thing for the environment?
Is there anything you know you could do for the environment, but just don’t? How do you feel about that?
Environmental ratings (housing, appliances etc) – are these important to you to make a decision what to buy?
What are the best ways to ensure we all use less water?
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Who Cares about the Environment in 2003?
Appendix C: Qualitative research discussion guide
5.
Enforcement/legislation
Both the State and local governments are responsible for enforcing laws which protect or improve the environment by
regulating what individuals, companies, farmers, etc can do. Do you feel these regulations are more on the strict or lax
side? Why do you think that? [farmers, manufacturing, retailing, mining, forestry, households]
Do you think there should be compulsory environmental requirements for all new buildings? Why?
Should there be any price differences between products which harm the environment and those which don’t? Why?
6.
Educating the community
What can the State Government do to (further) protect/improve the environment over the next few years?
IF EDUCATION MENTIONED: Why is education important? What sort of education is most effective? Why? (is it
preventative, causes of problems etc)
Whose responsibility is it to provide education about the environment to the people of NSW?
Where do you notice information about the environment? Do you look for it/want it? Why?
Who do you think provides the most reliable information about the environment? Why?
Any other final comments you would like to make about the environment and its protection in NSW?
Thank you for your time.
Who Cares about the Environment in 2003?
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The State of NSW and the Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) are pleased to allow this material to be
reproduced in whole or in part, provided the meaning is unchanged and its source, publisher and authorship are acknowledged
Department of Environment and Conservation
59–61 Goulburn Street, Sydney
PO Box A290, Sydney South 1232
Phone:
131 555 (NSW only – publication and information requests)
Phone:
(02) 9995 5000 (switchboard)
Fax:
(02) 9995 5999
TTY:
(02) 9211 4723
Email:
[email protected]
Website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/whocares
DEC 2004/10
ISBN 1 74137 029 9
February 2004
Printed on recycled paper
Photos on front cover of farmer, lorikeet and people running through the Blue Mountains reproduced courtesy of
Tourism New South Wales.