Associate Members Survey

Voting Members Survey Results 2013/14

PREPARED by the Secretariat with comments from Tej Panesar, Associate Chairperson

The main drivers behind continuing with the survey (which is in its third year) were to gain an understanding of how the associates view the future direction of the industry, to establish Member priorities and to direct the Association’s resources accordingly. The response rate from the Associate Members was higher for 2013/14 (30%) than for 2012/13 (21%). This may be due to Associate Members being more comfortable to express themselves and due to the introduction of an electronic survey. The continuation of the extractive industry in Victoria is due to the support of the Associate Members. Responses were from Associate Members providing a variety of products and services: drilling and blasting, electrical products and services, equipment and plant hire, industry services, mobile plant, production consumables, secondary breaking, educational training and products, engines and transmissions, industry consultants and professional services. The change in the level of business activity anticipated for the financial year 2014/15 reflects an increase in the extractive industry health. As shown in the table below:

Note that an activity level of 100 indicates that there is a balance between those who respond positively and negatively. A level below 100 indicates that conditions are deteriorating and a reading above 100 indicates that on average conditions are improving.

Some of the reasons given for the improved business confidence are due to: enquiry levels increasing, which is expected to flow on to sales, and changes in marketing strategies or greater marketing activity. There is though still some concern at the lack of major infrastructure projects.

The Associate Members availed themselves of the services offered by CMPA over the last 12 months (2013/14): Sand & Stone advertising, provision of articles for Sand & Stone, sponsorship of CMPA events, attendance at the Annual Dinner and support for training materials. The additional services which Associate Members would like to see CMPA provide include: increased access to voting members allowing for marketing of products and services through field days. Visits, seminars and promotion through the CMPA website (which is currently being upgraded).

A question was asked as to the level of support given by Voting Members with 85% (2013/14) satisfied with the level of support from Voting Members compared to 72% (2012/13).

The percentage of Associate Members making verbal/ electronic communication with Voting Members over the last 12 month was at 65% (compared to 67% in 2012/13).

The percentage of Associate Members making direct contact with Voting Members over the last 12 months was at 58% (compared to 61% in 2012/13).

This shows that while the need to contact the Voting members frequently has reduced, yet the satisfaction from the contact has increased, reflecting a growing acceptance by the members towards the Associates and their value-add to the members.

The impact of government regulation on business activity has decreased in 2013/14 as shown in the chart below:

 

50% of associate members responded that, where an increase has been perceived in government regulation, they have found no benefit to the industry. 69% have had increased costs in their business due to government regulation with 45% passing these costs onto their customers.

Tej Panesar, Associate Chairperson’s comments:

This concludes the summary of the Associate Members’ survey. It should be noted, the input from the Associate Members has been used to drive the program of events for 2015. For events and activities Associate Members will be invited to sponsor and attend these events. The next events are the Safe working distance from a quarry face Workshop to be held on 19th February, 2015 and the Members day/ General meeting 20th March, 2015.

All Associate members have open invitation to attend the Associates committee meetings and provide direct input on issues which affect them. A member from the Management Committee also attends the Associate Committee Meeting for direct access to Associate member issues. This allows for continual improvement in understanding of the issues and workable solutions.

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