CMPA Annual Report
GAVIN MOREIRA, CMPA Member Services Manager, provides a summary of the CMPA Annual Report.
Chairperson’s Report – Jason Comben
Following is a summary of the Chairperson’s report by Jason Comben prepared by Dr Elizabeth Gibson.
The most important set of issues confronting the Extractive Industries sector are the identification, security, and certainty of access to Victoria’s supply of extractive resources.
The last financial year (2021/22) continued to be challenging with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions put in place by Government. Whilst most of the restrictions have subsequently been lifted in early 2022 many Members have found that with the onset of winter increasing cases of COVID-19 have left many construction material enterprises short staffed. Social distancing plays an important part in
preventing the spread of the virus and has affected many CMPA activities, such as cancellation of simple face to face meetings through to the 2021 Annual Dinner with the AGM being held by Videoconference for a second year running. Despite this uncertainty CMPA has continued to support and advocate for the construction material industry.
The CMPA has/is:
• Continued to successfully lobby Government for the inclusion of the construction material industry as an essential service during the pandemic.
• Lobbied and achieved deferment of the amendments to Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act.
• Video conferencing on topics such as Social Procurement and the release of the CMPA Template; Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust Management and the release of CMPA Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust Guideline and Noise Management (Workplace and Environment) and the release of two Guidelines;
• An in-person workshop on Water Management with associated CMPA Guidelines being developed with a site visit to Allstone Quarries followed by a General Meeting; the Service and Maintenance workshop was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Many thanks to Associate Members, Voting Members and Government Regulators who have provided expert speakers to these events.
OH&S remains a vital component of the sustainability and the employment risk profile attached to the extractive industries. All industry sector participants be they business management colleagues, extractive and plant operation employees, mobile plant, haul, or highway truck drivers, who in many CMPA Member instances, are friends and relatives, rightly have the
fundamental expectation they will return safely home from their day’s work.
The CMPA will strengthen its endeavours to work hand-in-hand with Members, their employees and WorkSafe to continually improve safety in our workplaces through the development of necessary educative tools, training, consultation and guidance such as Issue 2 of the CMPA RCSD Management Guideline and online training for employees.
Guidelines produced by the CMPA are aimed at supporting Members to meet industry best practice and thereby improve both OH&S practices and business sustainability.
The CMPA Secretariat continues to tirelessly represent Members’ interests to State and Federal Government on a broad range of industry related issues, copies of these submissions are available on www.cmpavic.asn.au.
Ongoing and future State and Federal Governments’ Extractive Industries sector regulatory reform issues that are forecast to occupy a substantial part of the Association’s effort in the ensuing year, include, but are not limited to:
• Simplification and cost reduction of Extractive Industries Work Plan approvals including a review of conditions in Work Plans and Planning Permits.
• Working with DELWP regarding native vegetation and planning issues.
• Working with Government on Aboriginal Heritage issues.
• Development of an alternative (to EPA) financial assurance calculator for construction and demolition waste stored on site.
• Lobbying for the continued separation of Extractive Industries (quarries) from the mining, coal mining and coal seam gas sectors covered by the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) (MR(SD)) Act.
• Development of various submissions for Government Policies, Regulations and Codes of Practice that impact the future of the industry.
• Continued development of the following Training Manuals: Conduct Sand Wash Operations, Conduct Blending Plant Operations, Service and Maintain Screens, Service and Maintain Conveyors, Service and Maintain Bulk Feed Bins and Hoppers;
• Development of:
Review of Working safely with geotechnical risk in quarries Guideline;
Development of environmental dust and environmental RCSD management Guideline;
Greenhouse gas emission reduction in the construction material processors industry Guideline.
• Providing input to Department of Transport (VicRoads) on a range of strategic issues such as introduction of recycled materials where fit for purpose.
Finally, thank you to all Members and the CMPA Management Committee for their support especially to Garry Cranny who stepped down as Chairperson after 7 years in the role.
Associate Chairperson’s Report – Jason Rudge
Refer to From the CMPA Associate Chairperson for extracted report
Education Committee Report – Dr Elizabeth Gibson
CMPA has continued to maintain its representation of members’ education and training requirements to government, peak training bodies, RTOs, and other industry organisations.
A number of educational events by CMPA were conducted throughout 2021/22:
• Social Procurement, Water Management and Noise Management (Workplace and Environmental) webinars
• Water Management workshop
Additionally, Dr Elizabeth Gibson has been active on the education front as Chair of the Extractive Industry Reference Committee (Federal VET Education).
The Future
The Secretariat is planning to hold workshops and training in:
• August 2022 – Working Safely with Geotechnical Risk in Quarries
• October 2022, March and May 2023 are to be determined in consultation with Members
Treasurer’s Report – John Pititto
With the 2021/22 finacial year coming to an end I am pleased to present my Treasurer’s report on the Audited Financial Statements for the CMPA.
The association has seen a increase in total operating costs for the year compared to last year, the increase in expenses was related to higher employment costs and the provisioning of employee entitlements, consultants and meetings.
Total Income was down on last year. This decrease in revenue is manly due to the CMPA not able to host the annual dinner event due to COVID-19 restrictions. The major source of income was membership subscriptions, with contributions from meetings and events, newsletter advertising and
operator document sales.
Employment expenses were the single largest expense in the period. This covered one full time employee and two part time employees. Other expenses included publications, consultants and the cost of holding meetings and events.
The CMPA has and will continue to assist our members by allocating significant funds to provide support and legislative guidence to hopefully ease some of these burdens going forward. These funds will be used to continue to support members of the CMPA and to be a vocal voice in the industry.
We would also like to recoginise all the asscociate members that continue to be part of the CMPA and are still willing to support the association through membership renewals for the upcoming year.
Secretariat’s Report – Sarah Andrew
The Secretariat saw a number of changes with its support staff throughout the year, however remained strong with both Elizabeth’s and Gavin’s continued commitment to the Association.
Abby Eager continued in her role as the Administration Support Officer until January 2022 on a part time basis, however left to pursue a permanent role. Her contribution to the CMPA over the 9 months in the position was greatly appreciated.
April Everitt commenced in May 2022 in the role of Administration Officer with Gavin and Elizabeth looking forward to working with her over the coming year.
Ross Outen undertook several months as a Development Manager on a contract basis to support members. Although his efforts were appreciated by all who met with him, unfortunately the ongoing pandemic made it very hard to get out and visit current and potential members.
Elizabeth and Gavin have continued representing the CMPA in various bodies. Gavin attends the Earth Resources Tripartite Safety Committee (Chaired by WorkSafe Victoria). Elizabeth invests considerable time and energy representing the CMPA to Ministers, Shadow Ministers, advisers and senior public servants; and on the following committees:
• Earth Resources Regulation Industry Reference Group and associated working groups focused on resolving issues arising from the introduction of the risk-based work plan, Resource Management System Vic, Public Reporting. Unfortunately, work plan approvals remain low with the
tonnages of construction materials approved per annum not yet published by ERR.
• The Extractive Strategy Taskforce focused on ensuring the security of access to construction materials.
• Elizabeth was appointed to the Heavy Vehicle Consultation Group to advise The Hon Ben Carroll MP – Minister for Public Transport, Minister for Roads and Road Safety and The Hon Melissa Horne MP – Minister for Ports and Freight on Victorian freight issues.
• Chair of the Extractive Industry Reference Committee (Federal VET Education).
Voting members’ continued support of the Secretariat is, as always, greatly appreciated and we look forward to their continued support and welcome any others who may be able to assist.
A limited number of site visits took place 2021/22 due to COVID-19 restrictions, however, more frequent phone calls have been made to Members and Elizabeth is keeping everyone updated with the restrictions.
Information Flow
Sand & Stone continues to be the primary means of keeping Members informed of the CMPA’s activities throughout 2021/22. Newspaper House in Kilmore continue to design Sand & Stone whilst Enviroprintgroup publish the magazine. We of course extend our sincerest thanks to Newspaper House; Sand & Stone’s many contributors, especially those who present
articles for every edition; and those Associates who advertise making the magazine possible.
CMPA Updates via Mailchimp have been distributed throughout the year keeping recipients informed of recent industry specific accidents and incidents, along with information on upcoming events. The purpose of the updates is primarily to provide its readers with a summary of the incidents that have occurred across the state, nation and internationally to improve the state of knowledge in the industry.
The CMPA’s LinkedIn account has received considerable attention this year, with regular posts being made by the Secretariat. All Members would have received an invitation to follow the CMPA’s account earlier this year and we acknowledge those who chose to.
Once again, I would like to highlight the essential support received by the CMPA from our valued Associate Members whose continued support is greatly appreciated. We cannot stress how much this assists the association and I would again ask Voting Members in return to use the skills of our Associate Members when possible.
Membership
Membership numbers over the last financial year remained stable. However, it should be noted that some Members have exit strategies in place due to the onerous requirements of ERR and referral authorities not being conducive to their continuing in the marketplace. The Secretariat is determined to ensure that the future make-up of the industry will not be a decline in small to medium businesses.
We thank all our Members for their continued support and look forward to working with them over the coming year.
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