CMPA News (Issue 80)

Recent Events

Sara Williams (Earth Resources Advisor to the Minister for Energy and Resources) was invited to Northern Quarries, Epping, to meet with Elizabeth Gibson (CMPA) and Ron Kerr, Sarah Andrew, Mark Wagner and Wayne Deken all of Conundrum Holdings.

Risk based Work Plan workshop, DEDJTR, was attended by Garry Cranny (Dandy Premix Quarries), Sarah Andrew and Ron Kerr (Conundrum Holdings), Cameron Black (Bell Cochrane & Associates), Chris Prowse (CK Prowse & Associates) and Elizabeth Gibson. A further presentation was given on the electronic risk based Work Plan by an inspector (Bessie Abbott) from Earth Resources Regulation.

Earth Resources Reform Steering Committee meeting (Earth Resources Regulation, DEDJTR), Melbourne attended by Elizabeth Gibson where issues of concern were raised regarding the risk base Work Plan. Rehabilitation bonds were also discussed.

SkillsDMC (defining skills competency standards and workforce development strategies for the Resources and Infrastructure Industry)
Quarry (Extractive) Sector standing committee meeting, teleconference, Elizabeth Gibson.

The CMPA Traffic Management Plan Workshop was kindly hosted by William Adams in Clayton which included a tour of their impressive new facilities.

A meeting was held with Sara Williams (Senior Earth Resources Adviser to the minister for Energy and Resources) and Elizabeth Gibson in Melbourne to discuss issues such as risk based Work Plans and rehabilitation bonds.

An industry briefing by the Minister for Roads, Road Safety and Transport was given on road infrastructure projects resulting from the State budget and was attended by Elizabeth Gibson in Melbourne.

Site Visits – South West Victoria

Elizabeth Gibson (General Manager) and Adrian Town (Development Manager) undertook site visits in South West Victoria in March 2015. The site visits included Voting members as well as potential Voting members (nine). The Voting members visited included Phil Boyd, Coragulac Quarries, Coragulac; Mary and Eric Harrison, ER and MC Harrison Quarries, Pombomeit; John Weichert, General Manager, Mibus Brothers (Aust.); David Eldridge, Owner, DE Quarry Solutions, Skipton; Troy Beaston, General Manager, Eureka Concrete, Ballarat and Luke Walsh of Walsh Ballarat Quarries, Learmonth.

A briefing was given to each person on the proposed risk based work plans, new fees and rehabilitation bonds as well as discussing developments in CMPA such as  the Guarding Guidelines and the soon to be released Traffic Management Plan Guidelines. As usual Native Vegetation and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage were issues that some quarries were having difficulty with. In some cases the quarries (Voting Members or potential Voting Members) having decided not to proceed with a greenfield site or variations to a Work Authority due to escalating  costs.  Thank you to all Voting members for making us very welcome, giving us the opportunity to view your operations and for feedback to us on CMPA.

Rehabilitation Bond errata Sand & Stone 79

It has come to CMPAs attention that the Cash Bond, the Start-up Bond (both recommendations from EDIC Inquiry into Greenfields Mineral Exploration and Project Development in Victoria) and the 2-Track bond model are on hold whilst the Hazelwood Mine Inquiry goes ahead. Additionally, there is no funding for the review of the rehabilitation bond calculator this year as previously promised.

VCCIA Meeting

The Hon Tim Pallas, Treasurer (Victoria) gave a presentation on 4 March 2015 at the Victorian Civil Construction Industry Alliance meeting that Elizabeth Gibson attended. The key messages from The Treasurer’s presentation were as follows:

• The Government is committed to investing in infrastructure with the following projects now in the pipeline.
• Bolte Bridge – City Link – Tullamarine extra lanes to be added.
• Murray Basin Rail upgrades – initial $30m for upgrades between Mildura and Maryborough then a further $270m in following years – $300m total.
• Rural Bridge Program – $36m in rural bridge upgrade works and strengthening.
• Drysdale by pass.
• Rural and regional rail crossing upgrades – Lights and barriers – $50m to address 13 priority crossings.
• Metro Rail crossing removals – current work is in hand on St Albans, Blackburn, Glen Iris and Auburn locations.
• $1 Billion for M80 upgrade.
• The Government aims to establish a pipeline of projects that can be accessed by all tiers of the industry.
• The State Government will continue to pressure the Federal Government for a fair share of infrastructure funds.
• The civil construction industry is important for the State’s economy – it contributes to some 250,000 jobs.
• The government wants workplaces to operate efficiently without undue Government influence.
• The Victorian economy is performing well and we should be optimistic about it continuing to grow.
• More information will be made available in the May budget.

 

2012/13 Statistical Report

Earth Resources Regulation, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (ERR) has just released the long awaited Statistical Report for 2012/2013.

The Statistical Review provides an overview of Victoria’s petroleum, minerals and extractive industries. It includes data on production, exploration and expenditure. This report is the most comprehensive public database available for these sectors in Victoria and is relevant to anyone involved in the extractive industries.

It is available free from http://earthresources.efirst.com.au/categories.asp?cID=46&c=285514.

The information for the Report originates from the statutory returns under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990. As of 30 June 2013 there were 882 quarries that were said to be operating in Victoria, that is, two less than on the previous year.

The Report demonstrates that sales (47.4 million tonnes) decreased 18% from 2011/2012 (58.2 million tonnes). This is a reflection of a downturn in the construction industry and lack of major infrastructure projects. This is the lowest sales volume since 2009/2010. The production data is broken up into rock type and product type from which dollars per tonne can be calculated. Hopefully, ERR will publish the Statistical Report for 2013/14 soon..

Annual Dinner 2015 Sponsorship

SPONSORSHIP for the CMPA AGM & Annual Dinner 2015 will be closing shortly, please contact the Secretariat ASAP to ensure you book the sponsorship package you desire. As per previous years there are four levels for Members to choose from Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze which all comprise different levels of exposure. There are also other opportunities to sponsor prizes on the night, such as the early bird and door prizes or the Name Tags / Lanyards. At present we have 26 Associates committed to the event to be held on Saturday 12th September 2015 at the Performing Arts Centre in Wangaratta they include:

 

 

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