CMPA SUBMISSIONS (Issue 23)

Sarah Andrew, CMPA Project Manager

SENATE INQUIRY INTO WORKPLACE EXPOSURE TO TOXIC DUSTS

Members may be aware from last newsletter that the CMPA was recently invited to comment upon the inquiry being held by the Federal government’s Community Affairs Senate Committee. The CMPA subsequently placed a submission to the inquiry essentially supporting the position suggested in the terms of reference with the key points being:

• Questioning the adequacy of regulation and effectiveness of techniques for testing; and
• Seeking that national records be kept on instances of disease as a result of toxic dust exposure

As a result of our submission, the CMPA was invited to present in person to the Senate Committee over 45 minutes on its issues and concerns and assisting the Senators in better understanding where the CMPA’s concerns lie. This hearing was held on Thursday, September 23 and was presented on the CMPA’s behalf by Honorary CEO, Mr Ron Kerr.

The Senators were invited to a site visit to see a silica-based extractive operation in action and we expect this to occur over the coming month. This issue will be monitored with great interest over the coming weeks.

VICTORIAN PLANNING PROVISIONS PRACTICE NOTES

The Practice Notes seek to clarify planning matters in relation to the extractive industry and was intended to be of assistance in assessing planning applications and providing information and guidance to applicants, operators and the community about such proposals. Comments were sought from a selection of members.

Overall the CMPA felt the document to be a step in the right direction, however made four small comments on specific matters within the document.

These comments have all been acted upon to some degree as indicated by Joel Twining of the DPI. Lastly, comment was made concerning the need to have an overlay identifying future resources. This was well received with notation that it is already being considered by the appropriate Ministers.

This submission was made on July 28 and took approximately 30 hours of the Secretariat’s time to complete.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login