Business (Issue 36)

Enquiry to Enhance Victoria’s Livability

The Victorian Government established the Victoria Competition and Efficiency Commission (VCEC) to provide the Victorian Government with independent advice on business regulation reform and opportunities for improving Victoria’s competitive position.

VCEC has three main functions:

• Reviewing regulatory impact statements, measurements of the administrative burden of regulation and business impact assessment of significant new legislation
• Undertaking inquiries referred to it by the Treasurer, and
• Operating Victoria’s Competitive Neurality Unit

The VCEC inquiry “Inquiry to Enhance Victoria’s Livability” is investigating the links between livability and the competitiveness of the State, and considers ways in which the Government can best enhance Victoria’s status as an attractive, vibrant and exclusive place to live, while ensuring that sustainability issues are taken into account.

It is our understanding that the state’s livability is, in a small part, due to the extractive industry’s ability to provide the community with a high volume, low cost commodity essential for housing and other infrastructure projects.

The extractive industry also supports the State through the ability to recycle and resale construction materials such as waste concrete and bitumen.

To sustain and improve this industry, there is scope for the government to:

• Refine the planning system so that it is better able to process applications and variations within a reasonable time frame and cost effectively, whilst continuing to meet community needs;
• Better protect current and future extractive sites from aggressive and increasing urbanisation;
• Develop integrated transport systems that are able to support the distribution of the industry’s products (such as major roads capable of carrying the weights involved and increasing access to railheads); and
• Encourage secondary users of construction materials (such as concrete batching and bitumen plants) to be located where they are supported by mass transport systems.

A brief submission has been made to this end. For more information on the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission, visit www.vcec.vic.gov.au

Victorian Limestone Producers Association Update

Welcome to our readers for 2008.

Our industry is looking forward to a good season now that recent rains are starting to have effect in rural areas. Current indications of demand are very promising compared to recent seasons.

The Native Vegetation Management Framework review we are participating in along with other earth resource industry associations will resume deliberations soon once some internal staffing issues have been resolved at the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). Any members with issues they would like considered at this forum are welcome to discuss them with Peter McCluskey on 0408 496 588.

Further information on the VLPA is available on the VLPA website www.vlpa.asn.au

Increase in Mediation Costs

The Office of the Victorian Small Business Commissioner (VSBC) has increased the cost for parties participating in mediation’s.

As of the beginning of 2008, the cost for parties participating in VSBC mediation’s under the Small Business Commissioner Act 2003 and the Retail Leases Act 2003 will increase from $95 per day for each party, to $195 per day for each party.

All new applications lodged with the VSBC will incur the new fee of $195 per day for each party. Applications lodged prior to 2008, with a VSBC mediation date after the 1 January 2008 will continue to be charged at $95 per day for each party.

It is important to note that the new fee of $195 does not apply to mediation’s under the Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors Act 2005.This fee remains $95 per day for each party.

If you have any queries about this matter, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Elizabeta Galevska, Manager, Mediation and Executive Services, VSBC, on (03) 9651 7640.

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