CMPA NEWS (Issue 51)

CMPA Secretariat provides an update of the latest news and happenings.

TRANSFORMING VCAT

The CMPA has provided comments to VCAT on the discussion paper Transforming VCAT.

Key issues identified and require addressing are:

• That the ever-increasing cost being placed upon the proponent,
• That the commission’s findings remain relevant to the issues of the hearing at hand, and
• That outcomes, where practical, ensure re-submission would be a last resort.

The discussion paper aims to assist VCAT meet the challenges of the next decade and to be more effective in meeting community expectations. It also addresses many, but not all, of the recommendations made in the former President’s Review Report.

Thank you to the members who provided input into the CMPA comments. The three year strategic plan is due for completion in August 2010 to which Robin Hocking attended a briefing on the CMPA’s behalf.

SHOTFIRER’S LICENSE RENEWALS

The CMPA has been communicating with WorkSafe Victoria regarding the slow process of Shotfirer’s License Renewals. To date we are still awaiting a response from the WorkSafe Victoria licensing department.

If you are still awaiting renewal of your Shotfirer’s license and would like to check the status of your application please contact WorkSafe Victoria on 1300 852 562.

It would be greatly appreciated if members could advise the Secretariat when they have spoken to WorkSafe as we are overseeing the application as well on your behalf.

MRSDA REVIEW PHASE 2

The DPI recently held an initial industry consultation meeting to discuss issues regarding MRSDA Review Phase 2. The main topics discussed included Work Authorisation and Land Access:

• The need for a simpler and more generic orientated approach to work plans
• Bringing work plan approvals into line with new statutory endorsement provisions
• Integration and streamlining of approvals required under other legislation into MRSDA approval processes.
• Access to Crown land for exploration and mining
• Timeliness and conditioning of land manager consents

Further information regarding the above will be reported in future issues of Sand & Stone.

STREAMLINING LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The CMPA recently provided a submission to VCEC on their draft report Streamlining Local Government in Victoria.

Key points made include:

• The draft recommendations referring to procurement (8.1 – 8.4) will assist our sector in that the proposal for matters pertaining to the standardized specifications will focus councils on better managing the limited extractive resources that are available for their use and should result in a reduction in duplicated specifications and testing activities.
• That there needs to be financial modelling of all draft recommendations depicting the efficiency gains that will be available to local government to ensure there is a willingness to participate in change.
• That recommendations are promptly enacted to ensure the work undertaken by VCEC can assist the community to achieve their desired outcomes in a timely manner and at an affordable cost.

NATIVE TITLE SETTLEMENT FRAMEWORK

The DPI in conjunction with the Department of Justice organised a stakeholder briefing on the Native Title Settlement Framework and Land Use Activity Regime proposed under the upcoming Traditional Owner Recognition and Settlement Framework Bill 2010.

The briefing was aimed at updating earth resource stakeholders on the rationale and implications of the new native title arrangements that are being proposed under the Bill.

Andrew Lumb attended this meeting on the CMPA’s behalf and in very simplified terms highlighted some of the features:

It is designed to provide quicker resolution of claims by traditional owners, by a process directed to sett ling claims by negotiation leading to land use activity agreements incorporating Land Use Regimes which are provided in return for withdrawal of Federal Native Title claims.

It applies to crown land only, and does not affect freehold land or crown land which is subject to existing exclusive possession rights, such as leases.

Also excluded is land where there is existing infrastructure inconsistent with the exercise of rights by traditional owners, or land set aside by government for projects.

The establishment of extractive industry operations on crown land or new work authorities for existing operations on crown land are therefore potentially affected by the regime, and could require the negotiation of agreements with traditional owners or ultimately a VCAT hearing.

A full report of the meeting is available from the Secretariat and we will keep you updated on the progress of the Bill.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

All Members are reminded that membership renewal paperwork has been sent and their prompt renewal would be greatly appreciated. In all cases, no payment is required when renewing membership and tax invoices will be posted once the Secretariat receives this information.

Associates are particularly reminded that their membership paperwork includes Sand & Stone advertising. Accordingly we need to know your intentions before the August/September issue.

Thank you to those members who have already renewed for the 2010/11 financial year.

NEW EXPLOSIVES CHECKLISTS

The Secretariat in consultation with CMPA Members and WorkSafe Victoria are slowly working towards providing four new explosive checklists.

• Magazine Management Safety Checklist
• Explosive Stock Record Book
• Shotfirers Blast safety Checklist
• Shotfirers Blast Management Book

The checklists are currently in draft form and further reviews are taking place.The final versions will be available in the coming months.

WORKSAFE – ERTS FORUM

The objectives of the latest WorkSafe ERTS Forum was to improve health and safety performance for Victoria’s earth resources industries. Key issues identified and items addressed were:

• A review of Victorian performance and national significant incidents was looked at, with fires on mobile equipment again becoming a significant trend in reported incidents. The alert provided by WorkSafe last year on this issue will be reviewed to ensure it is still current.
• Plans have been proposed by DSE for the evacuation of persons from State forests during Code Red (Catastrophic) periods. It was noted that there are a lot of mines and exploration activities located in forests and these present an issue of notification let alone the difficulty and viability of evacuation. DSE has agreed to widen their consultation process to include industries (mining, quarries and exploration) regarding this proposal.
• The NMSF harmonised national regulations are progressing with draft instructions having been given to Safe Work Australia. Guidance material is being developed at present and industry should be called upon to assist with technical issues. The draft regulations should be available for public comment in November 2010.
• An overview was presented on a number of design issues in mobile equipment, in particular older vehicles. The main concerns were seating and the size of vehicles which made maintenance and cleaning access difficult. Comments made expressed a need for standards and minimum requirements for plant coming into the state.

CMPA AGM & DINNER

The Secretariat is busy making the final arrangements for the CMPA Annual General Meeting and Dinner to be held on Saturday 21st August at the RACV Club in Melbourne.

With the CMPA now in its 11th year, let’s hope this year’s function kicks off the second decade with a bang. On behalf of the CMPA Management Committee, we look forward to celebrating the successes of the past year with you.

To keep us all entertained throughout the night, there will be roving entertainment, a comedy feature act and a silent auction. It promises to be the social event of the year.

The dinner has been strongly supported by the Associate Members so it should be an informative as well as fun evening.

As a reminder, the event details are:

DATE: Saturday 21 August 2010
TIME: 5.00pm AGM 6.30pm Annual Dinner
VENUE: RACV Club, Melbourne 501 Bourke Street
COST: $95 per person
RSVP: Friday 6 August 2010

Onsite accommodation at the RACV Club, Melbourne is available and can be booked by calling 03 9944 8888.

Additional weekend activities include: AFL or NRL matches, National Museum, Melbourne Aquarium, Melbourne Zoo, Crown Complex, Southgate Precinct and many more.

RECENT EVENTS

Associates Committee Meeting held at William Adams, Clayton.

Shot Firers Refresher Training & Assessment conducted at Box Hill.

Ken Norris attended a public hearing regarding the Inquiry into the EES Process in Victoria.

CMPA Representatives met with Cameron Caine (Liberal Party member for the Federal Seat of McKwen) and Craig Hunter (Liberal Party member for the Federal Seat of Bendigo) to discuss concerns regarding the RSPT.

Robin Hocking attended a consultation meeting regarding the Transforming VCAT strategic plan.

Tom McKenny, Tom Kerr (Conundrum Holdings) and Trevor Chapman (Watco Partners) attended the open-session workshop on the RSPT conducted by Treasury.

Work Safely and Conduct Crushing & Screening training courses were held at Bendigo.

Andrew Lumb attended a briefing on Native Title Settlement Framework OH&S Networking Workshop was conducted at William Adams, Laverton.
CMPA RSPT Rally was held in Bendigo on 18th June 2010.

Management Committee Meeting held in Kilmore.

CMPA Representatives attended the RSPT Round table conducted by DPI.

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