CMPA Annual Report

The following is a summary of the CMPA Annual Report.

Chairperson’s Report – Jason Comben

A summary of the Chairperson’s report, prepared by Dr Elizabeth Gibson.

The most important set of issues confronting the Extractive Industries sector include:

• Identification, security, and certainty of access to Victoria’s supply of extractive resources
• Rehabilitation bonds
• Proposed MRSDA reforms

The CMPA has continued to support and advocate as the peak body for the construction material industry in 2024/25. We have held nine workshops/webinars welcoming 300 attendees an increase in attendees of 91% on 2023/24 (see Education Committee Report for more detail). Many thanks to Associate Members, Voting Members and government regulators who have provided expert speakers to these events.

We are continuing with the Quarries Building Communities campaign: brochures and posters have been updated with relevant facts which are available to Members.

The CMPA has committed to strengthening its endeavours to work 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 the draft Mobile Equipment Operator Verification of Competencies Guidelines and assessment protocols.

Guidelines produced by the CMPA are aimed at supporting Members to meet industry best practice and thereby improve both OHS 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, including:

• Mineral Resources Sustainable Development Amendment Bill 2023 (in force 1 July 2027).
• Rehabilitation and the rehabilitation bond calculator.
• Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2027
• Simplification and cost reduction of Extractive Industries Work Plan approvals including a review of conditions in Work Plans and Planning Permits.
• Working with Government on Aboriginal Heritage information for Members.
• Advocating for separation of Extractive Industries (quarries) from the mining, coal mining and coal seam gas sectors in the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act.
• Development of various submissions for Government Policies, Regulations and Codes of Practice that impact the future of the industry
• Development of:
  • Environmental dust and environmental RSD management Guidelines
  • Greenhouse gas emission reduction in the construction material processors industry Guideline.
  • Slimes Management Guideline review
  • Progressive Rehabilitation Guidelines, Sand and Hard Rock
  • Guarding on-line employee training unit
• Providing input to Department of Transport and Planning on a range of strategic issues such as introduction of recycled materials where fit for purpose and freight transport
• CMPA Mobile Equipment Operator Verification of Competency framework
• Guarding employee on-line training unit

Editable versions of the CMPA guidelines are provided free to Members via your login in the Members Area of the CMPA website and pdf copies can be viewed / downloaded by the community also via the CMPA website.

We continue to advocate for the entire construction materials industry with specific focus on the needs of our CMPA members, both voting and associates. The CMPA attends numerous forums, events, workshops and meetings with politicians, bureaucrats and other stake holders making detailed submissions, valuable contributions, providing advice and insight.

Finally, thank you to the members of the Management Committee and Associate Member Committee for the contribution of their valuable time and the continual support of all CMPA Members. They proudly volunteer their time on your behalf.

Associate Chairperson’s Report – Mark Thompson

It was encouraging to see our industry remain strong throughout the year. Global supply and labour constraints have continued to challenge associates and members alike. This coupled with the high demand for products and services had all of us chasing our tail. The continued partnership between our Voting Members and Associates has seen all of us continue our businesses with some confidence. The associates are proud to continue supporting the privately owned businesses represented by the CMPA.

Our Associate Members continue to sponsor and attend the various Training programs run by the CMPA in the regional areas – whilst the working landscape has changed somewhat.

Face-to-face catch ups continue to be popular and still have overwhelming benefits for Voting Members and Associates alike to share experiences and network.

Virtual Training certainly has its benefits and can help reduce the amount of travel for our large and diverse Member base. It goes without saying that we have still been able to facilitate high quality interactions among attendees, with many business opportunities being covered off.

The increasing presence of the CMPA on LinkedIn continues to provide the Association with an excellent platform for both media releases and articles of interest. With the additional launch of Facebook and Instagram pages, the CMPA continues to try and reach a wider and diverse audience. This area has also seen significant growth in recent times as it has with LinkedIn.

Our Preferred Supplier and General Information Reference Manual is an invaluable resource, providing detailed information on Associates’ products and services. This booklet is particularly popular among the operations teams of our Voting Members.

Given its importance, it is crucial that Associates actively highlight their presence in the manual during site visits. This practice will enhance product sourcing within the group and ensure that our offerings are well-known and utilised.

I would like to take this opportunity to formally thank both the Associates Committee and non-committee members for their dedicated participation in our meetings. Your constructive involvement, efforts to address key industry issues, and sharing of innovative ideas have been invaluable.

Together, we have created a robust think-tank that effectively represents the views and expectations of our Associates, and your contributions are greatly appreciated.

My special thanks to our dedicated team of Dr. Elizabeth Gibson, Gavin Moreira (resigned 8 April 2025), Sarah Andrew and April Everitt for their unwavering support throughout the year.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to every member of the CMPA Management Committee and the Associates Committee. Together, we continue to collaborate effectively and address challenges with a unified purpose: that is, to improve our industry. Thank you for making the role of Associate Chairperson a pleasurable one.

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.

Treasurer’s report – John Pititto

With the 2024/25 financial year now concluded, I am pleased to present the Treasurer’s Report on the Audited Financial Statements for the CMPA.

Total income for the year was lower than the previous year, with the most notable reduction being AGM revenue, due in part to being held at a smaller venue (note: the event was at capacity).

Membership subscriptions remained the largest source of income, holding steady on a year-on-year basis. Additional contributions were generated through improved investment strategies for cash reserves, taking advantage of the higher interest rate environment.

As with many organisations, total operating costs increased compared to the previous year, with key variances including:

• Increased website maintenance costs
• Higher employment expenses, including a payout to Gavin Moreira upon his resignation.

Employment expenses continued to be the largest single cost. Following Gavin Moreira’s departure, several financial administration tasks have been outsourced, which is expected to generate cost savings. The Management Committee is also reviewing alternative roles to strengthen member services and recruitment, ensuring members remain the central focus of the Association.

The CMPA finished the year with an operating profit and total funds held across the cash management account, including two cash maximiser accounts, and a term deposit will continue to be managed prudently to benefit CMPA members and support the Association’s advocacy efforts.

The CMPA remains in a strong financial position and will continue to allocate substantial resources to provide support and legislative guidance, reducing burdens for members wherever possible. These resources are critical to sustaining our advocacy efforts and member services.

We extend our appreciation to all Associate Members for their continued support through membership renewals for the coming year, and to all CMPA Members for their ongoing commitment to the Association.

Special thanks go to Gavin Moreira for his years of service and his invaluable assistance in my role as Treasurer. We wish him every success in his new position. Thanks also to Mead Partners for preparing the annual accounts, and to our auditors, Ganci Auditors, for their thorough work.

Secretariat’s Report – by Dr Elizabeth Gibson for Sarah Andrew

The Secretariat has seen changes this year with Gavin resigning in April and the appointment of a casual administrator, Courtney to assist with the Annual Dinner. Elizabeth and April continued in their respective roles, bringing great benefit to the Association and its Members whilst recruitment is underway for a Member Services Officer and a Member Recruitment Officer.

Likewise, the support provided by Members to the Secretariat is greatly appreciated and we look forward to your continued support, welcoming others who may be able to assist.

Elizabeth and Gavin continued representing the CMPA on various bodies. Gavin attended the Earth Resources Tripartite Safety Committee (Chaired by WorkSafe Victoria).

Elizabeth invested considerable time and energy representing the CMPA to Ministers, Shadow Ministers, advisers and senior public servants, and in particular 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.
• Member of the Strategic Workforce Advisory Panel (SWAP), Australian Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (Federal VET Education).
• EPA Resources, Energy and Extraction Stakeholder Consultation Group.
• MRSD Act Reform.

A limited number of site visits took place in 2024/25 however more frequent phone calls have been made to Members and Elizabeth is keeping everyone updated. For example, seeking submissions for the inaugural CMPA Progressive Rehabilitation Award and informing Members concerning the potential increase in Earth Resources Regulator fees and Annual fees.

Information Flow

Sand & Stone continues to be the primary communication tool of the CMPA, keeping Members informed. Our thanks are extended to the designers at Newspaper House in Kilmore and publishers at Enviroprint group. We of course extend our sincerest thanks to 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 incidents that have occurred across the state, nation and internationally to improve the state of knowledge in the industry and upcoming events.

LinkedIn has received considerable attention this year, with the Secretariat making regular posts on the CMPA’s account. Other social media accounts have been created including Facebook and Instagram. All Members were invited to follow the CMPA earlier this year and we acknowledge those who chose to follow.

I would like to again highlight the essential support received 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 where possible.

Membership

Membership numbers over the last financial year have remained steady. The Secretariat is determined to ensure the industry’s future composition will not be characterised by 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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