CMPA celebrates 25 years
DR ELIZABETH GIBSON, CMPA General Manager
From small beginnings (that first meeting at BP in Epping which quite a few of you remember) CMPA has evolved into a peak body that is the go-to industry association for Government (though sometimes they are hard of hearing), quarry and construction material processor owners.
The CMPA represents ~220 quarries across Victoria (with some Members also having quarries interstate) that accounts for over half the production of construction materials in the State.
A relatively small industry by employee size, it underpins the construction industry with 250,000 employees dependent on the products for residential development, hospitals, schools, roads etc in Victoria.
Over 25 years CMPA has worked tirelessly to assist Members with lifting the standards within the industry firstly through the development of the Work Safely reference manual which aligns with the two units of competency from the RII09
Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package being:
• RIIWHS201E
Work Safely and follow WHS Policies and Procedures
• RIIRIS201E
Conduct Local Risk Control,
to delivering training and updating the Manual. The Work Safely reference manual is updated ~every 3 years for legislative changes and developments. Currently, after the most recent update, Work Safely refresher training has been given across Victoria in 2024 and 2025.
On the introduction of the risk-based work plans in 2015, the CMPA identified that individual members were expending vast amounts of money on consultants, so CMPA Management Plan templates were prepared with industry and government input in areas such as Blasting, Traffic, Noise, Dust, Silica, Pest animal and noxious weeds, Fire response and readiness etc. to reduce costs.
The major role of CMPA is advocacy of the industry to government and the community.
For example:
In 2010 was the Bendigo Resources Super Profit Tax (RSPT) Rally. Achieving its primary aim of excluding extractive industries from the proposed federal RSPT – a victory for common sense.
In 2023, EPA introduced financial assurances (FA) (~$250/ tonne leading to FAs of ~$6 million -$100+ million) for the storage of construction and demolition waste (C&D) for recycling. CMPA members demonstrated good quality control, management and value of incoming C&D waste to the EPA.
The FAs were reduced to $0.
Advocacy is continuing for risk-based rehabilitation bonds, limitation of adverse impacts predicted from the introduction of the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act reform, Earth Resource Regulator cost recovery fees, work plan applications etc.
A more complete 25-year history of CMPA (for which all
have been invited to contribute) is currently being compiled and will be available at the Annual Dinner on 30th August 2025 at Centerpiece, Melbourne Park.
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