CMPA NEWS (Issue 48)

By ROGER BUCKLEY

The release of the An Unsustainable Future report has kept the Secretariat busy as well as visiting members and providing industry comment on regulatory and legislative changes. ROGER BUCKLEY, CMPA Executive Director, provides an overview.

SUBMISSION ON EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY REGULATIONS

The CMPA recently made a submission to DPI on the Extractive Industries Regulation Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS). The RIS is required by law to help ensure that the benefits of the proposed Regulations outweigh the costs in order to achieve a net benefit.

Of particular concern to the CMPA is the narrow definition of costs used within the RIS. CMPA members contributed their estimate of developing and implementing Community Engagement Plans (CEP) to DPI only for the RIS to ignore their estimates as it was considered that the cost of only developing the CEP as relevant to the RIS.

This is not representative of the true cost of new regulation and is another example of Government ignoring industry on the costs of red tape.

VISIT TO GIPPSLAND MEMBERS

Over two days Roger Buckley and Adrian Town visited several CMPA Gippsland members as well as two potential members. It was a great opportunity to see their quarries in operation, find out the issues affecting members as well as provide members with an update on the latest activities of the CMPA. Copies of the various Reference Manuals were also available for viewing.

STATE PLANNING REVIEW

The CMPA has provided a submission on the review of the State Planning Policy Framework (SPPF). The SPPF is a high level planning document that represents state policy which local planning authorities implement into their local planning systems.

The CMPA submission focused on the role of government steward ship through the identification and protection of key strategic stone resources.

WEBSITE UPDATE

The CMPA website holds a wealth of information on your Association. It has recently been updated with the latest information on:

• the suppliers who support the CMPA,
• details of the available reference manuals,
• back copies of Sand & Stone magazine,
• complete copy of the CMPA report, An Unsustainable Future: The prohibitive costs of securing access to construction material resources in Victoria,
• copies of all the CMPA submissions to Government representing members views, and
• latest training and events.

The CMPA is your association, make the most of your membership and use the available services.

NEW EPA NOISE GUIDELINES

The CMPA will be seeking comment from members on the latest EPA draft noise guidelines, Noise from Industry in Regional Victoria (NIRV), to be released for consultation in January/February 2010.

This document will set recommended noise levels for industry operations in regional areas of Victoria. Accompanying NIRV will be a guideline on the planning permit approval processes around noise.

The recommended levels in NIRV are non-statutory. However, they can be given effect through planning permits, work authorities and enforcement notices. EPA recognises the importance of proper assessment of noise, based on the risk of impact on residents, so that approval bodies apply recommended levels carefully.

The CMPA will distribute copies of the draft guidelines to interested members and compile comments back to the EPA as a consolidated document. Members assistance in this process is gratefully acknowledged.

SELLING THE MESSAGE – AN UNSUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Following the publication of the CMPA report An Unsustainable Future: The prohibitive costs of securing access to construction material resources in Victoria, the CMPA Management Committee and Secretariat have been holding a series of meetings with government bureaucrats and politicians.

The key message that Victoria’s community is at risk of having to pay more for houses and roads due to a slow, costly, repetitive, uncertain planning approvals process combined with ever increasing regulatory burden has been forcefully delivered.

Discussions have been held with the following parties:

• DPI Earth Resources Division management team – agreed to consider the report in detail and continue to engage with the CMPA in working to resolve the issues identified.
• Director Investment Facilitation, Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development – agreed to consider the report in detail and suggest next steps but the extractive industry is not a priority industry that DIIRD focuses on.
• Office of Minister for Energy & Resources – agreed to consider the report in detail. Meeting with Minister and the CMPA Management Committee could be arranged for early 2010.
• Office of Minister for Regional and Rural Development – agreed to consider the report in detail. Meeting with Minister and the CMPA Management Committee could be arranged for early 2010.
• Shadow Minister for Energy & Resources agreed to consider the report in detail. Meeting with Shadow Minister and the CMPA Management Committee could be arranged for early 2010.
• Shadow Minister for Planning – agreed to consider the report in detail. Meeting with Shadow Minister and the CMPA Management Committee could be arranged for early 2010.

Additional meetings will be scheduled in early 2010 with relevant politicians and other Government agencies such as Department of Sustainability & Environment, Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and the Municipal Association of Victoria.

This is the start of a long journey and it takes significant time and effort for industry to push for changes in government policy.

Member’s will be kept informed of progress.

ASSOCIATE VISITS BY SECRETARIAT

The coming months will see Gavin Moreira visit Associate Members to not only say hello and put faces to names but obtain valuable information on how the CMPA is travelling and how we can better help your company grow.

The first visits were held in the western part of Melbourne on Monday 7th December. This involved site visits of six members and a potential member.

The Associates were very happy with the presentation, content and advertising opportunities in both CMPA publications Sand & Stone and the Associates Reference Manual. They also acknowledged the numerous networking opportunities associated with sponsoring the AGM and dinner, the General Meeting of members and other workshops and training days throughout the year.

There was also anticipation and excitement around future upgrades to the CMPA website to incorporate links to members’ websites as well as different forms of advertising online.

It was great to hear that all Associates were very appreciative of what the CMPA does for its members. The CMPA’s attitude towards safety and compliance is a major plus and draw card towards attracting membership.

The Associates are all looking and hoping to get more involved with quarrying in the New Year to improve and expand their businesses.

Thank you to all the members recently visited by Gavin for taking the time to show him around your site and providing him with valuable information.

CMPA MANAGEMENT MEETING

In November there was a joint CMPA Associate/Management Committee meeting. A total of 17 people attended the meeting which discussed issues around the next AGM and Annual Dinner, budget, pricing of CMPA material, possible development of CMPA Awards, increasing CMPA membership and issues to be discussed at future Workshops.

John Mitas from DPI also addressed the meeting, outlining the latest restructure of the Earth Resources Division, DPI, audit program, new extractive industry regulations, community engagement and review of the MRSDA.

Thanks to Caterpillar Institute VICTAS for their generous hospitality.

MEMBERS DAY AT BENDIGO

A big day is planned for CMPA members in Bendigo for Thursday 18th March 2010 including:

SITE VISIT – to Allstone Quarries to inspect newly installed Astec crusher.
Time: 10am
Venue: Allstone Quarries, Wimmera Hwy, 7km east of Newbridge

GUARDING WORKSHOP – look at obligations of operators, raise industry knowledge and to develop industry agreed best practices, including presentation by WorkSafe.

Time: 12 noon – 4pm (includes lunch)
Venue: All Seasons Hotel, 171 McIvor Road, Bendigo
Cost: $40 CMPA Members, $70 others

MEMBERS GENERAL MEETING – opportunity for members to hear the outcomes of recent CMPA activities as well as plans for the future. It is also an opportunity for members to have their say about the direction of the CMPA. Special guest speaker will be advised.

Time: 5 – 7.30pm (includes dinner)
Venue: All Seasons Hotel, 171 McIvor Road, Bendigo
Cost: $40 CMPA Members

Please contact the CMPA by phoning 03 5781 0655 to book your place at one of these events.

Proudly sponsored by Astec Australia.

RECENT EVENTS

The Shot Firers Refresher Training Course for currently licensed Shot Firers was presented by Box Hill Institute of TAFE in Ballarat on 24th November. The training was conducted in the morning followed by the examination for the Use of Blasting Explosives in the afternoon.

A successful CMPA Dust Workshop was conducted at Komatsu Cambellfield on 3rd December. Over 20 people from industry, Government and unions attended the afternoon discussing issues around dust generation and control.

Copies of the CMPA 2009/10 Associates & General Information Reference Manual were distributed to all members in early December. This provides the details of all the suppliers who support the CMPA. Please support these suppliers where practical and remember to mention that you are a CMPA Member.

Roger Buckley together with Tim Bird and Basil Natoli represented members views at the recent DPI Workshop on the Review of the MRSDA. Issues discussed included streamlining the approvals process, government stewardship of the stone resource, community consultation, compensation, royalties and rehabilitation bonds.

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