CMPA NEWS (Issue 49)

By ROGER BUCKLEY

It has been a busy start to the year with several Members’ events, continued liaison with Government on the high cost and extended time in gaining approvals for new quarry operations and additional submissions to Government on various industry issues. CMPA Executive Director ROGER BUCKLEY provides a summary of the latest happenings.

SUBMISSIONS TO VICROADS

VicRoads has sought comment from interested CMPA Members on proposed changes to their draft Specification Section 821 Cementitiously Treated Crushed Concrete For Pavement Subbase and corresponding Green Notes documentation as well as the draft revised Code Of Practice For Surveillance Of Testing Of Materials And Work, RC 500.11.

Thanks to those Members who provided valuable industry comment on these issues. This will make these documents more practical and usable in the future.

CMPA MEMBERS DAY

A successful day was held for over 50 CMPA Members, government staff and other industry personnel at Bendigo on 18th March. The day consisted of:

• Site visit to Allstone Quarries, Newbridge to inspect the newly installed Kodiak K400+ cone crusher.
• Guarding Workshop which outlined the legal obligations of quarry operators, raised industry knowledge and helped to develop industry agreed best practices, including a presentation by WorkSafe.
• Members General Meeting where VicRoads provided an overview of recent changes, DPI provided a summary of rehabilitation bonds and Mead Partners provided some handy hints on managing credit during these economic conditions.

“It was great to see so many Members get together, share some stories and learn more about operating a successful quarry” said CMPA Chairperson, Tim Bird.

More detail on the event will follow in the next edition of Sand & Stone. The event was proudly sponsored by Astec Australia.

MANAGEMENT MEETINGS

The Associate Committee met in February to discuss arrangements for the CMPA Annual Dinner. They were all most impressed with the RACV Club as the venue for the event. Organisation for the Dinner is advancing well and all is set for a great evening of fun, entertainment and networking.

The Management Committee met in March to discuss budgets, key activities for next year, industry policy development, Annual Dinner, Government liaison activities, potential new Members and the new CMPA Innovation Awards.

MUSCULOTOSKELETAL DISORDERS

A recent survey of NSW quarries by the NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council indicates that musculotoskeletal disorders are an ongoing OHS issue. Whilst legislation between the states is different, the type of work is not and learnings from the survey are still relevant to Victoria.

One of the key findings was that back, upper and lower limb injuries were the most common with lifting and handling loads the main cause of injury. Job design was the prime factor in reducing the incident of these injuries.

More detail of the survey results can be found at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/minerals/safety

HELP NEEDED

Do you know someone who is a good writer with a little bit of spare time who needs some extra cash? The CMPA needs someone with an understanding of how quarries operate to assist with the writing of the next series of Reference Manuals.

This would be a great part time job for a university student and a great opportunity to learn more about the industry.

Please contact the Secretariat on Ph. 5781 0655 if you are interested in the role.

STATUTORY ENDORSEMENT OF WORK PLANS

DPI has proposed that in an effort to reduce the duplication of referrals to referral agencies such as DSE during the approval process for new quarries or the extension of existing operations, the endorsement of the work plan become a statutory process.

The CMPA supports the aim of this proposal which is in fact a key recommendation from the report An Unsustainable Future. However, it believes that the proposal on balance will not reduce red tape and may well lead to a proponent having to battle through VCAT twice as well as having to complete an expensive Cultural Heritage Management Plan early in the process even before a Work Plan is endorsed. CMPA will continue to work with DPI to achieve this aim of reducing duplication of referrals.

LINKING WITH INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

Small to medium regional and rural businesses, including construction material processors, are encouraged to sign up to the Regional Industry Link (RIL) program to link their business with opportunities and major projects.

RIL provides registered businesses with automatic notification of relevant opportunities where their goods or services are in demand. Registration is free and RIL can link you to hundreds of projects across the State. Register at www.regionalindustrylink.com.au

EXCESSIVE VICTORIAN RED TAPE MAKES NATIONAL NEWS

Following the release of the CMPA report An Unsustainable Future late last year, the nationally distributed Contractor magazine ran an article in their February edition on the slow costly approvals process for quarries titled “Tangled web, Quarries battle regulatory maze”.

The article quoted the CMPA and key issues from the report extensively and reinforces the credible research the CMPA has conducted in this area.

As the article states, “A rise in time, cost and complexity of accessing new quarry sites and expanding existing operations is fueling action across Australia for a reduction in red tape”.

Time will tell whether this Government will act to reduce time and costs in gaining approvals for new quarry operations.

NEW IDEAS FOR CMPA WORKSHOPS

Do you have any bright ideas for CMPA workshops for 2010?

The CMPA has run a series of interactive workshops on various issues in recent times including guarding, dust management, screens and working at quarry faces with participants from industry, regulators and unions to gain an industry wide perspective.

The Secretariat is keen to get ideas from Members on safety/operational issues that would benefit from a workshop with a people from across industry assessing the issues and developing proposed solutions.

Please contact the CMPA Secretariat on Ph 5781 0655 with your idea.

INDUSTRY POLICY

As one of the key aims of the CMPA is to reduce regulatory burden and to reduce the time and cost of red tape to the industry, the CMPA will be developing industry policy statements on key issues that affect extractive industry operators.

Policy statements on issues such as:

• Government stewardship of key stone resources,
• Duplication of approvals process,
• High costs and lengthy time delays of VCAT appeals,
• Costs and uncertainty of the Native Vegetation Framework,
• Increasing costs and time to deal with cultural heritage issues, and
• Community engagement will be made available during this election year.

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

Just like the strength of your favorite footy team is measured by the number of Members, the strength of the CMPA is dependent on a wide and active membership base.

Do you know of any suppliers to your operation that would benefit from being a CMPA Member? Do you know of any nearby construction material processors who would benefit from being part of the CMPA family?

If you answered yes to these questions, please contact the Secretariat on Ph 5781 0655 and we can approach the relevant company to outline all the benefits of being a CMPA Member. After all, more than 200 Members can’t be wrong!

SHOTFIRERS REFRESHER TRAINING & ASSESSMENT

Is your Shot Firers licence near the end of its 5 year term? Have you received a request from WorkSafe to renew your Shot Firers licence?

If so, you need to attend the 1 day CMPA organised refresher training course for currently licensed Shot Firers, presented by Box Hill Institute of TAFE.

The training will be conducted in the morning and followed in the afternoon by the Victorian WorkCover Authority examination for the Use of Blasting Explosives.

DATE: Tuesday 11th May 2010
TIME: 8.30am—4.30pm
WHERE: Box Hill Institute of TAFE, Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill
COST: $400 Members, $500 Non Members, (includes $150 WorkSafe fee)

EXPLOSIVES ACT PACK

Compilation of relevant Explosives Regulations & Australian Standards. Suggested pre examination reading and a great reference to have in the lunch room.

COST: $250 CMPA Members,$400 Non Members

Contact the CMPA Secretariat for more information on 1300 267 222 or enquiries@cmpavic.asn.au

RECENT EVENTS

Members of the CMPA Management Committee met with the Minister for Energy & Resources, Hon. Peter Batchelor to discuss issues raised in the An Unsustainable Future report. Time will tell whether this Government will act to reduce time and costs in gaining approvals for new quarry operations.

Roger and Basil Natoli meet with senior management of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria to discuss the increasing cost and time associated with gaining a Cultural Heritage Management Plan.

Roger and Ken Norris met with senior management of the Department of Sustainability & Environment to discuss the increasing cost and time associated with the Native Vegetation Framework.

Roger and interested CMPA Members met with VicRoads to discuss the impediments and drivers to expand the use of recycled material in road construction projects.

Roger attended the Earth Resources Tripartite Safety Forum meeting held at Oaklands Junction with WorkSafe, unions and representatives from the extractives, mining and prospecting sectors.

Roger and Ron Kerr met with DPI to discuss their proposal to make the endorsement of the work plan a statutory process.

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