CMPA NEWS (Issue 53)

CMPA Secretariat provides an update of the latest news and happenings. We take this opportunity to wish all Members a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

EPA VIC COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT REVIEW DISCUSSION PAPER

The CMPA has provided comments to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on their Victorian Compliance and Enforcement review discussion paper.

A number of forums were held around Victoria seeking comments from stakeholders and the community.

The EPA is considering a different approach to the way that it currently enforces the regulations that apply in Victoria. The EPA is especially interested in risk management principles particularly when it formulates future compliance requirements.

The CMPA has no objection to this approach provided that the EPA regularly discusses issues with industry and visits sites to clarify and advise the relevant businesses on any issue that may arise.

Following on from this the CMPA also considers that a consistent approach in the enforcement of regulations right across Victoria is an important factor that EPA must adopt. It should make no difference where the Industry is located, the same message and treatment of the individual business is paramount.

The CMPA also advised the EPA that there is an urgent need to streamline the approvals process for businesses trying to obtain the necessary approvals for establishing new or making variations to an existing site.

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

2010/11 ASSOCIATES REFERENCE MANUAL

The 2010/11 Associates Reference Manual is finally complete and will be in the mail to you shortly. The manual is slightly larger than last year due to an increase in Associate Members, up from 82 to 89.

Thank you to the twenty eight Members who have taken out ads your support is greatly appreciated. Remember to Support the Suppliers who support you.

QUARRY VISITS TO NORTH WEST VICTORIA

The Secretariat’s Development Manager Adrian Town recently spent a few days in the North West of Victoria visiting current voting Members and meeting with potential Members. Quarry visits are a great way to not only say hello and put faces to names but to obtain valuable information on how the CMPA is travelling and how we can better help your business to grow.

The three days involved site visits of nine Members and six potential Members.

It was great to hear that all Voting Members were very appreciative of what the CMPA does for its Members. The CMPA’s attitude towards education, safety and compliance are a major plus and draw card towards attracting membership. The CMPA’s involvement with the RSPT and Truck Rally were well supported.

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

VISIT TO MEMBERS SITES BY EARTH RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

On the 10 November 2010 Dr Mike Hollitt the Executive Director of Earth Resources Development Division visited two Member sites, Northern Quarries at Cooper Street and Galli Quarries at Kilmore, accompanied by Tim Bird CMPA Chairperson and Bruce McClure CMPA General Manager.

Mike had discussions with a number of CMPA Members at both sites and showed considerable interest in the comments from those present. With his strong minerals industry background he has an excellent understanding of the need for a strong, viable and profitable Extractives Industry in Victoria.

A detailed article on Mike’s visit will be in the next issue of Sand & Stone.

URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARY REVIEW

The CMPA has provided comments to the Growth Areas Authority (GAA) on their review of the Urban Growth Boundary.

The CMPA previously commented on the Urban Growth Boundary review in July 2009 but further comments were sort from GAA following State Government changes to the boundary since then. The three areas of concern that the CMPA discussed in its submission were:

Strategic assessment of Extractive Industry Interest areas (EIIAs)

Urban development is proposed to occur through large tracts of EIIAs in the west around Rockbank, in the north around Donnybrook and Beveridge, and in the east near Clyde. The CMPA is highly concerned that these interest areas may be reduced as a result of this review.

Unsustainable future in the Melbourne Growth area of quarry products

Future work authority sites identified and currently located within the UGB will not be sufficient to cater for the required quarry products needed in the UGB by 2030. The CMPA maintains that this leads to the need for future resources of quarry products to be identified and the land reserved for this use. There is no evidence that industry or the State is preparing for a future where there will be shortage of materials in the UGB.

Based on the predicted population increase in Melbourne from 2011 to 2036 of 1,452,609 people, a total of approximately 14.5 million additional tonnes of quarry products, will be required over that period. Based on current usage and projected population growth it is estimated that approximately 1.3 billion tonnes of quarry products will be required by Melbourne community over the next 26 years (to 2036).

The use of buffer zones

For some work authority sites it may not be possible for any development or activity to occur within the buffer zones, for others it will be possible for certain activities to take place working in conjunction with the quarry.

The CMPA has commented that provided there are strict guidelines and clear and agreed demarcation of responsibilities in place that such activities should not be ruled out.

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

CCF – FORUM ON CONTAMINATED SOIL

The CMPA was recently represented at a Contaminated Soil workshop run by the Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) in conjunction with the EPA.

The topics covered at the forum included:

• EPA emerging trends, what’s new?
• Understanding environmental site assessments.
• Managing remediation projects & OHS.
• Current soil treatments and emerging technologies.
• Pre contract roles and responsibilities for the contractor and client.
• Disposal of contaminated soil to landfill.
• Spotswood remediation project and other practical examples.

If any Member would like to obtain a copy of any of the papers prepared for each of the above topics please contact the Secretariat and a copy will be sent out to you.

One area of interest to Members may be the Draft Clean Fill Soil Guideline discussion paper prepared by the CCF. Some of our Members do allow clean fill from outside sources onto their sites and this document will be of interest. A copy has been sent to a number of Members seeking their comments on the document.

Please contact the Secretariat if you would like a copy of the Draft CCF discussion paper.

HELP REQUIRED

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

• How to Conduct Blending & Mixing Operations
• How to Conduct Sand Operations
• Service and Maintenance of Screens, Crushers, Conveyors, Bins and Hoppers

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 if you are interested in the role, phone 5781 0655.

AGM & DINNER 2011 – ECHUCA/MOAMA

The CMPA AGM & Dinner goes into regional Victoria in 2011. Associate Chairperson, Mark Thompson and Secretariat’s Administration Officer Gavin Moreira recently visited five potential venues in Echuca/Moama.

The visits involved obtaining quotes, tours of the venues and rooms and looking for qualities that will make our event a success and impress CMPA Members and their guests.

A report and photos were provided to the CMPA Management Committee who decided on the Moama Bowling Club as the venue for next year.

A fun and exciting time is being planned for Echuca/Moama including additional activities to be held across the weekend for Members to get involved. Activities could include team events such as Go Karts, Paintball and Golf; or other leisurely activities such as paddle steamer cruises, winery visits or food and wine trails.

The Secretariat welcomes your ideas and suggestions for things to do on the weekend.

At present, event details are:

Date: Saturday 27th August 2011
Time: 5.00pm AGM 6.30pm Annual Dinner
Venue: Moama Bowling Club, 6 Shaw Street, Moama

Please book the date into your diary now as Echuca/Moama is a very popular tourist destination, look out for further information in future issues of Sand & Stone.

RECENT EVENTS

Secretariat met with Jim Malady from Australian Reliance Pty Ltd to discuss issues surrounding different insurance products in the market.

Garry Cranny and Ron Kerr attended a Skills DMC Meeting via teleconference to discuss continuous improvements to the Quarry Training Package including resource materials and assessment tools.

Adrian Town spent three days in North Western Victoria meeting with existing and potential Members.

Secretariat and Mark Thompson (Associate Chairperson) visited Echuca/Moama sourcing potential venues for the 2011 CMPA AGM & Dinner.

Tim Bird and Basil Natoli attended the DPI Earth Resources Regulation Stakeholders Meeting.

Bruce McClure attended the EPA Forum in Bendigo.

Bruce McClure attended the CCF Forum on Contaminated Soil.

Secretariat in conjunction with Box Hill TAFE and WorkSafe Victoria conducted a Blast Management Workshop in Tullamarine.

Secretariat and Members of the Management Committee attended various DPI Mineral and Extractive Industries Information Days held throughout Victoria.

Basil Natoli, Garry Cranny and Bruce McClure attended the DPI MRSDA Phase 2 Workshop discussing issues surrounding Work Plans, Authorities and Planning requirements.

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