CMPA NEWS (Issue 56)

By on April 2, 2011

CMPA Secretariat provides an update of the latest news and happenings.

MINISTER FOR PLANNING, MATTHEW GUY

On March 28 this year, the CMPA met with the Hon Matt hew Guy, Minister for Planning in the current state government. The CMPA was represented at this meeting by Ron Kerr, CMPA’s Honorary CEO, Bruce McClure, CMPA’s General Manager, Peter Barro from Barro Group and Basil Natoli from Bell Cochrane and Associates.

The key issues raised included:

  • Lack of State stewardship of the extractive resources, particularly in identifying strategic stone resources through targeted geological mapping and drilling initiatives and to ensure high level planning protection of identified strategic stone resources.
  • The excessive financial burden resulting from native vegetation and cultural heritage. Both issues have unnecessarily added high cost and time to the industry and have the potential to affect future housing and infrastructure affordability.
  • Need for streamlining of the planning approvals process through the central management of Work Authority/Work Plan applications by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI). The DPI should be empowered to manage planning referral obligations to referral agencies to achieve an endorsed Work Plan, eliminating duplication of referrals. Council approval processes should focus on offsite impacts.
  • Improvements required to the VCAT process particularly the costs associated with it, the need to focus on the issues of the hearing on hand and the need to ensure re-submission is a last resort.

Those attending felt the Minister was genuinely interested in the concerns raised and the CMPA will keep in contact with him on matters pertaining to his portfolio.

ASSOCIATE VISITS BY SECRETARIAT

Administration Officer Gavin Moreira hit the road again on Monday 11th April for the third time in as many months; this time to visit Associate Members in regional Victoria between Bendigo and Ballarat.

A great opportunity once again 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 companies grow.

The day involved site visits of three Associate Members; Claypro (Aust) Pty Ltd, Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE and the Lincom Group as well as a potential member and a visit with Tim Bird at Allstone Quarry.

The Associates visited were very happy with the presentation, content and advertising opportunities in both CMPA publications Sand & Stone and the Associates Reference Manual. They are all very keen to contribute articles about their business and their latest products to keep Members aware of what they can provide. 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 is much anticipation around the 2011 AGM & Dinner in Echuca/Moama, which looks to be a very fun filled weekend.

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 the association 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.

REFINING THE MINERAL RESOURCES (SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT) ACT 1990

The DPI will be releasing in early May 2011 the eight discussion papers that will underpin the development of proposals for legislative change associated with work approvals processes that are governed by the Mineral Resources Sustainable Development Amendment Act 2010 and other government acts/agencies. The list of discussion papers are shown below.

  • Work Plans and Authorities
  • Planning Requirements
  • Work Approval Requirements and Streamlining Processes
  • Stone Stewardship and Searching for Stone
  • Decision makers, inquiry, review and dispute resolution
  • Enforcement Provisions
  • Rehabilitation Bonds
  • Other Strategic Issues

Based on submissions received from industry bodies and any follow up discussions, policy position papers will be prepared by DPI that ultimately will form the basis of submissions to the state government cabinet for formalisation of the policy position and for the drafting of legislative changes.

DPI wants to have each policy position paper finalised and consolidated in July 2011 with the paper released for public comment in August or September 2011.

This is an extremely tight timetable and consequently, the Secretariat will be seeking Members help in ensuring that you all have a say on all issues under discussion. If we are to have a viable workable industry into the future then your comments will be vital to ensure that this happens.

BRIT – SAMPLING TRAINING

The CMPA is presently working with Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE (BRIT) in order to develop training specifically for quarries for those undertaking sampling onsite.

This training will be customised for the extractive industry as well as being within the Laboratory Operations Training Package. It may be able to be used within a trainee’s specific quarry training.

Members will be kept informed of the development of this project and are invited to contact either the CMPA or Stacey on 5434 1653 for further information.

INQUIRY INTO VICTORIA’S REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

The Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission (VCEC) released its draft report Part 1-Strengthening foundations for the next Decade (DR1) as part of its inquiry into Victoria’s regulatory framework.

The CMPA has responded to the draft report. In its response the CMPA reiterated its plea for balanced regulation. Balance in the quest of increasing social and environmental needs with the need of industry to be able to confidently risk its capital and ingenuity in the pursuit of profit-making ventures in a fiercely competitive environment.

The CMPA also stated that it sees merit in strengthening the Commission.

An extension of this role in the CMPA’s view would be to evaluate the effectiveness of new legislation shortly (one to two years) aft er its implementation to ensure its original intentions were being met without unintended consequences.

WORKSAFE VICTORIA – FREE WORK HEALTH CHECKS

WorkHealth checks provide Victorian workers with the opportunity to receive a free convenient and confidential health check in the workplace.

By participating in these checks, workers will learn more about their risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The checks look at factors that impact personal health such as diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption.

Each check takes about 15 minutes, with feedback and advice provided immediately based on results. A trained health professional will visit the workplace to conduct the checks. Participating workers will:

  • Complete a short questionnaire
  • Have their waist circumference, blood cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose measured
  • Receive immediate information and advice based on their results

Workers at high risk of type 2 diabetes may be eligible to take part in free programs to help reduce their risk. Participation is voluntary and each worker’s results will always remain strictly confidential.

To apply, sign up your business by going to http://www.workhealth.vic.gov.au/apply

ACTS & REGULATIONS PACK UPDATED

The CMPA Acts & Regulations Pack has been updated. Its purpose is to supply Members with a comprehensive collection of Acts and Regulations that they are required by law to hold on their sites. This collection will change from time to time and includes legislation’s from both a state and federal level.

There are over thirty acts and legislation’s in the pack including documents relating to:

  • Environment,
  • Dangerous Goods,
  • Electricity
  • Transport,
  • Occupational Health & Safety,
  • Privacy,
  • Planning, and
  • Road Safety to name just a few.

The pack which consists of a CDROM and selected documents in hard copy format is available to Members at a cost of $100.

If you require further information on any of these Acts or Regulations; or would like to purchase the pack please do not hesitate in contacting the Secretariat.

RECENT EVENTS

Bruce McClure and Adrian Town visited Members’ quarries in the Gippsland area and conducted a Slope Stability Workshop and General Meeting in Traralgon.

CMPA met with DPI as a part of a Rehabilitation Bonds Working Group. Also Ron Kerr and Bruce McClure met with Stephen Cheesewright from KPMG in regards to Rehabilitation Bonds.

Tim Bird, Gary and Bruce McClure att ended an EPA forum in Bendigo
regarding Guidelines to Clean Fill.

The Secretariat attended a CCF forum on contaminated soil.

Bruce McClure attended a seminar in Bendigo about the impact of the recent floods in the area.

Gavin Moreira visited regional Associate Members between Bendigo and Ballarat.

Sean Kinder and Bruce McClure visited Violet Town, Baxter and Wodonga Quarries to obtain information for CMPA Reference Manuals.

Bruce McClure met with Hugh Thomas the advisor to Ryan Smith, Minister for Environment and Climate Change.

The Secretariat attended the MRSDA Quarterly Stakeholders meeting at DPI.

Bruce McClure met with Terry Mulder, Minister for Roads.

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