CMPA News (Issue 70)
CMPA Secretariat provides an update of the latest news and happenings.
ANNUAL DINNER PHOTOS
Would you like a happy snap of you and your friends all dressed up for the Annual Dinner? Photos from the night are available to be downloaded free of charge from htt p://frankamato.com.au/CMPA2013AnnualDinner
High resolution, printable versions of the photos can also be emailed to you. Please contact the Secretariat with the photo reference number from the website to arrange this.
ASSOCIATE COMMITTEE
We have an experienced Associate Committee for 2013/14, with just two changes. Tej Panesar (TSP Group of Companies) elected again as the Associate Chairperson and Erik Birzulis (Landair Surveys), elected as Associate Vice Chairperson. The rest of the committee is represented by:
Rowena Cairns (Galesafe Weighing),
Wayne Hanson (WAM Australia),
Adrian Mason (ei engineering), Sharron
O’Donoghue (Landmark Contracting),
Chris Prowse (CK Prowse and Associates),
Frank Santoro (Orica), Rodney Krins
(Impact Drill and Blast) and Mark
Th ompson (Oli Vibrators).
VICROADS – SECTION 812 CRUSHED ROCK FOR PAVEMENT BASE AND SUBBASE
Introduction of the new permeability formula
The new 812 contains a formula that describes the required relationship between the permeability of Class 1, Class 3 and Class 4 when combined in a pavement. VicRoads have made this change with the aim of clarifying the permeability requirements for both road designers and suppliers. The relationship sets the permeability of the Class 3 at a minimum of five times that of the Class 4. It must also be greater than the permeability of the Class 1.
Concerns were raised by CMPA that this requires the quarry to know the permeability of the Class 4 before they can begin producing a Class 3 to suit.
SUBMISSION – REGARDING THE PROPOSED COST RECOVERY FEES
The draft Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) (Mineral Industries) Regulations 2013 and the related Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) were released for public comment. The CMPA took the opportunity to respond to this document because in the RIS is an activity analysis that was conducted for both the Minerals Regulations and the Extractives Regulations which proposes cost recovery from the Extractives Industry, as well as the Mining Industry, to the State Government.
In summary, whilst CMPA understands the need for cost recovery, we do not believe that it is necessary to place additional imposts upon small and medium family business that are already struggling under the burden of legislation and the costs associated with it.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Our sincere thanks to all Members who have renewed their membership for the 2013/14 financial year– without your support the CMPA could not continue its valuable work.
It would be appreciated if all outstanding renewals could be completed and paid by the end of October.
QUARRY VISIT
On 29 July 2013 Elizabeth Gibson and Gavin Moreira visited Voting Members in the south west of the state. The first stop was with Steve Lang of Coragulac Quarries in Coragulac. The major product was a tuff that was excavated.
The second visit was to Local Mix Quarries where Andrew Evans gave a comprehensive tour of the site which produced sand and pebbles. They are currently in the process of installing a new weighbridge.
The final site visit was with David Dunoon of Newcomb Sand and Soil Supplies in Moolap at their retail outlet.
LAND USE ACTIVITY AGREEMENT
In 2010, acknowledging the difficult nature of having native title determined under the Native Title Act, the Victorian Government developed an alternate system for recognising the rights of Aboriginal traditional owners. The Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 allows the government and Aboriginal groups to make agreements that recognise traditional owners’ relationship to land and provide them with certain rights on Crown land.
The registration of the first Land Use Activity Agreement (LUAA) has occurred for the Dja Dja Wurrung Settlement over Crown land north of the Great Dividing Range near Daylesford and includes part or all of the catchments of the Richardson, Avon, Avoca, Loddon and Campaspe Rivers (includes Greater Bendigo).
The LUAA does not come into effect until sometime in September 2013. It is a much simpler process than Native Title with only four categories of activities proposed as opposed to eleven in Native Title agreements.
The categories of activities are:
- Routine
- Advisory – whereby DSDBI writes to advise the Wja Wja Wurrung where the activity for the purpose of extracting stone from an existing reserve or from a reserve recommended prior to the effective date and approved by Government;
- Negotiation – such as for a new work authority;
- Agreement
The LUAA does not apply to earth resource authorisations already valid under the Native Title Act. It is expected that the process under the LUAA is more streamlined for Work Authorities than under a Native Title agreement. More information can be found on www.justice.vic.gov.au
BMP TEMPLATE – ENDORSEMENT
As stated in the previous issue 69 of Sand & Stone the Blast Management Plan (BMP) is a risk control plan used in explosive blasting. The CMPA has developed a BMP template in conjunction with its members. The BMP template has now been endorsed by WorkSafe. The next step is to ensure that the CMPA’s Shot Firer’s Book and Explosive Record Book are consistent with the BMP template. These are currently being circulated for comment to the Working Group.
VLPA UPDATE
VLPA Conference and AGM
The 2013 Annual General Meeting and Conference has been set down for the Gateway Hotel, 218 Princes Hwy, Geelong on Tuesday 22 October at 10:30am for an 11:00am start.
Several interesting speakers and topics have been lined up.
Andrew Whitlock of Precision Agriculture will speak about their Veris soil pH detector which measures soil pH via computerised probes in 5 to10 seconds enabling determination of soil pH zones. He expects to bring the quad bike mounted unit to the conference.
Prominent agricultural consultant Andrew Speirs is to discuss paddock mapping and triggers for liming. Several other topics on soil nutrient projects and a report on returning blue gum plantations to pasture and cropping and the identified need for lime will be presented. As usual climate outlook is to be covered.
National Aglime Association 2013 Conference and AGM
The above event was held in Sydney in September 2013. The keynote speaker was Alex Gosman, CEO of the Australian Industry Greenhouse Network, an industry forum which engages with the government in relation to existing and proposed greenhouse policies such as the carbon tax. As the conference was held soon aft er the election Mr Gosman indicated that it would take some time for the new government to dismantle existing policies, especially where legislative changes would be required and the pre-election Senate remains. A direct action emissions reduction fund has been mooted.
A report on German research on operation of hard and soft limes was also presented.
Further information Peter McCluskey 0408 496 588
MANUFACTURING SKILLS AUSTRALIA (MSA)
A meeting was arranged to introduce some CMPA members to Paul Kennett and the MSA’s manufacturing workforce development process whereby they develop training in specific skills developed from the real job profiles, for example, operate drill, operate haul truck. From the job description a list of relevant units (Resources and infrastructure industry training package Rll09) is developed. MSA make use of the software Mskills Manager which is free to use and assists with the process.
CMPA MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
A Management Committee meeting was held at the Library in Kilmore on 12 September 2013. In attendance were Tim Bird, David Carrucan, John Pititto, Basil Natoli, Tej Panesar of the Management Committee and Ron Kerr, Sarah Andrew, Adrian Town, and Gavin Moreira from the Secretariat. John Mawson, Garry Cranny and David Eldridge were apologies.
The financial report was accepted and is currently on track. Two new computers with software were approved for purchase for the Secretariat. (The old computers are available for purchase, contact the Secretariat if interested).
In General Business a debriefing was given on the meeting held with Deputy Premier Peter Ryan. An update was given on the progress of employment of an Administration Support Officer.
It was decided to hold the Members Day/General Meeting on 23 October 2013 in Bendigo with a site visit to Allstone Quarries, a Work Safley refresher course and presentations by government departments and Manafacturing Skills Australia.
It was proposed to hold a Workshop on guarding with a view to developing Guidelines for Guarding. Additionally, it was proposed to develop Dust Management Guidelines for members and Guidelines for recycling, mobile and fixed crushers.
The Committee accepted the resignation of Peter Baenziger and elected Ant Bateup (General Manager, Mansfield Constructions) onto the Management Committee until the next AGM.
The next Management Committee meeting is due to be held on Wednesday 27 November 2013 and will also meet with Kylie White from DSDBI.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login