DPI Update (Issue 56)
IAN MCLEOD, Acting General Manager, Minerals and Extractive Operations, discusses proposed changes to work plan requirements.
THERE are significant changes that are currently being developed to the legislation that is used to regulate mines and quarries in Victoria. Both industries are now regulated under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990. Industry specific requirements are provided in the regulations as follows:
- The Mineral Resources Development Regulations 2002 – for mines
- The Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) (Extractive Industries) Regulations 2010 – for quarries
Whilst most of the changes are in the mining sector, there are a number of proposed improvements for quarries.
The most significant of these is the proposed “Statutory Endorsement of Work plans” which is being introduced to streamline the approval process by eliminating the need for Councils to duplicate planning referrals to agencies. DPI in effect will become a lead agency in relation to mine and quarry approvals and this will enable industry to appeal conditions imposed on endorsed work plans. DPI is also evaluating the information that is required to be included in work plans. Work plans serve two main purposes:
- When endorsed by DPI – they advise Council that DPI & DSE consider the work plan contains sufficient information & technical merit to be considered for planning permission.
- When approved by DPI – they provide a record of what is approved for stakeholders and an essential tool to quarry managers in how to operate the site.
Work plan requirements for quarries are listed under Schedule 1 in the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) (Extractive Industries) Regulations 2010.
John Mitas recently lead an internal review of the Victorian work plan requirements. This included a survey of work plan requirements in other State jurisdictions and concluded that the current Victorian work plan requirements could be improved by:
- Applying more of a risk based approach;
- Standardising text to assist in gaining consistency; and
- Enabling minor changes to be undertaken without the need for a work plan variation.
The Earth Resources Policy Unit is preparing a discussion paper on this and other topics associated with the proposed legislation changes and these will be circulated to industry for comment soon.
The current Victorian work plan requirements were originally prepared for the introduction of the Extractive Industries Development Regulations 1996, fifteen years ago. Most of these requirements have remained unchanged ever since. The work plan discussion paper will provide stakeholders with a rare opportunity to influence how work plans will be structured in the future, possibly for another fifteen years.
Consequently, I encourage you to read the work plan (and other) discussion papers and to provide comments to assist in developing improved legislation in the quarrying sector.
STAFF NEWS
John Mitas is currently managing the Department’s response to the ground movement at Morwell which has resulted in the temporary closure of the Princes Freeway.
Mike Mathews, Manager Minerals and Extractive Operations (North East District), has resigned effective 1 May 2011. Mike joined the Department in July 1986 as an Inspector of Mines on the east side of Melbourne, relocated to Benalla in 1996 and was appointed as District Manager in 2004. He has seen many changes over his 25 years with the Department and is highly respected for his knowledge, experience, common sense, humour and humanity. Mike has advised that he has no immediate plans – just wants to take it easy for a while and plan the next stage of his life. He will be greatly missed as a colleague and a friend.
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