EMIAB (EXTRACTIVE & MINING INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD) FEBRURARY MEETING

Bond Issue

Both the Issue Paper entitled ‘Greener Quarries – The Economic and Environmental Challenges for a Successful and Environmentally Responsible Quarry Sector’ and the report ‘An Economic Analysis of the Rehabilitation Bonds System’ has been completed.  These documents were approved at General Meeting 10 and have subsequently been presented to Mr Richard Aldous, Executive Director of Energy and Minerals and members.

Note that both reports will be available at the CMPA website in the near future and hardcopies are available from the CMPA.

Budget submission to the State Government

During January, the CMPA completed a submission to Minister Candy Broad for the 2002 –2003 State Budget covering budget performance, income, and expenditure.

In short we requested that audits be focused to address implementation and funding proprietary. We hold concerns with respect to suppliers receiving their payment share from major Vic Roads payments to project principals, under rise and fall provisions.

We also alerted the Minister that some members’ quarry sites are used as a base for multiple businesses, and due to this higher WorkCover premiums are applied. In recognition we requested that a site premium review be constructed to include a review of each worker’s activity, as opposed to the present WorkCover Industry Site Classification.

Budget expenditure priorities listed in the CMPA submission included:

1. Freight movements through Bendigo are inefficient.
2. The poor condition of the Murray Valley Highway from Echuca to Kerang/Cohuna, as well as Echuca to Nathalia.
3. Ineffective state road maintenance.
4. Support for training in regional areas.
5. DNRE regulatory role over the industry.
6. Implementation of the ‘Managing Health and Safety in Quarries’.

Implementation of “Managing Health and Safety in Quarries”

As outlined in our State Budget 2002/3 Submission, the CMPA feels that the implementation of this newly approved ‘management program’ launched by the Minister is unachievable by the majority of operators unless there is additional funding directed towards the DNRE and industry as a whole.

The proposed ‘Managing Health and Safety in Quarries’ document is a management system that will take up to five years to implement. Retraining of employees, managers, owners, industry trainers and the inspectorate is of priority and can clearly only succeed if there is a financial commitment by all parties concerned.

Affordable Public Liability Insurance

The EMIAB was advised the affect of accelerated premium levels on Work Authority holders would:

1. Result in closure of businesses unless affordable insurance can be provided.
2. Place cost pressures on materials and services supplied by our industry.
3. May lead to businesses being under insured, or even to withdraw from insurance cover.

To address this situation the CMPA advised the EMIAB that:

• In this climate it is important for WA holders to develop ownership of auditing, prompt reporting, and to have contingency plans in place for resolution of issues minimising reliance on the insurer. There was broad agreement for this recommendation from the Board.
• Insurance providers develop Mediation Programs and pooled funds for their industry to more actively defend claims.
• Government to introduce a cap on Common Law payments, and review Statutes of Limitation.

A public meeting is being run by the VMEC at the Melbourne Town Hall to discuss this issue on 23^rd April.

ECC Review of Box Ironbark Forest Report

At the EMIAB meeting on 30^th November 2001 the CMPA noted there had been no response to our submission to the above investigation.

Following this EMIAB meeting, Ron Kerr and Tom Sullivan (Beveridge Williams), met with the Hon. John Button, Alison Teese, and Ian MacBean of the Ironbark Implementation Panel, with the key points being that:

1. Nominated areas were not assessed for stone reserves.
2. Because buffer distances were not nominated, potential restriction of future access to private land abutting National Parks applies.
3. The data presented was inaccurate and did not consider potential income from transport of material and State Collected Royalties. This information was supported by data collected from the DNRE website that very morning.
4. The ECC’s attitude needs to be addressed, and existing operators will face hardship when these recommendations are implemented.

The panel was impressed with the information provided and commented that it is rare to receive submissions that are factually supported.

The CMPA remains deeply concerned that issues raised were not addressed in the report, and for that reason now question the value of contributing to or being included in the process.

Sustainable Development of Mineral Resources

The CMPA has indicated support for the VMEC/Ballarat University Research Project on the sustainable development of Mineral Resources, in the remnant Box-Ironbark Forest and Woodlands.

Draft DNRE Direction 2010 Document

Richard Aldous, the new Executive Director of Energy and Minerals appreciated comments made by the Chairperson on members’ behalf on the above document.

Review of Melbourne Supply Area

In view of changes in the planning schemes over recent years, as well as changes in the information available on the potential for extractive industry within the Melbourne Supply Area, it is proposed that the 1996 report be reviewed and updated. If you are aware of a site with potential for future extraction, advise Basil Natoli on 9710 1800, or Chris Prowse on 9857 7555 as soon as possible for listing in the CMPA submission.

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