FROM THE CMPA SECRETARIAT (Issue 47)

Meeting Our Members Needs

Honorary CEO, RON KERR, introduces the CMPA’s study ‘An Unsustainable Future’ .

THIS issue of Sand & Stone is noteworthy for the CMPA as it introduces the first supplement we’ve published – the executive summary of the Association’s review of the costs and trauma associated with applying for a Work Authority variation or new application. The study is also a first for our industry.

This report is in excess of 110 pages and can be viewed on the CMPA’s website. Copies are also available to any Member on enquiry.

This study ‘An Unsustainable Future – The prohibitive costs of securing access to construction material resources in Victoria’ will:

• Document the real costs in both owner’s time and professional charges in obtaining a new Work Authority or an extension to an existing Work Authority,
• Establish a reference point for benchmarking future industry costs,
• Clearly identify the costs of regulation for prospective new industry entrants, and
• Stimulate discussion with Government to work with industry to develop an extractive industry framework which will deliver a sustainable and secure future for the industry.

As an industry we are in debt to the companies who participated in this study and offer our thanks – without their input it would not have been possible.

Thanks must be also given to the CMPA’s Policies Special Issues Committee for approving funding of the project and ongoing financial contributions of CMPA Members.

I would recommend all Members read this report at least twice and pass it on to their professional advisors if they are considering a variation or a new Work Authority. This will allow full comprehension of the possibility of financial risk, lack of security regards outcome and the drawn out time frame associated with seeking an approval.

From the report, it is clear to see that the DPI now has little ownership left in the process and furthermore, that there is no single government or semi government authority holding responsibility for the sustainability of resources or processes concerning acquisitions and variations.

There is no reference to the financial value of earth resources by the State in comparison with flora and fauna assets which have definable off set values of up to ten fold in area and unbelievable financial assessments.

There is no doubt that the approval process over the last ten years has been made more complex and onerous and there is little evidence that the increased standard of entry and compliance have brought about an improved approval process.

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Sand & Stone is the primary means of keeping Members informed of the CMPA’s activities, latest legislative impacts relevant to their businesses, and innovative solutions to business issues.

In 2010 editions of Sand & Stone will only be sent free of charge to CMPA members.

Non-members can choose to become a member of CMPA and continue to receive Sand & Stone as part of this membership fee, or pay a new yearly subscription of $40 for 6 issues of the magazine.

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Subscribe to Sand & Stone by completing the enclosed flysheet by 15th December 2009 to continue to receive the publication in 2010.

If you wish to become a Member of the CMPA, please contact the Secretariat on 03 5781 0655.

LETTER TO THE ASSOCIATION

Dear Tim Bird,

I just wanted to say congratulations on producing The First Decade – A Mosaic of Members’ Views. I read it with great interest from cover to cover and what I found most fascinating was that how much the stories from your members mirrored the position and background with so many of the independent operators over here. Keep up the good work.

Also, the article on reducing the Red Tape that we all seem to be drowning in both our countries. We have started to reduce it slightly in Scotland by carrying out a confidential survey of consented reserves (carried out in conjunction with the two trade associations and the Scottish Government, not the local planners). This revealed considerable shortfalls in many key strategic areas of the country. As a result a new era of appreciating quarries and what they do, emerged from the top. (In other words – how can you develop the infrastructure of the country without quarries?)

Kind regards,
Richard Bird – Executive Officer – British Aggregates Association

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