FROM THE CMPA SECRETARIAT (Issue 55)
The Fundamental role of the CMPA
CMPA General Manager, BRUCE MCCLURE, looks at the biggest challenges still facing the Association.
ON 25 February 2000 when the CMPA was incorporated under the Associations Act, the organisation has been active in representing Members’ interests.
Whether it is working on a government submission fighting for the rights of members or representing a Member on an issue causing their business grief, the CMPA has taken up the fight and ensured members have a voice. This is the fundamental role of the CMPA and this will never change.
Ironically, a number of the issues that the CMPA was involved in back in 2000-2001 are still with us today such as rehabilitation bonds, sterilisation of land containing rock and gravel reserves, air quality and problems in obtaining Work Authorities. Despite countless reports, numerous meetings and discussions, many of the above issues remain unresolved.
Fundamentally, one of the biggest hurdles the extractive industry has to overcome with these issues is the lack of understanding by a number of people (who ultimately give approval to the proposal) of how private business actually works. They do not understand the concept of a finite cash flow, the costs (especially time) to provide bureaucratic documentation and ultimately, the impact on a family and the personal stress of trying to run a family business in the 21st century.
The lack of real understanding of how extractive industry businesses work needs to be addressed if we are going to progress and eliminate the issues that have been with us for the past decade. The CMPA will continue to reflect its Member’s desires for real change in these areas.
Governments come and go, political ideologies change or are refined and the attitudes of the bureaucrats usually change to reflect their political masters. This is the cycle that every business in Australia faces.
Yet one of the biggest challenges facing organisations such as the CMPA is to ensure that community demand for extractive industry products are catered for and are as economically viable as possible.
Achieving this requires Governments to plan well into the future, to ensure our industry has access to economically and environmentally sustainable resources for our future. This is not a new concept. Many of our forefathers were well aware of this and put in place strategies to deal with them.
Unfortunately, later generations have failed to maintain this strategy and in many instances, political expediency has taken precedence.
The CMPA is committed to ensuring the security of future resource requirements is not forgotten or ignored. We owe our children nothing less.
We live in a very dynamic world and the changes in our society since 2000 have been pronounced. One only has to look at the equipment now being installed by many of our Members to see how the technical side of our industry has advanced. The use of computers has dramatically changed the way we work and this impact is likely to grow.
Yet despite the sophistication in plant and equipment, the basic principles of crushing/recycling stone or washing sand remain. And at the end of the day, the most sophisticated gadget driven plant with all the bells and whistles is still only as good as the men and women driving the system, inputting the data and providing the servicing required to keep the plant working at its optimum.
Again as an Association we need to ensure that our people enjoy the best training possible – state of the art and as close to best practice as possible.
The CMPA training manuals are regarded by many as the best in Australia and ongoing refinement and revision will ensure they stay this way. Use of the manuals is only part of the understanding and learning members personnel will need for their future in the extractive industries.
No Member can ignore the need to deliver the best possible training possible. Not only does it improve the efficiency of your business but it also ensures that your personnel are up to date with the latest legislative requirements especially OH&S.
The CMPA is aware of many of the deficiencies in the training currently being provided and is currently considering ways to address this problem. Rest assured that whatever approach we take will always be in the best interests of the Members.
There are challenges aplenty for us all. But as many of us working in the extractives industry realize, this business is not just a job, it is a way of life and we will continue to meet every challenge head-on.
AGM & DINNER 2011 – ECHUCA MOAMA
The CMPA AGM & Dinner 2011 in Echuca Moama is shaping up to be a very fun filled weekend!
There are already ten Associate Sponsors committed to the event, arrangements and bookings are currently being made for entertainment for the dinner.
Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning activities are also being planned as a part of the program.
With only five months to go it’s very important if you are planning to attend, to book your weekend away early to avoid missing out on a place of your choice.
Refer to the following website for all your accommodation needs www.echucamoama.com or phone 1800 804 446.
If you haven’t already, put this date in your diary please do so now!
Further details to come in the next issue of Sand & Stone.
Date: Saturday 27th August 2011
Location: Moama Bowling Club
Time: 5.00pm for AGM, 6.00pm for Dinner
Cost: CMPA Members $95.
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