FROM THE CMPA SECRETARIAT (Issue 58)

New Chairperson for the CMPA

Outgoing CMPA Chairperson, TIM BIRD reports on his three years as leader of the association.

THANK you to all Members and guests able to attend our Annual General Meeting and Dinner this year in Echuca Moama. We had great attendance with around 200 people coming along to enjoy the evening put on, once again, by our very generous sponsors. The weather was fantastic, giving all attendees the opportunity to take part in the many attractions this great region has to offer.

For those Members not in attendance, an important part of this year’s AGM was to resolve the motion to appoint a new Chairperson to the Management Committee, as my three year term has come to an end.

I would like to congratulate John Mawson of E.B. Mawson & Sons Pty Ltd for accepting the position of Chairperson of the CMPA. John has been a Management Committee member for 3 years and has immense knowledge of our industry; like many of our Members, he is another generation of quarry men.

It has been a great honour for me to lead the CMPA for the past three years. The CMPA to me is the driving force behind our industry in Victoria, guiding our members through the many and varied issues thrown into our path in the day to day running of a small business. An industry like many, that is being more and more regulated by governments that are supposedly deregulating and cutting red tape for business.

Without the efforts made by our small but very dedicated Secretariat and the support of the Management Committee, I believe many of our members would be left floundering in the uncertain waters of what lies ahead and how to navigate forward with issues from all directions:

• Where to train staff? How do I train staff? Is the training material adequate?
• Am I meeting my OH&S obligations?
• How do I comply with the changes being implemented by NATA and how do the Vic Roads specification changes affect me?
• Are the ever increasing bonds going to push me out of the industry?
• How will the cultural heritage and native vegetation legislation affect the extension to my work Authority?
• Is there a government body willing to take stewardship of the sand and stone resources and requirements of our future generations?

These are just a few of the many concerns that play on our minds as quarry and recycling operators in Victoria, all this on top of the daily pressures in running a successful business.

So it is with great appreciation I must say thank you to all those involved with the CMPA, for their support and amalgamation of industry concerns and their willingness to come together to find resolutions to these issues that face our industry.

We should be very proud of what we have achieved as an industry body in just 12 years, to be such a well respected and consulted organisation is testament to the hard and tireless work of a knowledgeable team of passionate people.

REVIEW OF ABORIGINAL HERITAGE ACT 2006

The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Jeanette Powell has requested a review of the operation of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (the Act). An external advisory group has been appointed by the Minister, to oversee the review process and to ensure the review is conducted in an open and transparent way.

A discussion paper has been prepared which gives details about the review process, the current Aboriginal Heritage Act and key themes and discussion points.

A copy of the discussion paper can be obtained from the Aboriginal affairs website: www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/indigenous

The primary focus of the review is the Act. However if issues raised relate to the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2007 (the Regulations) these will also be considered.

The CMPA will be making a comprehensive submission to the Aboriginal affairs Victoria regarding the review based on feedback from Members.

The submission is due by the 25th November 2011.

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