From the Secretariat
There is much happening in the CMPA and for the extractive industries – Dr Elizabeth Gibson.
The implementation date of 1 July 2027 of the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 reform is fast approaching. This includes a general duty in addition to removing the requirement for a statutory endorsed work plan and instead going directly to the local government authority for the planning permit. The impact of the change is yet to be discerned; however, indications are that Earth Resources Regulation may still require a work plan by which to administer compliance and enforcement.
Annual fees are increasing by 234%. Over 14 years the amount spent on regulation has nearly tripled after factoring in inflation. Cost recovery, as we know, is only efficient if it is useful and targeted. It is difficult to imagine why regulatory costs should have tripled in 14 years: it implies that there is considerable inefficiency and waste within the regulator. See page 16 for the extract of the CMPA submission to the Regulatory Impact Statement: Proposed Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development)
(Mineral Industries) Amendment Regulations 2025 and the proposed Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) (Extractive
Industries) Amendment Regulations 2025 (RIS). Yes, there was no separation of mines from quarries despite being recognised that expenditure for mines was greater than for quarries in the 2014 RIS.
As a result of ongoing advocacy by the CMPA, a high level external (to Resources Victoria) panel is being set up to resolve (hopefully) the excessive increases in rehabilitation bonds. An official announcement by the Minister for Energy and Resources The Hon Lily D’Ambrosio MP is set to be made in the next couple of weeks. In the interim, rehabilitation bond Notices issued
by ERR have been paused except if linked to the approvals process.
Staying with the rehabilitation theme the CMPA inaugural Progressive Rehabilitation Award sponsored by Resources Victoria (Victorian Government) will be awarded by the Minister for Energy and Resources, The Hon Lily D’Ambrosio MP at the CMPA Annual Dinner Saturday 30 August 2025 Centrepiece – Melbourne Park Award nominations are invited for demonstrated delivery of effective progressive rehabilitation of a CMPA extractive industry site. There are two categories:
- Small: <100,000 tonnes per annum
- Large: ≥100,000 tonnes per annum
The Yoorrook Justice Commission’s final report focuses on colonisation, cultural safety and self-determination and was tabled in the Victorian Parliament on 1 July 2025. There are numerous recommendations some of which, if accepted, will have far reaching consequences for the extractive industries. More on this in the next issue of Sand & Stone.
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