From The Secretariat (Issue 73)

Meeting with Chief of Staff Con Allimonos

DR ELIZABETH GIBSON, reports on the meeting with the Chief of Staff, Con Allimonos.

A MEETING in February was held in Melbourne with the Chief of Staff to the Minister for Energy and resources, Con Allimonos; Adviser Luke Scott to the Minister for Energy and resources and Dr Danny Suster Manager Earth resources and Legislative reform (DSDBI); and Dr Elizabeth Gibson from CMPA. A number of issues were raised:

National Work Health and Safety Framework

• It is noted that Victoria decided not to adopt this Safety Framework, however, information received there is currently lobbying in Victoria to go ahead.
• The majority of members are unlikely to have a dedicated OH&S officer, hence, they may need to seek external advice in order to be able to understand their obligations, which adds to the costs in the short term.
• The majority of members are based in Victoria so there is no benefit from cross jurisdiction harmonization.
• There are 20 new changes to implement for the Work Health & Safety Act (WHS Act).
• Quarries would be incorporated under mines in the definition of the WHS regulations and would have to implement the Code of Practice Work, Health and Safety management systems in mining. this is estimated at a minimum of $9,000 for small quarries to $83,000 for large quarries in addition to the cost businesses incur for the implementation of the WHSF and all for no net gain in safety.
• CMPA has spoken to the senior advisor of the Hon. Gordon Rich Phillips (who has the responsibility for safety in Victoria) concerning this issue.

Amalgamation of Mineral and Extractives legislation

CMPA does not want the amalgamation of the legislation due to:

• Not wanting to be associated with the much higher risk of mines.
• The flow on costs from being required to adhere to legislation that is written for the much higher risk of mines.

Issues with Work Plans and rehabilitation bonds

There are issues with Work Plans and rehabilitation Bonds, however, there is a more positive attitude within DSDBI towards the construction material processors industry particularly with Anthony Hurst and Kylie White.

The work that the Earth resources Steering Committee is undertaking may resolve some of the issues raised by CMPA. A list of unresolved issues will be compiled.

Native Vegetation and Cultural Heritage Management Plans

These were raised as still being costly and time consuming despite the Native vegetation reforms.

Earth resources Ministerial Advisory Council (ERMAC)

It was raised that a letter had been sent to the Minister via email (December 2013) from CMPA requesting representation on ERMAC for which a response has yet to be received. this matter is now in the process of being attended to.

Meeting with Minister

The issue was raised that a number of meetings with the Minister for Energy and resources have been requested since 2011 but no meeting has ever eventuated.

Traffic Management Workshop

The last six months has seen 37 Improvement Notices issued by WorkSafe Victoria to quarries regarding traffic management onsite. A key safety issue that needs to be addressed.

The CMPA is planning a site visit to Walsh Ballarat Quarries, at their Dunstown Quarry followed by a workshop at a local venue in Ballarat that will look at areas involved with improving traffic management on site.

The workshop will be sponsored by Landair Surveys and is appropriate for all members to help the CMPA develop a guideline to improve safety between pedestrians, cars and trucks in and around the quarry.

The exact details of the site visit and workshops are still under negotiation but all members will be advised of the actual activities well before the day proposed which is Thursday 1st May 2014.

Where: Starting at Walsh Ballarat Quarries,Dunstown Quarry
When: Proposed date is Wednesday 1st May 2014
Cost: Members $65Non-Members $95

Further details will be sent to all members shortly.

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