MEMBERSHIP MATTERS (Issue 18)

Off The Back Of The Truck… An Essential Industry

It is obvious to identify our industry as an essential service as without which our community as we know it would not continue to function.

We are beginning to wonder whether government understands this fact. We are already witnessing the diminishing concrete sand resources within the Metropolitan area, and the choice of crushed rock supplies in areas such as the Peninsula, or future accessible rock reserves in areas such as the La Trobe Valley.

Our community will inevitably pay an ever-increasing commercial and environmental price for this. The result of contracting resources in market areas will be an ever-increasing cartage component, which in turn exacerbates the carbon emissions issue and public infrastructure deterioration.

There are without question quality resources being sterilised in our own time as a result of the lack of clear accountability, or interest for that matter, by government. When you take into account the reducing number of Work Authority applications and approvals, the continually contracting lives of existing Work Authorities and the ever-increasing number of impediments to entry, one can begin to understand the issue.

From the point of view as an owner, operator, and worker, these constraints being placed upon revised or new Work Authority applications and their work plans range from buffer zone constraints (theoretical buffer zones of 500m for hard rock operations ) rehabilitation bonds (personal assets being sterilised by the State before these so-called liabilities have been created), ground vibration and air blast limits (which differ between existing and new Work Authority holders and Australian Standards), rock type acceptable for processing, taking into account the Revision of National Exposure Standards for Crystalline Silica, native vegetation framework (new Work Authority applications are not treated as existing ones), Water Act (again allowing exemptions only for those persons with previous use records), Aboriginal and cultural heritage obligations, unrealistic work plan submissions (which are financially unjustifiable), and having addressed the earlier concerns, one has to front up to their obligations as an employer.

There is a deep-seated concern amongst many of the employers within our industry that they are being intimidated out of having access to resources, managing capital and employing people.

This is not how it was 10 years ago, and we are wondering how many additional constraints will be placed upon us in a further 10 years.

CMPA News Advertising Costs

Transport Workers Award Update

Members are advised that Commissioner Lewin of the Australian Industrial relations Commission has varied the award by inserting new provisions in clause 18.3 Highest Function.

These changes became operative as of the first pay period to commence on or after 12th October, 2004.

Newsletter Comments

Many of the regions employers are being penalised by the North Central Catchment and Management Authority as a result of their last EOI Tender due to the fact that electronic entry and exit was obligated to the tender process. We understand from a member that there wasn’t even an email address! We are led to wonder if the bureaucrats are in touch with their suppliers.

I read the write up in the September edition of Quarry the other day, and was most impressed. I think the CMPA have hit on an effective way of doing some real good for the industry. Working on down to earth ways of assisting your members with safe work practices not only has the potential to save suffering, but raises the image of the industry with the authorities and public. G. Dodd, M&Q OHSC

Brain Teaser—Trivia

Taken from www.braingle.com.au

When NASA was considering what animals to experiment on in space, they picked birds, because of low maintenance. Although NASA was aware that most birds require gravity to swallow and would not survive the weightlessness of space, they did manage to find two types of bird that would survive the trip.

Which birds were they?

Answer: see bottom of page

Publications

Note:
The Fixed Plant Operator’s Pre Start & End Day Checklist has now been updated to a one page document similar to the Mobile Plant Checklists.

Major changes have also been made to the Concern Form found at the back of all checklists.

Documents currently in reprint include: Fixed Plant Checklist, Drill Rig Checklist, General Information Reference Manual, Membership Guide.

State of Play

WESTERN REGION:
Seasonal conditions to the North of the region are again looking dismal for rural communities, although regional development opportunities are in a healthier state at this stage. To some extent, evidence of the latter optimism is seen with a CMPA member, Wimmera Crushing & Processing, having just purchased a new Komatsu WA 470-5 loader. This is additional to their mobile crusher mentioned in the previous issue.
PETER LANGLANDS

SOUTHERN REGION:
Business in the southern region is busy enough at the moment and all is going reasonably well, experiencing solid workloads with respect to screenings. The current fuel prices are still a big concern, however there is enough work to keep everyone going.
DAVID ELDRIDGE

EASTERN REGION:
The region is quite busy at the moment, especially the quarries with regards to sealing aggregates. There are also a couple of new developments in progress as well as the general rush before Christmas.
ROB MATTHEWS

NORTHERN REGION:
Very quite throughout the region at the moment. Industry employers tend to be waiting on the farmers—generally a good crop season for the farmers leads to an increase in the workload for those in the extractive industry.
ROD NORTH

MELBOURNE REGION:
Fairly busy in Melbourne at the moment. Seem to be pricing a lot of work which is a good indication that there is a fair bit out there. It appears that the current situation is likely to continue for sometime. Most developments tend to be private—not so much road developments at this stage.
KEVIN DONOHUE

Brain Teaser Solution

Doves and pigeons. Since most birds swallow water by tilting their heads back and using gravity to let the water run down their throats, they would dehydrate in space. Doves and pigeons are the only birds that can drink without tilting their heads back!

Any members who have a good brain teaser: it would be greatly appreciated if you could send them through to the CMPA at enquiries@cmpavic.asn.au

You must be logged in to post a comment Login