SOLID FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE GROWTH

Since inception in 1999 the CMPA has been focused on laying the foundations of a strong and vibrant representative body for private operators of construction material processing businesses in Victoria. The CMPA asked several key players about their thoughts on what has been achieved to date and what lies ahead…

Focused On The Road Ahead

Since conception in late 1999, the CMPA has grown to be a strong representative force for Victorian extractive industry operators.

Working to represent members in all areas of business including regulatory, statutory, Government and OH&S and employment issues, the Association’s membership has increased steadily as has its workload and breadth of representation.

Following early meetings, a newsletter, web site, and other marketing initiatives were developed to attract new members and communicate the Association’s objectives.

The CMPA has represented members on issues covering Government regulatory policy, taxation, education, Government relations, material specifications, rehabilitation issues, and much more.

Peter Day, of Peter Day Consulting, said the impact of regulation on the industry was a major issue for the Association. “It shouldn’t be a surprise that Governments are adept at finding ways for the industry to ‘improve’ and behave in certain ways – and even though some of the ideas are developed in good faith, some remain ill-conceived.”

“Surveying the activities of the CMPA over just the last 12 months or so is illuminating as it paints a picture of growth and credibility”

Mr Day said it was important that Associations worked to correct these changes and their impact.

“The growth is in the sense of the range of issues that have been tackled, and the credibility in the recognition by important parties of the role the Association has to play in decisions affecting the industry.”

Mr Day said the CMPA has worked since inception to foster the interests of the quarrying and extractive industry for members, their families, employees, and local communities.

“The past year has been no different except that the issues dealt with have been more diverse, more complex, and more far reaching.”

A CMPA Associate’s Committee was formed, representing a broad spectrum of those involved in construction material processing businesses engaged in the extracting processing or otherwise working in hard rock, gravel, sand, masonry, clay, lime, soil, gypsum or recycling; industry consultants, industry suppliers and any industry worker. The first meeting held in February 2002.

Associate’s Chairman, Mr Andrew Lambing, said the CMPA has been beneficial in educating industry suppliers.

“The importance and impact of private capital is now better recognised as a result of the CMPA”

“Associates would once have struggled to recognise the importance of the private capital contribution to their companies by CMPA members companies, but that has now all changed.

And with that new understanding, Associates now also grasp the role they can play within the CMPA and their contribution to the overall viability of the industry.

In many respects, it is valid to say ‘without them we would not exist’,” Mr Lambing said.

“Whether we are talking about the CMPA or civil contractors, it is private capital that keeps the majority of the population employed, and is also what keeps Associates’ doors open. It really is a reflection of their economic worth to society.”

Whilst the CMPA has been effective across many issues, it is Government relations which has most impacted on members in their day to day operations. Victoria’s Chief Inspector of Mines, Mr John Mitas, said the Department of Primary Industries recognises the Association as a key stakeholder in the extractive industry sector.

“The Department has a very good relationship with the CMPA, and has worked in partnership on a number of initiatives to improve the performance of the industry in occupational health and safety and the environment.”

“The Department has a very good relationship with the CMPA, and has worked in partnership”

Mr Mitas said the CMPA led the way with regards to training initiatives for members, saying the Department would continue to work together with the CMPA by “providing access to regional training facilities and assisting with the dissemination of information and training facilities.

“The Work Safely program has been very successful in providing high quality accredited training to quarry operators.”

Mr Mitas said the initiative has been able to deliver training for employees in regional Victoria that have had limited opportunities in the past. “The training is part of the national competency standards for the extractive industry, and will provide opportunities for additional training that leads to a qualification.

“The Drilling Workshop, attended by some 90 persons representing employers, employees, DPI, manufacturers and suppliers, is another good example of a successful training initiative that assisted in a common understanding of the hazards associated with drilling, and explored ways of controlling drills, including looking at ways of eliminating hazards at the design stage,” Mr Mitas said.

Andrew Lambing agrees. “As Associates have become more involved and joined committees, the better their understanding of the issues on all levels,” he said.

“CMPA members have issues that can have an impact on all of us, and we can use the CMPA as a forum to liaise and achieve results to benefit us all. Previously industry issues may never have been discussed in such a collective and responsive environment, but now there is an understanding of shared benefit,” Mr Lambing said.

Mr Day said the CMPA’s work also involved direct business impacts. “The year started with the Association taking on the ATO over its proposed changes to the depreciable life of assets.

“The proposals on the table at that point would have had a huge impact on the viability of most small operators in the industry. With the collective effort of the members and Associates in gathering important data and attending meetings with ATO representatives, a compelling case was put to the ATO to alter some of the more extreme aspects of the proposal,” Mr Day said.

“Without a doubt this considerable effort was the cause for subsequent changes to the original proposals, saving the industry millions of dollars in the ability to depreciate their assets over realistic timeframes.”

Industry stalwart, Mr Robin Hocking, of CJ Ham & Murray, agreed saying the CMPA’s impact extended across a range of issues.

“Things such as submissions to Government bodies on air pollution, silica and dust, occupational health and safety, depreciation on plant and machinery for taxation purposes, and many, many other subjects, some of which are ongoing.”

While the CMPA had put many runs on the board, some achievements were not quite as obvious without the benefit of hindsight and inside knowledge, Mr Hocking said.

“At the time of commencement of the CMPA, the extractive industry was widely scattered amongst many small players and a few majors. As it turns out the tonnage of the smaller players probably exceeded the tonnages of those major operators, which was a surprise to the industry in general and in particular to some of the authorities.”

Mr Hocking said that despite criticism from some parties solely driven by self-interest, the CMPA has succeeded. “The CMPA has developed into what can only be described as a dynamic industry organisation, which in some respects should have been an impossibility.”

The breadth of the issues addressed by the CMPA was notable, Mr Day said.

“A proposal by the Federal Government’s National Occupational Health and Safety Commission to reduce the allowable levels of crystalline silica in the air could have had a devastating impact on the industry.

With confidence generated by earlier successes, the CMPA took an almost lone hand in Australia in presenting an analysis of the impact of the proposal on the industry,” Mr Day said.

Following considerable work, including an on-site meeting with representatives from NOHSC and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) a detailed submission was presented by the CMPA.

Mr Day agreed saying “initiatives taken by the CMPA in addressing issues over the past year is testament to the courage of its members to fight to protect the industry from ignorance and apathy.”

“This submission has been used to reflect the impact of the proposal on the industry Australia wide, and has been acknowledge by NOHSC and the ACCI as being an influential and important contribution to the debate. It is now hoped it will ensure that the correct decisions are made,” Mr Day said.

Mr Hocking said that there is a continuing inspiration for all members to become aware of their own skills, assets, and ability to use sometimes untried talents for the benefit of both themselves and their immediate family, and other members of the industry.

“There has also been successful development of a group of like minded industry personnel who have developed a common interest in the progress and welfare of their employees.

The development of the CMPA membership has been based firmly on an unyielding demand for cooperation, generosity, a willingness to listen to all arguments, and a dedication for self preservation.”

Andrew Lambing said Associate members have seen similar cooperation develop. “Associates now come together to talk about issues in the industry which before may never have been discussed. We can now better understand the need to focus on issue resolution for the greater good.

I also believe many Associates have grown professionally as a result of their involvement in the CMPA. I think everyone involved now understands more and gets involved because we have our eyes open to what the real industry issues are.”

Mr Hocking observed that members of the CMPA have developed a determination for self-preservation while at the same time incorporating a truly professional approach to their industry.

“The Association has successfully achieved the ability to provide unbiased advice to Government, with an ability to fight bureaucracy when legislation and regulation are wrong.”

Mr Hocking said one of the most successful achievements had been the bonding of a group of individuals, many of whom could be described as ‘hard nosed’, who are now prepared to share their ideas, problems and solutions.

“Members now willingly and openly exchange their thoughts, concerns, and ambitions without fear, favour, embarrassment, or undue pride.”

Mr Hocking said the Association’s achievements in such a short period of time had come with “an enormous amount of work behind the scenes, and not without direction and guidance from people with an unshakeable belief in honesty, openness and loyalty.”

“The CMPA can be justly proud of its achievements to date. It must also be aware of its continuing responsibilities and prepare itself for future challenges.”

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