Submissions and Issues (Issue 30)

With State Government in recess at present, there are very few investigations and submissions underway. This is anticipated to increase at the start of the New Year.

Triggers for Work Plans

After many months of going to and fro, the DPI has presented industry as a whole the second draft of its guideline detailing triggers for Work Plans.

This document is vastly different from the original draft due to contribution from other industry representatives.

The CMPA holds that the current draft is not of any value to Members and will not enable them to confidently make decisions.

River Red Gum Forests

On 19 April 2005, the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council received a request from the Minister for Environment, the Honourable John Thwaites, to undertake an investigation into River Red Gum Forests along the Murray River valley.

The study area extends from Lake Hume to the South Australian border and includes the lower reaches of the Avoca, Loddon, Campaspe, Goulburn, King and Ovens Rivers.

The investigation has released an initial discussion paper which calls for comments. A submission to that end is presently being drafted by the CMPA and is available for Members comments—please contact Sarah.

A final resolution as to how the public lands will be reclassified is not anticipated until 2008.

OHS to WorkCover update

It is important to stress that although the Government has resolved to move the management of OHS to WorkCover, this is not going to be implemented until early 2008.

In the meantime, it will be business as usual for the DPI in that the DPI inspector remains as the Work Authority’s primary OHS contact and that they will still be conducting audits and investigations.

Owner Drivers Act

The CMPA continues to be an observer on the Transport Industry Council established under the Act.

Current activities have included the completion of the Code and drafting of minimum cartage rates.

In addition, the CMPA has drafted a tender which Members will be able to use. This will be released during a meeting in February—contact Sarah for further information.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login