VITAL CMPA UPDATES (Issue 20)

Donna Beaumont, CMPA

Fixed Plant Hazard and Risk Identification Workshop

The Fixed Plant Workshop, to be held on Wednesday May 25th in the Southern Melbourne Metropolitan area, will be run in the same format as the Drilling and Blasting and Mobile Plant Workshops as previously conducted by the CMPA.

Discussions are presently underway with Unimin regarding the possibility of hosting the upcoming workshop at their site, and once confirmed, invitations will be sent to members and nonmembers alike.

Riverine Red Gum Forests Investigation

The VEAC (the Council who investigated the Angahook-Owtay area) have decided to investigate the Riverine Red Gum forests (which are in public lands) along the Victorian side of the Murray River. The CMPA has established that there are only two Work Authorities within the study area, both of whom are owned by a local council.

The identified areas under investigation do have some potential geological worth, however, sites are limited by market access. Any quarry or pits that are opened in the area benefit the environment, as often, these quarry’s or pits result in greater billabong creation along the river.

The CMPA will be lodging a comments submission once a clear stance on the investigation has been formed.

Melbourne 2030

The CMPA was invited to provide comment upon the development of Work Authorities in the areas of Hume City, Melton, and Casey-Cardina. A submission was put together and sent to the Department of Primary Industries, highlighting issues concerning :

• The projected economic life of existing Work Authorities and time scale for sites nearing completion in the growth area
• Existing Work Authorities not likely to be developed
• New Work Authority applications pending (proposals and applications over the last 4 years)
• Areas of the EIIAs that remains strategically important as resources

Following this submission, there will be further opportunities to provide comment on the project. The Association will be maintaining a close watch on the issues raised by Melbourne 2030. The outcomes of the lodged submission will be included in Issue 21 of the CPMA News.

VCEC Inquiry

The CMPA has provided comment upon the ‘Regulation and Regional Victoria Challenges and Opportunities Draft Report’ through the EMIAB.

Key points of the submission included :

• Recommendation that the Victorian State Planning Policy Framework is reviewed every 5 years
• Highlighting the need to refine referral requirements in the process of planning scheme amendments and permit applications
• The need to improve the current native vegetation controls as they are noted as impeding regional economic development
• Recommendation that the government more clearly define landholder responsibilities to retain native vegetation against benefits to landholders and the broader community
• Recommendation that the Policy Impact Statement (PIA) process be modified to require the EPA to seek an independent review of draft PIA’s
• That the Environmental Effects Statement process be reviewed particularly as to how they are applied
• Recommendation that the DSE and DPI establish a MOU to facilitate streamlined and consistent decisions on applications for exploration licences
• Discussions concerning obtaining feedback from stakeholders

CMPA TEMPLATE TO NOHSC

The CMPA has presented a template document on the CASCRM (Capital
Acquisition, Selection and Commissioning Reference Manual) to NOHSC’s investigation into ‘Safe Design Guidelines’. This documentation includes both the information and method to enable the purchaser of equipment to:

• demand a minimum safety level
• assist suppliers, manufactures, and designers in their awareness of the purchaser’s safety needs

CMPA WEB PAGE

The CMPA website is currently up and running, including the latest edition of the CMPA News. Considerable time will be committed over the coming months to increase the services provided on the site.

CONGRATULATIONS TO SARAH KERR!

The CMPA wishes to congratulate Sarah Kerr on her marriage to Michael Andrew on Saturday 19th March. We wish them all the best for their honeymoon and a happy future together!

You must be logged in to post a comment Login