VLPA Update (Issue 60)
PETER MCCLUSKY provides an update on the Victorian Limestone Producers Association.
AGM AND CONFERENCE
The VLPA’s Anual Genearl Meeting and conference was held at the City Memorial Bowls Club Warrnambool on Friday 18th November 2011.
Bruce Couch, the Chairman retired by rotation after an eventful two years that included campaigns on acid soils, the resources and carbon taxes and the Murray-Darling Basin future.
The new Chairman is Kevin Matthews of Lakeside Lime in Warrnambool. Kevin’s family have been in the quarrying, lime, cement and garden supplies in the district for several generations.
A number of important issues were covered including increasing interest from government through the Commonwealth’s “Caring for our Country” program filtering through to Catchment Management Authorities and with ultimate benefits available to the lime industry. Richard Murphy of the Glenelg-Hopkins CMA explained how “Caring for our Country” money has been secured by his CMA for trial sites to improve soils including combating acid soils with lime.
Other important topics included the fuel rebate system and how we might be affected under carbon tax legislation, future scenarios for water availability in the important markets for lime in the Murray-Darling Basin, government recommendations for heavy metal testing relating to variations in geology and end use as well as a valuable AV presentation from VicRoads demonstrating how easily truck rollovers can occur.
ACID SOILS FIELD DAYS
A successful field day was held at Krowera on the Bass Coast in late November. VLPA worked with West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and Bass Coast Landcare Network and DPI to publicise the importance of using lime to combat acidic soils and raise pH in the region.
VLPA representatives. explained the workings of lime in soil health and how the VLPA’s testing procedure and code of conduct operate. Participants were provided with a list of VLPA members.
This follows on from two very successful field days at French Island and Poowong North covering the subjects of soil pH and soil carbon in which VLPA recently worked with Westernport Catchment Landcare Network.
Further information is available from Peter McCluskey by phoning 0408 496 588.
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