What’s News? (Issue 38)

CMPA News

March and April has been a bit quiet for the Secretariat with fewer meetings (the majority are quarterly) which in turn has allowed for more effort to be put into the development and release of the crushing and screening reference manuals.

We are in the processing of preparing membership renewals for 2008/09 with paperwork to be released in the coming weeks.

As mentioned above, the crushing and screening manuals are presently being finalised with training being released. There has been strong interest to date, with all courses being well attended. A number are planned over the coming weeks.

Following are reports on other issues the CMPA has been pursuing.

Native Vegetation Guidance Note

We have spoken to Doug Sceney (DPI) on this matter. Mr Sceney noted that the DPI/DSE had received a first draft of the guidance material from the consultant and, as is to be expected, there were a number of areas which required further attention. A further draft is expected after which time it will be released to the working group for consideration prior to a meeting being held.

Computer System Upgrade

The Secretariat has recently upgraded both of its computers to increase speed and capacity. This included purchasing two 19” widescreen monitors and moving to Office 2007 (with a Windows 2000 platform).

As a number of Members have asked, we thought to let you know that the transition to Office 2007 has been well received – we were both concerned that it would be a lot harder to get used to the changes, but after about two weeks we wouldn’t go back.

FOR SALE

We now have our two old systems sitting in the office. They are 4 year old machines with fl at screen monitors and DVD burners but would only be suitable for limited usage (i.e. emails, internet access and basic word processing). If you have a use for them, call for a full specification sheet.

VCAT Planning Consultative Forums

These forums are being held several times throughout the year, with the first held in April. Unfortunately our representatives were unable to attend and will attend a forum in July.

This by no means suggests a lack of interest in this matter; rather our Members are struggling to deal with:

• The overall cost of defending an application to VCAT
• The cost of expert witnesses, especially when they are defending issues already proven within industry
• The time delays involved in such hearings

These comments have been passed onto VCAT and will be followed up as noted at the next forum.

Management Committee Positions

This year we are looking to fill a number of Management Committee positions, including Chairperson. An official nomination form will be sent to Voting Members in the coming months, and only those who are officially nominated prior to the AGM can be elected.

Positions on the Management Committee involve:

• Participating in committee meetings four times per year (of which some are by teleconference)
• Considering, and where necessary approving, submissions for release
• Providing direction to the Secretariat where requested

The position of Chairperson involves:

• Attending occasional meetings (approximately six per year) in addition to committee meetings
• Providing a regular column for the newsletter (if possible)
• Providing direction and assistance to the Secretariat in the development of submissions, occasionally this will involve signing off major submissions
• Overviewing the Secretariat’s operations

In both situations only Voting Members are eligible to hold positions.

If you would like to participate in a committee meeting prior to nomination, the next meeting will be held on 18 July.

Biodiversity Strategy Evaluation

Last year, the CMPA participated in the evaluation of the 1997 Biodiversity Strategy as part of the process for the development of the White Paper on Land and Biodiversity at a time of Climate Change. The green paper has been released for public comment along with a suite of supporting documents, including the report of the evaluation of the 1997 Biodiversity Strategy.

Below is the link to the DSE web page for the renewal of the Victorian Biodiversity Strategy, which also includes a link to the evaluation of the 1997 strategy.

www.dse.vic.gov.au/bsr

Annual General Meeting and Dinner

The CMPA’s Annual General Meeting and Dinner are fast approaching! They will be held on 16 August at the Bayview on the Park in Melbourne. You can book your accommodation already.

The AGM will be held in the afternoon. Following on from comments last year, we thought it important to note:

• The Annual Report will be released the week prior to the AGM for consideration by Members for voting on at the meeting.
• There will be elections at the AGM, but you cannot be nominated during the meeting!

Training Billing

Members are advised that the CMPA will no longer be arranging the billing for training courses. This decision has been made as it is not within the Association’s purpose to be facilitating training – something that was undertaken to assist in the uptake of training. Members will now be billed directly by the training provider – that is:

Box Hill Institute of TAFE –

• Work Safely (includes Conduct Local Risk Control)
• Conduct Local Risk Control & Communicate in the Workplace
• Conduct Crushing Operations
• Conduct Screening Operations
• Conduct Crushing & Screening Operations
• And other crushing & screening units as developed

Caterpillar Institute

• Service & Handover Loaders
• Service & Handover Excavators
• Service & Handover Dump Trucks
• And mobile plant operation units as developed

BRIT

• Work Safely at Heights
• Conduct Operational Maintenance

Quantec Solutions

• Perform Basic Cutting & Welding
• Welding to Manganese

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