Acting General Manager Sarah Andrew
I am pleased to have taken on the role of Acting General Manager of the Construction Material Processors Association (CMPA).
I have worked my career in the extractive industry and come from a long family tradition in quarrying and construction materials. It is an industry I know well and am proud to be part of. I am also fortunate to have siblings and cousins who continue to work across the industry, so I am very much part of a quarrying family.
Our industry provides an essential service; without the stone, rock, sand and gravel produced by our members, our communities could not function. The roads we drive on, the buildings we live and work in and the infrastructure our communities rely on all require construction materials. Members know this, but it remains important that government and the broader community recognise it too.
My appointment as Acting General Manager is intended to bridge the gap following Elizabeth’s retirement. A replacement will be appointed, but there is an opportunity to take the time to reflect on where the Association has been and where our industry is heading, so we can ensure the best possible person is engaged for the role.
In the meantime, the CMPA will continue to represent members and engage with government departments, regulators and other industry stakeholders on matters affecting quarrying and construction materials businesses. Our focus remains on practical outcomes that recognise the realities of operating a quarry.
The review of the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) MRSD Regulations will require considerable attention over the coming months. This will be a significant focus forthe CMPA, and input from members will be essential to ensuring the realities of quarrying are properly understood throughout the review.
To support the transition, the Management Committee have divided out several key ‘portfolios’ as listed below. Their help is greatly appreciated, and we would of course welcome others coming forward to assist.
- State Election – Jason Comden
- Resources Victoria – Sarah Andrew
- Occupational Health & Safety – David McKelvie
- Heavy Vehicle Transport – Andrew Burdett
- Training & Education – Craig Banthorpe
- Environment – Matt Skidmore
- Roads & Pavements – Ashley Day
The knowledge and experience within the CMPA membership is one of the Association’s strengths. Many of the challenges faced by individual businesses are shared across the industry, and there is value in members being able to share their experience and learn from each other.
Recently, we held the Quarry Audit Program Webinar and the Psychosocial Hazards Assessment Webinar via MS Teams, both of which were well attended.
We also look forward to the Annual Dinner on 3 October at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong, where we can recognise our members and the contribution our industry makes across Victoria.
I encourage members to continue to contact the Secretariat or myself with issues affecting your business or the broader quarrying industry. Your feedback is important in setting the CMPA’s priorities and ensuring our advocacy remains focused on the matters that matter to members.