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Earth Resources releases new regulations for Victoria’s quarries

 

Victoria’s quarry sector is set for a shake-up following Earth Resources regulation update to the State’s extractive industries.

Introduced in January, the regulations address requirements for work plans, rehabilitation and annual reporting. They also focus on infringement offences.

Replacing the outgoing 2010 regulations, the new update will provide a modernised and streamlined approach to extractive industry regulation.

WORK PLAN REQUIREMENTS

Earth Resources will be making changes to the risk management area of work plans.

The new regulations clarify that a risk management plan must include performance standards, requirements relating to sensitive receptors and noting the roles and responsibilities of workplace personnel accountable for implementing the plan.

REHABILITATION PLAN REQUIREMENTS

Changes to rehabilitation requirements aim to provide a sense of certainty to the community for the future uses of quarry sites.

Current rehabilitation plans will continue until 1 July 2021 during the transition period.

A requirement to include post-quarry land use along with criteria and steps to ensure rehabilitation is achieved.

The plan must also outline a risk assessment and plan for long-term management of the risks associated with a rehabilitated landform.

INFRINGEMENTS

A total of 19 new infringement offences have been introduced in the January regulation changes.

Changes include extensions to cover people and corporations along with changes to penalty units.

Infringement notices that previously required full criminal prosecutions are now able to be issued by Earth Resources Regulation.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

There are minor changes to annual reports starting from the financial year commencing 1 July 2020.

Reporting is now required to be completed at most 31 days after the end of the financial year (an extension can be granted in some circumstances).

Annual reports now need to include resource estimates for the amount of stone resource available for extraction plus production data.

Stone density before extraction, the stratigraphic unit of the stone and its maximum depth before extraction are also required to be reported.

Statutory declarations are not needed under the new requirements.

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