Earth Resources Regulation has made changes to the compliance activities of quarries and mines across Victoria as part of the state’s COVID-19 restrictions.
Metropolitan Melbourne is currently under Stage 4 restrictions, while regional Victoria faces Stage 3 restrictions.
The temporary changes include a suspension to on-site initial site meetings for proposed work plans and variations while the current restrictions are in place.
Earth Resources encourages quarries to contact its assessments team via workplan.approvals@ecodev.vic.gov.au to discuss the options of virtual initial site meetings, including the use of video footage and photographs.
Office-based rehabilitation bonds have also been temporarily stopped and will be unable to accept bank guarantees. Earth Resources is currently seeking “opportunities for temporary arrangements for bond registrations and returns,” during these temporary changes.
“We have made some temporary changes to our compliance procedures to ensure we safely carry out activities while coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions are in place across Victoria,” Earth Resources Regulation’s acting executive director Paul McDonald told Quarry.
“We are limiting our on-site activity to responses to critical incidents or where there is a significant risk to public safety, the environment, land or infrastructure.
“We will continue to attend meetings, investigate complaints and follow up on non-compliance in line with the directions of the Chief Health Officer.”
Earth Resources also said it would fast track Work Plan variations to support the supply of resources for major infrastructure and bushfire recovery projects, along with industry approvals to address the impacts of COVID-19.