Earth Resources Regulator release draft quarries’ code of practice

The Victorian quarry industry is being sought out for feedback on a new draft code of practice by the Earth Resources Regulator. 

A draft code of practice for quarries regarding common risk management techniques has been released for public consultation by Victoria’s Earth Resources Regulator.

The regulator will take public feedback on the state government’s online consultation platform, Engage Victoria.  

According to the regulator, the feedback will help shape the code of practice.  

“(It will) comprehensively and effectively addresses the unique challenges of managing risk in the quarrying sector,” they said.   

The code is aiming to improve these areas:

• provide a shared understanding of common hazards, performance standards and control to remove or minimise impacts from the hazards that occur at quarries.
• simplify and streamline requirements for assessments of quarry work plans and work plan variations.
• reduce duplication in assessments between co-regulators.

It comes after the regulator unveiled data for the annual year of review assessment, which showed continued demand for the state’s resources. The data showed quarries played a critical part in the state’s recovery from the floods, which hampered a significant portion of Victoria across late 2022. 

The deadline for all feedback is October 16.  

Engage Victoria’s website has a copy of the code as well as answers and feedback.