Page 7 - The Bulletin #135 Summer 2021

RECENT INDUSTRY AND
GOVERNMENT SUBMISSIONS
While our CCF Victoria President, Steve Traicevski, in his editorial has highlighted our important submission into the MTIA / DTF Reforming Procurement Review into Major Transport Infrastructure Mega Projects (>$1bn), CCF has also made significant representation and submissions into the following regulatory reforms.
1. Dangerous Goods Act (1985)
The State Government is conducting an independent review into the Dangerous Good Act (1985).
In undertaking this review, consideration is being given to any relevant work that has already been undertaken, with particular regard to the following recent reviews:
n the State Crisis Resilience Council
(SCRC);
n the Essential Services Commission’s
(ESC) Review into Recycling;
n the final report of the Legislative Council
Environment and Planning Committee’s Inquiry into Recycling and Waste Management;
n the Victorian Auditor-General’s report Recovering and Reprocessing Resources from Waste;
n Inspector-General Emergency Management report on Coolaroo and Tottenham fires;
n Coroner reports on Tottenham and Campbellfield fires;
n recent or ongoing legislative and regulatory reforms relating to dangerous goods;
n the Model work health and safety (WHS) laws relating to dangerous goods.
CCF reviewed the discussion paper released and made a submission into this review following endorsement by the CCF Victoria Board at its November 2020 meeting.
A copy of this submission is available for view via the CCF Member Portal: https://portal.ccfvic.com.au
Login and select Member Resources > Position Papers to view the document.
2. EPA Amendment Bill (2018) Update
As reported in my last CCF Bulletin Editorial, CCF has continued its representation on the EPA Construction Industry Reference Group and EPA Strategic Advisory Council in preparation for the introduction of new EPA regulations wef 1 July 2021.
As you are aware, the CCF provided pro-active feedback during the 2019 consultation process into the draft
environment protection subordinate legislation. The Response to public comment report is now available on EPA’s website. The report summarises the Victorian Government’s response to the key issues raised in submissions on:
n the draft Regulations
n their incorporated documents
n the Environment Reference Standard
(ERS).
Alongside the report, the Government has released ‘proposed final’ versions
of the new subordinate legislation -
the Regulations and the ERS. This is unprecedented as the proposed final Regulations and ERS have not been
made as legislation by the Governor in Council. They do reflect the feedback
the EPA received during the 2019 consultation period and please note that no further feedback on the proposed final Regulations is being sought by the EPA as they represent the endorsed position of the Victorian Government.
The release of the proposed final Regulations and ERS provides CCF members and industry with more time to become familiar with the detail of the new subordinate legislation and prepare for the commencement of the new laws in 2021. It is the Government’s intention that the new environment protection laws will come into effect on 1 July 2021. Until then, you are
required to continue operating under the Environment Protection Act 1970.
The publishing of the proposed
final Regulations and ERS will allow
you to prepare with confidence for the commencement of the new laws in 2021. CCF is working closely with the EPA on a series of industry briefing and training sessions over the ensuing months in preparation for these new laws.
Quick Links:
The proposed final Regulations and ERS are available on EPA’s website epa.vic.gov.au.
The response to public comment report is also available on EPA’s website epa.vic.gov.au. There are proposed final versions of 5
EPA publications that will be incorporated in the Regulations when they are made and support their operation. These are:
n Noise limit and assessment protocol
(publication 1826)
n ESMP data manual 1992: Engine speed
at maximum power and noise test engine speeds for vehicles 1970 to 2005 (publication 317)
n Protocol for calculating monetary benefits (publication 1727)
n Waste classification assessment protocol (publication 1827)
n Waste disposal categories - characteristics and thresholds (publication 1828)
THE BULLETIN – Civil Contractors Federation VIC
SUMMER 2021 7
FROM THE CEO