Western Australia Report - May 2009

Government and agency meetings
A delegation from CCF WA and Julie Abramson from National office met recently with several state government ministers, and ministerial staff. The aim was to introduce ourselves to the new Barnett government, and to show our support for various initiatives that have been announced, over their first six months in government.
CCF WA is planning a response to the Building a Better Planning System consultation paper that was released in March by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure. Our meeting with Planning Minister John Day, underscored the need for serious reform measures in this area. Such reform will have a positive impact on our members, particularly those involved in sub-divisional work.
Peter Collier, Minister for Energy and Training, was particularly interested in the development of our Civil Construction Skills Centre and such a centre’s role in the development of skills, particularly in young people. CCF WA is actively looking at various business models for the Skills Centre and is looking forward to announcing further details in the coming weeks.
Our meeting with Treasurer Troy Buswell’s chief of staff provided great insight into the challenges the state government is facing in formulating its first budget. Our member’s views were well received and it was noted that our industry is key to an infrastructure-led recovery.
We also met Sue Murphy, CEO of Water Corporation, to discuss issues of common interest, most notably our commitment to safety, quality and timeliness of project delivery. The desire to see the CCSC play a key role in these outcomes was discussed at length.
Industrial relations
CCF WA is actively working to educate members regarding impending changes to be ushered in with Fair Work Australia from 1 July 2009 and the introduction of modern awards from 1 January 2010.
Tony Heelan, from Heelan & Co, who was instrumental in the development of the current WA Civil Contracting Award in 1998, will brief members at a breakfast function at Burswood on Wednesday 13 May. Given the number of changes anticipated and the impact these changes will have on members, CCF WA anticipates that more forums will need to be offered to members in the coming months.
With industrial relations becoming more federalised, CCF WA is also working collaboratively with the national office, to ensure that wherever possible, we are consistent in our approach to issues of interest to our members.
Climate change
Another impact businesses will need to prepare for is the introduction of the carbon pollution reduction scheme. South West members were briefed in their April meeting in Margaret River on the likely impacts of the scheme on our members by Carbon Planet. Although the scheme’s introduction has since been delayed by 12 months, (with more ambitious targets also announced), CCF WA will continue to ensure members are well placed to handle the introduction.
Congratulations to Trevor Gosatti
CCF WA board member and MD of Vortex Pipes Ltd Trevor Gosatti, was elected federal president for the Australasian Society for Trenchless Technology. We congratulate Trevor on his appointment, and also acknowledge the contribution made by outgoing federal president Menno Henneveld from Main Roads in WA, a valued CCF WA client.