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Exploration applications show strong interest in WA
The successful applicants for Round 21 of the State Government's Exploration Incentive Scheme's (EIS) Co-funded Exploration Drilling Program have been announced.
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The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety received 61 applications, with 45 applicants offered co-funded drilling grants worth $5.23 million.
The applicants' 49 projects stretch from the Kimberley and Pilbara in the north, through to the Mid-West, Goldfields and the South-West regions.
Almost a third of the successful general category applicants are searching for battery minerals, including one vanadium project and two rare earth element projects.
While seven successful prospectors are looking for gold, copper and base metals. The applicants will have 12 months to undertake the work - from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
The Co-funded Exploration Drilling Program, which provides incentives to drill in under explored areas, has resulted in significant scientific and economic results for the State's resources industry.
The projects provide an extensive collection of drill core, which is stored at the Geological Survey of Western Australia's core libraries - offering a valuable resource for explorers.
A recent EIS success story includes Capricorn Metals' Karlawinda gold project, which has exceeded two million ounces in reserves.
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston said, "Round 21's 49 successful projects was an increase on the previous round, which bodes well for the future of our resources industry as the State Government works towards economic recovery after COVID-19. "The amount of applications we received, reflect the strong interest in Western Australia as an investment destination for mineral resources"
Livestock supply chain review
ALRTA has lodged a comprehensive submission to the NHVR Issues Paper on ‘Improving Awareness and Practices in the Livestock Supply Chain’. The final submission included 27 recommendations relating to the operation of chain of responsibility, livestock loading schemes, critical steps for compliant loading and education and awareness.
ALRTA President Stephen Marley said that the review is an opportunity to improve the regulator’s understanding of the livestock supply chain and to highlight problems associated with regulatory inconsistencies across HVNL jurisdictions.
“Livestock transport is like no other task in the road freight sector. Operators and drivers are simultaneously required to adhere to animal welfare laws and road transport laws,” said Mr. Marley.
“The legislated Land Transport Standards mandate that livestock is loaded at specified densities. It is detrimental to animal welfare to overload or underload.
“Commercial livestock crates are regulated under Australian Design Rules, HVNL regulations, and the rules of state livestock loading schemes. Crate dimensions are limited to 12.5m length, 4.6m height, and 2.5m width.
“It is normal practice to fully load livestock crates in accordance with the Land Transport Standards. This will produce a compliant outcome under the rules of livestock loading schemes in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania.
“However, livestock loading scheme rules are substantially different in NSW. Operators who fully comply with the loading densities specified in the Land Transport Standards may not comply with NSW mass limits because of natural variations between individual animals and inaccurate or absent mass disclosures by consignors.
“This stark regulatory inconsistency means that the same combination, loaded the same way, can be entirely compliant in all HVNL jurisdictions except NSW.
“One of the primary mandates of the HVNL and NHVR is to achieve regulatory consistency. Given there is no evidence to suggest safety or infrastructure outcomes for livestock vehicles differ across HVNL jurisdictions, it should be a key priority for the NHVR to bring the NSW livestock loading scheme into line with all other HVNL jurisdictions. At the very least, the 0.5t tri-axle tolerance should be immediately increased to 1.0t in line with the tolerance now available for other vehicles,” he said.
Government access to vehiclegenerated data
The NTC is exploring the challenges and opportunities relating to government access to vehicle-generated data and wants your feedback on proposed policy options.
“Vehicles are increasingly capturing a range of useful data which could provide new opportunities to improve our transportation systems,” they said.
In the NTC’s latest discussion paper, they put forward policy options aimed at improving road safety outcomes, reducing congestion, and improving investment, maintenance, and planning decisions.
The NTC wants to hear from road users, industry, and government agencies. Your feedback will inform recommendations to transport and infrastructure ministers in late 2020.
To get involved, you can provide a written submission via the NTC website or respond to questions online at www.ntc.gov.au/engage-ntc or register your interest by emailing automatedvehicles@ntc.gov.au
