QPA Showcase 08 - Spotlight on a Responsible and Essential Industry
QPA, the principal trade body for the quarry products sector,
held its premier event of the year yesterday at the Royal Lancaster
Hotel in London. The QPA Showcase 08 proved a provocative and
inspirational event, attended by a high profile audience of over
470 key stakeholders and industry delegates. With an issues-driven
approach, Showcase 08 succeeded in highlighting major successes,
exploring challenges ahead and examining the industry's role in
future developments.
Channel 4 broadcaster Krishnan Guru-Murthy, hosted the event
which featured live presentations on stage and pre-filmed pieces
offering a fresh insight into the industry. The event also served
as both a platform for the Chairman to update on progress against
the Carbon Reduction Statement of Intent and for the QPA to make
a new pledge to significantly expand its work on biodiversity.
Director General Simon van der Byl's announcement included:
1. a commitment to develop a biodiversity strategy setting out
how the industry's contribution to biodiversity can be further
improved
2. a drive to ensure the industry is visibly regarded as a key
contributor to UK biodiversity targets
3. dedicated work QPA members and stakeholders to identify action
required for the industry to contribute to national biodiversity
and SSSI targets
The prestigious QPA Restoration Awards, now in their 38th year,
were also announced by special guest Graham Wynne, Chief Executive
of the RSPB. The Awards celebrate the remarkable steps operators
continue to take to restore quarried land to beneficial after-uses
and reward some of the best examples of sustainable practice.
From the eight entries, Hanson Aggregates' Otley Quarry in West
Yorkshire, which has been transformed into a first class nature
reserve, won the coveted top prize for outstanding quarry restoration:
the Cooper-Heyman Cup. The former sand and gravel operation displayed
leading practice on restoration for wildlife, going far above
and beyond the level expected by planning authorities.
A Chairman's Trophy was also awarded this year to Eton Aggregates'
Dorney Lake in Berkshire for the exceptional social contribution
it has made, locally, nationally and internationally. Dorney Lake
has been restored to a 2,200m Olympic standard rowing course,
park, arboretum and nature conservation area, and will be used
for the 2012 Olympic rowing and canoeing events. Eton Aggregates
is a joint venture company featuring QPA members CEMEX, Lafarge
and Tarmac.
Lynda Thompson, QPA Chairman, commented, "The 2008 entries
to the awards have been highly impressive and our winners thoroughly
deserve their prizes. These awards show just how much our industry
can achieve through restoration to promote biodiversity and benefit
the local community".
ENDS
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