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Fair Trading launch pilot program by Sophie Onikui 4 April 2014
F
air Trading Minister Stuart Ayres has welcomed the launch of a pilot program to provide annual Plumbing Health Checks for Aboriginal housing providers and their tenants living in rural and remote locations in NSW. The program is designed for remote Aboriginal communities with limited access to tradespeople. Mr Ayres said expert Fair Trading plumbing officers will next week conduct a Plumbing Health Check Program in Lightning Ridge and Walgett to benefit Indigenous social housing tenants along with local Aboriginal housing providers, Murdi Paaki Regional Housing Corporation Ltd and Barriekneal Community & Housing Ltd. “This is yet another great example of Fair Trading supporting local communities in rural NSW,” Mr Ayres said. “Fair Trading’s Home Building Service and Aboriginal officers will be teaming up to give local communities a better understanding of the use and operation of the plumbing and drainage systems in their homes.
“Plumbing Health Check programs will also help communities identify basic signs indicating system failure, blocked drains and leaking water mains. “This will help minimise potentially expensive repairs and reduce environmental impacts. “The program will also provide education on how to prevent scalding from hot water systems.” Plumbing Health Check programs will emphasise the importance of engaging licensed contractors and the impacts of flushing chemicals into the system, planting over sewer and stormwater lines and altering or interfering with existing drainage. Appropriate use of drinking water supplies, backflow prevention to prevent contamination and identifying water conservation opportunities will also be covered. Paul Kemp, General Manager of the Murdi Paaki Regional Housing Corporation, welcomed the initiative. “It’s great to see Fair Trading working with communities on innovative programs that ultimately could lead to better health conditions for our people in remote parts of the State,” he said. Frances Carpenter, Office
Manager at the Barriekneal Housing and Community Ltd, applauded Fair Trading on the Plumbing Health Check program. “Barriekneal and its tenants are looking forward to the program having a positive impact and continuing to build upon the good work Fair Trading has been doing in Western NSW for many years,” she said. Mr Ayres said NSW Fair Trading continued to build longterm partnerships with a range of agencies and community organisations under the agency’s Aboriginal Action Plan. “This pilot together with My Place programs reflect Fair Trading’s commitment to maintaining a regional footprint for all consumers living in rural and remote areas across NSW,” he said. Minister Ayres encouraged other remote NSW Aboriginal communities interested in the program to contact the Coordinator of Aboriginal Programs, Brett Cunningham, on 02 4925 7012, 0423 844 286 or brett. cunningham@finance.nsw.gov. au or the Director of the Home Building Service, Lynelle Collins, on 02 9895 0753, 0477 310 257 or lynelle.collins@finance.nsw.gov.au
Minister Stuart Ayres with constituents from his Penrith electorate
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