AUSTR ALIAN
The future of energy How biogas fits in // Women in Solar
SUMMER | 2023
Australia’s industry and member news
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Contents
Biogas – an alternative and rapidly growing green-power source
Take stock of the seismic shifts, their impacts and the outlook going forward
Welcome
7
From the President
Industry feature
8
Pace of power
Future energy
12
Understand the biogas buzz?
Tech’s most wanted
Clean and green
16
Find the answers to some of the most asked questions
Tech talk
18
A question of choice
Around the nation
20
What’s happening in plumbing, locally and nationally
Women in Solar
28
A program with its eye on the future
Powering up
Industry feature
32 36
David Rotstein predicts solar will continue to grow for Australians
Vehicle reviews
Positive power
44
A model made
Product news
46
Disclaimer API is published for the plumbing industry and Master Plumbers Members by the Master Plumbers’ and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA) ABN: 56 296 473 997. Responsibility for comment in respect of elections in Master Plumbers is taken by Peter Daly of 15/306 Albert Street, Brunswick, VIC, 3056. Advertising: No responsibility is accepted by the publisher for accuracy of information contained in advertisements. Publication of any advertisements does not constitute endorsement by the publisher of any product, nor warrant its suitability. Advertisements are published as submitted by advertisers. Copyright: No part of this magazine may be produced without the publisher’s written permission Contributors: The views of external contributors and advertisers are not necessarily the views of Master Plumbers. Master Plumbers supports green printing initiatives. This magazine has been printed on FSC® certified paper using vegetable based inks by Southern Colour under ISO 14001 environmental certification.
4 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
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Welcome
to the Summer edition of Australian Plumbing
Master Plumbers has been at the forefront of advocacy in the past year, and in this edition, we take stock of the seismic shifts, their impacts and the outlook going forward. Today, more decisions that impact our industry are made at a national level and even an international level. Decisions about workforce development, training requirements, technical standards, workplace relations, occupational health and safety, and labour laws, to name a few, are not made in Victoria, but rather by the Australian Government; by national agreement between the Federal, State and Territory governments; or even as obligations under treaties and trade agreements between countries. This is why Master Plumbers provides thought leadership and undertakes advocacy at the national and international levels as well as in Victoria, because by the time changes to laws, regulations or standards hit any state or territory, it’s often too late to change them. The National Construction Code, Australian Standards, plumbing training requirements, workplace laws and regulations on small business are all examples of this. Unfortunately, surprises also happen locally such as Victoria’s poorly thought-out gas ban. In late July, the Victorian Government changed the trajectory of their agreed Gas Transition Roadmap by announcing a ban on issuing planning permits for all gas connections in new domestic builds from 1 January 2024. The announcement was lacking in detail and made without any consultation with industry, which sent shockwaves across the trade. Master Plumbers has expressed its concerns widely and we have strongly condemned this in the media. Notwithstanding this development, Master Plumbers continues to take a balanced view of future energy sources. We have supported the transition of the economy to lower emission energy sources but do not agree with views that natural gas has had its day – it has a critical role to play for many years as we build infrastructure to deliver electrification from completely renewable sources (as opposed to burning coal). We are also strongly advocating at a national level the critical role that green biofuels and hydrogen can play in our economy and communities, as it does overseas. The role that electrification will play in HVAC will become increasingly important as the adoption of heat-pump technology for domestic and commercial application increases, fuelled in some markets by government incentives, which risk driving the wrong outcomes for consumers. Rapid adoption of emerging technology also brings its own set of challenges with significant variability in the quality and efficiency of units on the market and a need for the industry to improve its skillsets in design, installation and maintenance. We are working closely with Solar Victoria to enable the plumbing industry to
address these issues, ensure consumers are protected and position us as part of a sustainable future. To develop an industry-led roadmap for heat-pump hot water systems for the Australian market we are also collaborating with the Energy Efficiency Council. Another key push was ‘calling up’ AS 4575 in the Victorian plumbing regulations to set a minimum standard for gas appliance servicing, because of the benefits accruing to the community, consumers and our industry. But as many members will know, the government’s implementation created an onerous, unnecessary and unfair reporting burden on gasfitters. We subsequently put the Victorian Government on notice about the way it introduced these changes and had numerous discussions with government and government departments at the most senior levels. Our work on behalf of members, in fact all gasfitters, has paid off with the Victorian Government accepting the need to change the regulations. What this means in practice is that the Gas Safety (Gas Installation) Regulations 2018 will be amended in early 2024 to remove the requirement to submit to VBA a completed version of the Appendix E checklist, but rather to submit this to the VBA on request. This will drastically cut down the reporting burden and cost and bring the reporting in line with other reporting requirements. We do this advocacy on behalf of members. Much of it is necessarily done behind closed doors to ensure results but we do it with the strength of our membership. There are many other important issues on which we are voicing member concerns and providing thought leadership and action. These cover big-picture issues such as re-writing the Ministerial Order which defines the plumbing regulatory framework in Victoria; a fit for purpose insurance system; complex plumbing needs; protecting the safety and integrity of our industry; protecting the viability and success of plumbing businesses; and future-proofing our industry. As we inch closer to the end of the year, we would like to thank all our esteemed members in Victoria and Master Plumbers associations’ members across the country for the incredible contribution you continue to make to the industry and your associations. Stay safe and look after each other. See you next year! Norm Anderson President, Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia www.plumber.com.au | 7
Industry feature
Pace of power In the race to sustainability, the Victorian Government must not ignore an efficient and effective power source that could make gas a clean, green option. We need to understand what we’re actually trying to address here and what the industry needs to retrain in
8 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
Victoria has the highest use of residential gas in Australia, with around 80 per cent of homes connected In July, the Victorian Government announced that, from January 2024, planning permits for new homes and residential subdivisions will only connect to all-electric networks. Providing just six months’ notice before the implementation of a major reform – effectively banning gas in new future domestic builds – catching industry stakeholders including Master Plumbers significantly off guard. “The announcement did blindside us, there was very little prior information, which is quite unusual for something like this, and nothing in the way of consultation. We are still in a position where a lot of the specifics are quite unclear,” says Master Plumbers’ Chief Technical Adviser Gary Bath. While the Victorian Government’s Gas Substitution Roadmap, published in 2022, had already established that the shift away from natural gas was a priority over coming years, and the new laws follow last year’s reform that removed the mandatory requirements for reticulated gas connections for new homes, Master Plumbers believes the decision to fast-track the ban is premature. “In Victoria, we’re only producing a third of our electricity sustainably through wind and other means. We certainly thought that by the time these changes were to be introduced, we would have been further down the path of sustainable electricity,” says Gary. “That’s still a lot of coal being burnt, and a lot of natural gas being burnt, to generate electricity. You don’t have to be Einstein to work out that if we’re going to have more appliances that are going to be relying on electricity, that’s going to be an increase in the total energy use at a time when you would argue we’re not really in a position to be able to produce that sustainably. The new laws will impact not only new homes, but also all new public buildings that haven’t reached design stage. This impacts schools to hospitals, police stations and other government-owned buildings.
In its announcement, the Victorian Government highlighted that going all-electric will save households up to $1,000 on their annual energy bills, while working towards the state’s targets to reduce emissions by up to 80 per cent below 2005 levels by 2035 and to net zero by 2045. Victoria has the highest use of residential gas in Australia, with around 80 per cent of homes connected. The entire gas sector contributes about 17 per cent of the state’s emissions with domestic use accounting for about 2 per cent of this total. Gary points out that the state’s southern position means households rely on more heating in winter than other parts of the country. “We are a lot cooler than some of the northern states and by necessity we really rely on effective and efficient heating during the winter months. We need to have access to that in a sustainable and cost-effective way, and the answer isn’t always on the electrical side of things.” One of Master Plumbers’ key concerns with the short notice is a lack of understanding about how the new laws will be adopted by local councils. “We certainly need a lot more information about the process because it’s still not 100 per cent clear whether this is something that’s going to be easily integrated by local councils who are the first port of call when it comes to planning permits,” says Gary. The Industry is being asked to wade through these changes, and what it means is that there will be housing developments in some cases where they may already have reticulated gas supply. The potential outcome is that half a housing estate, depending on the status of the planning permit, doesn’t get access to gas. Sub-divisions are also subject to the laws, which poses questions about what the changes will mean for neighbouring residences. With the plumbing industry at the forefront of the clean-energy transition to a low-carbon economy, Gary says the Victorian Government’s investment of just $1 million towards targeted training to ensure the construction industry is supported in the transition to all electric and seven-star homes is inadequate. “It’s a very small amount, it’s easy to suggest that this decision was made without any thinking about the true cost. Ultimately, we need to understand what we’re actually trying to address here and what the industry needs to retrain in.” www.plumber.com.au | 9
Master Plumbers has long recognised the vital role the plumbing industry plays, and will continue to play, in developing and maintaining public health and ensuring the environmental sustainability of communities. In its Plumbing Industry Priorities document, it highlights that the Victorian economy is extremely gas reliant and that the plumbing industry will play an integral part in the development of the clean economy. Across five Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) campuses around Australia, Master Plumbers is supporting the next generation of plumbers to develop vital skills in sustainable plumbing. Master Plumbers’ submission to the Victorian Government’s Gas Substitution Roadmap reiterated that hydrogen is a potential gas replacement, which must be part of the transition arrangements, and that the state has the existing resources and infrastructure to make hydrogen uptake a reality (see sidebar). “There needs to be alternatives [to gas] now, as the reality is that until we get a cheap and sustainable electricity supply, to simply take gas away as an option is inefficient and not cost effective in the longer-term.” Master Plumbers regularly shares updates and answers to frequently asked questions about the impending gas ban on its website and is encouraging members to stay informed and to support clients. “We will be publishing a fact sheet that our members can pass over to consumers, to help them make a more educated assessment of what their needs might be,” says Gary. “Our biggest fear is that there’s going to be a lot of gas appliances needlessly removed from houses because of the fairly aggressive campaign against them in the journey towards electrification. We encourage people who are contemplating changing appliances to weigh up what their options are, because given their unique situations that may well be more cost effective and more efficient to stay with what they’ve got in some cases. “For instance, for someone who has a holiday house, there is not much point paying for storage, heated hot water that they are not going to use. They are probably better off sticking with a demand type system that will be cheaper and more efficient, and probably more greenhouse friendly than something that’s operating or turning on or off every day with no use. “Our members are out there every day, helping people make decisions about what is best for their needs cost in terms of cost effectiveness and sustainability.”
Keep up to date with news and information about Victoria’s gas ban by visiting www.plumber.com.au/gas_ban
10 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
The renewable gas opportunity With hydrogen widely acknowledged as potential gas replacement, there has been an expectation that Victoria could utilise its extensive natural gas network, which is one of the biggest in the world, to store and transmit a blend of hydrogen and natural gas or 100 per cent hydrogen. “It’s certainly possible for that to happen, there are ongoing projects here in Australia such as in South Australia’s Mitchell Park, where they’re blending increasingly higher amounts or percentages of hydrogen into the natural gas system,” says Gary. “Biogas can be similarly sustainably produced and has very little impact greenhouse gas wide as an alternative to natural gas. The technology suggests that you can have electrolysis producing hydrogen at a local or domestic level – you can buy an electolyser that produces hydrogen gas which is the size of a suitcase. “That sort of technology means a domestic house doesn’t have to be necessarily on-grid in terms of a gas supply, it can be producing its own gas at a local or estate-type level.” While it’s unclear what the impending gas ban will mean for Victoria’s hydrogen future, Gary says the momentum built will continue. “There’s an increasing amount of interest in hydrogen appliances in Australia, with a number of appliances up for certification. At the end of the day, if they’re built, people will adapt to them.” Meanwhile, overseas there is around 18 GW of installed power generation capacity running on biogas around the world, most of which is in Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom. And here in Australia, Sydney’s Malabar Biomethane Injection Plant is taking sewage, purifying it and injecting it back as gas into the network for use in stoves and heaters. The trial, a partnership between Energy giant Jemena and Sydney Water is tracking to produce enough gas to meet the yearly needs of 6300 homes. “The more we work toward a diversity of sustainable gas options as an industry and as a community, the more impact we will have on climate change and the more choice consumers will have,” Gary says.
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Future energy
Understand the
biogas buzz? A lot of people are talking about an alternative energy source, Biogas. But what is it and how is it made? Curtis de la Harpe has the run down on this alternative and rapidly growing green-power source, and what it might mean for the Plumbing industry in Australia. For years the plumbing world has been hearing about the new green-energy hope, hydrogen, and its applications both in the industrial and residential spaces. However, recently there has been entry being bandied around, biogas and in-turn biomethane.
What is Biogas? Biogas is a renewable energy source that is produced when organic matter, such as food waste, agricultural waste or sewage, breaks down in an oxygen-free environment. The gas produced is made of several chemical compounds, however the primary component is methane (CH4). 12 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
This methane can be used much in the same way as we currently use fossil-fuel based gas for energy production. Compared to other hydrocarbon fuels, methane produces less carbon dioxide per unit of heat released. This breakdown of biomass occurs by bacteria eating it in an oxygen-free environment. It is a process called anaerobic digestion and is like fermentation by yeast in beer.
What is Biomethane? Biogas contains between 50-70% methane. For it to be utilised in the current natural gas grid or as a transport fuel, it needs to be purified to 95-98% methane, which is known
as biomethane. You can burn biogas for energy; however, it is far less efficient than the much purer form, biomethane. By generating biomethane for fuel, we can create a full recycling loop for spent biomaterials. By utilising capture technologies on compostable materials, you create soil rich for growing and fuel that can be used in place of traditional fuels. Methane can be used as a replacement for natural gas in almost all applications with no modification to the appliance. So, the potential roll out would be much easier than alternative green fuels that would need major infrastructure upgrades.
Is this a “green” technology? Yes. We create methane in the form of biogas in our everyday lives. In most cases it is not captured, it is instead released into the atmosphere. This can occur through landfills or wastewater treatment.
By capturing biogas and using it as a fuel source, we are using the gas by burning it, which releases less emissions into the environment. It is not completely clean as there are still some emissions created when you burn methane, however it is far “greener” than burning hydrocarbon-based fuels or simply allowing methane to be released to the atmosphere. To put this into perspective. For every tonne of biowaste that is thrown out, the equivalent of 6.2 tonnes of CO2 is created in the
form of methane. Methane is 86 times more potent than CO2 to the environment over 20 years. To capture and use this methane rather than have it escape is considered carbon negative as the emissions created by burning methane are less than those created when it simply escapes into atmosphere.
Is this new? Yes and no. Biomethane is not a new concept globally or even in Australia. However, large-scale infrastructure projects in Australia are quite new. With the focus on Australia becoming net zero, a number of gas producers are looking to generate biomethane in the near term. Jemena has been working with Sydney water for some time to turn wastewater into useable methane gas. This has led them to identify new sources of biomethane www.plumber.com.au | 13
Methane can be used as a replacement for natural gas in almost all applications with no modification to the appliance
like landfill and agricultural waste plants. In June 2023 Jemena stated injecting biomethane into the NSW gas network. In Victoria, Melbourne Water has been collecting biogas from the sewage that they are treating to generate the power to run the facility. Treating wastewater is an energy intensive process and the Western Treatment Plant generates 80% of its power from the wastewater it is treating.
So, what is the rest of the world doing? Countries across Europe have long had access to renewable gas, with that access through existing gas pipeline infrastructure or behindthe-meter plants ramping up in recent years. Last year alone, there were 149 biomethane plants commissioned in France, either supporting industry and communities directly, or injecting into existing pipeline networks. Denmark has already transitioned to 25 percent biomethane and has set a target of reaching 100 percent by 2034. Last year the European Commission set a target for its member states to increase ten-fold biomethane production by 2030, which will take last year year’s annual production total of 3.6 billion cubic metres to 35 billion cubic metres or 1230 petajoules which is more than Australia’s domestic gas use, outside of LNG export production.
What does it mean for plumbing? Since biomethane does not require retro fitment of existing appliances, it can be directly injected into the current grid, it has no extra 14 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
requirements for storage and there is no direct impact on plumbers in terms of day-to-day application. However, for our industry it has the potential to help. There is a big push from State and Federal governments for the electrification of Australia, which in many ways does not include a future for gas in residential and government-owned buildings. Biomethane opens a carbon neutral, if not negative, option for gas that was not there with hydrogen. It allows for gas manufacturing to be a viable industry in Australia while still allowing for the plans for the 2050 targets. It just requires government and industry to take up this option. Biogas is just one of the alternative gas options that Australia and in-turn the world is looking to as we pay greater attention to the importance of becoming carbon neutral. Unlike far more complex gas production options like Syngas (Gasification), biogas is the most attractive to governments and industrial investors, and it therefore the most likely to be viable for long-term implementation. Master Plumbers Australia New Zealand (MPANZ), which comprises all plumbing-industry associations across the two countries are signatories to the Renewable Gas Challenge along with several manufacturers and other industry stakeholders. All signatories support the national certification of biomethane and have called for policy reform by the Federal Government noting it would lay the foundation for Australia’s own domestic renewable gas sector, lead to greater investment, significant development and, subsequent, increase in supply and prices comparable to natural gas.
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Tech’s most wanted
Can you answer In our regular Master Plumbers’ Series, our technical advice team shares the answers to some of the most asked questions. There is still a lot of confusion surrounding roofing compliance and the volume of questions our team has received this quarter has proven this point. Let’s look at some of our most frequently asked roofing questions.
Can we replace an original gutter installation despite it not being compliant with current standards? The short answer is no. There may well be a case for an installation that does not meet the current Australian Standards to be installed under a performance solution, particularly if that gutter has not had any issues with failure in the past but there is no provision in Standards, NCC/PCA or Handbooks (like HB39) that would allow for a like-for-like replacement. So, if you are replacing a box gutter that is not compliant with AS/ NZS3500.3 your options are: • Complete a Performance Solution based on the existing size, etc of the gutter using the history of the installation as part of the performance criteria. • Upgrade the installation to meet the AS/NZS3500.3. • Contact the VBA with a view to repairing the roof.
16 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
Can we install upside down pops in the box gutter or sump as an overflow provision? No, to satisfy the provisions of the standards, we can only allow for overflow provisions as they are depicted in AS/NZS3500.3 and HB39. High capacity sump depicted in the adjoining image. With box gutters you would have to use a correctly sized rainhead, sump with side overflow or high-capacity sump, to satisfy the overflow provisions that have been set out. You can find what these should look like in AS/NZS3500.3:2021, Figure 3.7.3 Overflow devices – Box gutters.
Can I connect my overflow back into the downpipe or storm water drain? No, connecting your overflow back into the downpipe or drain defeats the purpose of the provision for overflow installed. An overflow is installed to prevent damage or water ingress in case of a blockage to the downpipe or stormwater system.
There is still a lot of confusion surrounding roofing compliance
This is why AS/NZS3500.3, clause 3.7.7.1 calls for the overflow device to discharge to atmosphere. While we are on the topic of roofing, it is important to remember that when sizing sumps there is a minimum size according to the Australian Standards, regardless of the length you get on completion of your sizing calculations. Minimum lengths: • High-capacity sumps must be a minimum of 600mm in length (This can be found in figure H7, AS/NZS3500.3:2021, Appendix H) • Sumps with side overflow, must be a minimum of 400mm in length (This can be found in figure H5, AS/NZS3500.3:2021, Appendix H)
the FAQs?
www.plumber.com.au | 17
Tech talk
A confusion of choice Gary Bath talks hot-water systems. Changes at State and Federal Government level that focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions along with innovation in the hot water service sector have created pressure on plumbers to understand the growing number of consumer options. A hot water system (HWS) has a usual lifespan of about 10-15 years. So, while predicting future energy costs, is anyone’s guess and there are diminishing returns on rebates for putting power back into the grid, consumers are turning to plumbers for advice. Unfortunately, the messaging does little to assist. Currently, there’s a strong focus on electrification of our energy supplies. However, it is at a time when our ability to produce an increasing volume of sustainable electricity, still has a way to go. Many in the market are also promising unrealistic returns on investment for people moving from gas to electricity without mentioning that consumers need to have solar PV or batteries to obtain the full benefit. Some aspects of consideration don’t change. For example, the difference between changing over an existing HWS in the event of it failing as opposed to a new build, where the consumer can see the benefit in investing in a system that will provide longer-term benefits to the environment and their back pocket. The suitability of a system that stores hot water but is slow to recover compared to an on-demand system where the use of the building – eg. holiday house – or the number of people that are using the system needs to be considered.
Consumers also face the many rebate schemes that are promoting heat-pump, hot-water systems as the complete answer. We have heard consumers ditching working systems for a low or no-cost heat-pump system, which does not operate effectively or efficiently because of an inferior product or how and where they were installed. A consumer who has a solar HWS boosted by a continuous flow gas HWS is most likely to be paying less for their hot water currently than most, so to change that system over to a less efficient and greater energy-cost system is a false economy. The improvements in heat-pump HWS technology are well documented, but they do have significant limitations. In colder areas, like our southern states, the ambient temperature in winter means that these systems are not anywhere near as efficient as they can be. Physical placement of the system is a consideration. They should be exposed to a northernfacing wall and consideration should be given to potential noise, like a split-system air conditioner. So, if these systems are to be considered, particularly in a cooler climate, they are best supported by an alternate energy system such as solar PV with a battery storage system. This option is not without costs, however, this somehow gets lost with the lure of a cheap or no-cost heat-pump system.
In the meantime, many consumers will be seeking advice on a hot water system that will meet their needs in cost, efficiency, environmental credentials and effectiveness. To that end Master Plumbers has produced information that targets consumers to inform them of the different systems that are available, what needs to be considered and what will meet their needs moving forward.
Integrated heat-pump HWS
“Split-system” heat-pump HWS
There is also an increased commitment at both Federal and State Government levels for alternate-gas supplies, with both Biogas and Hydrogen featuring in some recent policy papers. This points to an understanding that those states that are currently reliant on coal or gas produced electricity, need an alternative. Gas boosted solar HWS
18 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
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Victorian news Annual Report headlines Master Plumbers has stood by members for 132 years. Whether through investment in infrastructure or technology, future-proofing the workforce through leading-edge training, access to the best information, expert advice, support or advocacy, and advertising campaigns, Master Plumber’s goal is to ensure that members stay ahead of the game and are positioned to take every advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead. See what Master Plumbers achieved in 2022/23. In the past financial year, membership grew to 1,060 businesses, collectively representing over 7,000 plumbing professionals across Victoria. We boosted our technical offering by adding a third technical advisor and doubled our in-house communication and digital content creation capacity. Our in-house team of experts answered over 4,800 phone calls from members and our website received over 217,000 visitors. Hundreds of members took advantage of our specialist courses, forums and networking events.
20 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
We introduced new member benefits and services, including a business banking offer through NAB and an enhanced offering through Fleetcard. Members also received free insurance health checks through Marsh Insurance and free access to Australian Standards as well as a host of discounts, collectively saving members over $1 million. The team launched a regional pub night series, and visited six regional towns, to connect in-person with more members in the towns where they operate, bringing together members, local plumbers and key in-house and industry experts.
Our face-to-face events brought together over 1,000 industry professionals, and members loved the opportunity to connect through events including our Members’ Christmas Party, Master Plumbers Apprentice Awards, the Plumbing and Fire Industry Awards, and metropolitan Golf Day.
Communication We expanded our communications team and delivered content in new ways, including regular video updates across our social channels, and ‘always on’ digital marketing, as well as valuable resources like
Find your local association Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (Victoria) T (03) 9329 9622
Master Plumbers Association ACT Inc T (02) 6112 8630
Master Plumbers Association of Tasmania T (03) 6272 2199 Master Plumbers Association of Queensland T (07) 3273 0800
Find-a-Plumber. We distributed more than 100,000 copies of ‘Australian Plumbing’ magazine throughout Australia featuring a refreshed design and enhanced print quality.
Enhanced technical offering Master Plumbers expanded its team to three dedicated plumbing experts who collectively handled over 1,950 calls. The expertise of our technical team is also sought by the dozens of government panels and advisory bodies on which Master Plumbers represents the plumbing industry.
Taking action on behalf of members Master Plumbers has been at the forefront of advocacy on several issues, including ‘calling up’ AS 4575 in the Victorian plumbing regulations to set a minimum standard for gas appliance servicing. We successfully lobbied government to make the required changes, assisted
Master Plumbers & Gasfitters Association of Western Australia T (08) 9471 6661
Master Plumbers Association of South Australia T (08) 8292 4000 Master Plumbers & Mechanical Contractors Association of New South Wales T (02) 8789 7000
government through the Regulatory Impact Statement process and strongly advocated against this process becoming onerous for the attending gasfitter. We have been intensively engaged in further discussion with Government on both the inadequacies of the Gas Servicing Records Portal and the reporting burden underpinning it.
The gas transition In late July, the Victorian Government changed the trajectory of the gas transition roadmap by announcing a ban on all gas connections in new domestic builds from 1 January 2024. Master Plumbers has heavily criticised both the decision and the way it was announced. We have worked closely with members to help articulate the impact through direct contact, a Special Members-Only feedback forums, and a live Gas Ban information hub.
The go-to for industry advice When the new AS/NZS 5601.1 Gas Standard was introduced, there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the introduction of Clause, 5.2.11 Provisions of fire emergency isolation for multilayer pipe and the use of Excess Flow Valves (EFV). Our technical team amassed a solid understanding on the use, function and installation requirements of the valve which we were then able to share with members. Master Plumbers became the go-to industry contact regarding information on EFV’s. We hosted a Gas Information Night at PICAC Narre Warren in conjunction with ESV and Keefer Bros/Maxitrol. The tailored presentations and guidance has now been shared with most of Australia’s gas regulators.
Master Plumbers became the go-to industry contact regarding information on EFV’s
www.plumber.com.au | 21
Victorian news Keeping our people and business safe Master Plumbers welcomed a second in-house OHS officer, and the team has provided over 1,200 businesses with tailored WHS advice and guidance on critical topics. We also represented members on committees including the WorkSafe Foundations of Safety Committee and reference groups, the advisory committees of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), and WorkCover.
A changing Industrial Relations landscape Our in-house industrial relations expertise kept members informed of employment law changes and armed with the right advice and resources to navigate the impacts on their businesses and teams. Through regular EDMs, online factsheets and articles, direct phone calls, site visits and seminars, we continued to support members’ IR needs.
22 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
Training for our future Master Plumbers delivered more than 150,000 hours of training in apprentice, post-trade and licence level programs – up from 110,000 in the previous year. New trainers joined our team to boost our capacity and support the more than 350 apprentices enrolled in Brunswick and Narre Warren alone. Together with industry partners, we invested in a network of specialist plumbing training facilities across four state-of-the-art jointly owned PICAC campuses in Victoria and Queensland, delivering high-end training in key emerging sectors
like hydrogen energy, water recycling and solar energy integration. Master Plumbers and PICAC led the national development of learner resources and assessments as part of the industry’s transition to the new plumbing qualifications for Certificate III and Certificate IV programs. Our dedicated CPD portal and online course library ended the year with over 3,500 participants.
Master Plumbers Group Training Today our Group Training Organisations, Plumbing Apprenticeships Victoria (PAV) and Plumbing Apprentices Queensland (PAQ) employ over 170 apprentices per year. We provide plumbing businesses across Victoria and Queensland with high-quality, cost-effective apprentices. Demand for PAQ services from Host Employers also remained strong. Over 50% of participants in the PAQ’s funded Pre-Apprenticeship
Master Plumber’s goal is to ensure that members stay ahead of the game and are positioned to take every advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead
program went on to secure a plumbing or related apprenticeship.
Women in Plumbing The two-year Women in Plumbing pilot program ended having achieved remarkable success with a surge in female applicants from 1 in 100 (2021) to 1 in 20 (June 2023). Master Plumbers and PAV have developed a comprehensive plan to attract, recruit and retain more women in the industry and to consider a range of future career paths within plumbing. In the latter half of 2023, the Women in Solar program, a partnership between Solar Victoria and PAV will continue to build this great momentum.
Supporting our communities Following severe storms and floods in October, Master Plumbers teamed up with the Victorian Government to connect Victorian flood victims with our members to help fast-track recovery over the next three years.
A comprehensive overview of our performance, key initiatives, and accomplishments over the past year
In February, the Members’ Golf Day created a memorable day and raised $10,000 for social enterprise PukaUp. In March, the 2023 Plumbing and Fire Industry Awards brought together over 500 industry professionals to celebrate the achievements of our individuals and businesses, raising $50,000 for the Indigenous Plumbing and Sanitation Foundation.
The opportunities ahead Master Plumbers has embarked on the largest program of process improvements and system integration in our history, investing in new HR functions and training platforms, compliance and operations frameworks and processes.
sometime over the next year. We will introduce tailored benefits, services, and resources to support our members at every stage of their business journey. Members will have new opportunities to dial up additional services and resources and take advantage of more tailored membership offerings. PAV and PAQ will continue to expand and support the development and diversity of our next generation of plumbers and all arms of the Association will work together to support the success of our plumbing businesses. In the 2023 Annual report, you will find a comprehensive overview of our performance, key initiatives, and accomplishments over the past year. They are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our people, our leadership, our volunteers, and our members.
We will expand our online and in-house training offerings and CPD programs to support the emerging training and development needs of the industry and to position our industry and our Association Read the full report at: to adopt mandatory CPD
plumber.com.au/2023annualreport
www.plumber.com.au | 23
Tasmanian news There are so many people to thank for their work and dedication in realising this dream. I would like to thank our education subcommittee members: Cath McDowell of Howrah Plumbing Kaylee Coppleman of Skyline Roofing and Sheetmetal Chris Wright of AMCA Byron Duffy of the Plumbing Surveyors Association of Tasmania
President’s report
Roger Gill of Express Plumbing
This year has been another extremely busy time for our industry here in Tasmania. We simply don’t have the number of licensed plumbers in to meet the demand. More broadly, the building and construction industry in Tasmania is under pressure with inadequate numbers of licensed tradespeople. There is no easy answer for this shortfall, other than increasing apprentice numbers, which are already peaking with about 500 people currently enrolled. MPAT continues to work with Tas TAFE and Keystone Tasmania to identify ways to improve industry human resources. To assist, we will be working with Tas TAFE to train 100 new Certificate ll Plumbing participants via six courses to be run throughout the State in the next 12 months. As members would be aware, MPAT has been working hard on the new Centre of Excellence for Water, Energy and Trades (WET). I have been involved in the initial concept design, the construction phases and 24 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
in the inspections of the build and I can report that it is very innovative and will take plumbing training in Tasmania well into the future. It was in 2016 that Master Plumbers Tasmania commenced its journey in securing a new plumbing school for our tradespeople. We recognised that the existing plumbing school could no longer meet the needs of our future tradespeople and that significant changes needed to be made in our training and learning environment. On the 23 of August this year I had the opportunity to attend the opening of the WET Centre and present a speech to over 300 attendees from industry, government, and current TAFE students. It was extremely rewarding to see the finalisation of our dream – seven years in the making. Together, we took on the challenge to improve the learning environment of our profession and now we have a 27-million-dollar state of the art educational facility.
Wayne Manion of Wayne Manion Plumbing Services Andrew Foley of Andrew Foley Plumbing Karin Mathison of Keystone Tasmania Richard Harris of CBOS And last, but not least, Owen Smith and Mark Geeves from the Tas TAFE Plumbing School. I would also like to thank our colleagues from Master Plumbers Victoria who stepped in to help us determine what a new state of the art facility should look like and how best to achieve a training environment that celebrated our trade and enhanced learning opportunities. I wish all the very best to our current and future students who will flourish in such a stimulating learning environment. We trust in these students the future of our public and environmental health and we are confident that they will rise to the challenge embraced within the walls of our new WET Centre.
Celebrating 75 years Master Plumbers Tasmania is celebrating 75 years of service to the Plumbing Industry. In a year of huge achievement, Executive office, Angela Bennett reflects. As we celebrate a milestone year of operation, I thank all members and supporters, past and present, for contributing to our longevity and our success. The highlight of this year has been the opening of the new Centre of Excellence for Water Energy and Trades (WET Centre). It is fair to say that if MPAT had not initiated the concept of a new plumbing school in 2016, we likely would not have the new WET Centre now. MPAT representatives spent considerable time meeting with ministers (state and federal) to secure support and funding for the new WET Centre. We started this
process in mid-2016 with the then Minister, Jeremy Rockliff. Other MPAT representatives spent considerable time working, via our Education Sub Committee, on the concept design and fit out. Our fabulous associate members then became involved and donated vast amounts of new equipment and have signed onto supporting the Centre as ongoing contributors. The WET Centre truly was an industry-led initiative and demonstrates what can be achieved, for the betterment of industry, when industry associations are proactive and representative of member needs and the future of our industry. I would like to encourage members to view the WET Centre, via virtual tour at www.tastafe.tas.edu.au/wet-centre MPAT dearly appreciates that having a new learning facility for our tradespeople isn’t the only element of successful learning. It is vital to have qualified and experienced people to deliver the training. TasTAFE continues to experience problems in delivering
the training we need and, in the locations, required. There is still much work to do, in conjunction with TasTAFE, to ensure that we have the adequate number of professional and skilled educators delivering training statewide. This is an ongoing process and not as easy as building a new centre! Trust though that we remain determined to ensure all aspects of our training delivery are met. We are in for the long haul and have some good people at TasTAFE that share this vision. Another highlight of this year has been the success of our CPD E-learn facility, which offers 50 courses and is heavily subsidised by Keystone Tasmania. Many other projects are underway, some of which will hopefully benefit our industry in 2024 and beyond. None of this work would be possible without the grassroots support of our members and the work of the MPAT Board and the Education Sub-Committee. www.plumber.com.au | 25
Tasmanian news “We don’t get the highs and lows in Tasmania that businesses do in Victoria, Tassie still seems to keep ticking along all the time, so the work is constant.”
To Tassie for love Melbourne boy, Abco Blok, moved to Tasmania for love. Since then, he has founded a successful business, scored a secure client base and a adopted a lifestyle that is unbeatable. When Abco Blok (pictured left, above with Liam and Matthew) started his apprenticeship in Melbourne in 1996, he couldn’t see himself leaving the city. “But then I fell in love with a Tasmanian girl, and she wasn’t too keen to move to Melbourne,” he says with a laugh. So, a little over 20 years ago, Abco made the move to Tasmania where he founded his business Premium Plumbing and Gasfitting, and never looked back. “There’s such a great lifestyle, and certainly when I moved down here, houses were much cheaper. I’ve been blessed since I’ve been here as the industry’s continued to grow. I really believe that Tasmania’s turned into a bit of a hotspot. 26 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
Premium Plumbing has a current team of almost 20 people and trained 25 apprentices over the years
Serving Launceston and surrounding areas, Premium Plumbing specialises in hot water systems, renovations and maintenance, for both private customers and a number of local real-estate firms.
eight years ago I sold part of my business to him. It has been a really an excellent match. We complement each other in different areas, and I couldn’t have a better person to work with than him.”
“I was originally able to build and expand my business by securing work with good builders and developing a loyal customer base. These days, we continue to contract to the people who’ve helped us grow the business to get to where we are, and we also look after a lot of the bigger builders in town,” he says.
Abco is a father of five and his eldest son Liam joined the business as an apprentice a year ago.
“While I oversee the day-to-day running of the business, I still enjoy getting out on the tools and helping with a variety of plumbing jobs. I’ve also learned that to run a business professionally, you need to have good employees out in then field and in the office.” Premium Plumbing has a current team of almost 20 people and trained 25 apprentices over the years. “I say that we train people up in the ‘Premium Plumbing way’, which means we focus on a high quality of work and a good culture. What we do is start training people in our process straight away instead of just getting our apprentices to be tool fetchers. They get to be hands-on and really involved.” One of Abco’s former apprentices, Matthew Voss, is now his business partner. “He started his apprenticeship with us in 2005, one of my first apprentices, and approximately
“He’s really enjoyed getting out of school and being able to get hands on, he’s a hands-on type of kid, like I always was. He’s really flourishing in life now, he’s started his apprenticeship and found his place in life,” he says. “My middle child Jesse is showing interest too, so he potentially wants to look down that path when he is older.” With a thriving business, five children and commitments with his church, Abco has plenty on his plate. But he recently decided to give back to the industry by joining the Board of the Master Plumbers’ Association of Tasmania. “I’ve been a Master Plumbers member for a number of years, and they’d been asking me for years to join the Board, but I’d always been too busy. “I am really looking forward to taking an integral role and seeing the value that Master Plumbers has given back to the Tasmanian plumbing industry, like with the new TasTAFE campus. There’s a lot of great projects and value around for our industry at the moment and it’s exciting to be part of.”
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Women in Solar
Powering
Women in Solar is a program with its eye on the future and it is proudly supported by Master Plumbers’ group training organisation, Plumbing Apprenticeships Victoria. It is estimated that water heating comprises around one quarter of all energy usage in Australian households – making solar water heating a crucial part of the country’s push towards a renewable future. With consumers able to make big savings on their bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by switching to solar hot water or a heat-pump system, there will be ample opportunities for the 28 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
plumbing industry to support this shift over coming years. Solar Victoria’s Solar Apprenticeships for Women program, run in partnership with Master Plumbers’ group training organisation Plumbing Apprenticeships Victoria, aims to address both skilled worker shortages in the solar space as well as the underrepresentation of women in trades. It is part of Solar Victoria’s $11m
investment into a training and workforce development package to grow the state’s clean energy workforce. For Master Plumbers, the program follows the successful Women in Plumbing program, which helped to break down barriers for women entering the industry. “It’s a two-year program to try and entice more females into the solar industry, not just with plumbing but
up The Women in Plumbing program was a huge achievement for our industry 26 per cent of all apprentices employed at Plumbing Apprenticeships Victoria are women
with heating, ventilation, air conditioning and cooling (HVAC) as well, to ultimately increase the number of females working in that clean-energy space,” says Dean Arundell, Manager of Plumbing Apprenticeships Victoria. “We will bring six new females into the industry to work over a two-year period, and host employers will get a 50 per cent rebate on the normal hourly charge rate. Companies are
showing interest, there’s the Building Equality Policy coming in for the commercial side of the industry and companies are hearing more and more positive stories about women in the plumbing industry,” he says. The Women in Plumbing program, initiated by Plumbing Apprenticeships Victoria in conjunction with Apprenticeships Victoria, made a tangible increase to the number of female apprentices in Victoria’s plumbing industry. More than 30 apprentices were hired during the first stage of the program, with 26 per cent of all apprentices employed at Plumbing
Apprenticeships Victoria being women, in comparison to the current industry standard of under two per cent. A further 12 female apprentices were recruited in stage two. Master Plumbers’ Recruitment and Projects Officer Anne Boyle hopes the solar program will be just as successful. “There’s no doubt the Women in Plumbing program was a huge achievement for our industry. Although the 2-year program has finished, the majority of women who went through the program are still working in plumbing meaning the trade is ultimately benefiting. www.plumber.com.au | 29
“What I’ve started seeing with the solar program is that we are getting a lot of younger women applying. In the beginning, it was mainly people in their late 20s and 30s that had other careers, but now we’re getting applications coming in from women just leaving school. There’s a lot more support and encouragement around trades being a viable career option in the education space these days, which is helping to spark that interest even more.” Women in Solar apprentices will be supported to undertake a four-year Plumbing Apprenticeship with a focus on sustainable solar technologies like solar hot water and air conditioning in their first and second year. “It’s also really important to note that these apprentices are still plumbing apprentices, so they’ll be getting a variety of experiences across different parts of the industry, to ensure they are well rounded plumbers at the end of their apprenticeship,” says Anne. One of the key features of the Women in Plumbing projects was the establishment of a network to provide social and development opportunities to women. Anne says Women in Solar participants will be welcomed to the network from day one. “We’ve done a lot of catch ups, some with Tradie Lady Club and Empowered Women in Trades, such as games days, BBQs, Galas and causal catch ups. The hardest part is trying find the right day, time and location to suit the 100+ in the 30 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
network, because we have women from all over Melbourne, some who are mums and all who have other commitments. “It’s fantastic that women have built their own peer-to-peer support networks too... It means there are always people that they can pick up the phone to and say, ‘I’ve experienced this’, or ‘what do you think about that?’.” The Women in Solar program will also help to address one of the challenges highlighted by the Women in Plumbing program – financial challenges for women moving from an established career to an apprentice wage. “Part of our funding from Solar Victoria includes financial incentives for participants. For example, we are able to give women a start-up incentive of $1k for participants to buy their toolkit instead of needing to fork out and buy it themselves, so that’s one less burden on them,” says Anne. “We will also provide a payment every six months to keep people going, and then a payment of up to $4k after completing their two years in the program.” Dean highlights the longer-term benefits for women considering entering the industry. “At the end of the day it’s a commitment to a lower wage for a period before a higher wage in the longer-term. We know it is not going to suit everybody, but what I say is that if you go to university you end up with a HECS debt at the end of
your study whereas with an apprenticeship you’re still earning a wage while you’re learning. You have no debt at the end, as we pay all the fees for study.” He says that programs like Solar Apprenticeships for Women are shifting attitudes across the board. “These days we don’t identify our plumbing apprentices by gender, we just talk about apprentices. And when someone rings us and asks whether we have apprentices available, we just tell them the apprentice’s level and experience. This is becoming the norm.” While recruitment of host employers and participants for the Solar Apprenticeships for Women program closed in October, the pair both say the door is always open. “Whether it’s through a program or not, there are always opportunities for women to become apprentices and to join our network. We will help and assist them in whatever way we can,” says Anne. Dean adds: “We are always looking for new host employers especially in the solar or heat pump side of the industry, as there’ll be opportunities to rotate the Solar Apprenticeships for Women participants around into different host companies so they can get different experiences.”
For more information on hosting an apprentice or apprenticeship opportunities, please contact us at pav.info@plumber.com.au or phone 03 9321 0713.
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Industry feature
A hydro
32 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
ogen Hy
Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) is positive about the power of hydrogen. So positive, in fact, that they have invested in Australia’s first 100% hydrogen-powered home, where the gas appliances run on hydrogen gas. AGIG had a mission. It wanted to design a project that would show land developers, builders, appliance manufacturers and retailers, plumbers and other stakeholders that hydrogen is a practical and efficient way to decarbonise homes,
while experiencing all the benefits
and feels like any normal home,
of natural gas.
except that many of its appliances
That is where the HyHome came in.
run off hydrogen, demonstrating
AGIG’s HyHome, located at the
future energy use where natural
Dennis Family Homes display centre
gas is replaced entirely by
in Wollert, north of Melbourne, looks
carbon-free hydrogen. www.plumber.com.au | 33
To demonstrate that gas appliances in the home can also run entirely on hydrogen is a game changer
AGIG’s new HyHome was an opportunity to: • Demonstrate the feasibility of hydrogen as a future energy source for homes. • Provide a proof-point of momentum and progress for domestic applications of hydrogen, and the support of some global brands invested in developing renewable gas. • Build excitement about the prospect of hydrogen as a safe, easy to use and convenient option available in the future to consumers. AGIG CEO Craig said the development of hydrogencompatible appliances represented a key step forward in the energy transition, meaning customers could one day be able to enjoy the benefits of using gas in a low-carbon future. “We’ve known of the potential for hydrogen to be part of the renewable energy solution for industry and transport, but to demonstrate that gas appliances in the home can also run entirely 34 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
on hydrogen is a game changer. “It provides ongoing choice for households, and for the energy transition as it represents an additional source of clean energy to displace emissions and meet our net zero targets. HyHome shows that Australians can continue to enjoy the convenience and reliability of gas, while progressively moving towards lower and zero carbon energy sources. “Our current gas network has been substantially upgraded and is of a world-class standard that can transport 100 per cent hydrogen to homes in Victoria with little additional investment. We have the existing infrastructure, expertise and a network that passes millions of Australian homes that is ready to supply renewable gas to them - why wouldn’t we make the most of that?” The unveiling of HyHome follows AGIG’s recent announcement of one of Australia’s largest hydrogen production plants in Wodonga, Victoria, which will join projects in
Adelaide and Gladstone as part of AGIG’s low-carbon transition plan to hydrogen-blended renewable gas for customers. “Renewable gases, like green hydrogen and biomethane, have a critical role to play in the transition to a decarbonized future,” Craig says. “Not only are they better for the environment than coal or natural gas but they can improve the reliability of our energy system [compared to 100% electricity]. “Our hydrogen projects across the country are demonstrating hydrogen’s value, improving the economics of deploying the technology and helping develop industry capability and capacity. With a strong pipeline of future projects, we remain committed to building more projects and delivering renewable gas to all our customers across the network, households, business and industry.” For more information about AGIG and its hydrogen initiatives, please visit the company’s website at www.agig.com.au.
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Member profile
The
hot topic An expert in all things hot water, David Rotstein predicts solar will continue to grow as a way for Australians to power their showers.
36 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
David Rotstein can’t predict what the future of energy will look like. But he knows solar hot water will play a big role in it. “The hot water industry is an always changing and evolving industry, and major manufacturers are always upgrading the types of hot water systems they offer. They are all very focused on energy-efficient products moving forward,” says the Director of Melbourne-based Hot Water Professionals. Hot Water Professionals was sold to David in 2007, not long after he immigrated to Australia from South Africa. David’s professional background has taken him from working as an electrician to working in the food industry and in a filtration business.
“Between 2007 and 2023 we’ve been specialising in installing hot water systems, including gas, electric, gas and electric solar hot water systems as well as heat pump hot water systems, which are now the new big thing in hot water,” he explains. “We do a lot of maintaining hot water systems, and installing and selling hot water systems countrywide. We work with a lot of real estates, body corporates and we do work for quite a bit of work for a number of plumbers, who will give us work because hot water is not their area of expertise. As long as it’s hot water, we’ll do it.” The company works with more than a dozen of the country’s leading manufacturers including Rheem, Bosch, Rinnai and Vulcan. www.plumber.com.au | 37
We’re seeing lot of people put solar power panels on the roof, then coupling them with a heat pump, which makes it very efficient to heat their water After more than 15 years leading the business, David has seen the solar industry ebb and flow, but says more customers than ever before are making the switch to more energy-efficient hot water systems. “Back in 2007, solar was really the big thing. But then because of its cost, it sort of started dying off unless you were building a new house. Now we’re seeing a lot of people put solar power panels on the roof, then coupling them with a heat pump, which makes it very efficient to heat their water. “For a lot of people, saving money is the long-term aim. Obviously the higher the quality, the more efficient the heat pump is but also the higher the cost is. When we are looking at the efficiency of a mid-range system, you’d be saving around 70 percent on your running costs as opposed to a standard electric hot water system.” 38 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
Victoria offers a hot water rebate of up to $1,000 for householders who install eligible heat pump and hot water systems – not only saving between $140-$400 per year on their electricity bills but also helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “We are registered with Solar Victoria, so we get leads through that channel. It’s really important to note that when installing a heat pump or solar hot water system, it’s good to go with reputable companies who are registered on Solar Victoria,” says David. Hot Water Professionals supports customers throughout the entire rebate process, helping to make heat pump systems more
accessible to the broader community. “The rebates certainly help with the costs associated with installing a heat pump, and we help with all of the compliance, with someone pretty much doing that full-time and making sure customers can claim the rebates applicable to each job.” Hot Water Professionals currently has a team of seven plumbers – including a couple who have been with the business for close to 20 years – and services all of metropolitan Melbourne as well as the Mornington Peninsula. “Our work is spread right around Melbourne. We are based in Port Melbourne so we’re central to all the freeways, and we just go where the work is.”
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Vehicle reviews
When diesel won’t do
Petrol can be the ute-owners preference for a host of reasons – environmental, noise, refinement, performance or even the memories. Byron Mathioudakis checks out three luxury, petrol-powered utes for Australian Plumbing Magazine. Going petrol is the preferred option for increasingly
The Contenders:
more people. And it is not surprising. After all, it was
Ford Ranger Raptor from $87,990: King of the hill
the only fuel choice for generations of Aussie ute owners, right up until the final VF Commodore in 2017. Now, though, most medium-sized, dual-cab 4x4 utes are diesel, leaving limited petrol options. Here are three very different and intriguing choices currently on offer.
40 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon from $87,250: Off-road warrior Volkswagen Amarok TSI452 Aventura from $79,990: Boulevard cruiser
Ranger – what’s next? Ford has announced that a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version is due from 2025, combining a 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with an electric motor and battery pack, for a pureEV range of about 45km.
Before on-road costs
Ford Ranger Raptor from $87,990 It’s easy to see why the Ranger Raptor resonates so strongly with Australians. As the first – and for now the only – performance dual-cab, it harks back to the iconic locally-made V8 utes as defined by the Holden Commodore SS and Ford Falcon XR8s. Sourced from Thailand, it’s also the sole vehicle series designed and developed in Australia. Little wonder, then, that wait times can spill into years. Behind that formidable grille is a 292kW/583Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, driving all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rousing and raucous, it packs a mighty wallop, accompanied by a serious exhaust rasp, for fiery and fast on-road motoring. Yet, being a Raptor, it also provides rally-style muscle away from the beaten track. Using a version of the Ranger Wildtrak’s permanent 4WD system with an electronic on-demand two-speed transfer case and front and rear locking differentials, its seven drive modes includes ‘Baja’, which provides high-speed off-road performance. Note, however, that driving this Ford like you’ve stolen it demands plenty of premium unleaded petrol. You’ve been warned. To help cope with all that power, the Raptor swaps out the Ranger’s truck-like, leaf-spring rear suspension for long-travel coil
springs, while ‘Fox 2.5’ shock absorbers with electronic dampers and special all-terrain 17-inch tyres are also fitted. Collectively, they benefit both ride comfort and handling, making the Ford agreeably light and easy to control. The chassis and body have also been beefed up, providing added crash protection. You can spot a Raptor via its unique bonnet, side vents, broader rear section with wider wheel arches and dual exhausts, while heavily bolstered seats, a larger 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and paddle shifters continue the sporty yet luxurious themes inside.
A 12-inch central touchscreen dominates the dash, offering wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto, while wireless charging, premium audio, heated front seats and leather trim are also present. Finally, like all three utes featured here, the advanced driver-assist safety includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control and lane warning/ keep tech. Yes, the Raptor is lairy, and thirsty when driven hard, but it is also the fastest yet most sophisticated and fun ute you can buy – on and off road. There’s nothing like it.
T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
Ford Ranger Raptor from $87,990 Engine
3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol
Transmission
10-speed automatic
Power
292kW@ 5650rpm
Torque
583Nm @ 3500rpm
Kerb weight
2475kg
Power-to-weight ratio
118kW/tonne
Average fuel consumption
11.5L/100km
CO2
262g/km
Fuel tank
80L
Warranty
5-year/unlimited kilometres
Service interval
12 months/15,000km
Turning circle
13.2 metres
Length/width/height/wheelbase
5380/2208/1926/3270mm
Ground clearance
272mm
Towing capacity braked/unbraked
2500/750kg
Payload
717kg
Gross Vehicle Mass
3130kg
ANCAP rating (out of 5)
n/a www.plumber.com.au | 41
Gladiator – what’s next? From mid-2024 a Gladiator facelift will usher in a restyled grille, a larger 12.3-inch central touchscreen, higher-quality cabin materials, extra equipment and fresh wheel designs. Before on-road costs
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon from $87,250 It’s surprising the Jeep Gladiator isn’t more successful. For starters, being bigger than a Ranger but smaller than a Dodge Ram, the Wranglerbased ute offers a lot of metal for the money. Uniquely, the Gladiator is also the world’s only convertible ute, since the roof and doors can be removed, though the latter isn’t road-legal in Australia. Plus, the windscreen can be flattened down, classic Jeep style, while the load area is designed to carry two trail bikes. As in the Wrangler, you’ll find Chrysler’s 209kW/347Nm 3.6-litre V6, driving an on-demand 4x4 system via an eight-speed auto. Smooth and quiet at idle, its performance is at-best brisk, needing a lot of throttle to really build up speed. But doing so brings excessive noise and high-fuel consumption, so it’s best to take it easy. Nor is the Gladiator nimble. Its cushy suspension consists of coil springs and a live axle at both ends, with a five-link design out back. While this optimises off-road capability and durability, it makes for vague steering and cumbersome handling. And the Jeep only scores a three-star crash-test rating. On the other hand, the Rubicon shines out in the bush. Compared to the base Night Eagle grade, it costs $9000 extra, but adds useful off-road 42 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
modes, locking differentials, a 77.2:1 crawl ratio and ‘Performance’ suspension with two-inch heavy-duty shockers and electronic sway-bar disconnect for excellent wheel articulation. Wheels are 17-inch alloys wearing 32-inch all-terrain tyres. This is the Gladiator to get. Clamber up inside the Wranglerderived cabin, and you’ll find a genuine five-seater with lots of space. A chunky dash houses an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity,
while the Rubicon includes decent heated front seats and leather. And, fun fact: the interior can be hosed down thanks to removable carpets and drain holes. Which sums up the Gladiator. Big, roomy and practical, it’s really an off-road-first ute proposition, mixing outstanding 4x4 abilities with sufficiently adequate on-road manners. This Jeep proudly marches to its own beat.
T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon from $87,250 Engine
3.6-litre V6 petrol
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Power
209kW@ 6400rpm
Torque
347Nm @ 4100rpm
Kerb weight
2242kg
Power-to-weight ratio
93kW/tonne
Average fuel consumption
12.4L/100km
CO2
288g/km
Fuel tank
83L
Warranty
5-year/100,000km
Service interval
12 months/12,000km
Turning circle
13.6 metres
Length/width/height/wheelbase
5591/1894/1909/3488mm
Ground clearance
249mm
Towing capacity braked/unbraked
2721/750kg
Payload
693kg
Gross Vehicle Mass
2935kg
ANCAP rating (out of 5)
HHH
Amarok – what’s next? VW has confirmed that aftermarket tuners will add more power and extra chassis modifications from 2024, so maybe then the Amarok will rise to the Raptor challenge. Before on-road costs
Volkswagen Amarok TSI452 Aventura from $79,990 Good as it was, the original Amarok wasn’t a roaring sales success, forcing VW to rely on Ford for a replacement. Released this year, the result is a slightly different take on the latest Ranger, albeit using the latter’s body, engine options and architecture.Given this background, the fact that the result looks this pretty is remarkable. Topping the range is the Aventura. It’s available with Ranger’s 184kW/600Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 or, exclusively, a 222kW/452Nm 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine (from the Mustang EcoBoost!) VW dubs TSI452. Like the Ford mother ute, the Amarok uses a 10-speed auto, driving through a permanent 4WD system with the six driving modes familiar to Ranger owners: Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul and Slippery for on-road driving, and Mud/Rut and Snow/Sand for off-road excursions.
ratio. And fuel consumption (drinking expensive premium unleaded) can be disappointingly high. Worst of all, though, is the suspension. Using leaf springs out back, over bad roads, the ride is just too stiff and abrupt on the (admittedly attractive) 21-inch wheel/tyre package. At least the Amarok steers and handles sweetly on smooth roads. Things start looking up inside, thanks to a spacious cabin and stylish dashboard that benefits from a VW-esque makeover, though
it still operates Ford’s excellent instrumentation, climate control and multimedia systems. And, like daddy Ranger, there is an impressive list of standard equipment, as well as decent safety tech. Finally, the VW offers the highest towing capacity here by some margin. Yes, the Aventura is stylish inside and out, and – on slick roads at least – comfortable and easy to hustle along. But the smaller-wheeled PanAmericana diesel is the preferable Amarok. And for just $10K more, the Raptor romps ahead.
T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
Volkswagen Amarok TSI452 Aventura from $79,990 Engine
2.3-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol
Transmission
10-speed automatic
Power
222kW@ 5900rpm
Torque
452Nm @ 3350rpm
Kerb weight
2228kg (tare)
Power-to-weight ratio
100kW/tonne (tare)
Although it may be the closest the Amarok gets to challenging the Raptor on paper, in reality, the Aventura TSI452 falls short for excitement and refinement.
Average fuel consumption
9.9L/100km
CO2
225g/km
Fuel tank
80L
Warranty
5-year/unlimited kilometres
Service interval
12 months/20,000km
Yes, there’s plenty of punchy performance available, but that smaller turbo engine needs to rev hard to achieve that, and sounds gruff doing so. Plus, with less torque than in a Ranger diesel, the transmission is forever hunting between gears to settle on the right
Turning circle
12.8 metres
Length/width/height/wheelbase
5362/2208/1884/3270mm
Ground clearance
233mm
Towing capacity braked/unbraked
3500/750kg
Payload
872kg
Gross Vehicle Mass
3190kg
ANCAP rating (out of 5)
HHHHH
www.plumber.com.au | 43
Heritage collection
A model made It was 1903. It featured all the latest plumbing technology. It was a “Model House”, and it has piqued Master Plumbers heritage curator Peter Jensen’s interest.
44 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
Recently I started delving into the Master Plumbers historic ledger files. Stored in a cupboard, awaiting digitisation, I found Executive Board Minutes from 1892, Specialist Group lists and so much more that I will report on in later editions of this magazine. Soon after starting this exercise, Master Plumbers President, Norm Anderson, asked me to investigate the history of a “Model House”. Months earlier, Master Plumber member Rob Woolley had made Norm aware of a newspaper article in the Brisbane Courier, dated 15 April 1903.
of the council to the Working men’s College to construct the Model House. The members decided to donate £10 to the College, and a committee consisting of Mr. Atherton and Mr. Brady appointed to design, supervise and arrange the details with the College authorities. It was also decided to strike a levy for members to contribute to make up the £10 donation.
Working Model, W.M.C. Supervisor J.W. Dewar. Presented to Brisbane T.C. April 14th, 1903.
It was exhibited at a plumbing conference in Brisbane’s Courier Building and created an exceptional amount of interest.
The idea of the model for presentation emanated from Mr F. Atherton. (Frederick a founding member of the Associated Master Plumbers of Victoria 1891 and later became President as did his son A.E. Atherton, grandson A.E. Atherton Jnr and Great grandson Stephen Atherton.) The work was designed and supervised by Mr F. Atherton & Mr F. B. Brady. So, I began my search of the documents, starting with the Executive Board minute books. The first mention was on Tuesday August 12th, 1902 (page 59) at a meeting starting at 8.15pm. It was here, Mr. F Atherton gave the members a very explicit explanation of the visit
(Incidentally current board member Greg Tink features on the front cover as a trainer with the early computers, electric typewriter and dot matrix printers on the desks). To me it looked like the Model House, but the photo was not very clear. Now with the print details of the book, I contacted the RMIT archives department again, who had another look, getting back to me with the proof: the photo’s title:
In brief, the news article reports on a Model House showing all the latest principles in plumbing.
The model, which was on loan to the plumbing department of the South Brisbane Technical College, was commissioned by the Associated Master Plumbers of Victoria (as it was then known) and was built by the Working Men’s College Melbourne (now RMIT). It embraced all the most modern ideas of sanitary plumbing, drainage, interception, indirect connection, disconnections, and ventilation as well as a complete hot water circulation system.
Archives and the plumbing department where I was given a copy of a book From Smudge Pot to Computer - Teaching Plumbing at RMIT 1888 – 1988. A photo on page 13 titled “Simulated on site, full-sized workstations about 1904”.
The Brisbane Courier newspaper article describes in detail the pipework and fixtures. • Fixtures listed on the 1st floor and ground floor. • Large tank on the roof. An entry on August 26th, 1902 (page 62), shows The Working Men’s College acknowledging receipt for a cheque for £10 from the Association. The Model House was mentioned in many of the minutes of the monthly meetings leading up to its completion. In one such meeting, Tuesday December 23, 1902 (page 82), it mentioned only £4.15 had been collected from members and urged those members who had not already subscribed, to do so as soon as possible. Tuesday May 19, 1903 (page 104) Mr. Atherton moved a letter of thanks to be forwarded to Messrs J Danks & Son, for the very valuable assistance rendered by them in the making and dispatching of the model. J Danks & Son were manufacturers and distributors of plumbing and hardware products. The search then continued for some physical evidence of the Model House through the RMIT University
• Soil pipes from the water closets and slop hopper are described as cast iron and directly connected to the drain. • Waste pipe connects to gully and disconnector traps. • Fixture back venting. • Large pipe (in white) represents a sewer with oblique branches. • Induct vent has a mica flap valve. (off the BT adjacent to the small window, unusual not a common valve/fitting) • Sewer drain shows I.O’s. • Hot water header tank in the ceiling. The model was very detailed and proportioned in size with the pipework and fixtures. There was nothing to reference the size of the model other than the floorboards it sat on. My estimate is height 3.6 x width 2 x depth 1.2 metres. The Model House is now assumed long gone and lost. www.plumber.com.au | 45
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46 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Summer 2023
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fast facts from around the nation
Trade skills slump -0.65% Drop in skills available to the construction industry
-0.92% The late 2021 index, when the borders were closed Source: HIA Trades Report
Galvin Engineering bubbler
Aussie Pump free course
Introducing our latest innovation, the Ezy-Drink® 2-in-1 Bubbler and Bottle Filler. Keep the fun flowing at playgrounds, schoolyards, and public spaces with this Australian Made hydration solution. Crafted for lasting durability and hygiene, it’s the perfect way to quench your thirst while on the go.
Today, Aussie Pumps biggest seller is a 5,000 PSI King Cobra Jetter, CLASS A (no certification required). It is regarded as the “deluxe” version of this type of equipment. But Aussie Pumps don’t leave their service to the industry there. Aussie’s free drain-cleaning course, Aussie Pumps Safe Jetter Course, is a handy guide to how to clear blocked drains and do it without injury. There’s no denying that high pressure water at 4,000 psi & 5000 psi can be dangerous.
What’s more, its handsfree self-closing mechanism not only makes it easy to use but also ensures no water is wasted, preserving it for future generations. Stay refreshed, stay safe, and choose Lead Safe™ materials for a healthier tomorrow. For more information visit galvinengineering.com.au or call 1300 514 074.
“Some plumbers don’t want to do the CLASS B training course because it’s expensive and needs to be renewed every two years. We don’t charge for our CLASS A safety training because we just want people to be safe. We want them to have good experiences with high-pressure jetting equipment, irrespective of the brand being used” said Aussie’s John Hales. “We make the best machines in the business, but operator safety is our number one concern!” he said. For more information, visit aussiepumps.com.au
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