INDUSTRY NEWS
MPAQ IS HIRING A TECHNICAL OFFICER/TRAINER The Technical Officer/Trainer role provides expert technical advice and training to members of Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ) and the plumbing industry. This is a fulltime position. As an experienced licensed plumber, drainer and gasfitter who is an enthusiastic, organised, and proactive individual, your responsibilities will include but are not limited to: • Provide technical advice, representation, and support to members • Provide interpretation and explanation of relevant plumbing legislation, Australian Standards, etc. • Produce technical materials, equipment, resources, etc. • Liaise with industry and other technical personnel • Provide support in performing site inspections and the preparation of written reports as required • Assist and develop written articles for various forms of publications • Assist in the development and delivery of industry relevant training materials To read the full job criteria or to apply, scan the QR code or visit www.mpaq.com.au/ workplacerelations/employment/ jobvacancies
POSTPONING THE REPEAL OF HEAD CONTRACTOR LICENSING EXEMPTION The Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 (Act) provides that a person must not carry out building work unless they hold an appropriate contractor licence. However, an exemption under schedule 1A, section 8 of the Act allows an unlicensed person to enter into building contracts and arrange for building work to occur, provided the work is not residential construction work or domestic building work and is carried out by an appropriately licensed contractor. Section 125A of the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) and Other Legislation Amendment (BIFOLA) Act repeals this licensing exemption for head contractors. The provision was included in the BIFOLA Act as a result of a recommendation made by the former Transport and Public Works Parliamentary Committee, following feedback about the misuse of the licensing exemption. The repeal was due to take effect on 24 July 2021.
What Are the Changes?
BIFOLA (Postponement) Regulation 2021 was made on 8 July 2021. As a result of the regulation, section 125A will not commence until late July 2022. The Department of Energy and Public Works (DEPW) is working closely with building and construction industry stakeholders in relation to the implementation of this provision. For specific information about individual licences and existing licensees visit www.qbcc.qld.gov.au or call QBCC on 139 333.
Source: Building and Plumbing Newsflash 587
CHANGES ANNOUNCED: LEAD IN PLUMBING The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has given consideration to whether the permissible lead content in plumbing products in contact with drinking water should be reduced. A Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) was released for public comment with submissions taken into consideration by the ABCB. A Decision RIS, which provides input to the decision-making process, was considered by the ABCB at a meeting in June. At this meeting, it was agreed to limit the lead content of plumbing products in contact with drinking water to 0.25%. A three-year transition period will be implemented for the recertification of copper alloy plumbing products in contact with drinking water through the WaterMark Certification Scheme. This transition period will commence on the adoption of NCC 2022 on 1 September 2022. This transition period, taken in conjunction with early advice to industry from the date of the decision, effectively provides a four and half year window for change to be implemented. An implementation plan is being developed by the ABCB Office in consultation with impacted stakeholders. Prioritisation of consequential amendments is being applied to applicable plumbing product specifications and the WaterMark Certification Scheme, which are necessary to ensure compatibility with the changes to the NCC. ABCB will be releasing further details and MPAQ will keep all members up to date.
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MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2021 |
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