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Pump Industry Australia Incorporated

C/-340, Stuarts Point Road

Yarrahapinni NSW 2441 Australia

Ph/Fax: (02) 6569 0160 pumpsaustralia@bigpond.com www.pumps.org.au

PIA Executive Council 2023

John Inkster – President Brown Brothers Engineers

James Blannin – Vice President De.mem – Stevco

Kevin Wilson – Treasury/Secretary Executive Officer

Alan Rowan – Councillor Executive Officer – Publications and Training, Life Member

Ken Kugler Executive Officer – Standards, Life Member

Steve Bosnar – Councillor

Franklin Electric/Pioneer Pumps

Geoff Harvey – Councillor Irrigation Australia

Joel Neideck – Councillor

TDA Pumps

Jamie Oliver – Councillor Grundfos Pumps

Mat Arnett – Councillor

Ebara Pumps

Michael Wooley – Councillor

Tsurumi Pumps

Billie Tan – Councillor Regent Pumps

Hello all and welcome to the Winter Edition of Pump Industry Magazine for 2023.

As we head into the second half of the year it poses the question of whether we might see a softening in key parts of the economy. A downturn might cause a localised recession in the eastern state capitals, but nationwide mining and agriculture may keep the nation in the black.

In Q1, GDP rose 0.2 per cent marking a 2.3 per cent increase year-over-year in line with expectations with annual growth still expected to be around 1.25 per cent. All eyes will now be on the Q2 GDP results as to where the economy is headed. Unemployment sits at around 3.5 per cent, creating another problem: labour shortages.

Meanwhile the RBA is battling inflation of 6.8 per cent by lifting the cash rate to 4.1 per cent in June, the twelfth rate increase in 13 months, making it the highest it has been in the last decade. The RBA says it believes that inflation has passed its peak but remains too high. On that point I think we can expect more increases before the cycle ends.

When speaking to industry colleagues, I hear of a softening in box product for the retail and domestic markets but it appears that there is still plenty of activity in mining, municipal, infrastructure, energy and industrial markets with most commenting that they still have a reasonable pipeline of work ahead. Fortunately the diversity of our industry provides a degree of immunity to the vagaries of economic highs and lows.

The resources sector shows no sign of slowing, but there are indications that the economy will slow if not this year then maybe in the new year.

In recent editorials I have commented on the continuing dialogue with Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) and the Services Trade Council (STC) regarding the rules, interpretation and regulations covered by the PD Act 2018. As stated previously, the QBCC petitioned the STC on our behalf to consider allowing pump industry practitioners to lawfully perform work on pumps installed as part of a plumbing or drainage system.

At the time of writing, I was advised that the QBCC received a letter dated 5 June from the STC stating a decision had been made and a report was being prepared to go to the Minister of Energy and Public Works and that PIA will get a formal response in due course.

I did learn that our request, after considerable discussion by the STC, has been denied and that the status quo will remain in place. Not the answer we were hoping for.

So, in essence, a plumber will need to be on hand if you wish to disconnect a domestic pump to take away for repair or simply replace in accordance with the PD Act 2018.

I believe the STC does not want to fragment the PD Act by allowing other practitioners to operate in place of a plumber. It appears they don’t want to introduce grandfather clauses either as a solution.

Clearly the Act relates to plumbing and drainage work that would include anywhere there is a public health risk to the water supply, such as shopping centres, apartments blocks, etc.

How hard this will be enforced remains to be seen, but PIA is aware of some members being given a written warning for not employing a plumber to disconnect a pump. Once we receive a formal response we can determine the next move, but I think STC will be steadfast in their decision.

On a more positive note, I see book sales of our Pump Technical Handbook and Pipe Friction Handbook have increased 82 per cent in the last 12 months, again confirming both Handbooks remain the industry standard. Our thanks to Alan Rowan for his dedicated work and research in keeping both Handbooks up to date.

Ken Kugler our Standards Officer continues to be busy in reviewing numerous ISO Standards including numerous fire related sprinkler standards. The Building Code of Australia has finally released its latest revision that now formally specifies some pump requirements that our industry has been complying with for some time.

Ken advises that he will be writing an editorial for Pump Industry Magazine as the Standards Committee CE-024 issued for public comment for ISO 5167 seeking direct adoption to become a formal Australian Standard. ISO 5167 is a suite of Flow Measurement Standards and is specified in our Pump Testing Standard AS ISO 9906:2018.

The next PIA activity is planned to be held at Link Pumps in Williamstown July/ August. John Link is a stalwart of the industry with a wealth of knowledge and an interesting pedigree when it comes to pump applications over several decades.

Thank you for your continued support of Pump Industry Australia and all the best in the coming months as we navigate a likely slowdown in the economy.

John Inkster – President

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ISSN: 2201-0270

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