The Master Plumber Magazine Nov-Dec11

Transcription


THE
master plumber
new south wales – december 2011
MPA Training
at work
The best training achieves
the very best results
inside: MPA member benefits | Product news | What does your Association logo mean?
Business Marketing | Workplace health and safety | Insurance exposures
Branch roundup | The Plumber’s Wench
december 2011
1
contents
Benefits of Membership_______________________________________________________________ 2
The President’s View___________________________________________________________________ 3
From the Chief Executive Officer’s Desk____________________________________________ 5
Industry News_________________________________________________________________________ 6-7
Training Feature________________________________________________________________________ 8
Course Update__________________________________________________________________________ 9
Plumbing Products________________________________________________________________ 10-12
Industry Member Profile______________________________________________________________ 14
Today in History_______________________________________________________________________ 15
Apprentice Profile______________________________________________________________________ 17
Special Feature_____________________________________________________________________ 19-20
Marketing___________________________________________________________________________ 21-22
What is in the old magazines?___________________________________________________ 23-25
WHS Advice____________________________________________________________________________ 26
every size
any connection
Zetco has all the continuous flow solutions
Australian Patent No. 2006200845
Legal “In-Brief”_________________________________________________________________________ 27
Member Profile_________________________________________________________________________ 28
Q & A____________________________________________________________________________________ 31
Business Essentials_______________________________________________________________ 32-36
Branch Roundup_______________________________________________________________________ 37
MPA Directory_________________________________________________________________________ 38
Controversy Corner____________________________________________________________________ 39
The Plumber’s Wench_________________________________________________________________ 40
1300 659 639
www.zetco.com.au
december 2011
1
MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS
n
Members FREE listing on
the Association’s websites:
www.findaplumber.com.au
Bringing more business to you – This
“find a plumber” website was created
to give your business greater exposure
to the general public. Regular referrals
to members and over 20,000 hits on
the website, means this website is
constantly generating business
across NSW
www.masterplumbers.com.au
This plumbing industry website
contains a wide range of useful
information in two sections – general
for anyone in the plumbing industry
and Members Only for NSW plumbing
contractors only
n
Training
n
the master plumber—current issues
for plumbers are featured in this
plumbing industry magazine
n
THE PLUMBERS’ PIPELINE—keep
up-to-date with technical information
with this members only newsletter
MPANSW Seminars & Events
PLUMBING INDUSTRY TRAINING
MPA NSW offers a wide range
of industry specific courses at
a discount rate to its members
Program
n
Sustainable Plumbing Practices
n
Sustainable Alternatives – Rainwater
Tanks Installation and Design
n
More to come in the future
MPANSW Online Training
Safe Work Method Statement
Workshops
n
Motor Vehicle Cover – comprehensive
and third party
n
“Work Activity Induction”
Training for plumbing workers
n
Business Liability Insurance
General Construction OH&S Training
n
General OH&S Induction Training
for the Construction Industry
(Construction Induction Card or
Whitecardcard)
n
Safety Committee
n
Site Safety Supervisors
n
Senior First Aid Certificate
n
Confined Space Training
n
Electrical Tagging & Testing Course
n
Restricted Electrical Course
Online Training
n
Working at Heights Course
n
n
Traffic Control
n
First Aid
n
Rigging & Dogging
n
The Association has a qualified
industry specialist on staff to assist
members with both legal and
industrial relations questions.
Wesfarmers Federation Insurance
has over 80 years experience and a
longstanding philosophy of providing
excellence in claims
n
Apprentice Safety
n
INSURANCE
General Property Cover – (fire,
collision & theft of tools and stock)
n
Legal
The Master Plumbers Association of
NSW has developed unique templates
to assist members to develop policies
and management plans
n
Operational Training
MPA NSW PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT PLANS
Occupational Health and
Safety Systems
Safety Management Systems
An introduction to Sustainable
Plumbing Practices (in development)
Templates to assist members to
develop and maintain their safety
management system
n
n
n
SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Plumbing Industry OH&S Training
Online Safety Videos
OH&S (Work Activity) Induction
Training
The President’s View
THE CONTRACTORS COMMERCIAL
PLAN provides:
Product awareness – trade shows and
branch meetings
Specialist Seminars – regional and metro
seminars on various issues
of particular interest to the
plumbing industry
Free advice in relation to the
Vocational Educational & Training
(VET) system in NSW
PUBLICATIONS
n
Free advice in relation to
employment conditions in NSW
nExcavator
nScaffolding
Management Assistance
REHABILITATION SERVICES
health and wellness strategies
for plumbers
your association
your association
Membership Services Provided by
Master Plumbers Association of NSW
Home Warranty Insurance
Made Easy for Non-Structural
plumbing work.
Motor VEHICLE discounts
n
n
Mitsubishi National Fleet Discount
Other Manufacturers’ discounts
also available
DISCOUNT FUEL
Caltex StarCard
Discount fuel available through
StarCard accepted by 2150 Caltex,
Ampol and Woolworths service stations.
Optional 24/7 Roadside Assistance.
For membership assistance and queries
on benefits, please call Lindsay or Nada
on 02 8789 7000.
F
ollowing extensive discussion
with the Association’s
members and particularly,
Industry Members, a decision
was taken to re-launch the
Master Plumber. The magazine
has a new format and a slightly
different focus from previous
editions. Along with articles
on industry news and industry
practice, we have added a more
personal touch with the inclusion
of profiles on those who have been
recognised for achievement in the
plumbing industry.
This edition features some
relevant articles on the history of
the Association, and the Hygeia
logo, with some snapshots from
earlier editions of the Master
Plumber dating back to the first
edition in 1923. I hope you enjoy
reading the new version of the
magazine and I would be happy
to receive any ideas you might
have to further improve the
content in the future.
On the issue of history, I had
the very enjoyable experience
of attending the Annual General
Meeting and Board Meeting of
Master Plumbers Australia Ltd
in Adelaide last month.
It was extremely pleasing
to hear the Chairman, Steve
Hall, announce that this was
the first occasion since the
unification of Master Plumbers
Australia Ltd that all eight State/
Territory Associations had a
representative present for the
meeting. Representatives who
had participated by teleconference
previously, made that special effort
to attend and show their support
for Master Plumbers Australia Ltd.
In my years of active involvement
with The Master Plumbers
Association of NSW, I have sat
through countless discussions
on having one organisation to
represent all Master Plumbers
Associations in each State and
Territory. To see that situation
come to reality was absolutely
rewarding and I congratulate all
those who have been actively
included in creating this new
relationship for their efforts to
unite the plumbing industry under
the banner of Master Plumbers
Australia Ltd.
As we approach the end of 2011,
can I remind you that elections for
the Executive Committee of the
Association will be held in the New
Year. Here is your opportunity to
give back to your industry and
help make a difference for your
colleagues. Yes, there is a regular
time commitment, but the sense of
satisfaction in steering the future
of the plumbing industry in NSW
more than makes up for that lost
time. If you are interested, please
contact the Association and they
will give you my contact details
and I will be happy to discuss how
you can be involved.
Barry Birch,
President.

The logo on the right is shown at the
minimum reproduction size allowable.
Free Industrial Relations advice
nVocational
NSW’s peak plumbing industry
representative body
2
the master plumber n your association
december 2011
3
E
dinburgh, Scotland (Sept.
11, 2011) — The World
Plumbing Council (WPC)
recently concluded its 9th
Triennial Conference, Sept.
7-11, in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Conference host the Scottish
and Northern Ireland Plumbing
Employers Federation (SNIPEF)
reports that 363 registered
delegates and companions
attended.
The WPC held its business meeting
on Wednesday, Sept. 7, with a full
agenda addressing issues including
the WPC’s ongoing relationship
with the World Health Organization
(WHO), continued support of the
World Skills Plumbing Competition
and a new agreement to be signed
Oct. 2 with the World Green
Building Council.
Also occurring during the business
meeting was the selection of Cape
Town, South Africa, as the location
for the 11th World Plumbing
Council Triennial Conference in
September 2016, with the Institute
of Plumbing South Africa serving as
host. In 1999, the nation previously
hosted WPC’s 5th Triennial
Conference in Sun City.
another term on the Executive
Board are Hua Mingjiu, Plumbing
Facilities Committee of China
Construction Metal Structure
Association, China, and Richard
J. Prospal, American Society
of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE),
United States. Newly elected
to the board are Elmar Esser,
Zentralverband Sanitar Heizung
Klima, Germany, and Shayne
La Combre, Plumbing Industry
Commission, Victoria, Australia.
The conference featured two
full days of highly informative
presentations by experts from
around the world representing
such nations as the United States,
United Kingdom, Australia, India,
Germany and Denmark. Each is
available on the WPC Website
under the menu item “Events” and
“9th World Plumbing Conference.”
(http://www.worldplumbing.org/
index.php?option=com_content&v
iew=article&id=43&Itemid=43&la
ng=en)
“This year’s conference was one
of the best I’ve attended,” Chaney
said. “Immediate Past Chairman
Robert Burgon (CEO of SNIPEF)
his staff and volunteer members
did a fantastic job with the
administration of the event and
the organizing of extremely highlevel speakers at a superb venue.
Considering the world’s tenuous
economic conditions, attendance
pleasantly exceeded expectations.”
Past WPC Secretary Andy Watts,
MBE, received the Distinguished
Service Award, the WPC’s highest
honor — only the third recipient
of the award since the WPC was
founded in 1990. Watts served 12
consecutive years on the Executive
Board and was the CEO of the
Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering (as it is now
known) for 35 years prior to his
retirement in 2006.
The WPC’s next major conference
will occur in November 2013, New
Delhi, India, hosted by the Indian
Plumbing Association.
Hans Tiedemann, Mechanical
Contractors Association of Alberta,
Canada, remains as Honorary
Secretary/Treasurer. Serving
4
From the Chief Executive Officer’s Desk
The new Plumbing and Drainage
Bill 2011 in NSW has been passed
by both houses of parliament. The
legislative process was completed
in early November, 2011 and the
Bill will be proclaimed in the first
half of 2012.
The Association will be extremely
diligent to ensure those points
come under strong consideration
and the results reflect the
discussions with the Minister, his
office and the Opposition prior to
the passing of the Bill.
Prior to commencement of the Act,
NSW Fair Trading will develop
Regulations to accompany the Act,
which will cover issues such as:
The Plumbing and Drainage Bill
2011 formally adopts the Plumbing
Code of Australia (PCA), across
NSW. This will replace the
previous NSW Code of Practice for
Plumbing and Drainage Regulation
2006 including its 100 pages of
Technical Requirements which
detail variations and additional
provisions to AS/NZS 3500
applicable only in NSW. Plumbers
in NSW will be extremely happy
that these local geographical
variations will be no more and
there will be greater uniformity in
the application of AS/NZS 3500
across the whole State.
n
prescribed time periods for
notifications, submission of
certificates of competence etc
n
prescribed penalty notice
offences and amounts payable
n
exemptions from the
requirements of the Act for
minor works and certain
employees of water utilities.
The Bill was not opposed by the
Opposition, as it was basically the
same Bill they put into the house
in December 2010 which was
withdrawn due to opposition by
the Association and MBA NSW.
On this occasion, MBA NSW and
HIA supported the legislation.
As stated above, the work that is
now to be done is the development
of the Regulations and as the
saying goes……“the devil will be
in the detail”!
The business meeting concluded
with the election of the 2011-13
WPC Executive Board. GP Russ
Chaney, CEO of The IAPMO
Group, United States, is the new
chairman and Sudhakaran Nair,
Indian Plumbing Association (IPA),
India, is the deputy chairman.
your association
your association
World Plumbing Council
Concludes International Conference
There were a range of amendments
moved by the Opposition following
consultation with the Association
and the Government has agreed
that the issues raised in those
proposed amendments will be
formally considered in the drafting
of the Regulations.
In the discussions with the
Minister the issue of a Plumbing
Advisory Council in NSW was
raised by the Association and the
Minister has announced that “a
Plumbing Advisory Council will be
established to advise on industry
regulation including the Plumbing
and Drainage Bill 2011”.
The Minister has said that the
Council will have a broad crosssectoral representation from
across the industry and that he is
looking forward to working with
stakeholders to create specific
Terms of Reference for the Council.
The importance of this Council
cannot be underestimated. History
in NSW demonstrates that without
a strong overarching body to
ensure uniformity of application of
the PCA and AS/NZS 3500, local
interpretations will significantly
impact on non-compliance due
again to the implementation of
“so-called” local variations and
practice.
The Minister has said in Parliament
that the Plumbing and Drainage
Bill 2011 establishes a single
regulator for all on-site plumbing
and regulation.
That single regulator will be the
NSW Office of Fair Trading who
will delegate responsibility for the
implementation of the PCA and
AS/NZS 23500 to local councils, in
most instances. The test over time
will be if NSW Fair Trading through
the Regulations under the Act can
bring a state-wide discipline to the
monitoring and compliance with
the PCA and AS/NZS 3500.
The Association over many
years has lobbied for a single
regulator and it is now up to the
Government to demonstrate to the
plumbing industry that they are
truly committed to the uniform
implementation of the PCA and
AS/NZS 3500 across the state and
that they can repel the pressure
from local jurisdictions to retain
non-conforming practices and local
variations which totally defeat the
principles of the Act.
Paul Naylor,
Chief Executive Officer
Ray Hallatt, past President; Paul Naylor, CEO; Bill Clarke, past President;
Tim Sullivan, MPA executive member.
december 2011
5
GWA Group Launches New Corporate
Bathrooms and Kitchens Website
Gosford on the Central Coast of New South Wales is the location of the second direct
Aussie high pressure water blaster “factory outlet”. Australian Pump, Australia’s leading
manufacturer of high pressure water blaster equipment, has appointed Assassin Jetters as
the exclusive factory outlet for the Central Coast region.
he new outlet is located at 2/232
Manns Road, West Gosford
and also stocks the full range
of Aussie industrial vacuum
cleaners suitable for domestic,
commercial and industrial
applications. Further information
is available from Australian Pump
Industries, or Assassin Jetters,
phone number 1300 855 145.
The company claims this is a
big boost for end users who will
be able to source top quality
Aussie Pump pressure cleaners,
accessories and spares at “outlet”
prices. That includes a full range
of cold and hot water electric and
engine drive machines available
ex stock! Assassin’s Ben Norton
said “This brings us into a whole
new part of the business, where we
can capitalise on the experience
we have gained in building quality
drain cleaning jetters for the
plumbing industry. Now we have
a complete product range with the
best equipment in the country, fully
supported by the factory”.
The factory outlet concept means
that a wide range of customers
including councils, farmers,
contractors and handymen can get
a combination of price and advice
that is a virtual first for the industry.
“We don’t just sell top quality
Aussie equipment at the best
prices, we back it up with advice,
service and a number of “freebies”
to help customers get the absolute
best result!” said Norton. Assassin
buys equipment in bulk from the
factory, giving them the ability to
offer prices at a virtual wholesale
level to all consumers.
The keystone of the product
range is the new Aussie Scud
series, developed in Australia,
for Australians by Aussie Pump
engineers. The “Scud” provides
real water savings while providing
more cleaning power than
competitors. The Scud System, is
the result of years of consultation
with end users. It provides faster,
safer and more effective cleaning
with the consequent cost savings
and better results for users.
Assassin not only provides high
pressure accessories, spares and
equipment but also backs up their
activities with a fully equipped
service shop capable of servicing
water blasters of all brands. An
example of their service activity
includes an ability to change out
failed equipment and replace key
components. “Triplex pumps,
can be replaced with top quality
Aussie “Big Berty” Bertolini pumps
that last longer, and provide more
performance” said Norton.
GWA Bathrooms & Kitchens of GWA Group Limited – Australia’s largest supplier of fittings
and fixtures for residential and commercial applications – has launched an exciting new
website http://gwabathroomsandkitchens.com.
G
rouping its kitchen, laundry
and bathroomware products
into one division, the website
is an excellent resource to
find Australia’s best known
household fittings and fixtures
brands, including Caroma, Fowler,
Dorf, Stylus, Irwell, Clark, Radiant
and Epure.
The website will provide designers,
builders, plumbers and commercial
architects with a useful portal to
find up to date and comprehensive
information on each of GWA’s
brands and product portfolios, as
well as allow them to refer their
clients to the site to do some
research before making their
purchases.
“The website and product division
has been renamed and grouped to
define our bathroom and kitchen
segments, and utilises the brands
from each category to reflect a
broader market focus,” he added.
building products industry with
related companies including Dux
Hot Water, EcoSmart Solar, Brivis
Climate Systems and Gainsborough
Door Furniture. GWA employs more
than 2000 people.
For further information on the
GWA Group, please visit
www.gwagroup.com.au
GWA Bathrooms & Kitchens is a
wholly owned subsidiary of GWA
Group Limited – a Brisbane-based
Australian managed company,
with diverse interests in the
New Technical Support
Hotline Runs 24/7
Komatsu has launched a new service offering 24/7 technical support to both customers and
internal Komatsu service staff.
F
rom the 1st November
2011 a one-stop shop for all
technical support enquiries
will be available via Komatsu’s
Customer Support Service
Centre. Komatsu staff and
customers can phone at any time
for technical assistance, and the
available support will include
everything from answering a
quick shop-manual question, right
through to a lengthy more technical
troubleshooting solution session.
All internal staff of Komatsu
Australia, such as field service
technicians, workshop service
6
your association
your association
Aussie Factory Outlet
technicians and after-hour service
technicians on job sites will be
able to utilise this new technical
support, which will help streamline
processes and save time.
This service will also give provide
relief to regional technical
representatives, allowing them
to focus on their primary job of
assisting technicians in rectifying
customers’ machine issues on
sites, rather than supporting
internal enquiries from technicians
and customers.
Coordination Centre for all
technical enquiries by phone. This
will also save time for them having
to look for the phone number for
the Komatsu Branch and then find
the technical person to help the
enquiry.
This support is available via phone
1300 566 287.
Customers will also be able to
contact the Komatsu Technical
december 2011
7
We offer the Traditional Trade Training

Certificate III
in Plumbing
CPC32408
Water Supply
Students obtain the knowledge and
experience of designing and installing
a range of different water supply types
including water heating systems, water
This course provides the training
pumps and drinking water.
required for a plumbing apprenticeship
and covers the practical and theoretical
Fire Service
aspects of the plumbing industry
Students gain experience in fabricating
Plumbing Industry Courses
Plumbing industry courses have been specifically styled or modified to suit the NSW plumbing
industry. In particular, these courses have been adapted to suit most plumbers and contain
reference to plumbing industry regulatory standards including the NSW Code of Practice for
Plumbing and Drainage, Australian Standard AS3500 Plumbing and Draining and Australian
Standard AS5601 Gasfitting as well as various other industry regulatory standards that
impact upon the plumbing industry and specifically NSW plumbers.
your association
your association
Train with us!
and installing fire hydrant and hose
We deliver units from all streams of the
Course Details
sprinkler systems.
Certificate III in plumbing including:
• Common
Qualification Title –
• Drainage
• Fire Services
Certificate III in Plumbing
• Water
National Code –
• Gas
CPC32408
• Sanitary
• Roof Plumbing
Gasfitting
While studying units in Gasfitting, students
learn how to –
Install LPG systems in caravans, mobile
Nominal Hours –
homes, water craft and mobile
workplaces, work with Type A Gas
864 hours
Certificate III in Plumbing is a 4 year
apprenticeship. Students attend training
for the first three years of their Training
Contract for 36 days per year.
Common Units
Common units provide an introduction
On completion of this course,
reel systems as well as installing
domestic and residential life safety
for students to the plumbing industry
students will be eligible to receive the
and allows them to learn general
Nationally Recognised Certificate III in
skills in welding and cutting, building
Plumbing and with further experience
construction, pipes and tubes, fixing
and study may become a plumbing
devices and sheetmetal practices.
Appliances (space heaters, cookers,
etc.), install gas piping systems, ensure
correct ventilation is used.
Roofing
Subjects such as receiving roofing
materials, installing roofing
components, curved roof structures,
composite roof systems, external
flashings, roof drainage and the
collection and storage of roof water,
are all covered in our roofing units.
contractor and own a business.
MPA Training
(RTO 91087)
Drainage
Students study units involving drainage
systems, disposal systems, treatment
A division of the
plants, draining a worksite and
Master Plumbers and Mechanical
working with blockages.
Contractors Association of NSW
Sanitary
Sanitary units cover cold water
services, discharge pipes and
sanitary fixtures such as baths,
basins, sinks, showers, etc.
8
MPA Training is
enrolling now for
the 2012 intake.
Contact Kristy Twiggs
on 02 8789 7070 for
further information.
E
nviroplumber
This course recognises that plumbers spend six
years in training developing their skills to become
a professional plumbing contractor. Designed
to utilise these skills and plumbers’ practical
techniques and knowledge, this course will update
you on the regulations, legislative requirements,
techniques, products and work practices to effectively
complete the following;
n Water Conservation
- rainwater tanks, recycled water, bore water,
regulation and Government incentives;
n Energy Efficiency – solar hot water systems, gas
systems, regulation and Government incentives
n Waste Water Management – grey water
dispersion, grey water treatment, black water
treatment, regulations and management
n Stormwater Management – stormwater
management, detention tanks, regulations and
management
Business Practices and Marketing – OH&S,
environmental plumbing audit, commercial risk and
contracts.
n
“Smart plumbers are becoming EnviroplumbersTM
and are taking advantage of the opportunities in
Sustainable Plumbing Practices.”
n Safe Work Method Statements are being
requested by everybody from project developers,
contractors, builders and residential home owners.
This workshop will assist attendees to develop Safe
Work Method Statements which comply with the
requirements of the OH&S Regulation 2001. This
will allow you to undertake additional business by
tendering for work from other plumbers, builders,
principal contractors, project developers and
Government departments.
n Disconnect and reconnect fixed wired electrical
equipment to supply up to 1000 volts a.c. or 1500
volts d.c. (UTE NES208). This course will allow you
to obtain a restricted electrical licence that will
enable you to disconnect and reconnect hot water
services etc.
This course has been designed to provide participants
with the skills, knowledge and certification to perform
inspections and testing using approved “Portable
Appliance Testing Equipment”.
n Falls from heights are a significant problem in the
construction industry resulting in workplace fatalities
and many serious injuries. Employers are required to
ensure that appropriate measures and systems of work
are implemented to ensure the safety of all workers.
This course assists workers to understand the hazards
of working at heights and will give you peace of mind
by knowing your staff have been properly trained.
This course provides participants with:
n basic principles of health and safety in the
construction industry in NSW and
information about preventing workplace injury and
illness, workplace injury management and workers
compensation in NSW.
n
All workers in the plumbing industry must
have, and carry with them, a valid and current
copy of the Construction Induction Card and
this course is the only way to obtain this card
in NSW.
If you are interested in any of these courses, please
contact Nada at the office on 02 8789 7000 or
[email protected]
december 2011
9
your industry
your industry
Plumbing industry products
and opportunities
and opportunities (cont’d…)
Rent the Data Taker DT80M Intelligent Data Logger from TechRentals
T
echRentals has introduced
the DataTaker DT80M
Intelligent Data Logger into
their extensive test and
measurement rental fleet.
The DataTaker DT80M Intelligent
Data Logger is a stand alone
data logger featuring extensive
communications capabilities.
This versatile unit provides
a solution for a wide range of
applications from agriculture,
weather station, hydropower and
other outdoor projects.
The DataTaker DT80M in-built
2G/3G modem emails data directly
to your inbox with automatic
settings and alarms. View real
time measurements or logged data
on the in-built web interface, and
connect to sensors which support
measurement of temperature,
voltage, current, 4-20mA loops,
resistance, bridges, strain gauges,
frequency, digital and SDI-12.
Features:
Micro CD-100
n
18 bit resolution
Combustible Gas Detector
n
Simple setup with dEX operator
interface
n
Internal FTP server
n
Analogue and digital channels
Did you know you can rent for a
day, a month, a year or more at
TechRentals?
For more information on the above
products contact TechRentals
on 1800 632 652 or visit
www.techrentals.com.au
T
he RIDGID micro CD-100
Combustible Gas Detector
provides simple and quick
readings to identify the
presence of combustible gases.
The micro CD-100 is designed to
detect Methane, propane, Butane,
Ethanol, Ammonia, Hydrogen and
many other combustible gases.
With adjustable sensitivity, even
low levels of gases can be detected
in seconds.
The RIDGID micro CD-100
Combustible Gas Detector is
the tool for ensuring proper gas
10 the master plumber n your industry
line installations, checking for
maintenance and repair needs
or quickly pinpoint combustible
gas leaks.
n
n
Rugged Ergonomic Design
makes it capable of withstanding
jobsite rigor
Tri Mode Detection alerts the
operator with visual, audible,
or vibration alert which can be
adjusted to the environment
Adjustable Sensitivity Settings
provides precise leak locating
with a touch of a button
n
n
Field Replaceable Sensor
means more uptime and less
time waiting
Call for a free demonstration,
literature or the name of your
nearest stockist.
Ridge Tool (Australia) Pty Ltd
127 Metrolink Circuit
Campbellfield Victoria 3061
phone 03 9930 7000
fax 03 8339 2511
email
[email protected] web
www.ridgid.com.au
16” Flexible Probe allows
detection of leak in hard-to-reach
and confined places
december 2011 11
your industry
your industry
and opportunities (cont’d…)
Micro IR-100
Non-Contact Infrared
Thermometer
T
he RIDGID micro-IR 100 NonContact infrared Thermometer
provides simple, quick and
accurate surface temperature
readings at the push of a
button. You simply squeeze the
trigger and point the ultra-sharp
dual class 11 lasers at the surface
being measured. The micro IR-100
provides an immediate temperature
measurement on a clear, easyto-read backlit LCD display. In
addition to numerous other uses,
this rugged compact, instrument
enables professional tradesmen to
diagnose heating and ventilation
problems, perform preventative
monitoring of electrical motors and
systems, troubleshoot steam traps
and quickly check fuses or circuit
breakers for overheating without
contact.
n
n
Ultra Sharp Dual Class 11 Lasers
easily illuminate the surface area
being measured
Call for a free demonstration,
literature or the name of your
nearest stockist.
n
Ergonomic Pistol Style Grip
with rugged over moulding
allows you to keep a solid grip
in the harshest of industrial
environments.
Ridge Tool (Australia) Pty Ltd
n
20 To 1 Distance To Spot ratio
allows you to take more accurate
measurements from a farther
distance
n
High and Low Alarms quickly
alert you to temperature outside
of the ranges that you set
n
Bright Backlit Display which can
be toggled on in poorly lit areas
Tripod Mount Capable for
repeatable, precise temperature
measurements
127 Metrolink Circuit
Campbellfield Victoria 3061
phone 03 9930 7000
fax 03 8339 2511
email
[email protected] web
www.ridgid.com.au
december 2011 13
Industry Member
Since 1923, RIDGID has remained the symbol
of certainty to dedicated professionals of the
expert trades. At the Ridge Tool Company,
they take this heritage seriously.
Your Association’s History
In 1885, plumbers first got together (see story on page 23) to discuss matters of interest both
to themselves and the public.
1896 … A first
The first general meeting of the Master Plumbers & Gasfitters Association of NSW was held
at the Protestant Hall, Castlereagh Street on Monday August the 24th 1896. This building
today is the abandoned, Australian Workers Union building, 238 Castlereagh St, Sydney.
T
he original rules were adopted
and the Water and Sewerage
Board’s agreed to allow notices
of meetings to be placed on the
Notice Board of their offices.
In September of the same year the
first graduates from the City and
Guilds of London examination.
T
his is why every tool that bears the RIDGID brand
is engineered to the same high standards of
quality, strength, and endurance as was that first
heavy-duty pipe wrench more than 80 years ago.
Ever since the introduction of that revolutionary
product, our expectations have been to exceed those
of our customers through industry leading products
and support that provide:
n
Confidence that RIDGID products will consistently
perform in the harsh demands of the professional’s
work site.
n
Efficiency which results in faster work, more jobs,
and improved profits.
n
Industry Innovations to help our customers create
new services and income sources.
The RIDGID brand is a promise to our customers
which we continue to honour every day. When
selecting the tools on which to stake your reputation,
know that professionals choose the market leader.
The difference is distinct. The difference is RIDGID.
Local teams of customer service personnel around
the world provide the support our end users and
distributors need to keep them working. Friendly,
knowledgeable and courteous support help them
select, obtain and use the right tools to get the job
done right as quickly as possible.
They also choose us for our international network of
factory and independently owned service centres.
Local support helps our customers get the maximum
service life from their tools and equipment.
your industry
your industry
MPA Profile
October 1896 saw the early
relationship to the current TAFE
NSW commence whereby the
Superintendent of the Sydney
Technical College wrote “stating
that members of the Association
could visit the College when they
pleased without giving notice of
their intention to do so”.
November 1896 saw the first
complaint lodged. “Mr Sharp
exhibited two lead connections
which he said had been fixed in
connection with a Hot and Cold
Water Job by an unlicensed man.
The said connection being of
a discredible nature, but as he
refused to divulge the name of
the man the Association could do
nothing in the matter”.
1898 The first Petition
July 14th 1898 “that a requisition
be drawn up for the presentation
to the Water and Sewerage Board,
agreed by all licensed plumbers,
praying that the Board would
refuse to issue permits to carry
out plumbing works to any
plumbers not having a bona fide
place of work.”
1898 First lapsed meeting
“Owing to the caretaker of the
Builders Exchange not attending
for the purpose of opening the
room and not being able to get
inside, no meeting was held for
the month of September.”
First “traffic” accident
On the 13th October 1898, a letter
of sympathy was sent to M A
Vaughan (foundation Chairperson)
sympathising with him in his
sickness caused “by an accident in
being thrown out of his dray”.
A smoke concert!
In December 1899 the President of
the Association proposed to hold
the first Smoke Concert. Smoking
concerts were live performances
usually of music, before an
audience of men, and very popular
during the Victorian era.
Smoking Concert
These social occasions were
instrumental in introducing new
musical forms to the public. At
these functions men would smoke
and speak of politics while listening
to live music. These popular
gatherings were sometimes held
at hotels.
The saying “Bookings for smoking
concerts now being taken” came
into use at this time meaning that
a person had recovered and was
in the prime of health. This saying
is used in the works of world
renowned writer P G Wodehouse.
One could suggest that not much
has changed over the years!
Protestant Hall, 238 Castlereagh Street,
Sydney.
december 2011 15
Australia’s first certified
thermostatic mixers
INTrodUcINg The AQUABLeNd SQX
rANge of TherMoSTATIc MIXerS.
Apprentice Profile
TMV
IN
BUILT
Abdullah Kassab
rAL
INTeg
Abdullah Kassab is a fourth year apprentice with MPAL. This brief article chronicles his
progression from a prospective apprentice to an award winning apprentice who has set the
benchmark for excellence in plumbing apprenticeships.
TMV
designed and made in australia
basin, shower and surgeon mixers
sequential mix technology and built
in anti-scald protection
wels 5 or 4 star water efficiency ratings
A
Abdullah demonstrated to
the interview panel his drive
and determination to start an
apprenticeship in plumbing.
New brochure available
call 1300 369 273 or visit
www.eNware.com.au/aquableNd
Unique Aquablend SQX – sequential thermostatic mixing valve
is first in Australia to provide innovative point-of-use mixing
T
The Aquablend Point of Use
Sequential TMV range delivers
a significant new choice for
healthcare building designers,
particularly within the aged care,
hospital, medical, disabled and
child care projects and at risk
applications where optimum
temperature control of heated
water delivery is imperative.
The Aquablend SQX Sequential
Thermostatic Mixer precisely
blends heated and cold water at the
point of use to ensure a constant
desired temperature – typically in
a range from 38degC to 45 degC
at wash basins, showers and
bathtubs to prevent scalding or
user discomfort.
Point of Use thermostatic mixer
applications are now recognized as
best practice application and called
up in relevant Healthcare Codes
in the UK in order to minimise the
Legionella risk exposure of patients
and healthcare professionals alike.
By integrating the thermostatic
into a point of use mixer allows for
the minimization of Legionella risk
as full temperature heated water
is plumbed directly to the draw off
fixture thus eliminating warm water
lines where Legionella may breed.
The outcome is safer heated water
delivery within the healthcare
environment.
The flow-controlled sequential
operation ensures that only cold
water is drawn through the
mixer during initial actuation.
The mixture progresses to the
preset heated-water delivery via
thermostatic control, ensuring
“Abdullah joined Park Plumbing Pty
Ltd in May 2008 as an apprentice
plumber. Our company sets a
very high standard in both on site
safety and the quality of work on all
projects. Abdullah, in the last four
years at Park Plumbing Pty Ltd has
fitted the mould that we require –
he is astute, punctual, and reliable
and takes pride in everything that
he does and as a result he has
gained the respect of his peers and
his fellow work colleagues.”
bdullah applied to Master
Plumbers Apprentices
Limited in mid 2008.
His application was
supported by an extensive
resumé, stating his past
achievements and passion for
plumbing.
AS 4032.1WMKA25301
he Aquablend SQX is the
first Australian designed,
manufactured and Watermark
certified thermostatic mixer
range of its type to be released
in Australia. The Aquablend
SQX incorporates enhanced
thermostatic performance and is
the next generation of product
within Enware’s proven market
leading Aquablend TMV range.
your industry
your industry
Aquablend SQX ™:
limited wastage of heated water
and reduced heating source energy
consumption. Aquablend SQX’s
mixer body has an innovative
“cool touch” design, as hot water
does not come into contact with
the outer DZR brass surface of
the mixer body. This is a safety
and comfort benefit in high risk
applications such as health care
and aged care.
“Cool touch” performance is
achieved by the innovative use
of non heat-conducting material
combined with unique flow porting.
Primary materials used in the
construction and packaging of the
Aquablend SQX are 100 per cent
recyclable.
For more information, please
contact Enware Australia Pty Ltd,
9-11 Endeavour Road, Caringbah,
NSW 2229, Australia, info@enware.
com.au, ph (61-2) 9525 9511,
fax (61-2) 9525 9536.
Abdullah had carried out work
experience with a local plumber
and researched the trade to be
able to relay all relevant information
needed to secure a plumbing
apprenticeship.
In May 2008, Abdullah commenced
a placement in Marrickville with
Host Trainer, Park Plumbing Pty
Ltd. During this time Abdullah had
excelled at both work and TAFE.
Abdullah’s placement with Park
Plumbing has involved domestic
maintenance, commercial and
industrial construction.
Abdullah settled into the position
at Park Plumbing very quickly. His
understanding of the tasks and
his “can do” attitude helped in the
settling in period.
Abdullah is able to follow
the instruction of both older,
experienced plumbers and the
younger apprentice plumbers
without questioning and fulfilling
all instructions to the best of
his ability.
In 2009 Abdullah received the
award for best first year apprentice
at the Clarrie Wymer Awards
for excellence.
Abdullah Kassab being presented the award
by Ms Gabrielle Cecelia Upton MBA, BA, LLB,
MP, Member of the Legislative Assembly,
Member for Vaucluse, Parliamentary
Secretary
Abdullah did not rest on this
achievement and in 2010 received
the award for best second year
apprentice.
This year Abdullah was awarded
the Plumbing Apprentice of the
Year at the NSW Group Training
Awards in September.
He was presented with the award
by Ms Gabrielle Cecelia UPTON,
MBA, BA, LLB MP Member of the
Legislative Assembly, Member for
Vaucluse, Parliamentary Secretary
(pictured above).
“Abdullah’s work colleagues
have always spoken highly of
his attention to detail, his ability
to complete all tasks no matter
how difficult or how mundane
the tasks are. We are proud of his
achievements and wish him all the
best in his future endeavours.”
“Abdullah’s willingness to learn
has seen Abdullah, being taken
from domestic plumbing jobs to the
larger commercial and industrial
plumbing applications.”
“His results in his trade training
have always shown his motivation
towards completing his plumbing
apprenticeship.”
“Abdullah has excelled in all
areas of the plumbing trade.
He has shown that hard work and
determination have paid off in his
chosen career.”
“Abdullah is a fine example of the
of the quality of apprentices
MPAL employs.”
Peter West (Managing Director) of
Park Plumbing Pty Ltd has written
the following comments.
december 2011 17
What is the meaning of the MPA Logo
your industry
your industry
Plumbing –
A career that you can rely on

History has shown us that plumbers are extremely important people in our society.
Wherever people settle, they will always need plumbers.
C
lean water and reliable
plumbing are not only vital to
public health but they are also
an integral part of modern day
life - how many of us could do
without the luxury of a hot bath or
shower? Without the competent
plumber disease would be rife,
sanitation non-existent, clean, fresh
drinking water from a tap only a
dream, and heating would consist
of a coal or log fire!
mechanical service systems along
with other wet plumbing systems.
Some plumbers specifically deal
with drainage and small domestic
jobs such as leaky taps and blocked
sinks and drains.
It takes years of training to
become qualified and a career in
plumbing calls for a dedication
to lifelong learning, as the rate
of technological advancement is
rapid. An understanding of maths
and science is vital, and those on
the tools need a head for heights,
an ability to work in confined
conditions and stamina to complete
physically hard work day after day.
There are many reasons to become
a qualified as a plumber such as:
The job
Plumbing is best defined as “Work
associated with the provision of
water supply pipe work including
that used for fire fighting; all forms
of space heating, gas installation,
sanitary appliances, discharge pipe
work and drainage; the weathering
of structures and buildings.”
As you can see, plumbing
embraces a large area of work.
Some plumbers work as ‘wet only
plumbers’, dealing with piped
systems for water such as fitting
bathrooms, radiators and sprinkler
systems etc. Others choose to
branch out into the gas industry so
they can install gas central heating
systems, air conditioning and other
Whatever area of the industry
plumbers choose to work in, they
all should be suitably qualified and
need extensive knowledge of the
Australian Standards that cover
plumbing and services.
n
The professionalism of the trade;
n
Diverse working conditions and
tasks;
n
The financial rewards are often
lucrative;
n
The work is challenging and
diversified; and
n
The opportunity for individuals
to run their own business and
become a plumbing contractor.
What can a qualified
plumber earn?
Self employed plumbers have
flexibility of lifestyle and determine
what they earn by the amount
of effort the put in building their
business. However, before you can
become a self employed plumber
you must complete a Plumbing,
Draining and Gasfitting
Certificate III apprenticeship
(4 years) and then complete an
additional course Certificate IV
in Advanced Plumbing.
Master Plumbers Apprentices
Limited is a plumbing industry
specific group training
organisations that specialises
in the employment of plumbing
apprentices. To qualify for the
recruitment process you must:
n
be 16 years of age prior to
the commencement of the
apprenticeship.
n
have successfully completed
Year 10 or greater and be
prepared to undertake an
entrance examination based on
communication, mathematics
and comprehension.
We look for enthusiasm,
commitment, problem solving
and communication skills and the
ability to think for yourself. You
should have a willingness to work;
and display a desire to learn new
skills; and enjoy working in an
indoor/outdoor environment.
F
or many years the Master
Plumbers and Mechanical
Contractors Association of
NSW has used the symbol
of Hygeia to identify the
organisation. This symbol dates
back to 360 BC. Hygeia is the Greek
Goddess of Health, her name is
derived from the root word hugies
or hygies, meaning healthy, which
is also the root word for hygiene so
she has been a most appropriate
symbol for the organisation.
The Association was founded in
1895 following a meeting, which
took place in the Sydney Institute
of Sanitary and Engineering
Technology.
The Association has become one of
the strongest specialist contracting
organisations in the building
and construction industry. The
plumbing industry in Australia has
developed, with the introduction of
new technology, into a complex and
varied range of business activities
which is reflected in the extensive
and rigorous education and training
undergone by apprentices entering
the profession today (the National
Trade course now resembles an
engineering diploma covering
multiple disciplines).
As the field of activity of the
plumbing contractor has grown
rapidly over time, so has the role
undertaken by the Association in
representing and serving, not only
traditional plumbing firms, but also
the many specialisations in the
industry.
Future opportunities
Goddess of Health
Plumbing is a Australian National
Qualification that is highly
transportable and covers a wide
variety of subjects including water
plumbing, draining, gasfitting,
metal roofing and mechanical
Services. Plumbers trained in
NSW, are well respected in all
states of Australia and around the
world. Plumbers trained in NSW
can and do take up a variety of
opportunities including: continuing
studies, starting their own
businesses, and travelling
in Australian and / or around
the world.
If you search through the standard
god/goddess index, you’re not
likely to find the Goddess of Health
on your first try. Where did this
goddess come from? The Greeks
had early gods and goddesses:
twelve major deities, the three
Fates, the nine Muses, and many
minor deities.
Want to become an Apprentice? call MPAL on: 1800 424 181
Hygeia
The symbol of the Master Plumbers Association of NSW
How do I get started?
While the Greek Sun god Apollo
and the Roman goddess of wisdom
Minerva are well known and
written about, the Goddess of
Health is one of those minor deities.
There are at least twelve gods or
goddesses for healing alone; health
personified is named Hygeia,
pronounced Hi-je’-a.
The traditional male-dominated
medical profession prefers to use
the God of Medicine, Asclepius,
(or the Roman name Aesculapius)
which is much harder to spell and
pronounce, and rarely associated
with women.
To highlight women’s health,
we couldn’t find a better name
encompassing all the ideals of
mythology, with the focus on
women, than Hygeia.
Hygeia, one of the daughters
of Asklepios (Asclepius) and
granddaughter of Apollo, took
an important role in the cult of
Asklepios as a giver of health,
often identified with health
and sometimes also called The
Health. She was worshipped and
celebrated together with her father
on many places (Asklepieion) of the
Greek and Roman world.
Therefore the cult was known
between the 7th and 6th centuries
BC as a local cult. It spread out
after the recognition through the
oracle of Apollo at Delphi and after
the catastrophic plague in 429
and 427 BC in Athens and 293 BC
in Rome. The oldest Asklepieion
seems to be at Trikke (the present
day Trikala in Thessaly), while the
biggest centres of worship were
established in Epidaurus, Corinth,
Cos and Pergamon. Pausanias
noted to us some interesting
details about offerings to Hygeia at
Asklepieion of Titane in Sikyonia,
which was founded, according to
…cont’d on page 20
december 2011 19
him, by Alexanor the grandson of Asklepios.
The statues of Health were covered there by masses
of women’s hair consecrating to the goddess and the
swathes of Babylonian clothing. The same offerings
are also known from the inscriptions, discovered in the
Cycladic island Paros.
Your brand is your business identity. It’s defined by how you and
your employees consciously or otherwise portray your business,
and how your market then interprets this image.
Hygeia was sung and represented by many artists
such as Gustav Klimt (see artwork below) from
4th century BC until the end of the Roman period.
Ariphron, the Sikyonian, living in the 4th century BC,
was the author of a hymn celebrating her. The statues
of Hygeia originated from well-known masters - like
Skopas, Timotheos (both of these works at the present
time in the National Archaeological Museum of
Athens) and Bryaxis.
A
The Roman sculptors, as well, liked to create her
image. The good quality of the Roman works of Hygeia
are located in the museums´collections in Epidaurus,
Herakleion, Nicosia and Rome.
Everyone is looking for ways to
stand out from the crowd. A clear
brand focus that links your knowhow with your message and creates
a strong point of difference from
your competitors will help you get
noticed.
The late ancient ivory-cut relief from Walker´s Gallery
in Liverpool is presenting Hygeia in her typical form
like a fine young woman, feeding a huge sacred snake,
which is crowding around her body. We learn also
from Pausanias about a special kind of a big, but not
venomenal snake, living in the region of Epidaurus.
Sometimes Hygeia is accompanied by Telesforos, the
dwarf with a cowl on his head, who is a symbol of the
recovery. According to some myths he was the brother
of Hygeia and the deity in Thrace.
With the increasing importance of Asklepios´ cult
during the Roman period, Hygeia was associated with
the moon and her father, the most worshipped of the
gods, was considered as the equal of the sun. The
name of Hygeia survived until the present times in
the word hygiene and its components and her sacred
snake together with the rod of Asklepios is the medical
sign for actual medicine.
your industry
your industry
…cont’d from page 19
Marketing and raising your
business profile
ny inconsistencies between
perceptions and how your
business is portrayed will
weaken your brand and
reduce brand loyalty.
Therefore, as your business and
market grows and develops, so too
must your image.
n
how you can bring yourself upto-date on local and international
trends
n
what other industry players are
doing with their brands.
If you haven’t recently (within
the last 12 months) done so,
take another look at your market
research and competitor research,
confirm your target market and
develop your Unique Selling
Proposition (USP). This will help
ensure your brand is aligned with
your business objectives and give
you a solid base to build on.
You don’t have to have the big
budgets of Fortune 100 companies
to boost the awareness of your
brand and build stronger loyalty
amongst your customers and staff.
You do however need to be honest
and candid when assessing your
business positioning.
A 10 point guide to building a
successful brand
1.Take a step back and
hit refresh
When looking to build your brand
and raise your business profile, it’s
a good idea to take a step back
from working in your business so
you can look from the outside in.
Take some time to reflect on:
n
what makes your business truly
outstanding (both functional and
emotional attributes)
n
what capabilities make your
business extraordinary and hard
to copy?
n
how can you preserve and
sustain this advantage
advertisements, packaging,
company cars, staff uniforms,
invoices and accounts, and mergers
and acquisitions.
3.Access the power of
the internet
The internet is not only a powerful
way to build your brand cost
effectively; it also allows you to
reach a much larger number of
customers with speed. This makes
your website and blog two of the
most important brand touch points
for your product or services.
Make sure both your website and
blog reflect the personality and
style of your company, and your
website has a clearly defined
brand statement.
A well branded website can be
built for under $2000.
2.Understand your key brand
touch points
The key to successful branding,
whether you are developing,
maintaining or building it, is
consistency. Ensure brand
identification markers – symbols,
images, style, colours and
messages – are consistent across
major brand touch points because
these will determine the strength of
your brand in the market.
Major brand touch points include:
what your employees say about
your business, websites, business
cards, trade shows, company
presentations, annual reports,
the media, industry publications,
E-commerce is also freely available
and the administrative cost savings
more than outweigh the monthly
fees of e-commerce trading
accounts. Alternatively, you can
design your own website based
on easy to use templates using
applications such as Apple’s iWeb
or similar Google software..
4.Search engine marketing
Build you brand profile by
improving your website ranking
in Google for key word searches
relevant to your business, product
or service.
You can create an “adwords”
account and pay per click to ensure
your company’s website appears on
the front page of a Google search
for a keyword.
december 2011 21
Gold Drain Covers
Harry Gold
Proprietor
G
Gold vDer
Co rasin Covers
old Drain
your industry
your industry
Marketing and raising your
business profile (cont’d…)
What can be found in the
old Master Plumber Journals?
For example, if you sell gold plated drain covers, you
can chose the keyword ‘gold drain covers’ and pay the
going ‘per click’ rate to ensure your website appears
on
the first page.
Plan to meet with the group on a quarterly or half
yearly basis and obtain honest feedback from them
about the performance of your brand and how it’s
being perceived in the market. Remember to reward
members for their contributions.
5.Appoint brand ambassadors
7. Invest in people development
Identify employees who live and breathe the
company’s brand through their actions and behaviours.
Provide incentives for them to promote the core values
and essence of your brand in dealings with internal
and external customers. Follow this strategy through to
your customer base, by appointing loyal customers as
brand ambassadors as well.
Ensure your product and services are sold to your
employees first, before they are sold to your customers.
Engaged employees will engage your customers.
Ensure that staff receive on-going training and a
career pathway is mapped out with them so they can
see how their performance is linked to the growth and
future of the company.
6. Develop a brand community
Engaged employees are more likely to stay with your
company and become brand ambassadors.
Establish a group of internal and external stakeholders
who keep an eye out for any trends in the industry
you compete in. Your brand community might include
some or all of the following:
n
graphic designer
web developer
n advertising agency
n PR firm
njournalist.
n
8. Your work environment should reflect your
brand
Take a look around you – does the physical
environment you work in reflect your brand values
and drive you to higher levels of performance? Does it
contribute
to open communication
between staff?
Ask your staff how they feel about their work
surroundings – it may only be a splash of paint, new
carpet and a coffee machine that will bring some life to
your workplace.
9. Resolve customer
complaints quickly
Treat all complaints seriously and give them number
one priority.
A dissatisfied customer can turn into a loyal buyer if
their complaint is resolved quickly and with minimum
fuss. This doesn’t mean the customer is always right,
but it does send a strong message that you are serious
about your brand.
10. Define the brand architecture of your brand
Conduct a focused session to discover and define
the key functional and emotional attributes of
your brand as well as the relevance of your brand
values. Your brand values form the platform of your
communications, promotions and your culture.
How your customers connect with you emotionally
drive the promotions of your products and services,
build loyalty and long
term relationships. Call in a professional to help you
work through key drivers and develop
a brand strategy that addresses long term brand
growth and customer loyalty.
Read about the earliest records of the first plumbers in Australia – where they came from and
the knowledge and skills they brought with them. Fascinating information resurrected from
dusty archives.
1.Founding of the Association
– earliest records
T
he first plumbers in Australia
came from Britain and Ireland
bringing their knowledge and
skills with them. They would
have been familiar with the
Guild system in England going
back to the Middle Ages, when
associations were formed for
mutual aid and protection or for a
common purpose, most frequently
by persons associated in trade
or industry.
The current Association was said
to have been formed in 1896,
the year from which Minutes
of Meetings exist. However,
documents uncovered in 1981
indicate that the Master Plumbers
Association of New South Wales
was a fully operational organisation
in 1885. In that year on 27th June,
a typed letter was sent from the
Master Plumbers Association to
the Sydney City Council with a list
of grievances. They complained
about problems with the Water
Department; the granting of
licenses to incompetent people;
exorbitant charges by the Council
for supplying their own labourers
to open roads for pipe laying, when
the plumbers could do this more
efficiently themselves; and unfair
competition from the Council itself.
Fourteen years later an article
was published in the Building,
Engineering and Mining Journal
of February 25th, 1899 on the
“Particulars of the Master Plumbers
Association of New South Wales”.
The article says the present
Association was formed in 1896
and that they rented rooms and
held meetings in various city
centre locations. It went on to
say that the Association had
frequently interviewed the Water
and Sewerage Board on matters
affecting the trade and in most
cases had been wholly or partly
successful in having grievances
rectified. There were ongoing
matters yet to be settled.
The Association was endeavouring
to obtain representation on the
Water and Sewerage Board. It had
also contacted the Gas Company
about the need for a more central
distribution of meters, but
without success.
As no member of its executive
received any fee for his services,
the Association kept well within
its income. The objects of the
Association were:
n
To further the interests of the
plumbing trade in every possible
way;
n
To obtain representation on the
Water and Sewerage Board;
n
To regulate the practice of
builders and other unlicensed
persons doing plumbing;
n
To meet for mutual counsel
and advice, and settling of
all differences that might
arise among plumbers in their
business relations;
n
To do away with unfair
competition, and to obtain fair
remuneration for all work.
Association and suggested he
edit a trade journal “The Master
Plumber” which is a valuable
record of the Association’s history
and continues to this day. Harry
was an influential figure and
communicator for 28 ½ years.
The Association’s emblem of
Hygeia, Goddess of Health was
adopted in 1927 and replaced a seal
going back to the 1890s which was
difficult to decipher.
The emblem carries the title
“The Master Plumbers & Sanitary
Engineers Association of NSW”.
In 1980 the name was changed
to “The Master Plumbers
& Mechanical Contractors
Association of NSW” and a
new Constitution was adopted.
In 2001 a new modern logo was
adopted to be used Australiawide, especially when lobbying on
national issues impacting on the
plumbing industry.
An article in the Master
Plumber – August 1992, Page
6: “At last – a National voice for
Australia’s Plumbers” goes into
considerable detail. It says that
most tradespeople and apprentices
currently working in the Australian
plumbing
industry are
employed
under a
Federal
Award
system.
It could be said that much of the
above still applies today.
In 1923, Harry Murphy was
appointed Secretary of the
december 2011 23
Negotiations on wages and
conditions in the industry are
conducted with a national
Trade Union.
The winter issue of the Master
Plumber, 2001 records the adoption
of a new modern logo for the
Master Plumbers Association
of NSW (Page 8). The logo has
the words “Master Plumbers
Association NSW” underneath
the circular emblem. The article
ends by saying: “The use of this
Australia wide logo will be of
benefit when lobbying on national
issues impacting on the plumbing
industry.”
In the Nov/Dec 1995 issue of the
Master Plumber, Page 10, the
identical logo is shown with the
words “Master Plumbers Australia”
underneath, representing the
national body.
2. Premises rented and
meeting rooms – properties
owned
A document uncovered by the
Association’s Hon. Historian, Mrs T
Bain in 1981 shows that the Master
Plumbers Association of NSW was
a fully operational organisation
in 1885. The document was a
submission to the Sydney City
Council on 27th June, 1885 and the
address given was 503 Kent Street,
Sydney. President D. Field.
The next address we have for
Association Head Quarters is 145
William Street, Woolloomooloo
in a letter to the Town Clerk,
Sydney Town Hall from the Master
Plumbers Association Secretary,
Sidney Smith, in 1890.
The present day Association
has records going back to 1896.
The minutes of the first General
Meeting of the Master Plumbers
and Gas Fitters of NSW record
that the meeting took place at
the Protestant Hall, Castlereagh
Street, Sydney on 24th August,
1896. Shortly after this date the
Association moved to the Builders’
Exchange in Pitt Street. These two
addresses were rented premises.
The Master Plumber, a journal
published by the Association from
24 the master plumber n mpa group
On the 1st of March, 1929, the
Association rented space in
Danks Buildings, 324 Pitt Street.
Danks sold plumbing equipment
and advertised their products in
the Association’s journal
“The Master Plumber”.
In 1956 the Association acquired
its own premises at 10 Regent
Street, Sydney. Extensive
alterations were made to the
property and it was officially
opened by the Lord Mayor of
Sydney, Ald. H.F. Jensen on 19th
September 1958.
In 1964 the Association purchased
property adjoining Plumbers
Supplies Co-operative Ltd at
Ashfield. The aim of this purchase
was a consolidation of their
activities at this site, retaining the
property in the city for investment
purposes. Architect, Mr B. Noble
MA (Harvard) drew up plans to
develop the site.
Work commenced on the
Association’s new headquarters
at 121 – 125 Bland Street, Ashfield
in 1970. The Builder was Mr B.D.
Atkinson of North Ryde. Progress
was hampered by delays in brick
121-125 Bland Street, Ashfield
supplies, strikes and bad weather.
To add to their woes, the Sydney
County Council wanted to establish
a sub-station in front of the new
headquarters and steps had to be
taken to prevent this resumption.
Meanwhile, a long term lease of
the Regent Street property was
arranged with the Public Service
Board.
An architectural model and
pictorial record of progress was
reported in The Master Plumber
these premises, however there
were growing pains and parking
problems, and it was obvious that
larger premises were required.
The Association had also started
Plumbers’ Supplies Co-op in order
to obtain better prices for materials
for the members.
great savings to the Association.
The new premises at Lidcombe
will not only create more space
and facilities for the Association,
it will also provide many more
opportunities for the Master
Plumber Apprentices Ltd, Master
Plumbers Training, our Industry
members and all involved with the
NSW plumbing industry.”
1923 to the present day, recorded
its first address as Sheffield House,
312 Pitt Street.
10 Regent Street, Sydney
and the building was finally
completed in November 1971. The
Association endured a prolonged
period in the warehouse premises
of Plumbers’ Supplies Co-op Ltd
whilst awaiting the completion.
The building was before its time,
a proud symbol of the Association,
its members and the plumbing
Industry – a building of character,
form and function – and a credit
to the architects and contractors,
and to Jack Stephen and his
Committeemen whose conception
and hard work made it possible.
The Master Plumber, May
1989, page 16, reported that five
residential cottages which had
been acquired over the years,
were auctioned to strengthen the
Association’s financial base. In
December 1988 they purchased
a factory at Smithfield as an
investment. The building was
tenanted by Eswood.
In the Master Plumber,
February – March 2003,
immediate past President Steve
Ackerley (page 2) refers to a tour
of the new Association premises
at 3 John Street, Lidcombe: “Work
on the new building is running to
plan, and the Association should
relocate in May. The refurbishment
of the building has received
strong support from many of our
industry members who have
kindly provided a large number of
plumbing products and services at
Master Plumber, April – May
2003: President Bill Armstrong
said that the new head office at
Lidcombe would be completed in
the next 60 days and would give
the Association ample space for
future expansion. The property
purchase at Warners Bay will house
the Newcastle Branch and allow for
a much-needed base in the north.
Page 6 – photos of delegates to the
2003 State Conference visiting the
new MPA office at Lidcombe. Due
to be completed mid-June 2003.
By July 2003 the move had taken
place after 30 years at Ashfield.
General Manager, Paul Naylor
would like it to be viewed as “the
plumbing industry facility”. It
has meant a re-think on how the
Association’s staff and members
can interact with industry
members and sponsors in the
promotion of the industry and the
launching of new products. It is
also an education/training facility,
in that it will be able to host trade
shows, provide seminars and
The Ashfield site was chosen to
house both the Association and the
Co-op. The Co-op moved into their
premises first and the Association
temporarily used their facilities
whilst the headquarters was
completed in 1970. At that stage
Master Plumbers Apprentices Ltd.
did not exist.
3 John Street, Lidcombe
training courses for the benefit
of those involved in plumbing,
he said.
A Time Capsule, to be opened
in 2041 has been relocated from
Ashfield to Lidcombe and is
prominent as a significant feature
in the main foyer/display area.
Guardian, Allan Colquhoun was
asked to present an overview of
the move to Lidcombe, contrasted
against the moves in the last half
century from the Danks Building
in Pitt Street to Regent Street and
then to Ashfield. In short he said
that the Association operated
satisfactorily for many years from
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The Lidcombe property has been
completely refurbished, benefits
being that it is in a commercial
area (one earmarked for
considerable development), close
to transport, with approximately
four times the space of Ashfield.
The building will serve the needs
of the Association and MPAL
well. The Executive Committee
is proud of the new premises, but
acknowledges that it would not
have been possible without
the vision and foresight of
the Executive Committees
of yesteryear.
In December 2010 the
Association moved to the latest
office and “School of Excellence”
at 2 Percy Street Auburn. This
was a major move and the final
renovations will not be completed
until 2012. This new facility
will allow the Association via
MPA Training, the registered
training organisation, within
the MPA Group to deliver trade
qualifications and post trade
pathways for the industry.
The industry based skills centre
development was supported by the
Federal and State Governments.
As the Association moves ahead
at a very rapid rate, it is clear that
industry is both supportive and
clearly sees the relevance and
importance of a truly industry
representative body which offers
high value for money to members
and has a major role to protect the
health of the community.
december 2011 25
NSW has introduced new Workplace Health and Safety Laws (WHS) which will take effect
from 1st January 2012.The model WHS laws will replace the current Occupational Health &
Safety (OH&S) Laws in NSW.
T
here are currently nine
different State-based safety
laws across Australia which in
the past has made it difficult
for companies to work across
boarders. The new introduction
of WHS laws means that the
same safety protection and the
same penalties for safety offences
will apply across all locations in
Australia aiming towards;
n
A consistent level of safety for all
workers in Australia
n
Reduced compliance and
regulatory burdens for
businesses operating across
state and territory boundaries
n
Workers with licences or permits
issued by State Work Health &
Safety regulators the ability to
move between jurisdictions
What is new for NSW under the
model WHS Act?
Under the model WHS Act, the
changes in NSW Include;
n
n
n
The employer will become
known as a ‘person conducting
business or undertaking or
PCBU.’
If you are an employer, sole
trader, association, partnership,
corporation or volunteer
organisation with paid workers
you will be classed as a PCBU.
Employees will become known
as workers. If you are an
employee, volunteer, labour hire
staff, apprentice, work
n
n
experience student, trainee,
subcontractor or contractor
working for a PCBU you will be
classed as a worker.
Will there be transitional
arrangements from 1 January
2012 for NSW businesses to
implement the changes?
Health & Safety Representatives
(HSRs) will replace Occupational
Health & Safety (OHS)
Representatives.
Appropriate transitional
arrangements will be put in place
in each jurisdiction.
A HSR after completing training
will be able to issue provisional
improvement notices (PINs) and
direct that unsafe work cease.
n
Greater implications for Directors
and Officers of PCBUs.
n
Reverse onus of proof has been
removed and the statutory
authority now bears the burden
of onus of proof.
Frequently Asked Questions...
When will the new legislation
come into effect?
The model Work Health & Safety
(WHS) Act, model Work Health &
Safety regulations and model codes
of practice come into effect on 1
January 2012.
What does ‘model’ Work Health
& Safety (WHS) legislation
mean?
‘Model’ refers to Safe Work
Australia’s model WHS Framework,
which includes an act, regulations
and codes of practice to be adopted
by each jurisdiction. Each State
and Territory will enact their own
laws to mirror these model laws.
What is the difference between
the act, regulations and codes of
practice?
The model WHS Act sets out
health and safety responsibilities.
The WHS Regulations expand on
the requirements of the Act, with
details on how certain sections
of the Act are implemented and
specific direction on how to meet
these obligations. The Codes of
Practice provide guidance on
achieving the standard of health
and safety that can apply to a
profession or a specific industry.
They provide detailed information
on particular areas of the Act or
regulation and outline activities,
actions, technical requirements,
responsibilities, and responses
to events or conditions within a
workplace.
Where can I get more
information?
The Master Plumbers Association
of NSW will be conducting a series
of seminars across the state in early
2012 to keep you informed of the
new WHS laws and regulations
specific to the plumbing industry.
mpa group
mpa group
New Workplace Health
and Safety legislation 2012
Legal Briefs
Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2010
(Variations back dated to start from 1 Jan 2010)
Fair Work Australia (FWA) has made a number of variations to the Plumbing and Fire
Sprinklers Award 2010 (Modern Plumbing Award) in a decision issued on 22 July 2011.
T
he Master Plumbers
Association of NSW has
prepared a summary of the
main changes that will affect
your employees and wages
summaries (enclosed) to reflect the
changes as follows:
4.Other
n
1 Adult apprentice
n
If you employ someone who
is 21 or over at the start of an
apprenticeship, you have the
options to pay the transitional
award rate or pay the full modern
award rate provided in the
wages summaries.
The Association put forward
a case to include the wages
and conditions of registered
drainers and roof plumbers
within the coverage of the
modern plumbing award. This
was accepted by FWA and
the modern plumbing award
has been changed to provide
coverage of registered drainers
and roof plumbers regarding
wages and conditions of
employment.
n
Fair Work Australia decided that
both indentured and trainee
apprentices should not be paid
the special fixed allowance of
$7.70 per week.
2.Trainee apprentice
n
FWA has agreed to preserve
the payment of the full tool
allowance to apprentices in New
South Wales. Fair Work Australia
has changed the application
of the tool allowance to a full
payment of $22.50 per week.
This variation is backdated
from 1 January 2010 to date.
Following the FWA variations
decision, trainee apprentices
are inserted back into the
Modern Plumbing Award. The
Association wages summaries
provide the pay rates for both
indentured apprentice and
trainee apprentice.
3.Overtime
n
Overtime on a Saturday has
been restored to the equivalent
position under the Plumbers and
Gasfitters State (Consolidated)
Award. This is time and a half
for the first two hours and double
time thereafter.
The Association reminds you
that under no circumstances
should you reduce the existing
wages of apprentices.
Contact Karen Yu of the
Association on (02) 8789 7000 if you
would like more information and /or
assistance.
5.Apprentice wage
For example, you can pay the
transitional award rate of $11.31
per hour for a first year adult
apprentice instead of the $16.38
per hour modern award rate.
n
The variations outlined above
will affect wages paid to
apprentices.
This variation to the Award
applies to NSW only and will
cease to apply by 31 December
2014.
Queries can be directed to
Leonie Skinner (OHS Officer)
on (02) 8789 7000.
december 2011 27
mpa group
mpa group
Tribute to the late
Arthur Donnelley
Arthur was one of nature’s gentlemen. I knew him through my association with the Master
Plumbers and Mechanical Contractors Association of NSW for over 18 years - which is
probably not a long time when you consider what Arthur had accomplished during his life.
I
was a young 25 year old fresh
faced plumber from Newcastle
being groomed for the position
of State President of the
Association. Arthur, along
with many other leaders of our
Industry took me under their wing,
freely shared all of their combined
experience with me, knowledge
that has helped me through my
career thus far.
I think one of Arthur’s life
pleasures and passions was his
work. He loved “Gas” and anything
related to it. He was, I believe one
of Australia’s foremost experts in
anything Gas. He was respected
by his peers and colleagues and
in later years Arthur did a lot of
work reporting on accidents that
involved gas explosions.
Arthur loved blowing things up, it
was a catch phase he used when
ever he spoke about the work he
did for a movie or an Australian
television program.
I, along with many other plumbers
who knew Arthur would always
contact him for advice, Arthur
would always give freely his advice
and knowledge and he loved
helping his peers in our industry.
I did not know him that well
outside of his professional life;
however, I did know that he
loved his sailing and his boat
which seemed to be one of his
other passions.
He also used to tell me about all
of the foster children that he and
his late wife had cared for over
many years. I do not recall the total
number of children they cared for,
however it was a considerable
number and he was very proud of
all of the children that came into
his life.
Master Plumbers Executive Committee 2011-2012
From L to R: Laura Kelly, (MPA Business & Finance Manager); Ray Hallatt (Treasurer, Yarrawarrah Plumbing Pty Ltd) Steven Ackerley
(Ackerley Plumbing Pty Ltd, Guardian); Barry Birch (President, Barry Birch Plumbing); David Dighton (Thornleigh & Dural Plumbing);
Callum McKay (Clarke McKay Plumbing Pty Ltd); Sterling Ashbee (Glenmore Park Plumbing and Drainage Pty Ltd); Tim Sullivan
(Compare Plumbing Pty Ltd); Craig Scott (Scott and Sons Plumbers Drainers & Gasfitters Pty Ltd); Ashley Lowther (Vice President, Panania
Plumbing Pty Ltd); Bill Armstrong (B&J Armstrong Plumbing); Douglas Greening (Chief Operating Officer MPA Group); Paul Naylor (Chief
Executive Officer MPA Group).
Absent from picture was Andrew Murphy (Gerrard Murphy (Drainage) Pty Ltd) The Executive has representatives from across Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and Newcastle.
Arthur had a very distinct and
humorous manner. His son Mark,
who I have never had the privilege
to meet, was the subject of many
conversations with Arthur. He was
extremely proud of Mark and his
achievements and he would often
refer to Mark as a “drug dealer” due
to his profession in the medical
field. Arthur’s humor always
shone through.
M a s t e r P l u m b e r s App r e n t i c e s L i m i t e d
In 2012 we can help!
Call us on 02 8789 7050 and ask for a Field Officer
Arthur donated a gas light
which he hand crafted from
copper, a gift to the Master
Plumbers and Mechanical
Contractors Association of NSW
to commemorate the opening of
the Association’s new head office
at Lidcombe.
This light will continue to burn as
a tribute to a great man! Arthur’s
humour, knowledge and his loyalty
will be sadly missed by all who
knew and respected him.
Andrew Murphy
Association Guardian and a Past President
Let us take the hassle out
of employing apprentices!
• Carefully selected • Less Paperwork • One Simple
Weekly Invoice • Apprentices That Suit your Business
• No Payroll Concerns • Cost Effective
Expression of Interest for apprentices
This Expression of interest is issued to all members of the Master
Plumbers Asociation of NSW and other Licensed Plumbing Contractors
for the purpose of MPAL supplying 1st year Apprentice plumbers under
Group Training arrangements to Host Trainers.
Apprentices will be available to commence employment with
Host Trainers for January and February 2012.
Master Plumbers Apprentices Limited also has 2nd, 3rd and 4th year Apprentices available
december 2011 29
mpa group
mpa group
Controversy Corner
Great plumbing inventions of all times
Plumbing Piping & Fire System Solutions
Repipe Connection Pty Ltd congratulates and supports M r Paul Naylor, Chief Executive Officer and Staff of the Master Plumbers Association NSW in their endeavor to develop a Centre of Excellence for training Plumbing Apprentices. Repipe Connection Pty Ltd is delighted to donate the most advanced roll grooving and pipe cutting equipment for the students to use in meeting their requirement of training, Plumbing and Fire Services systems. Paul Naylor, MPA – NSW Chief Executive Officer with Lyle Gardner & Jeannine Smith of Repipe & Stephen Mewett, MPA-‐ Training Facilities Manager. Repipe has supplied pipe, valves and fittings into the fire protection, plumbing, mining, engineering and irrigation industries for the past twenty-‐five years. Specialising in the “Complete Package Piping Systems” with particular expertise in roll grooved jointing systems. Our selection of machinery covers roll grooving, pipe cutting and threading equipment and has proven to be robust and reliable, handling pipe diameters up to 600mm. Our new innovative range of stainless steel 316 pipes valves and fittings are designed to meet the stringent requirements of Watermark Certification, UL & FM Approval. Your enquiries are very welcomed and product information is available on request. Visit our web site to view the comprehensive range of approved Stainless Steel Pipes, Valves & Fittings for Plumbing & Fire Systems www.repipe.com.au Perth Sales
Ph: 08 9279 9900
Sydney Sales
Ph: 02 9879 0933
Newcastle Sales
Ph: 02 4961 1519
The essence of plumbing is its mechanical genius. Unfortunately, its most clever innovations
usually are not apparent to the casual observer, being hidden within the housing of a product
or behind a building wall. Even plumbers who work with these mechanisms every day tend to
lose sight of the ingenuity that went into them.
By spotlighting these inventions of significance, we pay tribute
to the innovators of the past and hope to create a greater
appreciation of the plumbing trade heritage.
No dump blocking plate
A
ndrew McDonald and
Doug Grevett worked on
building sites and became
increasingly annoyed with
workers that needed a toilet
and just used any toilet they
could find, regardless of the fact of
whether the plumber had already
been around to actually connect the
toilet to the building’s plumbing
system. As you can imagine
hooking toilets and pipes that are
already filled with human waste
is not a very pleasant job, not to
mention the health risks involved.
It became an obsession for them
and they invented the no dump
blocking plate which sits over the
toilet bowl to stop anyone using it
before it’s been plumbed in. The
plate is made of steel and is fitted
to the inside rim of the toilet bowl
using rotating brackets. The plate
is held on to the brackets using
tamper-proof screws.
Stubby cooler
Australia is a hot country and
Australians always need to have
their beer icy cold. Despite drinking
their beer pretty quick most the
time, they still found that the last
bit became too warm so something
was needed to insulate the
precious beer from the surrounding
environment. So much to the
delight of Aussies the stubby cooler
was invented. It is made of either
styrofoam or wetsuit material, the
latter being the choice of serious
drinkers as it easily folds up into
your pocket so can be carried
anywhere and be ready for action
in a split second. Another amazing
fact is that many Aussies manage
to hang on to their favourite cooler
for years and even when waking up
in the morning and not being able
to remember how they got home,
the stubbycooler is always there
next to the bed! Nowadays stubby
coolers are sold in all tourist places
with various prints making them a
very practical souvenir.
Cherne Industries’
Test-Ball Plug
Some clever inventions are
stunning in their simplicity. A
great example is the pneumatic
Test-Ball® Plug developed in 1952
by Lloyd Cherne. He was on a
job in northern Michigan when,
much to his dismay, the cast iron
mechanical plug he was using (the
only plug available at that time) to
conduct the stack test would not
fit through the cleanout tee. So he
purchased a rubber playground ball
from a Woolworth store, vulcanized
a stem on it and came up with a
crude pneumatic test plug.
Returning to his home base in
Minnesota weeks later, Lloyd began
experimenting with his idea and
within six months began making
Test-Balls similar in design to
the same style Cherne Industries
makes today, bringing them to
market in 1953.
The Cherne invention simplified
the steps taken to test plumbing in
a building, and greatly contributed
to the now universally accepted
practice of mandatory testing. The
plumber now had a test plug that
could be used in all common pipe
IDS, that could conform to out-ofround pipe, that was guaranteed to
handle common test pressures and,
best of all, was much safer when
used with an extension hose than
cast iron mechanical plugs.
Initially produced in sizes 1-1/4
inches through 6 inches and
catering only to the plumbing trade,
the company eventually developed
pneumatic plugs up to 120 inches
in diameter, serving virtually any
pipeline need throughout the world.
Next edition, we seek
advice on what you believe
is the greatest Australian
plumbing related invention
or adaptation of all time.
Submissions should be sent
along with any pictures
or drawings to douglas@
masterplumbers.com.au
Keep reading this page for a
potential enormous debate!
december 2011 31
Take the
gamble out
of apprentice
selection
That the federal government has proposed that from 1 July
2012, employers will be required to show the contributions
they have actually paid into staff super accounts on each
payslip. This will include the 9% Superannuation Guarantee
contributions, and any additional employer contributions and
any contributions that are taken out of your pre-tax salary
(Salary Sacrifice).ww
I
n addition, if the legislation is
passed, Asset will be required
to notify you and your employer
if regular contributions have
ceased for any reason. These
notifications will be issued
quarterly. This will make it easier
for you to keep in touch with
your super, make sure you are
being paid regularly and avoid
any accidental breach of your
contribution cap.
Members, either employees or
employers that have any concerns
or questions may contact:
David Luciani
Client Relationship Manager
Telephone: 02.89230502
Mobile: 0438 248 919
Email: [email protected]

Superannuation is recognised as an integral part of our
financial security for the future.
32 the master plumber n your business
The process has led to MPAL
having at least a 90% completion
success rate.
• Participation in a written trade
based assessment
Superannuation Advice
S
For many years MPAL has had
a tried and tested recruitment
methodology which is now
available to members.
The process consists of –
• Fully documented application
process
Rules and obligations regarding
superannuation can be complex.
Master Plumbers Association
till many of us are not aware
of what it involves or how
we can be more involved in
this major life investment.
Your Financial Adviser should
review your personal or corporate
superannuation arrangements to
explain how your superannuation
investment can be arranged to
meet your expectations: make
sure your investment options
complement your risk profile and
assist you in the creation of a
comprehensive superannuation
strategy for your retirement.
Depending on your circumstances
we will examine
MPAL can recruit for you.
the following:
n
Asset Allocation of current
superannuation
n
Current superannuation
retirement projections
n
Salary sacrifice strategies
n
Reasonable Benefit Limits
n
Spouse Contributions
n
Government Co-Contributions
n
Self Managed Super Funds
• Interview by a two person
panel to gauge motivation
and suitability
• Medical assessment with an
x-ray to identify any pre-existing
exposure
• Second interview
• Recommendation to you on the
suitability of the candidate.
Court penalises Queensland construction
companies for controlling tender prices
The Federal Court in Brisbane has imposed penalties against three Queensland-based
construction companies for engaging in illegal price controlling conduct known in the
construction industry as cover pricing.
T
he conduct related to tenders
for one Local Government
and three State Government
construction projects in
Queensland.
Justice Logan said “This type
of conduct sends to those in,
materially, the State Government
or a local government, false signals
about price or about a range of
prices for a particular building
works undertaking. It creates an
illusion both as to range of prices
and as to the existence of
a particular level of competition.”
“In the particular context in which
the conduct occurred in relation to
the State Government projects, the
conduct also involved a betrayal
of trust.”
Justice Logan imposed penalties
against each company to be paid
in instalments over 24 months as
follows:
is a practice which has developed
within the building industry.
It was alleged by the ACCC to
have been used in situations
where a construction company
may not have the time, resources or
inclination to prepare an accurate
tender, but still wants to be seen as
tendering for that project.
Cover-pricing involves discussions
between two potential suppliers
(in this case builders) in a tender
process. Company A does not want
to win the contract for reasons
identified above and so asks
company B (who intends to make
a genuine tender) to provide them
with a ‘cover price’.
Both companies understand that
this ‘cover price’ will be higher
than company B’s tender price.
JM Kelly (Project Builders) Pty Ltd –
$600,000
If this service interests you, please call Adam Gibson,
Operations Manager MPAL on
02 8789 7050 for a quotation.
TF Woollam & Son Pty Ltd –
$450,000

“This decision shows that coverpricing is illegal and building
companies who continue with
this practice can expect the
ACCC to ensure that the law is
enforced,” ACCC Chairman Rod
Sims said. “The penalties imposed
here should be a wake-up call for
the construction industry that
coverpricing is not a legitimate
business strategy.” Cover-pricing
This is a totally independent
and unbiased process which
may assist you to save time and
ultimately money. Recruitment is
a serious activity – so why not
have the experts do it for you?
your business
your business
Did you know?
Carmichael Builders Pty Ltd –
$250,000
Once the cover price has been
received from company B, company
A (should it choose to tender) then
submits its tender to the client at a
price which is at or above the cover
price. This gives the client the
impression that both companies
are tendering competitively, but
the exchange of the cover price
actually ensures that company A’s
tender price is higher than that of
company B and therefore makes it
unlikely that company A will be the
successful tenderer.
Managing director of TF Woollam
& Son, Mr George Bogiatzis was
party to three contraventions by
that company and was penalised
$50,000 to be paid within 6 months.
Construction Manager of JM Kelly,
Mr John Murphy was party to one
contravention by that company and
was penalised $30,000 to be paid
within 6 months.
The companies were also ordered
to pay the ACCC’s legal costs. The
Court ordered that Mr Bogiatzis and
Mr Murphy are jointly and severally
liable for the respective legal costs
that TF Woollam and JM Kelly are
required to pay the ACCC.
The penalties follow earlier
findings made by the Court in
August 2011 that between 2004
and 2007, TF Woollam & Son Pty
Ltd, JM Kelly (Project Builders)
Pty Ltd and Carmichael Builders
Pty Ltd engaged in ‘cover-pricing’
in relation to the tenders for four
Government construction projects.
This conduct amounted to a
controlling of the price at which
services were to be supplied.
The companies were also found to
have engaged in misleading and
deceptive conduct.
Mr Rod Sims, ACCC Chair, (02)
6243 1108 or 0408 995 408
NR 204/11 2 November 2011
december 2011 33
It’s important to have the right tools for the job; and it’s just as important to get the right
insurance for your trade business.
A
vital part of any risk
management strategy is to
ensure assets are protected
by having sufficient
insurance cover. It’s also
important when you put your
insurances in place to check the
fine print to make sure you’re
adequately covered in the event of
a disaster.
That’s where WFI, part of
Wesfarmers Insurance and proud
alliance partner of MPA NSW,
can help.
WFI’s Trades Insurance Kit has
been developed to meet the
needs of small to medium trade
businesses across Australia;
providing a range of benefits
including the peace of mind that
comes with the right cover.
Trades Insurance Kit is designed for
you to simply choose and package
your insurance according to your
business needs. You can select
from a range of insurance policies
including;
n
Public and Products Liability
with flexible limits of up to
$20 million.
n
Tools of Trade in Transit.
n
Commercial Motor Vehicle
with a choice of options,
including Comprehensive,
Legal Liability or Fire, Theft
and Legal Liability.
n
Personal Accident with a
choice of options, including
Accident only or Accident
and Illness.
As your business grows, it is
important that you keep your
insurance up to date. Not having
sufficient insurance is a common
mistake and it is often something
that is not thought about until a
significant loss is experienced.
Take the time to regularly review
your insurance policy to ensure that
it keeps pace with the growth in
your business and inflation.
Hassle-free trades insurance from
the good people to know
With WFI you have the choice of
dealing with a real person, either
over the phone or one of our
experienced Area Managers can
meet with you in person. Plus, with
no forms to complete, organising
your trades insurance has never
been so easy!
If the unexpected happens and you
need to make a claim in the future,
you’ll be glad to know we have
cut out the paperwork again. This
means you can get back to running
your business when your time is
most valuable.
To discuss your insurance
requirements or to arrange an
obligation-free quote, contact your
local WFI Area Manager today. Call
1300 934 934 or visit wfi.com.au.
WFI is a trading name of Wesfarmers
General Insurance Limited ABN 24 000 036
279 AFSL 241461. Any advice we provide
is of a general nature only and does not
take into consideration your objectives,
financial situation and needs. Before acting
on any advice you should consider its
appropriateness. Contact WFI for a PDS to
help decide if our policies are right for you.
If you take out a policy with WFI, Master
Plumbers Association receives a commission
from WFI of up to 10% of the value of the
premium payment (excluding taxes and
charges).
your business
your business
Trades insurance for your
plumbing business
ATO to crack down on common mistakes
in rental property investments.
O
ver 1.3 million people claimed
more than $25 billion in rental
deductions in their tax returns
last year, with almost 150,000
people claiming deductions
for the first time. It’s probably for
this reason that the Tax Office is
continuing its focus on rental property
deductions.
With the Tax Office’s targeting of
property investors and its “prevention
is better than cure” approach to
compliance in this sector, now is the
time for property investors to get their
house in order to avoid any unwelcome
attention – and the penalties that may
be imposed.
Last year, the Tax Office used over
500 million transaction records
reported to them by third parties
to substantiate taxpayers’ claims.
This year, the Tax Office plans to
analyse a similar volume of records
in its data matching compliance
and review exercises. The Tax
Office’s continued focus on rental
properties, particularly those that are
negatively geared, is reinforced by
2011 Compliance Program. The Tax
Office intends to continue issuing
review letters to taxpayers who have
unusually high claims for rental
deductions, low rental income in
relation to rental deductions, high
claims for interest expenses, and
high claims for borrowing expenses.
Property investors claiming expenses
during periods when the investment
property was not available for rent or
where the owners use it for their own
use, are just two of the most common
mistakes picked up by the Tax Office.
a taxpayer has in each and every
separate and identifiable investment
property.
An investment property may be
owned independently by a single
taxpayer, or may in fact be owned by
multiple taxpayers. An investment
property owned by multiple parties
may be held as tenants in common,
where the property investors hold
unequal interests in the property (one
investor may hold a 70% interest and
the other a 30% interest); or as joint
tenants where the property investors
each hold an undivided interest in
the property. A partnership holding
property may hold the interests
under either of the above, however,
the Tax Office will invariably treat
joint tenants as equal interests.
Legal jargon
Understanding the terminology is
important from a legal perspective
as it will determine the amount
of income and expenditure the
taxpayer’s must disclose to the
Tax Office as part of their annual
reporting obligations.
The property investment income and
expenses must be attributed to each
co-owner according to their legal
interest in the property, and the Tax
Office will apply this rigidly despite
any agreement between co-owners,
either oral or in writing, stating
otherwise. The following outlines the
tax treatment of the most common
income and expenditure items that
property investors should disclose to
the Tax Office as part of their annual
income tax obligations.
Reporting Income
Reporting obligations
The first step in determining the
reporting obligations of a taxpayer is
the identification of the legal interest
In reporting income from property
investment, taxpayers should
disclose:
n
recurrent lease/rental payments
received
n
bond money retained by the
property investor in place of
rent for damages caused to the
property during the tenancy
period
n
insurance payments to rectify
damages caused to the property
by tenants
n
insurance payments received in
lieu of rent not paid by tenants
n
reimbursements received from
tenants as contributions towards
expenses for rectifying damages
made to the property.
Forgetting to include insurance and
bond recoveries from gross income
received fro m property investment
is a red rag to a bull where the Tax
Office is concerned.
Claiming Expenses
There are two separate categories
of expenses that an investor is
entitled to claim; revenue expenses
and capital costs. The Tax Office is
also getting wiser where property
investors claim expenses during
periods when the investment
property was not available or
not advertised for rent, or where
the owners keep the property for
their own use. This is particularly
apparent with holiday homes where
the Tax Office will reduce claims
proportionally for the period.
The Tax Office is turning up the
heat on property investor’s as its
education and compliance program
commonly referred to the “prevention
is better than cure“ policy has been
operating for about four (4) years.
So it’s important to get the right
advice from a tax professional to
avoid any unwanted attention
or penalties.
This advice is issued by Moore Stephens Australia Pty Limited ABN 88 062 181 846 (Moore Stephens Australia) for general information.
The material contained in this publication is in the nature of general comment and information only and is not advice. The material should
not be relied upon. Moore Stephens Australia, any Australian Member, any related entity of those persons, or any of their officers employees
or representatives, will not be liable for any loss or damage arising out of or in connection with the material contained in this publication.
december 2011 35
W
In October the NSW Government also
tabled a Bill which proposes that from 1
January 2012 all work health and safety
prosecutions in NSW will be heard in
the District and Local Courts, not the
Industrial Court. It remains to be seen
whether this will change the
way safety matters are dealt with in NSW.
What are the other key changes that that
Model Act will eventually impose on your
business?
The Model Act will eventually also:
n impose additional duties on
In 2009, the Federal Government,
companies to take care for others
What has the NSW government
in consultation with the States and
affected by their work or workplace,
already done?
Territories, agreed to establish a new The changes to the NSW Act include:
including different kinds of ‘workers’
set of work health and safety laws, to
such as apprentices and work
n limiting the duty of care that
commence by 1 January 2012. The
experience students
employers and principals owe to
new national safety body, Safe Work
n require duty holders to consult with
their workers and to the public: they
Australia, published the Model Work
each other
are now required to do everything
Health and Safety Act (Model Act) in
n
impose new requirements for
‘reasonably practicable’ to eliminate or
June 2011, and the Model Regulations
the election of health and safety
minimise risks to health and safety
were released in September 2011.
representatives in a business, and
n changing the onus of proof in
Three governments (NSW, Australian
n impose much heavier penalties for
prosecutions – it is now the
Capital Territory and Queensland)
breach of the law than have ever been
prosecutor’s responsibility to prove
have already passed legislation that
in place before.
what was ‘reasonably practicable’,
will implement the Model Act, and the
and
While the initial commencement date
Northern Territory and South Australia
of 1 January 2012 may not be achieved,
n changing the responsibility of
both have draft legislation on its
the Model Act will likely get the ‘green
individuals in charge of companies.
way. However, the proposed national
light’ in NSW some time next year, and
It used to be that ‘directors and
commencement date of 1 January 2012
should be regarded as ‘best practice’ by
managers’ were responsible if a
is now unlikely to be achieved, not least
your business. In any case, you need
company breached the law, but
because parliaments will be closed
to be aware of the changes that have
now ‘officers of a corporation’ (a
from mid¬-December through to the
description which can go well beyond already been made to the OHS Act.
beginning of February. Meanwhile,
directors) have a positive duty to
We recommend that you continue to
Victoria has asked the Federal
exercise ongoing ‘due diligence’ to
monitor ongoing developments and
Government to delay implementation
ensure that their business complies
make changes as soon as possible to
of the Model Act. Victoria’s primary
with the legislation. This is likely
comply with the new legislation. For
objection is in relation to the limited
to include keeping up-to-date with
example, you may need to review
timeframe available to analyse the impact
knowledge of health and safety
contracts, update or put in place
of the new laws on businesses and the
matters; understanding the nature
procedures to deal with safety issues
need to develop appropriate transitional
of operations of the business and the
(including training), and consult with
provisions prior to 1 January 2012.
hazards and risks generally associated other companies or businesses with
Western Australia has also made it clear
with that business; and ensuring that which you work. We can assist by
that it will not be in a position to pass
there are resources and processes in
providing more detailed advice about
legislation by 1 January 2012, and that it
place to identify hazards and eliminate your obligations.
will not accept several of the elements of
or minimise risks.
the Model Act, including
hile many people have
heard that the federal
government is seeking to
establish a new national
safety law system, the
reality is that – with Victoria
and WA dragging their heels –
it is questionable whether the
national commencement date of 1
January 2012 will be achieved. At
the same time, here in New South
Wales, we are already operating
under a partially-altered system.
increases in penalties and union
entry rights.
In an apparent response to the
uncertainty in other places, in October,
NSW tabled transitional legislation
that effectively allows it to delay
commencement of the Model Act.
However, NSW has already implemented
part of the changes that will be contained
in the Model Act, by amending the
existing NSW Occupational Health and
Safety Act. The changes came into
operation from 7 June 2011.
your business
your business
Update on national work health and
safety law reforms: are you ready?
Branch roundup
Students obtain the knowledge and experience of designing and installing of a range
of different water supply types including water heating systems, water pumps and
drinking water.
T
he Southern Highlands
last branch meeting was
held at the Briars Lodge and
Inn located in Bowral on
Wednesday 5 October 2011.
It was attended by twenty
plumbers discussing a range of
local issues facing plumbers as
well as heated discussion on the
introduction of the NSW Plumbing
and Drainage Bill 2011
On November 9 the annual Bong
Bong Race Club meeting was held
at the Bong Bong Race Club, the
Southern Highlands Branch sure
know how to put on an event,
it was a great day as well as an
opportunity for local plumbers to
rub shoulders with sales reps and
have a flutter on the horses.
The Newcastle & Hunter Valley
Branch meeting was held on
Tuesday 13th September 2011, held
at the Caroma Concept Centre at
Mayfield West.
Mick Spohr spoke to the 28
members who attended the
meeting. Topics discussed were
new products, maintenance of the
products, Technical Q and A and
working displays.
It was a fun night by all and
very educational. Our Chief
Executive Officer, Douglas
Greening spoke about the then
proposed plumbing bill.
The final Newcastle and Hunter
Valley branch meeting was held
at Adamstown RSL on the 22nd
November, issues discussed were
the potential for a Golf Day in the
Newcastle/Hunter region, updates
and Christmas drinks and nibbles.
In the Hunter region, we are
seeking expression of interests from
host trainers to take on apprentices
for 2012. If you are interested
please call Nick on 02 8789 7050.
Wollongong-Illawarra Branch
The Branch meetings are held at
the Wollongong Tennis Club on
the 1st Wednesday of each month
starting at 7.30 pm.
All plumbers, members and non
members, are welcome to attend so
why not support your branch and
come along and meet your fellow
members.
From time to time we have
members of industry attending to
discuss new products and issues of
the day and change to Rules and
Regulations i.e. (The Plumbing Bill)
find out what’s happening behind
the scene.
On Saturday 26th November is
the Christmas party 2011 at the
Wollongong Tennis Club 7.30pm
at a cost of $25 per head food and
drink, that was a cheap night out.
Albury – Wodonga Branch
The branch held a very successful
Golf Day on the 11th November.
Again a big thanks must go to the
sponsors without which the day
would not have been so enjoyable.
Regular meetings are held at
7.00pm on the third Wednesday of
each month at the Howlong Hotel,
Hawkins Street, Howlong.
Blue Mountains Branch.
No report for this month as
everyone is flat out getting ready
for Christmas and finishing off the
homes of people who were too slack
to organise the work before now.
The mountains are no different
from anywhere else; householders
always want everything completed
before Christmas comes!
The things that you could have
attended this year, the 49th Annual
Golf Day at Calderwood Club,
the combined branch meeting at
Robinson as well as attending the
Bong Bong Picnic Races with the
Southern Highland branch on the
9th November just passed.
december 2011 37
Directory
Master Plumbers Association Staff
Office Bearers for
2011-2012
President:
Barry Birch
Vice President:
Treasurer:
Guardians:
Ashley Lowther
Ray Hallatt
Stephen Ackerley
Bill Armstrong
Andrew Murphy
Executive Committee:
Sterling Ashbee
David Dighton
Callum McKay
Craig Scott
Tim Sullivan
Regional
Representatives
Paul Naylor
Chief Operating Officer
Douglas Greening
Personal Assistant to CEO
and COO
Linda Neely
Business & Finance Manager Laura Kelly
Industrial Relations/
Legal Officer
Karen Yu
Training Facilities Manager
Stephen Mewett
Membership Services Officer Nada Daou
Membership Development Officer
Lindsay Constance
RTO Coordinator/
Compliance Officer
Kristy Twiggs
Albury-Wodonga Branch
President: Dean Vierik 0400 264 000
Meetings: 7.00pm every 3rd Wednesday of every
second month.
Blue Mountains Branch
President: Barry Birch 0414 591 706
Secretary: Paul Ribaux 0438 464 025
Meetings: 7.30pm 2nd Thursday of each month
at Leura Golf Club, Sublime Point Road, Leura.
Administration Staff
Accounts Administrator
Administration Projects
Coordinator
Administration Officer:
Accounts
Administration Officer:
Payroll
Payroll Trainee
Reception Trainee
Rene King
Melanie Cham
Emily Chown
Belinda Byrnes
Sky Hyatt
Siai Oloitoa
Master Plumbers Apprentices
Limited Staff
Chief Operating Officer
Operations Manager
OH&S / Rehabilitation/
Field Officer
Field Officers:
Team Coordinator
Newcastle & Hunter Valley Branch
Contact Nick Triantafilis on (02) 8789 7000
Meetings: 7:00pm 1st Tuesday bi-monthly.
Southern Highlands Branch
President: Paul Stokes 0418 266 447
Secretary: Giulio Linolli 0418 418 067
Meetings: 7.30pm 1st Wednesday of each month
at Briars Lodge & Inn, Moss Vale Road, Bowral.
Paul Naylor
Douglas Greening
Adam Gibson
Leonie Skinner
Robert Loudon
Nick Triantafilis
Mark Stephenson
Teresa Caruana
Wollongong-Illawarra Branch
President: Neville Costello 0418 422 052
Secretary: Michael McCormack (02) 4268 5538
Meetings: 7.30pm 1st Wednesday of each month
at Wollongong City Tennis Club,
37 Foleys Road, Gwynneville.
Corporate Members
Company Name
Phone
Website
3MONKEEZ (CLUB STAINLESS)
(02) 9627 6111 www.3monkees.com.au
A1 CONCRETE SERVICES PTY LTD
(02) 9644 9488 www.a1concreteservices.com.au
ABEY AUSTRALIA
(03) 9747 7777 www.abey.com.au
ACO POLYCRETE PTY LTD
(02) 4747 4000 www.acoaus.com.au
AGLASS PTY LTD
(02) 9542 6511 www.aglass.com.au
ANCRA AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
(02) 9604 0244 www.ancraaustralia.com
APRICUS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
(02) 8789 6000 www.apricus.com.au
AQUAKNECT FLEXIBLES
(02) 4647 8400 www.aquaknect.com.au
AQUATECH SYPHONICS P/L
(02) 9453 2996 www.syphonics.com.au
AQUATHERM AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
(02) 9553 7199 www.aquatherm.com.au
ASSIST GROUP
(02) 9821 3612 www.assist-group.com
ATLANTIS WATER MANAGEMENT
1300 382 838 www.atlantiscorp.com.au
AUSPEX PIPELINE PTY LTD
(03) 9770 3600 www.auspex.com.au
AUSSIE WATER SAVERS
(02) 9114 9727 www.aussiewatersavers.com.au
AUSTECK PTY LTD
(02) 9338 7688 www.austeck.com
AUSTRALIAN PIPELINING SUPPLIES
1300 277 111 www.pipeliningsupplies.com.au
AUSTRALIAN SOLAR & AIR/
(02) 9974 1595 www.smartwaterandenergy.com.au
AUSTRALIAN VALVE GROUP PTY LTD
(08) 9277 5514 www.avg.net.au
AYMROO PTY LTD
(02) 9605 8751 www.aymaroo.com.au
BUTELINE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
(02) 9675 6333 www.buteline.com
CARHIL PTY LTD
(02) 6554 7177 www.carhil.com.au
CAROMA DORF
(02) 9202 7000 www.caroma.com.au
COES AUSTRALIA P/L
(08) 3216 6842
CON-SERV CORPORATION AUSTRALIA P/L (07) 3630 5744 www.con-serv.com.au
CRANE ENFIELD METALS P/L
(02) 4720 5300 www.cranecopper.com.au
CULLIGAN AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
(02) 9335 2800 www.culliganwater.com.au
DEKS INDUSTRIES
0408 320 513 www.deks.com.au
DRAINCHEM PTY LTD
(03) 5448 3795 www.drainchem.com.au
DUX MANUFACTURING LIMITED
(02) 8748 9100 www.dux.com.au
ELGAS P/L
(02) 9672 0777 www.elgas.com.au
ELSON AUSTRALASIA PTY LTD
(02) 9625 7899 www.oschin.com
ENERGY CONNECTIONS NSW (02) 6331 1777 www.ecnsw.com.au
ENWARE AUSTRALIA P/L
(02) 9525 9511 www.enware.com.au
EVERHARD INDUSTRIES P/L
(02) 8706 2799 www.everhard.com.au
FEDERAL CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT (02) 6251 3295 www.federalcm.com.au
FERNCO PTY LTD
(02) 9450 0766 www.fernco.com.au
FINLEASE (ASUT) PTY LTD
(02) 9959 3122 www.finlease.com.au
FIX-A-TAP AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
(02) 9476 7419 www.fixatap.com.au
FLOTECH SOLUTIONS P/L
(02) 4572 0974 www.flotech.com.au
FLOWPEX PIPING SYSTEM PTY LTD
(02) 9986 0605 www.flowpex.com.au
FM INSULATION SUPPLIES
(02) 4735 5699 www.fminsulation.com.au
GEBERIT P/L
(02) 9889 7866 www.geberit.com.au
GEMINI INDUSTRIES PTY LTD
(02) 9666 9300 www.gemini-industries.net
GRUNDFOS PUMPS PTY LTD
(08) 8461 4611 www.grundfos.com
HARDWARE & GENERAL SUPPLIES LIMITED (02) 8456 1188 www.hg.com.au
HAVESTOCK P/L
(02) 9520 4931 www.havestock.com.au
HOSLAB P/L
(02) 9816 3555 www.hoslab.com.au
IBC WATER PTY LTD
(07) 3347 1600 www.ibcwater.com.au
IN-SINK ERATOR
1300 136 205 www.insinkerator.com.au
IPLEX PIPELINES AUSTRALIA
(02) 9755 8266 www.iplex.com.au
IRRIGATION WAREHOUSE GROUP PTY LTD (02) 6732 6333 www.iwgroup.com.au
JEMENA GAS NETWORK (NSW) LTD
(02) 9455 1500 www.jemena.com.au
KENKAR PLASTICS PTY LTD
8805 6800
www.kenkarplastics.com.au
LEAF FREE GUTTER GUARD
1300 307 015 www.leaffree.com.au
LW GEMMELL & ASSOCIATES AUST P/L
(03) 9459 4411 www.lwgemmell.com.au
MADE IN DATA PTY LTD
0414 852 142 www.madeindata.com
MASCOT ENGINEERING CO P/L
(02) 9828 2600 www.mascoteng.com.au
MASTER PLUMBERS APPRENTICES LIMITED (02) 8789 7050 www.mpal.com.au
38
mpa inhouse
Questions & Answers
Company Name
MEGASEALED BATHROOMS AUST PTY LTD
MEL CROOK & ASSOCIATES P/L
MERRIMAN CONTROLS
METHVEN AUST P/L/NEFA AUST MGA INSURANCE BROKERS PTY LTD
MR TAP PTY LTD
NATIONAL PUMPS & IRRIGATION PTY LTD
NUBIAN WATER SYSTEMS PTY LIMITED
ONLINE PIPE & CABLE LOCATING
ORANGE PUMPS PTY LTD
OZROLL INDUSTRIES
PHILMAC AQUADUX CIVIC
& PLUMBING SOLUTIONS
PIPE FITTINGS ONLINE (NZ)
PLASTEC AUSTRALIA
PLUMBERS SUPPLIES CO-OPERATIVE LIMITED
PRIME WATER AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
QUANTUM ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES P/L
RAIN HARVESTING PTY LTD
RBA GROUP PTY LTD
REECE PTY LTD
REHAU PTY LTD
RELIANCE WORLDWIDE
RELN PTY LTD
RHEEM AUSTRALIA P/L
RIDGE TOOL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
RINNAI AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
ROBERT BOSCH (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD
ROTHENBERGER AUSTRALIA P/L
SAMIOS PLUMBING SUPPLIES
SEBA KMT AUS
SEWER EQUIPMENT COMPANY (AUST)
SPECIALITY PLUMBING SUPPLIES P/L
STAINLESS METAL CRAFT (AUST) PTY LTD
STIEBEL ELTRON (AUST) PTY LTD
STORMTECH PTY LTD
STRAMIT BUILDING PRODUCTS
STUDOR AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
SYDNEY SOLAR SUPPLIES
SYDNEY WIDE CO-ORDINATORS
SYDNEY WIDE PIPECLEANING P/L
TANKWORKS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
TECHTRONIC INDUSTRIES PTY LTD
THE COUTA GROUP
THE MODERN GROUP
THE SHOWER REPAIR CENTRE
THERMON AUST P/L
THORNTHWAITE TECHNOLOGIES PTY LTD
TRADELINK PLUMBING SUPPLIES
TYCO BACKFLOW SYSTEMS
VACUUM TOILETS AUSTRALIA
VINIDEX PTY LTD
VTM VALVES
WASTELAND PLUMBING SUPPLIES
WHITE INTERNATIONAL PTY LTD
WILSON INDUSTRIES
WOOLWORTHS LIMITED
ZIP HEATERS (AUST) PTY LTD
Phone
(02) 9289 3600
(02) 9521 3422
(02) 4351 4022
(07) 3246 5270
1300 654 642
(02) 9747 5112
(02) 4934 8699
(02) 9647 2633
1300 665 384
0418 800 531
(08) 8368 0263
Website
www.megasealed.com.au
www.melcrook.com.au
www.merrimancontrols.com
www.nefa.com.au
www.mga.com
www.mrtap.com.au
www.nationalpupms.com.au
www.nubian.com.au
www.onlinepipe.com.au
www.orangepumps.com.au
www.ozroll.com.au
1300 132 352 www.philmac.com.au
00649 476 6871 www.pipefittingsonline.com
(07) 5413 4444 www.plastec.com.au
(02) 9741 8999 www.pscoop.com.au
(02) 8811 2023 www.primewater.com.au
(02) 9699 7444 www.quantumenergy.com.au
(07) 3248 9600 www.rainharvesting.com.au
1300 788 778 www.rba.com.au
(03) 9274 0083 www.reece.com.au
(02) 8741 4531 www.rehau.com
(07) 3018 3400 www.relianceworldwide.com.au
(02) 9765 7300 www.reln.com.au
(02) 9684 9100 www.rheem.com.au
(03) 9930 7000 www.ridgid.com
(02) 9609 2111 www.rinnai.com.au
0417 686 182 www.bosch.com
(02) 9899 7577 www.rothenberger.com.au
(02) 8399 2423 www.samios.net.au
(02) 9972 9244 www.sebakmtaus.com
(02) 9724 0433 www.seca.com.au
(02) 9416 8031 www.spsdrains.com
(02) 4735 5666 www.smcstainless.com.au
(02) 8399 1088 www.stiebel.com.au
(02) 4423 1989 www.stormtech.com.au
(02) 9834 0900 www.stramit.com.au
(02) 9698 7445 www.studor.net
1300 779 427 www.sydneysolarsupplies.com.au
(02) 8850 6283 www.sydneywidecoordinators.com
(02) 9627 7133 www.swpc.com.au
1300 736 562 www.tankworks.com.au
(03) 9840 3239 www.milwaukeetools.com.au
(03) 8405 3386 www.coutagroup.com.au
(02) 8818 2200 www.moderngroup.com.au
1300 888 806 www.showerrepaircentre.com.au
0418 628 728 www.thermon.com
(02) 9417 4466 www.thornthwaite.com.au
(02) 9804 0319 www.tradelink.com.au
(07) 3260 2555 www.tycoflowcontrol.com.au
(08) 9410 0166 www.vacuumtoiletsaustralia.com.au
(02) 9604 2422 www.vinidex.com.au
(02) 6365 3121 no website
(02) 9674 7680 www.wasteland.com.au
(02) 9783 6000 www.whiteint.com.au
(03) 9720 2888 www.wilsonhotwater.com.au
(02) 8885 0000 www.woolworths.com.au
(02) 9796 3100 www.zipheaters.com
Published by the Master Plumbers & Mechanical Contractor Association of New South Wales, 2 Percy Street, Auburn, NSW 2144. All rights reserved. This publication is copyright and may
not be reproduced in any manner without permission of the Publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure this publication is free from error or omissions. However, the Publisher, the
Editor, and their respective employees or agents, shall not accept responsibility for loss or damage occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of material in this
magazine whether or not such injury, loss or damage is in any way due to any negligent act or omission, breach of duty or default on the part of the Publisher, the Editor, or their respective
employees or agents.
Q Has the gas fitting standard changed recently?
A Yes, the new gas fitting standard was published
on 23 December 2010 and now has two parts AS/
NZS 5601 2010 Gas installations part 1: General
installations and part 2: LP Gas Installations in
caravans and boats for non-propulsive purposes
therefore all gas fitting work should comply with
this new standard.
Q As an apprentice, what government incentives
are available to me?
A All registered (through an Australian Apprenticeship
Centre) plumbing apprentices throughout Australia
are entitled to the following incentives:
n After three months you are entitled to $800
n After twelve months $1000
n After twenty-four months $1000
n After thirty-six months $1200
n Upon successful completion of your
Apprenticeship $1500
This adds up to $5500 of the full term of your
apprenticeship and is one hundred percent tax free.
Q When do I need to issue a compliance certificate
for a Gas Installation?
A The licensed Gas fitter must give the home owner
and the network operator a certificate of compliance
for natural gas or a certificate of inspection for LP
Gas this certificate will confirm that the licensed
gasfitter has undertaken the work which complies to
AS/NZS 5601 2010 part 1 or 2 and Relevant Industry
Standards.
Q What is meant by the Office of Fair Trading
when they refer to the New “small job contracts
category” for licensing?
A Residential building contracts must be in writing and
include a of requirements.
Commencing 1 February 2012, a new category of
written contracts for ‘small jobs’ worth between
$1,001 and $5,000 will come into effect. A small job
contract must be in writing, dated and signed on
behalf of both of the parties and contain the following
information:
n
the names of the parties, including the name and
number of the holder of the contractor licence
n
a description of the work (including any plans and
specifications for the work)
n
the contract price, if known.
Q Have the statutory warranty periods
changed recently?
A Builders, developers, owner-builders and
tradespeople must warrant that, amongst other
things, their work has been performed in a proper
and workmanlike manner. Under the current law a
homeowner, or subsequent purchaser, has the right
to enforce these
warranties for up to 7 years after the work was
completed.
Commencing 1 February 2012, the warranty
period will be 6 years for structural defects and
2 years for non-structural defects. These periods
will be extended by 6 months if the homeowner or
subsequent purchaser becomes aware of a defect in
the last 6 months of these time periods.
Q What are the new threshold limits for mandatory
home warranty insurance?
A Commencing 1 February 2012, all residential building
work worth more than $20,000 must be covered by
mandatory home warranty insurance.
The current threshold is $12,000. The new threshold
will also apply to the sale of a home by an ownerbuilder.
Q When is a certificate of compliance required?
A As per the NSW Code of Practice for Plumbing and
Drainage, clause 1.4.3 (iiiv) states that a licensee
shall notify the Authority at completion of work,
complete and issue a Certificate of Compliance where
required by Authorities in their areas of operation.
This shall be submitted within two (2) working days
of completion of the work. A copy shall be issued
to both the Authority and to the property owner/
occupier.
Q Who can perform the work of a Plumber?
A As per the NSW Code of Practice for Plumbing and
drainage, clause 1.2 states the following:
1.2 Persons permitted to carry out work
1) A Licensee.
2) A person under the immediate supervision and
control of a Licensee.
3) A person under the general supervision and
subject to the control of a Licensee, but only
if that person has a Trade Persons Certificate
issued by the Office of Fair Trading authorising
that person to carry out that work.
december 2011 39
RHM0074/FPC/NMP
mpa inhouse
The Plumber’s Wench
The Wench’s guide to Christmas gift giving…
“Give early and give often”
P
ut the Christmas tree up,
untangle the Christmas lights,
hang the mistletoe and chill
the champagne. It’s officially
time to start the silly season
and prepare to welcome
in 2012.
Is it just me or does silly season
seem to start earlier each year? (I
noticed Christmas decorations on
the supermarket shelf in August!).
The customers have already started
sending plumbers everywhere a
little crazy as they demand that
routine maintenance tasks that
have been neglected all year be
carried out as a matter of urgency
and cheaply before relatives from
far and wide lob up on door steps.
Don’t fall victim to the Christmas
craziness.
To avoid disappointment, I urge all
fellow plumbing wenches to start
leaving their Christmas present
hints in easy to find, obvious
places. Leaving subtle hints on
plumbing van dashboards does
not work!! After years of extensive
research (and not getting the
gift of choice) I suggest leaving
detailed lists including pictures,
descriptions, and details of where
to buy on top of your plumbers’
dinner. If he wants to eat he will
have to look at it
To all plumbers who need gift
giving ideas….. we wenches like
anything shiny, anything that
sparkles and especially anything
that comes in a little blue box with
a white “Tiffany” ribbon around it.
(To my plumber reading this……
Yellow gold darling or better yet
diamonds, you know I don’t wear
silver).
And so it goes, another year has
come and gone. The industry has
once again been buzzing with trade
shows, seminars, dinners and soon
to be Christmas get-togethers.
We thank the Master Plumbers
Association for all the help and
information they have provided us
throughout the year.
I wish you all a safe and prosperous
New Year and look forward to
another successful year for the
plumbing industry in 2012.
In the meantime, crack the
champagne, get tipsy and blame it
on silly season syndrome.
This picture is not actually me
but the need for diamonds is
accurate!!!!
After all, “they are a girl’s best
friend” (diamonds that is, not
plumber partners).
Please be safe and I hope you enjoy
the blessings of all at this important
time of the year.
We’ve been making water heaters in Australia for over 70 years.
So you know you’ll
be right with a Rheem.
50 Litre
RHEEM 50L
DUX 50L
2.4 & 3.6 kW
1.8, 2.4 &
3.6 kW
2.4 & 3.6 kW
1400 kPa
1000 kPa
1400 kPa
1000 kPa
Diameter
393 mm
405 mm
385 mm
405 mm
Height
695 mm
695 mm
390 mm
452 mm
Australia
China
Australia
China
(without the need for a PLV)
Love from the Wench.
(MODEL 50W1)
1.8, 2.4 &
3.6 kW
DUX 25L
(MODEL 25W1)
• Handles the pressure
(MODEL 191050)
RHEEM 25L
(MODEL 111025)
• More standard element sizes
• Fits Australian
cupboards better
25 Litre
• Australian made
To find out more call 132 552, or visit www.rheem.com.au
Specifications correct as at June 2011.
40 the master plumber n mpa inhouse
*Conditions apply, see www.rheem.com.au for details.
AUSTRALIA’S NO. 1
december 2011 41
sti
pp
ns
ol i
erv
eh
atio
n”
“Th
ca
roa
ch to
energy and
te
wa
rc
o
★ Expand the scope of your business
★ Become an Accredited Enviroplumber
TM
★ This program has been developed for
MPA NSW Members and is owned
by MPA NSW Members
To take advantage of this unique
business opportunity contact the
Master Plumbers Association of NSW
Take the first step now and contact
1800 424 181 or
www.enviroplumber.com.au
®