March 11 marks World Plumbing Day. As our industry gears up for another busy year, this date is a timely reminder of the vital role that plumbing plays on a global scale in developing and maintaining public health and ensuring the environmental sustainability of our communities.
We take this message into every conversation we have with governments and decision makers, to ensure that the challenges facing the future of our industry are taken seriously and that the impacts are clearly understood.
In 2022, Master Plumbers released ‘Plumbing Industry Priorities’, a comprehensive report prepared after extensive consultation with members and stakeholders in the plumbing industry. It seeks to give stakeholders, policy makers and legislators an insight into the critical role the plumbing industry plays in the key areas of economic, health, community and environmental policy. It shines a light on the key issues facing our industry, challenges current approaches and identifies workable solutions.
With recent and upcoming elections across the country, the Association is working diligently with stakeholders nationally to pursue action on a number of the issues that our industry has waited too long for, including complex plumbing, regulatory reforms and Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Increasingly, the issues that impact plumbing regulation and practice in states and territories are being decided in Canberra and it’s critical to work with the other associations in our industry to influence outcomes for the better.
In Victoria, we expect to see the government progress the implementation of mandatory CPD for our industry, with the long-awaited release of a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) mid-year. In the meantime, Master Plumbers’ voluntary CPD program is open to all practitioners with an ever-growing library of the latest in courses, learning resources and webinars.
Late last year, we welcomed long-needed reforms to gas appliance servicing requirements in Victoria. However, the implementation failed our industry on a number of
fronts, and we have called for simplification of the onerous reporting requirements, development of a fair and effective compliance regime and a consumer awareness campaign. Any movement on these issues stalled during the election caretaker period and we have now approached the new Minister directly for resolution of the substantive issue which remains.
We will continue to keep the industry engaged and informed on progress of these longstanding issues and always welcome your input at [email protected] in shaping our ongoing advocacy.
Across the country, we know that businesses are operating in unknown economic territory, with inflation hitting highs not seen for decades. As the May State and Federal Budgets loom, we are calling on all levels of government to play a stronger leadership role in recognising the cost pressures and structuring public contracts to enable a more equitable share of these risks.
Late last year, we announced that after 10 years as President, Scott Dowsett stepped back from office. Scott has overseen an unheralded period of transformation for Master Plumbers and the broader industry, and we would like to pay tribute to the enormous contribution and influence he has made to date and continues make as our Immediate Past President.
On behalf of the Master Plumbers National Council and Board, we look forward to working closely with you to support a successful, safe and sustainable plumbing industry.
Meet the President
Norm has more than 40 years’ experience in the commercial plumbing industry and is the Director of NSG Plumbing Pty Ltd, a Melbourne-based company offering contract, maintenance, design and construct services. NSG Plumbing currently employs 70 full-time employees. Norm is an active member of the Major Contractors’ Division and is a representative of the National Council, as well as a Member of the Victorian Government’s Plumbing Advisory Committee.
Advertisement
Share this Article
