Issue Date:  -  Thursday, 1 July 2004

New Plumbing Industry Regulatory Framework Introduced

A new statewide compliance and inspection framework for the plumbing industry effective from today will give customers better peace of mind and improve performance standards within the industry.

"Since its inception in 2000 the Plumbers Licensing Board has been working to actively regulate the plumbing industry and this framework is great news", Board Chairman Tom Hall said.

"From today we will administer the new framework which heralds the transfer of regulatory responsibility for the performance of water supply, sanitary and drainage plumbing work to the Board.

"This is a major step forward as it streamlines responsibility into the one authority", he said.

The new framework restructures the way in which plumbing work is monitored and regulated in Western Australia.

Changes will include:

* Statewide uniform plumbing standards

* Investigation of complaints about quality of work

* Random inspection of plumbing work

"In addition to a general shake up of standards, plumbing work performed and the licence status of plumbing contractors will be checked", he said.

To assist those working within the plumbing industry to comply and work within the new requirements there will be a technical advice service for licensees operated by the Board six days per week. In addition, the new framework empowers any person to be able to lodge a complaint about plumbing work or plumbing service providers with the Board.

"Overall this is a major step towards further protecting public health and safety, improve consumer confidence and ensure WA’s plumbing systems are of the highest integrity possible", Mr Hall said.