Plumbing Industry Reference Group (PIRG)

Background

The PIRG has been established to be a source of expert advice to the board on a range of plumbing matters, such as the impact of plumbing regulations and licensing together with emerging issues, best practices, products, technologies and trends in the industry.

The current PIRG membership of 12 (listed below) comprises representatives from small business, plumbing companies, peak bodies and educationalists.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

 The Plumbing Industry Reference Group (PIRG) operates with members invited by the board to act on a voluntary basis to assist by providing the board with expert comment and current trade advice regarding:

1. the adequacy of current legislation and regulations within the board’s jurisdiction;
2. any technical note or practice, scheme, arrangement, proposal or project in place or being considered that affects, or may affect, the local plumbing industry;
3. any matter relating to best practice and trends within the plumbing industry that may involve but is not limited to licensing, training, compliance and inspection audits or community awareness; and
4. any other matter referred to the PIRG as a group or on an individual basis by the board.

 Notes

1. The PIRG members will not be involved with,
   1. prosecutions or breaches of the Water Services Licensing (Plumbers Licensing and Plumbing Standards) Regulations 2000; or
   2. disciplinary inquiries to be referred to the State Administrative Tribunal.
2. The PIRG will also not replace individual or representative groups from  providing comment to the board or the board’s need to call for public submissions from the industry or consumers on any matter.

 PIRG Membership 2009 

LICENSED PLUMBERS
Lyndsay Arnold	PL937	Boeing Plumbing
Clinton Goldfinch	PL6877	Clinton Plumbing
Geoff Kelly	PL5489	Kelly’s Hot Water Gas & Air
Mark Purser	PL704	Caesar’s Plumbing
Tim Swift	PL991	Pipeline Hydraulics
Paul Troiani	PL5128	Austech
Christopher Young	PL5366	Golden State Plumbing
REPRESENTATIVES FROM INDUSTRY PEAK BODIES
Stephen Movley	PL72	Institute of Plumbers Australia
Murray Thomas	PL5364	MPA Skills
EDUCATIONALISTS
Max Garbin	N/A	Department of Education & Training
Graham Raynor	N/A	Challenger TAFE

 

Current issues under consideration:

1. reviewing the current regulations and the Plumbing Standards (AS/NZS 3500:2003);
2. the development of technical notes for application in plumbing work;
3. sustainability issues affecting the plumbing industry such as the 5 Star Plus Water Use Codes;
4. induction training and skills requirements for the trade;
5. consumer protection and service issues;
6. national approaches to plumber licensing and plumbing codes; and
7. the proposal for a Building Commission of Western Australia.

Contacts : Should you want to raise discuss any matter with the PIRG either individually or as a group, please contact the board’s Trade Education and Training Standards Officer on
(08) 9476 1377.  

---