Changes to Meter Installation Legislation
Date: 29-Jun-2017
From Hansard Friday 27 March:
“I now turn to the amendments to the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2002 and the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008. This government made a commitment at the recent election to restore high standards in Queensland’s plumbing industry. The amendments to the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2002 and the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 will realise this election commitment by requiring the installation of water meters to be performed by a licensed plumber. The Plumbing and Drainage and Another Act Amendment Bill 2015 also contains a transitional provision that will allow a person who is currently authorised by a water service provider to install a relevant water meter to continue to perform this work for a period of two years. After the transitional period expires, only a licensed plumber will be able to perform this work. This transitional period is important as it will allow the water sector time to adjust to the new legislative arrangements. I commend the bill to the House.”
We understand that the correct reference should be to the Payroll Tax Rebate, Revenue and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 which has now been referred to the Finance and Administration Committees to report back to the House by 22 May. The legislation is on a path to rapid amendment, subject to other whole government issues which have arisen in the last 48 hours.
qldwater’s position paper on the matter of water meter installation, maintenance and replacement (see e-flash #253) states clear opposition to the legislative amendments, which were put forward as a pre-election policy commitment by the ALP. This paper was presented to DEWS before the legislation was drafted, however the commitment had already been made.
Consultation on the changes was limited to a few select organisations and plumbing unions. While the changes are unwelcome, it does not represent a complete return to the ambiguity which existing prior to June 2014, in that it clearly only impacts meter installation – meter maintenance and replacement are not licensed plumbing work under the amendments.
The two year transition period (after which time anyone performing meter installations has to be licensed or an enrolled apprentice operating under supervision) has been included to make the transition more manageable for service providers.
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