Submission: Continuing Professional Development for Builders and Plumbers

29/07/2020

Attention: Continuing Professional Development Team - Building Division
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
Level 16, 150 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne Victoria 3003

Via email: building.policy@delwp.vic.gov.au

Re: Continuing Professional Development for Builders and Plumbers

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the proposed changes to requirements for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Builders and Plumbers.

VicWater is the peak body of the Victorian water industry with its membership comprising Victoria’s 19 statutory water corporations. They are responsible for the provision of urban water and wastewater services, rural water supply including irrigation and related drainage services. VicWater has consulted with members of the Water Industry and VBA Liaison Working Group in the preparation of this submission.

Accompanying this submission are five confidential attachments, which include detailed case study examples and data of non-compliant plumbing. The data indicate a consistent rate of non-compliant plumbing fixtures or installation. These represent an unacceptable public health and safety risk associated with the contamination and/or failure of water supply systems, the disruption of essential customer water supply and sewerage services, and the inequitable cost burden to the community associated with rectification. Given this evidence, there is a strong case for significant reform to the compulsory components of CPD.

The consultation paper identifies three options under consideration for continuing professional development. VicWater endorses Option 3, which involves a mixture of compulsory and non-compulsory subjects, including compulsory courses on:

  • protection of underground assets

  • safe work around water corporation assets

  • water supply metering

  • backflow prevention

  • trade waste management

  • recycled water installations.

Further detailed proposals for additional compulsory CPD are also provided in the submission attachments.

VicWater welcomes its further involvement in the development of compulsory CPD for plumbers and builders.

Please contact James Cleaver should you have any questions, or if you would like to discuss any of the issues we have raised in greater detail.

Yours sincerely

Peter Morison

Chief Executive Officer

Posted in Submissions, VicWater