2019-07-09 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                     9 JULY 2019


9    CHANGES TO PLUMBING AND DRAINAGE ACT & PLUMBING AND DRAINAGE
     REGULATION

Author           Coordinator of Plumbing, Craig Morley
                 Environment and Sustainable Development Department

Index            ECM/ Subject /Plumbing Legislation

Attachments      1.    Department of Housing & Public Works Fact Sheet – Introducing
                       New Plumbing Laws.


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this report is to brief Council on the new Plumbing and Drainage legislation and to
seek Council’s consideration of the proposed recommendations to implement a Fast-track
application process for permit work of a stated type, as per the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation
2019 Section 39 and to introduce a new fee for service of $69.00, being for the cost recovery of
issuing an inspection certificate if requested.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Coordinator Plumbing Services to the Planning & Environment
Committee Meeting dated 9 July 2019 and:
A.   Implement the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019 in particular Section 39 – Fast-track
     work for Class 1a (Domestic house) & 10a (Shed) in a sewer reticulated area being a 2 day
     approval process under a conditioned permit; and
B.   Adopt a new fee for service of $69.00 (excluding GST) being for an inspection certificate if
     requested, for plumbing work subject to a permit, as required under the new Plumbing and
     Drainage Regulation 2019 Section 83(1)(a).


REPORT
Background
1.   New laws were developed for the plumbing and drainage industry in conjunction with industry
     representatives, to protect and enhance the health, safety and wellbeing of the environment
     and Queenslanders and to replace the existing Plumbing and Drainage legislation which is
     at least 16 years old.
     The main benefits to Council will be:
         Stronger penalty framework, particularly for unlicensed work;
         Laws that are easier to understand; and
         Local Government having greater control for compliance enforcement.
2.   The Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 & Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019 will come
     in to effect on the 1 July 2019.
     The main impacts on Council of the new legislation will be:
     a.    The reduction of plumbing application approval timeframes from 20 days down to 10
           days for commercial and non-sewered plumbing applications and applications that fall
           outside the scope of a Class 1a domestic house in a sewer reticulated area. This
           reduction in time frames is a mandatory requirement for all local governments in
           Queensland.

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