August 2011 - Master Plumbers Association of Queensland

August 2011 

Winners are Grinners 

PRINT POST APPROVED - MPAQ pp424022/1386

perspective 

Onerous 

contract provisions 

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CLASSIC RELIABILITY, MODERN FLEXIBILITY 

EVERYTHING ELSE IS A WASTE OF TIME 

A wise old contracts administrator 

once said to me you may as well go 

fishing as go broke under pricing 

work or agreeing to unfair conditions 

of contract. Yet this is what we see 

happening today with many trade 

contractors being prepared to cut 

their price and / or sign up to anything 

without even reading the terms. 

Another great saying comes from 

Paul Funnell, hydraulic consultant, 

estimator, trainer and author who 

says, “Know when to say no when 

your price is too low.” I think he 

could also say, “Know when to say no 

when you’re not getting a fair go!” 

Major contractor members of 

the AMCA, NFIAQ and MPAQ came 

together recently over breakfast to 

discuss their concerns with contract 

conditions and were addressed 

by Ian Heathwood of McKays 

Solicitors. It was clear that no one 

is immune to these problems. 

In his presentation Ian highlighted 

an increasing risk imbalance appearing 

in the industry in favour of developers 

and head contractors. The party best 

able to manage a risk should be the 

one to deal with it but at the same time 

they should be rewarded for doing so. 

There were twenty six issues raised 

as examples of onerous contract 

conditions which had been identified 

in recent documents presented 

to trade contractors to sign. 

Some examples included: 

• reductions in the time available 

to meet contract requirements 

for extension of time requests 

and variation claims, 

• costs imposed on trade contractors 

for design and works coordination 

problems of other trades over 

which they have no control, 

Adrian Hart - Executive Director 

Increasingly trade contractors are being presented with contract documents 

to sign with onerous provisions included within them. Clearly this is a sign 

of the times which for many is becoming more and more bleak. 

• defect rectification undertaken 

by third parties at the cost of the 

trade contractor who had not been 

given the opportunity to respond, 

• blatant attempts to circumvent 

the operation of the Building 

and Construction Industry 

Payments Act and 

• termination for convenience 

without compensation for loss of 

profits and provisions that wrongful 

termination could subsequently 

be considered for convenience. 

Trade contractors of all sizes should 

be mindful of the risks they face by not 

reading and understanding the terms and 

conditions imposed by the documents 

they sign. You should know what you 

are being asked to sign and ensure you 

agree the terms before doing so. If you 

are unsure get professional assistance or 

undertake contract management training. 

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contents 

Vol 52 | No. 7 | August 2011 

PUBLISHED BY 

Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland: 243 Bradman Street, Acacia Ridge Q 4110 

P: 07 3273 0800 F: 07 3273 0873 E: info@mpaq.com.au W: www.mpaq.com.au 

23 

18 

THE TEAM 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

Adrian Hart P: 07 3273 0800 E: adrian.hart@mpaq.com.au 

EDITOR 

Penny Cornah P: 07 3273 0800 E: penny.cornah@mpaq.com.au 

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES 

Penny Cornah P: 07 3273 0800 E: penny.cornah@mpaq.com.au 

PRINT & DESIGN 

Go Boating Publications P: 07 3359 2378 

MPAQ COUNCIL 

16 14 08 11 

every month 

03 perspective 

08 industry news 

14 technical 

26 events 

30 member update 

features 

06 iPAD 2 winner 

08 Mailing address – 

please check your records 

08 CCIQ Carbon Tax summary 

08 Queensland local appointed 

chair of WELSAG 

10 Plumbing and gas industry's 

night of nights 

14 Raising houses subject to 

flood or storm surge events 

14 Pool amnesty expires 

16 Building Codes Queensland 

free information seminars 

18 Integrated hand basin/ 

toilet cistern 

19 Training calendar 

19 Backflow confusion 

20 Business corner: 

Understanding Mark-ups 

21 You're invited to the 

CSQ Training 

2011/12 Roadshow 

22 IR Update 

23 Top 5 tips to trim your tax 

24 Websites – what works for 

plumbers and what doesn’t 

25 2011/2013 MPAQ Council 

nominations and election 

26 Plumbing Conference 

26 Events 2011-2012 

27 New products 

28 Membership milestone 

achievements 

29 Corporate profiles 

29 New staff profile: 

Maurice Litzow 

30 Dodgy plumbing 

31 Plumbers’ word jumble 

PRESIDENT 

Bob Kimlin P: 07 4725 0611 / 0419 744 383 E: bob@nationalairqld.com.au 

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT 

Russell Fingleton P: 1300 652 880 E: admin@conversegroup.com.au 

JUNIOR VICE PRESIDENT 

Rob Brouwers P: 0411 413 400 E: rob@backflow.net.au 

PAST PRESIDENT 

Bill Watson P: 07 3273 2333 E: connectors@bigpond.com.au 

TREASURER 

Bruce Wallace P: 07 3397 3126 E: wallacebros@iprimus.com.au 

COUNCILLORS 

Ken Bird OAM P: 07 5596 0711 / 0412 435 842 E: ken@artesian.com.au 

Andy Burke P: 07 4633 1888 E: andy@burkeindustries.net 

Alf Jackson P: 0427 155 145 E: jackplum@bigpond.com 

Nev Berry P: 07 5472 7618 E: nevberry@bigpond.com 

Dennis Yarrow P: 07 3272 7666 E: admin@yarrowplumbing.com.au 

John Salmon P: 07 3846 5366 E: john@salmonplumbing.com.au 

TRUSTEES 

Graham Cottee P: 07 4613 6534 / 0418 783 649 E: cotteedg@bigpond.com 

Brian McGrath OAM P: 07 3366 1817 F: 07 3366 6915 E: bfmcgrath@optusnet.com.au 

LIFE MEMBERS 

G Cottee, REA Davies, F Huysing, B McGrath OAM, MJ Moor, T Morris 

J Porter, GC Richardson, NF Sharman, BS Soden, BD Wallace, WB Watson 

MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEMBERS 

A Chapman, B McGrath OAM, T Morris, B Pocock, 

D Powell, B Wallace, R Weaver, M Wilshere 

DISCLAIMER 

Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the MPAQ, 

nor does the MPAQ guarantee the accuracy of statements made by contributors 

or advertisers or accepts responsibility for statements they may express in this 

publication. The MPAQ does not accept liability to advertisers, which may be held 

contrary to the Trade Practices Act 1974. The MPAQ reserves the right to refuse, 

cancel, amend or suspend any advertisements or inserts without reason. 

4 | august 2011 august 2011 | 5

update + editor's note 

mpaq 

update 

During the month 

members of the Master 

Plumber’ Association of 

Queensland were kept up 

to date with the latest in breaking 

news. The MPAQ Update is a regular 

newsletter sent via email exclusively 

to members and associates. 

Previous copies of the MPAQ 

Update and Alerts can be found 

on the Association’s website 

– www.mpaq.com.au. 

Members not currently receiving 

this important information should 

contact Sara Hobbs on 3273 0800 

or sara.hobbs@mpaq.com.au to 

provide your email address. Sara 

can also assist members with a user 

name and password to access the 

members’ only section of the website. 

MPAQ Update July 

• Early adoption of standard 

for construction of buildings 

in flood hazard areas 

• Recent plumbing 

legislative amendments 

• Finance for vehicle/equipment 

purchases – receive a free Navman* 

iPAD 2 Winner 

Thank you to all members who 

have renewed their subscription 

for the 2011 – 2012 year. 

Your ongoing support will ensure MPAQ 

continues to be the leader in the Queensland 

plumbing industry presenting a strong voice on 

your behalf to government, regulators and the 

media. The winner of the iPad 2 competition 

was Sam Hannant, Open Plumbing from 

Holland Park West. Congratulations to Sam. 

• Why can some plumbers 

afford to turn away work 

• Insurance council update on 

response to 2011 natural disasters 

• CCIQ Carbon Tax summary 

• MPAQ mailing address – 

please check your records 

• Pool amnesty expires – refer 

to page 14 for more details 

• Integrated hand basin/ 

toilet cistern – refer to page 

18 for more details 

• Tax time reminders – 

new withholding rates 

apply from 1 July 

• Annual minimum wage increase 

– effective 1 July 2011 

• Group certificates 

• New requirement to install gas 

system compliance plates 

• Asbestos prosecution brings 

home safety message 

• Filling your order book and 

your bank account 

• Want to keep up to date on 

the latest plumbing laws 

Editor's note 

Welcome to the August issue 

of the Master Plumber magazine. 

This issue features all of the 

details from the Plumbing Industry’s 

Night of Nights. Congratulations to 

all of our winners and special thanks 

to all the sponsors for their ongoing 

support. Without them we would 

not be able to hold an event which 

recognizes the achievements of 

outstanding apprentices, plumbers, 

gas fitters and designers. Please refer 

to page 10 – 14 for all the photos. 

Special thanks to our new 

columnist Paul Funnell, who will be 

providing informative and interesting 

articles throughout the year, refer to 

page 20 for this month’s article. 

2011 will be an election year 

for the MPAQ Council. Nominations 

open midday Friday 2nd September 

and close midday Friday 30th 

September 2011. A form for 

candidates wishing to nominate for 

positions of Office will be distributed 

on Friday 2nd September via the 

MPAQ Update e-newsletter. For 

details refer to page 25. 

Page 23 also highlights the top 

5 tax tips to trim your tax. 

The new product page is a 

regular section to keep you up to 

date with current products and 

services. See page 27 for the 

latest innovative products. 

Welcome to all new members 

and congratulations to all members 

who are celebrating a milestone 

membership achievement. 

Penny Cornah 

Editor 

6 | august 2011

industry news 

MPAQ 

Mailing Address 

Please check your records 

Mail is still being sent to our old PO 

Box in Fortitude Valley. This PO Box 

and all redirections have been cancelled 

so it is very important that you check 

your records and ensure you have our 

correct mailing address listed below: 

PO Box 419 

Acacia Ridge QLD 4110 

If you have any questions, please 

call the MPAQ office on 3273 0800. 

CCIQ Carbon Tax Summary 

On Sunday 10 July 2011, the Prime 

Minister announced the Government’s 

final Carbon Pricing package. 

Commencing from 1 July 2012, a 

carbon price of $23 per tonne of CO2 

emissions will apply under a fixed price 

carbon permit mechanism. In its initial 

review of Sunday’s Federal Government 

announcement, Chamber of Commerce 

and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) has 

been largely unimpressed with the 

lack of support being given to smallmedium 

sized businesses, believing 

this demonstrates little recognition and 

understanding of how the tax will hit 

business operating costs. 

Queensland’s small-medium sized 

businesses will pay the highest price 

for the Federal Government’s carbon 

tax as it will drive down consumer 

spending, and business confidence 

and viability. Accordingly CCIQ strongly 

opposes the introduction of a price on 

carbon believing there are far better 

ways to get businesses to reduce their 

carbon footprint and to diversify our 

economy such as investing in research 

and development and incentives for new 

technologies and efficient production 

processes. To read more of the CCIQ 

summary please visit www.cciq.com.au. 

MASTER PLUMBERS’ 

REVEALS THE NEW 

BUSINESS 

MAXIMISER 

PLANS 

Queensland local appointed chair of WELSAG 

In June this year, a Queensland 

local, Ian Carmody, Technical 

Product Advisor for Con-Serv 

Corporation was appointed 

chair to the newly formed Water 

Efficiency Labelling Standards 

Advisory Group (WELSAG). 

The group will advise the 

federal and state governments on 

a range of matters including the 

development of a strategic plan 

for the Water Efficiency Labelling 

and Standards (WELS) scheme. 

The 10 Advisory Group members 

were appointed in consultation with 

state and territory governments, 

and drawn from a range of key 

stakeholders groups including 

retailers, the plumbing and whitegoods 

industries, regulators, and water 

utility and consumer groups. 

"Each member brings a wealth 

of industry experience to the 

WELS Advisory Group, and I look 

forward to working closely with 

them.” Mr Carmody said. 

"I am confident the Advisory Group 

will provide invaluable advice in 

shaping the future direction of the 

WELS scheme through development 

of the three-year strategic plan.” 

Led by Mr Carmody, the newly 

appointed members are: 

• Ms Carmel M Coate, 

Executive Director, Plumbing 

Products Industry Group 

• Mr Ian McAlister, Executive 

Director, Consumer Electronics 

Suppliers’ Association 

• Mr Shayne La Combre, Chair, 

National Plumbing Regulators 

Forum, and Director, Plumbing 

Industry Commission 

• Mr Benjamin Normoyle, 

Business Development Manager 

– whitegoods, Derni Retail 

• Mr Ian Forte, Regulatory 

Affairs Manager, Electrolux 

• Ms Cilla de Lacy, Strategy 

Manager – Water Efficiency, 

Water Corporation 

• Ms Corinne 

Cheeseman, 

National 

Manager – 

Technical 

Programs, 

Ian Carmody 

Australian 

Water Association 

• Ms Jo Benvenuti, Executive Officer, The 

Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre 

• Mr Graeme Marshall, Assistant 

Secretary, WELS Branch, Department 

of Sustainability, Environment. Water, 

Population and Communities. 

At their first meeting, WELSAG 

received an update on progress made 

following the 2010 independent review 

of the WELS scheme. The group also 

discussed the proposed three-year 

strategic plan and funding arrangements. 

Public communiqués of meeting 

outcomes and more information 

about WELSAG is available on 

the WELS Scheme website at 

www.waterrating.gov.au. 

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may apply. If you cancel early, you must repay any remaining handset repayments in addition to any termination charges for your service. 

8 | august 2011 

call the Master Plumbers’ Communications Centre 

on 1300 798 758 to get connected.

feature 

feature 

Plumbing & Gas Industry's 

Night of Nights 

Above (from left): Glen Brumby, Executive Director, Building Codes Queensland with Kelvin and Mandy Slade, Slade Brothers Plumbing; 

Lisa and Campbell Newman, Leader of the Liberal National Party with Adrian Hart, Executive Director, MPAQ. 

The Master Plumbers’ Association 

of Queensland celebrated industry 

achievements with the staging of their 

annual awards presentation dinner 

on Friday 22 July at the Sofitel in 

Brisbane. The 12th annual awards 

presentation included 11 top honors for 

apprentices, individuals and companies. 

Mr Campbell Newman, Leader of the 

Liberal National Party was the guest 

speaker on the night and gave an 

inspiring speech to over 365 attendees. 

APA Group, Australia’s largest 

natural gas infrastructure business 

was again the major sponsor of the 

Plumbing & Gas Industry Awards. 

APA has proudly supported this event 

for the last eight years ensuring the 

awards program’s continued success 

and development. The Association is 

truly grateful for their ongoing support. 

Special thanks to all the award 

and supporting sponsors: 

• The Plumbing Industry Council 

• AHSCA Qld 

Supporting Sponsors: 

• Caroma 

• BUSS(Q) Building Super 

• Havestock 

• Tyco Backflow Systems 

• Storm Plastics 

The outstanding level of competition 

this year highlights the huge 

developments within the industry 

in recent times. As a profession the 

emphasis on further training and 

technical development of the workforce 

is now really coming to the fore and 

being reflected in innovative and 

clever approaches to work that take 

in not only the customers needs but 

environmental and health needs as well. 

Eleven awards were presented at 

the event. Slade Brothers Plumbing 

won two awards, the CBUS Domestic 

and Residential Technical Award 

and the Plumbing Industry Council 

Environmental Plumber of the 

Year Award for their work on the 

Spring Hill Enviro-Cottage. 

The Master Plumbers' Commercial 

and Industrial Gas Installation 

Award was presented to Gasworks 

Industrial who have taken out this 

award for the fifth year running. 

As a profession the emphasis on further training and technical 

development of the workforce is now really coming to the fore and being 

reflected in innovative and clever approaches to work that take in not only 

the customers needs but environmental and health needs as well. 

Award Sponsors: 

• APA Group 

• QLeave 

• Services Trades Industry Fund 

• Construction Skills Queensland 

• Origin 

• CBUS 

• simPRO Software 

The PHP Contractors crew and Brad O’Carroll, State Secretary of the Plumbers’ Union Qld. 


feature 

feature 

Above (clockwise from left): Jan Bray, Manager Queensland & Northern NSW, CBUS with Kelvin and Mandy Slade, Slade Brothers Plumbing; Paul Funnell & Curtis Stone, 

Director of Technology, simPRO Software; Brett Feweks, Manager Building & Construction Industry, QLeave with James Alston, Alston Plumbing. 

Award Winners 

Construction Skills Queensland 

Merv Harris Memorial Bursary Award 

• Winner: Luke Thorngaard, 

AC Thomson Plumbing 

The Master Plumbers’ Commercial 

& Industrial Gas Installation Award 

• Winner: Gasworks Industrial, 

Aluminium Specialist Group 

Services Trades Industry Fund 

Best OH&S Management 

System Award 

• Winner: PHP Contractors 

Above (clockwise from top left): Dave and Rebecca Simpson with Damien Scaf, Manager Residential Sales South East Qld, Origin and Ben Simpson, Simpson's Gas Service; 

Luke Thorngaard, AC Thomson Plumbing with Andrew Johnson, General Manager of Operations for Construction Skills Queensland; Sashie Naidoo, Manager Qld Networks, APA 

Group with Mitchell Winterburn, Fairfield Services; Stewart De Luca and Aaron Brown, Fairfield Services with Brad O’Carroll, State Secretary of the Plumbers’ Union Qld; The 

Gasworks Industrial Team with Bob Kimlin, President, MPAQ; Victor Cross, Chilton Woodward and Associates and Chris Tritton, Acting President, AHSCA (Qld). 

APA Group Apprentice of the Year 

• Winner: Mitchell Winterburn, 

Fairfield Services 

CBUS Domestic & 

Residential Technical Award 

• Winner: Slade Brothers Plumbing, 

Spring Hill Enviro Cottage 

Origin Domestic & Residential 

Gas Installation Award 

• Winner: Simpson’s Gas Service, 

Noosa Springs House 

simPRO Industry Leadership Award 

• Winner: Paul Funnell 

The Plumbing Industry Council 

Environmental Plumber 

of the Year Award 

• Winner: Slade Brothers Plumbing, 

Spring Hill Enviro Cottage 

QLeave Commercial & Industrial 

Technical Award 

• Winner: Alston Plumbing, 

Princess Alexandra Hospital 

Services Trades Industry Fund 

Best Solution to an 

Identified OH&S Issue 

• Winner: Fairfield Services, 

Stones Corner Eastern Busway 

AHSCA Qld Hydraulic 

Consultant of the Year Award 

• Winner: Victor Cross, 

Chilton Woodward & Associates, 

Castletown Shopping 

Centre Redevelopment, 

Townsville 


technical 

Raising houses subject to 

flood or storm surge events 

Raising a house can be a way of avoiding future 

water damage to homes from floods or storm 

surges associated with tropical cyclones. 

We’ve turned up the heat and 

produced Australia’s best 

See for Yourself: 

House-raising works require a building 

and a plumbing approval. The building 

approval involves consideration of compliance 

with the sustainability requirements 

of the Queensland Development Code 

mandatory part 4.1—Sustainable buildings 

(QDC 4.1). Also, work may not proceed 

until a plumbing permit is in place. 

To minimise costs for homeowners who 

are raising their homes to make them 

more resilient to future flood and storm 

surge events, the QDC 4.1 has been 

amended to relax its requirements where: 

• a building certifier has certified in 

writing that the building has been 

affected by a flood or storm surge 

• the building is located 

in a natural hazard 

management area (flood) 

• a local government 

has declared that the 

building is likely to be 

affected by a future 

flood or storm surge by 

written notice given to the owner or 

notice published on its website. 

Pool amnesty expires 

The Standard Plumbing and Drainage 

Regulation 2003 (SPDR) has been 

amended to facilitate house raising by 

removing the need for a plumbing approval. 

Instead, plumbing work to disconnect, 

extend and reconnect existing plumbing and 

The six month exemption for rental properties 

with non-shared pools from obtaining pool safety 

certificates ended on Friday 8 July 2011. 

The exemption was a temporary 

disaster relief measure that was 

required to ensure that houses were 

available for rent without delay for 

evacuees and tradespeople helping 

with flood and cyclone recovery efforts. 

The need for the exemption has now 

passed and properties with a pool that is 

exclusive to that home (non-shared) will 

again be required to obtain a pool safety 

certificate before a lease is entered. 

Also in response to the Queensland 

flood and cyclone recovery efforts, an 

extension was provided to pool owners 

to register their pools on Queensland's 

pool safety register. Pool owners 

now have until 4 November 2011 to 

register their pool. This exemption 

does not affect other 

aspects of the pool laws. 

For the sale of a home 

with a non-shared pool a 

buyer must obtain a pool 

safety certificate within 90 

days of settlement, if the seller does not 

provide them with a certificate. Sellers 

are required to notify the potential 

purchaser if there is no certificate 

before entering a contract of sale. 

For the sale of a shared pool the 

owner of the pool, for example a body 

corporate, must obtain a pool safety 

certificate if one is not already in place 

within 90 days of a sale or lease taking 

place. However, shared pool owners 

can take advantage of a two year 

drainage for a house is now prescribed as 

‘notifiable minor work’. Under the Plumbing 

and Drainage Act 2002, ‘notifiable minor 

work’ must be notified to the relevant 

local government in the approved form, 

but there is no need to obtain a plumbing 

permit prior to undertaking the work. 

The local government may audit the 

plumbing work. For more information 

please contact MPAQ on 07 3273 0800. 

amnesty period on obtaining certificates 

that ends on 30 November 2012. 

Where a property with a pool is 

not sold or leased pool owners have 

until 30 November 2015 to bring 

their pools into line with the new 

pool safety barrier standard. Further 

information, including fact sheets 

and guidelines are available at 

www.dlgp.qld.gov.au/pool-safety or 

by calling the Pool Safety Council 

on 1800 340 634 to discuss 

any aspect of the new laws. 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

Reduced Energy Costs 

With energy prices on the rise, replacing 

your old electric water heater with a Dux 

Airoheat could save you hundreds in 

runnings costs per year 1 . 

Smaller Carbon Footprint 

Versus a standard electic water heater, you can 

reduce your home’s carbon emissions by 3.18 

tonnes per year. It’s like taking a car off the road 

every year 2 . 

Quick Installation 

Being a one piece compact heat pump, 

the installation is typically quick and simple. 

Australian Owned 

Dux is part of Australia’s publicly listed 

GWA Group. 

No need for Backup 

Airoheat doesn’t have an energy wasting 

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Space Saving 

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Most Awarded 

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and impeccable environmental credentials, 

more than any other heat pump. 

For a selection of hot water products with impeccable environmental credentials 

and to easily calculate any applicable State and Federal Government rebates, 

visit www.dux.com.au 

Ian Kiernan AO 

Clean Up Founder & 

Brand Ambassador for Dux 


1. Running cost savings based on replacing existing electric storage tank on continuous tariff only. Comparison to electric storage on off peak will result in lower savings. 2. Based on REC value 

of 30 in zone 3 (NSW). Airoheat can save 3.18 tonnes of CO2 over a ten year period. Calculation uses NSW CO2 coefficient of 1.06kg/kWh electricity - Department of Climate Change (2008).

technical 

PLUMBERS GET THE 

Right Insurance Advice 

Building Codes Queensland 

FREE information seminars 

Building Codes Queensland 

(BCQ) is conducting statewide 

training and information 

seminars in 2011. 

This roadshow comprises of free 

information seminars designed to 

update industry and the community 

on recent building and plumbing 

regulatory changes. Your plumbing 

business may be affected by the 

changes and therefore it is important 

to make time to keep up to date. 

From June to November, officers 

from BCQ will visit regional centres. 

A plumbing industry session will be 

held from 3.00 pm for plumbers 

and drainers and it will cover: 

• solar and heat pump hot 

water system compliance 

• smart eDA – plumbing 

approvals online 

• recent changes to legislation 

and standards, such as minor 

notifiable work for raising 

homes in flood affected areas 

The industry session will be 

followed by a community session 

at 4.30 pm. This session will 

cover the following topics: 

• solar and heat pump hot 

water systems installation 

requirements 

• electronic lodgement of building 

and plumbing applications 

• swimming pool safety laws 

• sustainable housing 

• building fire safety systems 

including standards for 

residential care buildings 

• national licensing and the new 

National Construction Code. 

For more information about 

upcoming events within the 

Department of Local Government and 

Planning go to www.dlgp.qld.gov.au/ 

news-media-and-events/events/events. 

Comsure Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd, provides cost competitive Insurance 

coverage and Risk Solutions to the members of MPAQ. Established in 1974 

Comsure understands the Contracting industry and what is important 

to Trades people in providing the right cover for the right price. 

Advantages of using Comsure instead of 

dealing direct with an insurance company: 

We represent your interests 

NOT THE INSURERS 

You no longer have to deal 

with multiple insurers direct, 

Comsure is one point of contact 

Ongoing insurance program 

management and advice on cover 

Personalised service with 

a Broker who cares 

An experienced claims 

management team who maximizes 

your claimable policy benefits 

Competitive premiums 

and quality breadth of cover 

Phone 07 3839 5450 Email mpaq@comsure.com.au 

4th Floor 131 Leichhardt 

Street, Spring Hill, Brisbane 

Australian Financial Services 

Licence no: 239179 

www.comsure.com.au 

Date Location Venue Time 

Industry 

Community 

Monday, 15 August 2011 Emerald Emerald Town Hall 3.00pm 4.30pm 

Wednesday, 17 August 2011 Biloela DPI Building Biloela 3.00pm 4.30pm 

Tuesday, 20 September 2011 Bundaberg Bundaberg Civic Centre 3.00pm 4.30pm 

Wednesday, 28 September 2011 Gladstone Port Curtis Room, Boyne Island 3.00pm 4.30pm 

Wednesday, 26 October 2011 Mt Isa Mount Isa Civic Centre 3.00pm 4.30pm 

Tuesday, 8 November 2011 Townsville Tony Ireland Stadium 3.00pm 4.30pm 

Monday, 21 November 2011 Cairns Staff Room, Cairns Regional Council Chambers 3.00pm 4.30pm 

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A new high quality service for Electrical, Mechanical 

and Plumbing Contractors now available 

To find out more simply call 

AsBuilt Technical Services 

0417 817 056 

kathy@as-built.com.au 

Friday 11 th November 2011 

Gala black tie event — limited tickets 

sinGle ticket: $130 (incl Gst) 

to purchase tickets 

call 1800 798 488 or visit www.csq.org.au/awards 

proudly supported by 

event sponsor 

dinner sponsor

technical 

Integrated hand basin/toilet cistern 

This water-saving device 

comprises a hand basin that 

sits on top of a toilet cistern. 

When the toilet is flushed, the water 

supply for the cistern is diverted to the spout 

of the hand basin for hand washing, which 

in turn directs and discharges greywater 

into the cistern for future toilet flushing. 

The Standard Plumbing and Drainage 

Regulation (SPDR) has been amended to 

permit the installation of these devices in 

classes 1a, 2 and 4 buildings. However, 

greywater (whether treated or not) is not 

considered safe for hand washing while 

rainwater is. Therefore, combination 

hand basins must not be supplied by 

greywater. Combination hand basins 

must be supplied by reticulated potable 

water or rainwater. For more information 

please contact MPAQ on 07 3273 0800. 

Bermuda Channel 

Floor Grate 

training course dates 

training 

September 2011 

1 – 2 Solar & Heat Pump Brisbane 

2 – 3 Plumbers' Survival Course Brisbane 

5 – 8 Backflow Prevention Brisbane 


13 – 14 TMV Brisbane 

15 Asbestos B Gold Coast 

16 Asbestos B Class Licence Brisbane 


October 2011 


12 – 13 Solar & Heat Pump Gold Coast 



November 2011 

1 – 2 TMV Gold Coast 





For more information visit the MPAQ website www.mpaq.com.au or contact Kirsty Bright on 07 3273 0800 

eaCh Floor Grate Comes with a 

removaBle stainless steel strainer 

and a meGaFlex leak Control FlanGe. 

Backflow confusion 

It has come to MPAQ’s attention that there is 

some confusion in the Backflow industry in 

regards to the new version of AS2845.3:2010. 

The Bounty Bermuda Channel Floor Grate range offers 

clean lines and superior durability that only 316 stainless 

steel can deliver. Incorporating our industry leading 

Megaflex leak control flange, it ensures a total solution for 

your project. Perfect installation is no longer impossible 

with the adjustability of height and tilt. Available in 300mm, 

600mm, 900mm, 1200mm lengths and 100mm width. 

For more inFormation contact 

collis marketing service on 3805 6664 

or your nearest plumbing merchant 

In the appendices C through 

to I the procedure states: 

To test the upstream and 

downstream isolating valves: 

i) Connect the high-pressure 

hose to test tap (3) 

ii) Slowly open test tap (3) and vent 

water through the vent hose. 

iii) In sequence close: 

A) test kit valve (C), and 

B) the main upstream 

isolating valve (4). 

Some plumbers performing 

tests are confusing (iii) to 

mean “In sequence close – (test tap 

A) test kit valve (c), and (Test tap 

B) then the main isolating valve 4. 

This is incorrect, (A) and (B) 

are merely alphabetical references 

(i.e. 1 and 2) and DO NOT 

refer to any test taps. For more 

information please contact the 

MPAQ Technical Department 

on 07 3273 0800. 


usiness 

training 

BUSINESS 

CORNER 

Understanding 

Mark-ups 

You're invited to the CSQ 

Training 2011/12 Roadshow 

As an industry stakeholder, Construction Skills 

Queensland (CSQ) would like to invite you to attend 

the Annual Training Plan 2011/12 presentation. 

During the tender process, it is 

important to separately identify the 

true cost of construction, preliminary 

costs, overheads and target profit. 

Without this, it is difficult to 

successfully negotiate a tender price. 

The project cost, is the sum 

of the materials and labour hours 

multiplied by the cost of labour. This 

is also referred to as the first cost. 

Mark-ups are the sum of 

the preliminaries, overheads 

and target profit expressed as a 

percentage. The percentage may 

vary, however it will be minimal. 

Preliminary costs are those 

which the company incur due 

to the foreman’s non productive 

time, such as organising workers, 

attending site meetings, ordering 

materials and recording time sheets. 

Other costs include the site shed, 

phone charges, deliveries, tools 

directly related to the project and 

maintenance costs. Preliminary costs 

are calculated as a fixed amount 

and converted to a percentage that 

forms part of the mark-up. During 

construction, these allowances are 

used as a budget for the foreman. 

It is anticipated preliminary costs 

will account for 3% to 5%. 

Overheads are the cost of 

running the company. Such items 

include wages for administration 

staff, supervisors and directors. 

As well as, office phones and 

power, vehicle leases, fuel, oil, and 

servicing. Insurance, public liability, 

advertising, promotion, bank charges, 

accounting fees and the list goes on. 

Too often contractors add the 

pricely sum of 5% to 10% for 

overheads. Unless the company is 

turning over $15m to $50m a year, 

it is simply too low. The result is that 


the company will have to raise capital 

and increase debt, just to service the 

increasing bank overdraft limits, raising 

a personal loan or increase credit 

card limits are typical examples that 

can be detrimental to the company. 

If turnover is $1m a year and 10% 

was included for overheads, only 

$100,000 is available to cover all the 

items listed above, yet the director’s 

salary should be greater than the 10%. 

Based on this example, there is no hope 

of meeting the company’s obligations. 

Overheads are individually calculated 

for each business, and will be affected 

by the structure of the business. After 

many years of observation, the following 

are provided as a guide only. They are a 

reasonable indication for subcontractors 

in the building and construction industry. 

Turnover 

Overheads 

$0.5m to $1.0m 28% 

$1m to $3m 20% 

$3m to $10m 16% 

$10m to $30m 12% 

$30m to $50m 8% 

$50m to $80m 5% 

The higher the turnover, 

the lower the percentage. 

Within the free enterprise system 

a company must make a profit, lest it 

will fail. A company may base its profit 

on ‘a return on investment’, which is 

good if looking at a business that was 

purchased, or if it is a saleable item, 

many contracting businesses don’t fit 

this criteria. In which case, it could be 

better to view profit as ‘a return on the 

risk taken in running a business’. It 

may be a builder does not pay, which 

could place the family home at risk. A 

reasonable profit is required to build 

working capital and ensure suppliers 

are paid on time. A good credit rating 

is imperative to the company. 

Profits can also be viewed as a 

return on the licensed contractor’s 

time studying and gaining trade 

qualifications as well as the time and 

effort in keeping up to date with the 

latest rules and regulations. Profit 

represents the quality of life we want. 

Target profit is determined by 

supply and demand. How important 

is winning the tender If it is not 

important a higher target profit would 

be appropriate. Conversely, a lower 

profit should apply if it is important. 

When work is in short supply, 8% may 

be realistic, while on other occasions 

12% to 15% may be appropriate. 

If preliminaries are set at 3%, 

overheads at 17% and profits at 

12%, this equates to 32%, however, 

it actually represents 30.5% markup, 

due to the method of adding 

each percentage to the previous 

cost during the final summary 

of the estimating process. 

In suggesting that mark-ups should 

be around 32% to 36%, it is often 

scoffed at, with the suggestion that 

by allowing such mark-ups one would 

never win a job. The difference is, 

we are learning to price tenders at 

cost and the suggested mark-ups are 

both realistic and keep the company 

profitable. By using the estimating 

principals, methods and procedures 

outlined in Estimating for Plumbers, 

contractors are finding that they 

have in fact been marking-up their 

projects by 40% without realising 

it. A company will become more 

competitive by using the cost plus 

mark-up method of estimating. 

For what it is worth! I’m Paul Funnell 

You will get the opportunity to 

meet your local CSQ team and 

network with other key industry 

members. Find out more about CSQ’s 

upcoming responsive and streamlined 

skilling services, with a focus on 

customer service and support. 

Roadshow Dates 

• Brisbane North 24th Aug 2011 

• Brisbane South 25th Aug 2011 

Trust Q Tank to offer 

Trust 

Trust 

Q Tank 

Tank 

to 

to 

offer 

offer 

• Sunshine Coast 31st Aug 2011 

• Gladstone 2nd Sep 2011 

• Rockhampton 5th Sep 2011 

• Mackay 6th Sep 2011 

• Townsville 7th Sep 2011 

• Mt Isa 8th Sep 2011 

• Cairns 9th Sep 2011 

• Gold Coast 14th Sep 2011 

• Ipswich 15th Sep 2011 

• Toowoomba 16th Sep 2011 

• Wide Bay 22nd Sep 2011 

Quality and Value come together at Q Tank! 



Call us Call on us 07 on 3881 07 3881 0208 0208 

Call us on 07 3881 0208 

For more information and 

to register your attendance, 

visit the CSQ website 

http://csq.org.au/node/3802 

or call 1800 798 488. 

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in 18 18 colours or view our range 10000L 10000L ROUND ROUND TANK TANK 15000L 15000L WATER WATER TANK Diameter TANK = 3160mm22700L WATER 22700L TANK WATER Diameter TANK = 3690mm25000L WATER 25000L TANK Diameter WATER = 3690mm TANK 30000L WATER 30000L TANK Diameter WATER = 3690mm TANK 

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industrial relations 

business 

IR Update 

Modern plumbing 

award variations 

The modern award in the plumbing 

industry is called the Plumbing 

& Fire Sprinklers Award 2010. 

A copy of the award is available 

from the members only section 

of MPAQ website. This area also 

provides information about how to 

get pay slips correct, and apprentice 

wages information, which were 

all adjusted as at first full pay 

period on or after 1st July 2011. 

This modern award now covers all 

plumbers, drainers and labourers in 

our industry, as well as a few other 

classifications depending on the nature 

of the employer. The modern Award 

allows for daily hire for plumbers and 

labourers, which is a continued provision 

from historical occupational awards. 

Variations now finalised 

Recent variations that sought 

clarification of some parts of this 

award have now been finalised and a 

copy of the latest version is available 

on the MPAQ website for members. 

Changes to clarification have been 

made to the definitions of daily hire, 

part-time and casual employment; 

Adult Apprentice wages; and to 

Saturday penalty rates in Qld. These 

variations have been made to provide 

clarification of particular clauses and 

are retrospective to the beginning of 

the Award being 1st January 2010. 

“PFS vs NES” 

Unfortunately some confusion remains 

about the accuracy of information 

provided by the Fair Work Ombudsman’s 

info line which has caused some angst. 

There is considerable complexity in the 

understanding of our modern award 

and the interaction with the redundancy 

provisions of the National Employment 

Standards (NES); under our industry 

Award there are some exemptions 

that apply to the NES redundancy 

provisions and the Award redundancy 

will prevail, which means care must be 

taken to ensure notice and final pays are 

calculated correctly. Members are advised 

to get accurate, timely information 

from the MPAQ’s Advisory Services 

staff about these important issues. 

MPAQ members can also get 

templates for Award flexibility agreements 

and employment contracts from the 

staff in Advisory Services at MPAQ. 

MPAQ’s Advisory Services 

Your first stop to get practical 

advice and assistance from industry 

experts about wages, allowances, pay 

slips and contracts of employment. 

Also what to include in your 

commercial and domestic contracts, 

getting paid on time and what to do about 

“onerous and unfair” contract clauses. 

Members can visit the members 

only section on the MPAQ website and 

contact MPAQ on 07 3273 0800. 

If you have not joined, contact 

our membership team to find 

out about more great benefits. 

Top 5 tips to trim your tax 

These are the top 5 tax laws 

you must know about if you are 

a business owner. Tax can be 

one of your biggest expenses. 

Our top 5 tax 

minimisation tips are: 

1. Work Related Expenses/ 

Home Office 

If it is related to work you can 

claim it. You can claim up to $200 or 

more depending on the work related 

clothing expense without a receipt. 

Any telephone, mobile and internet 

work related expenses will also be 

deductible. If you have self education 

expenses directly related to your field of 

work, you can claim it as a deduction, 

but not if the study helped you obtain 

a qualification in a new field. You 

may look at the benefits of salary 

packaging items that are primarily 

acquired for work- related purposes 

(eg car, laptop, phones, PDA etc) and 

are FBT exempt. Certain non-work 

related expenses may be a partially or 

fully deductible expense eg tax agent 

fees, management fees to financial 

planners, bank charges/ interest on 

investments and donations to charities. 

If you do any work from home you 

will be able to claim a deduction on 

running your home office based on 

26c per hour and calculated on how 

many hours you spend in the office. 

If you are renting your home you can 

claim the usage percentage (eg 9%) 

of your rent and all the normal home 

office deductions mentioned above. 

If you own your home but your 

home office is actually your principle 

place of business then you can 

claim the mortgage interest and 

all the rates and running expenses 

associated with ownership as well as 

the normal home office deductions. 

Again, when you sell the property, 

your home which would normally be 

exempt from capital gain tax, will be 

subject to the same extent as the usage 

percentage as what was claimed. 

2. Education Tax Refund (ETR) 

If you have kids in school you will 

be able to claim certain educational 

expenses (eg computers, computer 

related equipment or repairs, internet 

connections, educational software, school 

textbooks, prescribed trade tools etc) and 

receive a 50% tax refund for each primary 

school child valued up to $397 and 

secondary school child valued up to $794. 

You must have received Family Tax Benefit 

(FTB) Part A for the child or you received 

a payment (eg Youth allowance, disability 

pension, ABSTUDY etc) that prevented 

you from receiving FTB Part A or your 

child stopped full time school during the 

year and received income over the cutout 

amount which prevented you from 

receiving FTB Part A. Remember to keep 

your receipts. If you do not need to lodge 

an income tax return, it is still possible 

to claim the Education Tax Refund. 

3. Private Health Care/ 

Medical Expenses 

If you earn over $77,000 pa (single) 

or as a couple earn more than $154,000 

pa then you should look at obtaining 

private patient hospital cover rather than 

pay 1% of your taxable income as the 

Medicare levy surcharge. You are not 

required to get auxiliary health cover 

(eg dental, optometry etc), but that is 

predominantly where the customer value 

in private health insurance is today. 

Low income earners are exempt from the 

Medicare levy with a threshold of $18,839 

for singles and $37,398 for couples/ 

families for the 10/11 financial year. 

If you have had more than $2,000 

worth of out of pocket expenses provided 

by a registered medical practitioner 

including prescriptions then you would be 

entitled to a rebate of 20% from the ATO. 

4. Write Off 

If you have old equipment (plant) or 

stock that your business can't physically 

sell before 30 June then you may consider 

writing it off and get a tax deduction 

for that year. Similarly, bad debts 

(income) which can't be expected to be 

collected can be written off and claimed 

as a tax deduction before 30 June. 

5. Income Splitting 

High income investors and business 

owners taxed at a higher marginal tax 

rate (46.5%) can split their income 

with a lower taxed spouse (0 - 16.5%) 

or company (30%), where it is done for 

normal business or commercial reasons. 

If a taxpayer derives income from 

personal services and attempts to split that 

income with family members by diverting it 

to a family company or trust, then this may 

be viewed by the ATO as an attempt to avoid 

tax, and the "anti-avoidance provisions" 

(ITA Act 1936 (Part IVA) may apply. 

For more information please contact 

Mark Turner at The MBA Partnership 

so you can discuss your personal 

situation on (07) 5557 8700. 


usiness 

business 

Websites – what works for 

plumbers and what doesn’t 

There are good websites, bad websites 

and worse still – no websites. 

So why a website Currently in 

Australia, more than 60% of people 

between the ages of 20 and 50 now look 

exclusively on the internet for providers of 

local services – they look no where else. 

3,600 people each and every 

month type into Google “plumber 

in Brisbane”. That is 3,600 people 

actively look for a plumber in Brisbane 

every month. So if you don’t have a 

website, prepare to become obsolete. 

What a website should contain 

The three key components of 

a good website strategy are what 

is on the screen, how it looks and 

how you market the website. 

Your website also needs to deliver the 

information that a customer is looking 

for. After only thirty seconds, you lose 

50% of site visitors if they can’t find 

the information they are looking for. 

This means it must be clear on the 

home page who you are, what you do 

and what your contact details are. 

For customers who have found 

your website, they need to feel that 

they can trust you. You can do this 

in a number of ways including giving 

people free information, a brief video 

featuring you as well as making clear 

your membership of the MPAQ. 

A poorly 

looking website 

can harm your 

business, so we 

suggest you engage a 

professional for the look, 

feel and technical aspects. 

Finding your website 

A successful website strategy makes 

it easy for customers who are looking 

online for a plumber to find your website. 

Of the 3,600 people each and 

every month who type into Google 

“plumber in Brisbane”, the website 

ranked number one in Google for this 

search phrase will attract approximately 

40% of these searches, equivalent to 

1,440 website visitors every month. 

The second placed website will 

attract 12% of the searches, the 

third placed website 8%, the fourth 

place 4%, the fifth place 2% and 

all the others less than 1%. 

Therefore an internet strategy 

that has your page ranked in the 

top five on Google for the phrase 

“plumber in Brisbane” would deliver 

between 1,440 and 72 potential 

new customers to your website every 

month. If your website is professional 

and easy to use and generates trust 

you could expect a fair percentage 

of these people to contact you. 

How much would that be worth to 

your plumbing business 

Search engine optimisation 

is a complicated process and we 

suggest engaging professionals to 

assist you with this process. 

Your website to do list 

1. Rework your website to make 

information and contact 

details easy to find 

2. Consider the content of your website 

- does it generate trust If not add 

elements that will build trust 

3. Find a web designer to optimise 

the look and feel of your website 

4. Engage professionals that understand 

search engine optimisation 

For more information please contact 

Sales Ecosystem on 1300 332 084 

or visit www.salesecosystem.net. 

2011/2013 MPAQ Council 

nominations & election 

In accordance with the provisions of 

the Association’s Rules and Industrial 

Relations Act and Regulations, Barry 

Dinneen has been appointed as 

Returning Officer to conduct the MPAQ 

Council election for 2011/2013. 

A form for candidates wishing to 

nominate for positions of Office will be 

distributed on Friday 2nd September 

via the MPAQ Update e-newsletter. 

Anyone wishing to receive a 

nomination form via fax or mail should 

contact the office on 3273 0800. 

Nominations open midday Friday 

2nd September and close midday 

Friday 30th September 2011. Should a 

ballot be needed to decide the result of 

the election the ballot will be conducted 

Legal solutions for 

PLUMBING CONTRACTORS 

from Wednesday 12 October 2011 

to Wednesday 2 November 2011. 

Only persons who were financial 

ordinary members 30 days before 

the opening time for nominations 

(ie) Wednesday 3 August 2011, 

may vote in any election. 

Because of the short time between 

closing dates for nominations and the 

date of posting voting material (which 

will be necessary if a ballot is required) 

it is suggested that candidates prepare 

and send by email a, single page, A4 

“Candidate Statement” setting out 

appropriate and relevant information 

concerning your candidature for office. 

The Candidate Statement can be 

in hard copy, but email is preferred. 

Please send the statement to: 

Barry Dinneen, 

Returning Officer, rwm@rwm.net.au 

or GPO Box 2948, BRISBANE 

Q 4001 or Fax: 3221 4105 

Using any of the above methods your 

statement should be received by midday 

Friday 30 September, 2011 in readiness 

for inclusion with the other voting 

material that will need to be posted. 

This will assist in the conduct and 

completion of any required ballot before 

4th November 2011, the date of the 

Association’s Annual General Meeting. 

Advice on contracts 

Contractual and payment disputes 

Business structures 

Asset protection 

Buying and selling businesses 

Wills and Estates 

Leasing and commercial contracts 

Debt collection services 

Conveyancing 

Workplace Health & Safety 

Call Michael Cope today on (07) 3223 5939 

or Ian Heathwood on (07) 3223 5942 or 0418 199 416 

www.mckayslaw.com 

Brisbane 

Level 26 

239 George St 

3223 5900 

Mackay 

McKays Law Centre 

34 Wood St 

4963 0888 

OTHER SERVICES OFFERED: Sewer drains and stormwater cleared by electric eel & jet rodder ~ CCTV drain camera from 50mm to 600mm ~ trailer mounted jet rodder 

for large drain clearing ~ installation of drainchem sewer maintenance products ~ vaporooter foaming sewer root inhibitor. 

august 2011 | 25

events 

new products 

Events 2011-2012 

March 2012 

9 March 

World Plumbing Day 

Celebrations 

new 

products... 

15 March 

Trade Night, Cairns 

The 2011 Plumbing Conference 

will be held from 2 to 4 November at 

Jupiters on the Gold Coast. 

The conference provides a mix of technical, 

regulatory and business sessions with memorable 

social and networking activities. This event brings 

together all sectors of the industry including hydraulic 

consultants, plumbing contractors, plumbing inspectors, 

business managers, teachers and suppliers. 

The 2011 Plumbing Conference will retain all the 

highlights that delegates enjoyed in 2010. This year a 

Welcome Happy Hour in the trade has been added to the 

program offering attendees three great social functions. 

Accommodation rooms are available at Jupiters and 

bookings should be made with the conference organisers. 

Registrations are already being received to obtain 

the early bird rate please return your registration form 

prior to 30 September to confirm your place. For further 

information visit www.plumbingconference.com.au 

or contact MPAQ on 07 3273 0800. 

September 2011 

7–11 September 

World Plumbing 

Conference 

Edinburgh, Scotland 

October 2011 

5 October 

Trade Night, 

Brisbane, Kallangur 

November 2011 

2–4 November 

Plumbing Conference 

Jupiters, 

Gold Coast 

April 2012 

18 April 

Trade Night, 

Toowoomba 

May 2012 

16 May 

Trade Night, Fraser Coast 

17 May 

Trade Night, 

Sunshine Coast 

June 2012 

6 June 

Trade Night, Brisbane 

The Milwaukee 

HD18H-32C Rotary Hammer 

Plumbers need tools that are powerful but compact! This new 

hammer is both. It is slim line 3.2kgs in weight but delivers 2.4 

joules blow energy @ 5.300 plows per minute. It hammer drills 

in concrete up to 24mm. In metal 13mm, and in wood 30mm. 

A major feature is its chiseling power. Anti-vibe is essential and 

it is the best on the 

market with both 

anti-vibe and soft 

grip ergonomic 

handle. The 

safety clutch 

protects the operator 

and drill if the bit 

jams. For more 

information visit 

www.milwaukee.com.au. 

New Stainless 

Steel Reel 

A new stainless steel high 

pressure hose reel has been 

released by Australian Pump 

Industries. Called the Aussie 

Hydrotek range the new reels offer 

a unique combination of features 

combining super high pressure, 

steam capability and resistance to 

corrosion. The new stainless steel 

reels can be used with pressure 

cleaners with pressure ratings 

as high as 5,000 psi, and steam 

cleaners with temperature ratings 

to 130°C. The swivels are stainless 

steel and designed for trouble free 

life even in demanding mining 

or industrial chemical processing 

environments. Further information 

is available on the Australian Pump 

website www.aussiepumps.com.au 

and from Aussie Pump 

Distributors throughout Australia. 

Elwa HOTRUN 

Australian Fire Services Testing Pty Ltd 

www.firetesting.com.au 

Fire Hydrant & Hose Reel systems Commissioning & Certification, including Pumpset Booster Assemblies 

Authorised to flow & pressure test street hydrants - Allconnex & Qld Urban Utilities 

Certification of Hydrostatic pressure tests 

Block Plans & Pressure Signs - drafting & engraving 

of waterproof signs to QFRS requirements 

Fire Risk Engineering consultancy services – 

QBSA Licensed Fire Safety Professional 

@: bruce@firetesting.com.au 

Ph: (07) 3901–5040 M : 0407-738-380 

QBSA : 1159916 

Elwa has introduced to the Australian market a range of compact 

and efficient electric instantaneous water heaters. Elwa is meeting the 

demand and setting new standards with the launch of its multipoint 

electric water heaters. Heating starts as soon as you open the water tap. 

The incoming cold water is immediately heated by the electric elements. 

Power to the element(s) is provided as soon as water flows through the 

HOTRUN and stops as soon as the water tap is closed. Therefore energy 

is only consumed when The HOTRUN can be connected to more than 

one outlet, but the closer to the point(s) of use, the higher its water and 

energy efficiency. For more information visit www.elwa.com.au. 

august 2011 | 27

member profiles 

Membership milestone achievements 

Members and Associates share their experiences 

Jim Sharkey receiving 

his 20 year certificate 

20 year milestone 

Jim Sharkey – 

JE & GJ Sharkey Plumbing 

Q: Who founded the company 

A: I did in 1984. 

Q: What does your company specialise in 

A: Maintenance and 

commercial plumbing 

Q: What have been the 

company’s major highlights 

A: Surviving the pitfalls and earning 

enough money to pay taxes and 

support the rest of the country. 

Q: How many people worked 

at the company when it started 

A: One. 

Q: How many people work there now 

A: One. 

Q: How do you feel the industry 

has changed over the years 

A: All paperwork and little 

time for plumbing. 

Q: How has your subscription to MPAQ 

helped the business over the years 

A: In many ways – understanding the new 

regulations – which are many and varied, 

time consuming and mostly useless. 

Q: What are your future goals 

A: Retirement 


David McCully, Regional Sales 

Manager – Philmac Pty Ltd 

Q: Who founded the company and when 

A: Malcolm “Mac” Tarlton 

Phillips on 28 June 1929. 


A: Compression fittings and 

valves for PE pipelines. 


company’s major highlights 

A: 1970s – creation of ‘Poly Grip’ the world’s 

first all plastic compression fittings for 

PE pipe. 1995 – 2G new ‘slide and 

tighten’ metric compression fitting. 

Q: Has the company won any awards 

A: The 2G metric fitting went on to 

win an Australian Design Award. 

Q: How many people worked 

at the company when it started 

A: Less than 5. 

Q: How many people work there now 

A: 300 plus. 



A: Access to the various groups 

within the plumbing industry. 

Q: What are the future goals 

for the company 

A: To continuously improve in 

quality, design, innovation, 

manufacturing and service. 

Adrian Kociolek and Grant Early receiving 

20 year membership certificate 

Rod Gramenz receiving 

his 20 year certificate 


Rod Gramenz – 

Sunshine State Plumbing 

Q: Who founded the company and when 

A: The company was founded in 1981 by 

Rod Gramenz and Stephen Cosgrove. 

Q: Has the company changed over the years 

A: The business was initially run from a 

converted garage and now operates from 

its own office in the western suburbs. 


A: We specialise in architecturally 

designed homes, light commercial 

work, gas fitting and maintenance. 


company's major highlights 

A: The business has always been 

committed to providing education for 

future plumbers and has provided 

training for at least twelve apprentices. 



A: They provide an avenue of support and 

information for all aspects of business 

– weekly newsletters, health and 

safety, industrial relations matters, 

fuel scheme, educational seminars. 

Q: What are your future goals 

A: To continue to contribute to 

the education and skill base of 

the plumbing brotherhood. 

Axiapac 

If you stopped and thought 

about it – just how much time to do 

you lose on a daily basis entering 

and re-entering your business 

information into multiple systems 

that just never seem to match up 

Axiapac is the only totally 

integrated all-in-one software solution 

for the plumbing industry that will 

give you maximum efficiency and 

complete job control while delivering 

peak employee performance 

with no duplicate data entry. 

With features such as job scheduling, 

integrated accounting, timesheets, 

job costing, inventory and real time 

accurate reporting you can, at any 

time know exactly what a job is costing 

you, allowing you to make timely 

decisions that will ensure the biggest 

return on your bottom line profit. 

Axiapac’s integration with cutting 

edge technology provides solutions that 

will help you maximise the productivity 

of your field staff and reduce paperwork 

for your office team. Solutions like 

Experience Rinnai’s Innovation 

For 40 years Australians have been 

enjoying the comfort, convenience and 

reliability of Rinnai gas appliances. Their 

innovative products are designed with the 

environment in mind, with low emission 

technology and high efficiencies, as 

well as a host of other great features. 

Rinnai is committed to ongoing innovation 

– delivering efficient, well designed and 

engineered lifestyle solutions offering a host 

of benefits including ambience, versatility, 

control and reliability, backed with extensive 

warranties and after sales service. Through 

innovation, they will endeavour to continue 

offering superior ranges of home appliances 

that provide a clear insight into what 

the future holds for Australian homes. 

Rinnai offers a number of products 

to the market place some include: 

• Rinnai INFINITY Continuous Flow Hot 

Water – The Rinnai INFINITY offers the 

convenience of temperature controlled 

hot water that never runs out. Compact 

and highly efficient, these units 

all have a 5+ Star energy rating. 

• Solar Hot Water – Rinnai’s innovative 

range of solar hot water systems boast 

market leading efficiencies that ultimately 

enjoy higher Government Rebates. 

• Flued Gas Space Heating – The 

Rinnai range of flued heaters are 

permanently installed in a home 

utilising fixed fluing to ensure 

there are no indoor emissions. 

New staff profile: Maurice Litzow 

Maurice joined the Association as the Workforce 

Development Executive in the Technical department. 

Maurice will be assisting Ernie with 

member technical queries. For the last 

20 years he has been self employed and 

is a qualified plumber, drainer and gas 

fitter. Maurice has recently upgraded 

his skills and completed his Certificate 

IV for training and assessment. 

Maurice’s interests include 

barracking for the Qld Reds and 

Australian Wallabies. 

For any technical queries 

please contact Maurice on 

07 3273 0800 or email 

maurice.litzow@mpaq.com.au. 

corporate profiles 

GPS vehicle tracking with streamlined 

office to field communication mean 

you can increase billable hours 

and improve customer service. 

Axiapac’s solution is suited to 

plumbing businesses of all sizes. For 

more information on how Axiapac can 

help you increase your bottom line 

profit or to arrange a demonstration call 

1300 AXIAPAC (1300 294 272) or visit 

their website: www.axiapac.com.au. 

• Gas Log Flame Fires – Rinnai has 

an extensive range of Gas Log Flame 

Fires that have the ambience of a 

real fire without the hassle or mess. 

Not only do they look great for those 

formal or romantic occasions, they are 

also a powerful source of heating. 

• Gas Dryers – Relatively new to Australia, 

Gas Dryers have revolutionised clothes 

drying as we know it. High efficiency gas 

is used to gently dry clothes in around half 

the time, half the running cost and half the 

environmental impact. Truly innovative! 

See the full range on their 

website at www.rinnai.com.au. 

Maurice Litzow 


member update 

corporate supporters 

new members (name/company/division) 

Andrew Chessum Chessum Gas & Plumbing Brisbane North 

Joseph Hargreaves Joseph Hargreaves Brisbane South 

Michael Coppo Aquaplumb Services Sunshine Coast 

Timothy Hammel Hammel's Plumbing and Gas Toowoomba 

Steven Boyett Boyett Plumbing Gas and Drainage Brisbane South 

Stephen Hill Steve Hill Plumbing Country 

Chris Colwell Chris Colwell Brisbane South 

Joe Phillips Joe Phillips Plumbing Brisbane North 

Matthew Stinton Sunplumb Industries Sunshine Coast 

Philip Aland Aland Plumbing Sunshine Coast 

Scott Byrne S & S Byrne Plumbing Pty Ltd Brisbane South 

Luke Wilkes Luke Wilkes Brisbane North 

Jason Burman Gasline Plumbing Brisbane North 

Tony Theodore Tony Theodore Plumbing Brisbane North 

Brian Cox BWC Plumbing Services Ipswich 

Grant Johnson Johnson Plumbing & Drainage Bundaberg 

Matthew Ostrofski Tru-Flow Services Pty Ltd Ipswich 

Robert Clanfield Wavefield Plumbing Contractors Mackay 

milestone certificates (name/company/division) 

30 year 

Wayne Adamson Adamson Plumbing Ipswich 

Russell Fingleton Converse Group Sunshine Coast 

40 year 

Roy Walker Roy Walker Plumbing Far Nth Qld 

Dodgy 

Plumbing 

Check out the two 

photos opposite: 

3 Monkeez Pty Ltd........................07 3396 8856 

AAP Industries Pty Ltd..................07 3621 5900 

AAPL..............................................07 3806 8665 

ADG Global Supply Pty Ltd............08 9249 7599 

Ancra Australia.............................07 3272 7227 

APA Group.....................................07 3267 9545 

Apricus Australia..........................02 8789 6000 

Aquamax Australia........................07 3412 9211 

Armacell Australia........................03 8710 5999 

Austeck.........................................1800 287 835 

Austral Plumbing Supplies............07 5448 8388 

Australian Industry Trade College..07 5635 0400 

AVG................................................03 9462 2666 

Axiapac........................................1300 669 515 

b4e Australia Pty Ltd...................0400 000 778 

Backflow Central Pty Ltd..............07 3909 9488 

Bestbiz Solutions..........................0412 198 649 

Brown Brothers Engineers 

Australia Pty Ltd...........................07 3200 6488 

BUSS(Q).........................................07 3369 1111 

Buteline Australia Pty Limited......07 3630 2173 

Caroma Industries........................07 3131 5999 

Claytech Water Solutions.............07 3881 2770 

Coates Hire Operations Pty Limited.....07 3209 4488 

Colonial Sheet Metal.....................07 4725 1334 

Con-Serv Corporation 

Australia Pty Ltd...........................07 3630 5744 

Conergy.........................................07 3883 6400 

Construction Skills Queensland...07 3846 8700 

Copperform Australia Pty Ltd.......07 3277 2233 

Crane Copper Tube.......................07 3276 8487 

Cuno Pacific Pty Ltd.....................1300 345 837 

CVSS..............................................1300 138 528 

Davey Water Products Pty Ltd......03 9730 9258 

Drainchem Sewer 

Maintenance Products.................03 5448 3795 

Dux Manufacturing.......................07 3005 8011 

Ecolife Solutions Pty Ltd..............07 3881 2300 

Ecovation Water & Energy Solutions.....07 5537 4011 

Edson Solar Technologies.............1300 303 779 

Elgas.......................................................131 161 

Elson Australasia Pty Ltd..............02 9625 7899 

Enware Australia Pty Ltd..............07 3865 1033 

Epitomy.........................................02 9673 6275 

Everhard Industries Pty Ltd....................131926 

Fonezone......................................1300 798 758 

Fuji Clean Australia......................0400 786 685 

Gladstone Regional Council.........07 4977 6521 

Goeco............................................1300 246 326 

Grundfos Pumps...........................07 5540 6700 

Gympie Regional Council.............07 5481 0644 

Havestock Pty Ltd.........................07 3216 5000 

HiFlow ..........................................02 9905 6211 

Humes...........................................07 3866 7100 

IBC Water......................................07 3219 2233 

Ignite Business Consulting Pty Ltd...1300 550 800 

Kembla Tube & Fittings 

.............................07 3868 7888 / 1800 804 631 

Leaktech Australia.........................1300 0 LEAKS 

Leva Australia...............................07 3303 0249 

Mackay Regional Council.............07 4944 2411 

Mascot Engineering Group...........1300 8852 95 

Megasealed Bathrooms................1300 658 007 

Milwaukee.....................................1300 361 505 

Moody & Winter Sales Pty Ltd......07 3376 2455 

Moreton Bay Regional Council.....07 5498 8353 

Ningi Distributions Pty Ltd............07 5495 1914 

Nitz Hydraulic Services Pty Ltd....07 3341 4066 

OGO Marketing Pty Ltd..................07 3865 1488 

Pacific Products 

(International) Pty Ltd..................07 3266 1400 

Peter Boyd Enterprises Pty Ltd....07 3382 6011 

Philmac.........................................1300 132 352 

Plastec Australia Pty Ltd..............07 5491 9919 

PHD Plumbing Supplies....................07 5556 3400 

Prime Pumps................................07 3489 2000 

QTank............................................07 3881 0208 

Quantum Energy Technologies Pty Ltd 

......................................................07 3899 4565 

Queensland Sales & Marketing....07 3268 1835 

Rain Harvesting............................07 3248 9600 

Reece Pty Ltd................................03 9274 0000 

Rehau Pty Ltd................................07 3889 7522 

Reliance Worldwide......................07 3018 3440 

Rheem Australia....................................132 552 

Ridge Tool (Aust) Pty Ltd...............03 9930 7000 

Rockhampton Regional Council....1300 22 55 77 

Rocla Pipeline Products...............07 3335 1009 

Root Barrier..................................1300 136 644 

Samios Plumbing Supplies...........07 3907 8388 

Saniflo...........................................03 9543 3891 

SebaKMT AUS................................07 3103 2844 

Shower Sealed Pty Ltd...................1300 519 133 

simPRO Software..........................1300 139 467 

Stiebel Eltron (Aust) Pty Ltd.........07 3399 3711 

Storm Plastics Pty Ltd..................07 3865 4811 

Stormtech Pty Ltd........................02 4423 1989 

Stramit Industries.........................07 3803 9999 

Stratco (Qld) Pty Ltd.....................07 3451 4444 

Taylex Poly Products Pty Ltd........07 3441 5206 

Tellam Civil Products....................07 5493 3044 

The Couta Group...........................03 8405 3386 

The MBA Partnership....................07 5557 8700 

The Service Manager....................02 9690 3888 

The Wondercap Company Pty Ltd...07 5539 3665 

Thermon Australia Pty Ltd............03 9762 6900 

Tom Stoddart Pty Ltd.....................07 3345 5011 

Total Eden.....................................07 3275 1633 

Townsville City Council..................07 4773 8365 

Trade & Technicial Skills Institute....07 3633 5050 

Tradelink Plumbing Supplies - National Office 

........................................................07 3260 9155 

Tyco Backflow Systems.................07 3260 2555 

Vacuum Toilets Australia..............08 9410 0166 

Waterworks Australia Pty Ltd.......07 3390 3777 

Whitsunday Regional Council.......07 4945 0222 

Zip Heaters (Aust) Pty Ltd.............1800 638 633 

For more information regarding our 

Industry Associates refer to the corporate 

supporters page on www.mpaq.com.au. 

Photo 1: 

• Incorrect overflow discharge 

• poor example of roof penetration 

• Incorrect material 

• Mystery copper pipe 

Photo 2: 

• Incorrect system mounting 

If you have any photos of dodgy plumbing 

you come across please email them to 

penny.cornah@mpaq.com.au. 

Plumbers’ word jumble 

B D R A I N J K V T R I D H W O L F K C A B T S Z Z H C N E R T Z V 

T A M G X B V X R A T I N L E T S A G P L U M B E R B X Z H E Q Y W 

L K R V E G S W E H J V W K O O P D U Y D R E D D A L A Z R G X Y I 

Z O T R E V N I U U H Q P Q P E R U S S E R P Y U E R E T F I H S O 

R Q M Z N X V U Y E L L A V J Z M R E D L O S M H B S M H K U J F P 

• backflow 

• plumber 

• bar 

• poo 

• braze 

• pressure 

• drain 

• shifter 

• gas 

• solder 

• inlet 

• trench 

• invert 

• valley 


design install inspect 

uniting the plumbing industry 

2 – 4 November 2011 

Jupiters, Gold Coast 

proudly presented by 

Registrations are now open 

www.plumbingconference.com.au 

event partner

August 2011 - Master Plumbers Association of Queensland

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