Campaigns
Since 2020 MPAQ has has run campaigns targeting homeowners in Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, and Cairns to raise awareness that plumbing and gasfitting work must be done by licensed plumbers.
Property owners are being warned not to fall into the trap of using unlicensed people to conduct plumbing and gas work through a integrated campaign across radio, transit, and digital platforms. The campaign directs people to the Find a Plumber search portal on the MPAQ website, which is a portal only available to MPAQ members, with the intention of connecting property owners with licensed and reputable businesses in their local area and creating more job opportunities for MPAQ members who are listed on the Find a Plumber portal.
This campaign is just one of the ways MPAQ is committed to supporting our members and the industry as a whole. We know that unlicensed people performing plumbing work is one of our industry's biggest issues, so we are using this campaign to educate members of the public about the risks associated with using unlicensed people.
The Find a Plumber program is specifically designed for contracting members of MPAQ. This program allows members of the public and other industry representatives to search and view relevant details for your company - providing you with another link to new and returning customers.
We will be monitoring the results and looking to expand the campaign further in 2022/2023. The radio advertising was run on the following stations:
- 4RO Rockhamptom
- 101.9 Mackay Star
- 106.3 Townsville
- 102.7 Cairns
Buses (example below) have been running in the targeted locations with the campaign messaging on the back and a micro geo targeting digital campaign has also been running online, targeting sites and digital platforms that match the typical property owner characteristics.
Need to update your Find a Plumber profile? Log into your account on the MPAQ website to create or update your profile.
Video: John Salmon from Salmon Plumbing (Northgate) in MPAQ’s ‘Get to Know Your Local Master Plumber’ video - https://youtu.be/Z2frxACYysI
Property owners are being warned not to fall into the trap of using unlicensed people to conduct plumbing work with the ‘Get to Know Your Local Master Plumber’ video from Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ).
When trying to keep renovation or building costs to the absolute minimum, DIY or handyman work tends to look like a better option over hiring a licensed plumber or gasfitter, but by going down this route you are putting you and your family’s health at risk, as well as facing possible legal and financial implications.
Something that is not widely known by people outside the trade is that undertaking plumbing or gasfitting works without the appropriate licence is actually illegal. And don’t think you won’t get caught; the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) and the Department of Natural Resources and Mines are constantly investigating unlicensed works and are encouraging licensed individuals to notify them when something isn’t right. There are hefty fines for people conducting the work, as well as the people that knowingly contract the work to be done.
President of MPAQ, Kent Vickers urges consumers to ask your plumber and/or gasfitter to produce their licence prior to engaging in any plumbing or gasfitting work.
“By requesting a valid licence from a plumber or gasfitter you are able to check that they are qualified and appropriately licensed to undertake the work.”
“If they cannot produce their licence or evidence of their licence number, do not engage in any work with them, the best way to avoid this happening is to use a Master Plumber,” he said.
“Master Plumbers are appropriately licensed and abide by a code of conduct that helps to ensure consumers have that extra level of protection.”
It is also important to note that if regulated plumbing or gasfitting work is conducted by an unlicensed person, any resulting damages, incorrect work or accidents may not be covered under your insurance policy. It could end up being an extremely costly exercise and leave you out of pocket.
If the potential additional cost is not enough of a deterrent to using an unlicensed person to do plumbing work, one final issue to consider is the potential harm that dodgy plumbing can cause to the health and safety of you and your family. Potentially harmful contamination can occur to your drinking water when correct Australian plumbing standards are not adhered to. This can even have a flow on effect to the water in surrounding properties.
So how do you find a local Master Plumber? MPAQ offers an easy solution for consumers to find a Master Plumber with a search engine on their website. You can choose a location and the type of work required to find someone in your area who specialises in the work you need carried out. If you’re ever unsure, contact MPAQ on 07 3273 0800.
No More Waste: Plumbing Industry Launches PVC Recycling Scheme
As society moves its attention towards long-term sustainability, the Queensland plumbing industry has recognised its role in contributing to a responsible and sustainable future by diverting off-cuts of plastic pipes from landfills and recycling them into new pipes.
Master Plumbers’ Association Queensland (MPAQ) and Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia (PIPA), in conjunction with Iplex, Reece, Tradelink, and Vinidex, have joined forces to launch the Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme.
The Queensland Government has provided funding support to ensure the delivery of the Scheme’s six-month pilot program.
Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland’s Executive Director, Penny Cornah, said the Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme has been developed to help industry understand the volume of available PVC pipe off-cuts and fittings from construction sites.
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