2009
November
The next two courses are Caring for our water - November 25th & 26th, 4.30 to 8.30 p.m. - and Inspection report service - December 1st, 3.45 to 8.00 p.m. View the PDF document for more.
On 11 March 2009 the Victorian Government adopted the Australian Standard AS3959-2009 Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas into a new residentialbuilding Standard to ensure that new Victorian homes are better protected in theevent of a bushfire.
Environmental sustainability and green jobs through change in the plumbing industry. Plumbing Industry Advisory Council response to the Victorian Climate Change Green Paper
Victorian Water Corporation 'Western Water' was successful at the recent national 2009 savewater!awards®, winning the prestigious 'Government Water Corporations Award' for their work in developing a state-of-the-art dual pipe recycled water scheme at the The Eynesbury Township.
During November the Plumbing Industry Commission and Our Water Our Future is encouraging licensed and/or registered plumbers to check for water leaks around customers' homes. Find out more by clicking above.
October
On Monday 7 December 2009 the Plumbing Industry Commission's Camberwell office will be relocating to the Melbourne CBD. The address will be Goods Shed North - 733 Bourke Street Docklands Victoria 3008.
Plumbing practitioners have the chance to submit an application for the Pratt Foundation Overseas Fellowship. Each successful applicant receives $10,000 towards overseas travel.
The Plumbing Industry Commission has pleasure in inviting you to attend the NPRF Industry Day. It's your opportunity to hear about the latest work on regulations and help shape the future agenda. So, make your views known.
September
Practitioner User Management Application (PUMA) is a new initiative that will provide the Plumbing Industry Commission with an online practitioner registration system in early 2010.
Australians are being asked to dive into National Water Week, 18-24 October 2009. National Water Week 2009 is the premier community water awareness event in Australia and is hosted by the Australian Water Association (AWA) in partnership with the National Water Commission.
Read September's Audit Tips: Termination of condensate drains.
Read September's Audit Tips: Where rainwater is used as an alternative water supply on site.
15 photographs from around Australia have been selected as the finalists for the national 2009 savewater! awards® Photographic competition.
Melbourne's water storages have been boosted by 0.6% of capacity over the past week, but inflow remained.
August
There has been some discussion in the media of whether people in fire affected areas should build bunkers to protect themselves from bushfires. The purpose of this Community Information Sheet is to explain the current situation on bunkers.
The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Interim Report was tabled in Parliament on Monday 17 August 2009. Download a copy of the Commission's Interim Report and Executive Summary. Copies can be ordered from Information Victoria on 1300 366 356 or bookshop@diird.vic.gov.au.
July
The Water Smart Gardens and Homes Rebate scheme gives you the change to save water and money when you purchase eligible water-saving products between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2011.
The Plumbing Industry Commission's Shayne La Combre has been invited to be on the 2009 savewater! awards® judging panel. Now in their seventh year, the savewater! awards® is a program designed to recognise and reward outstanding achievements in water conservation...
Rheem are taking expressions of interest from Plumbers who wish to undergo some training specific to the installation of Rheem products including heat pumps, solar hi-line and lo-line HWS as well as their range of 5 Star gas water heaters.
Bendigo TAFE is holding an expression of interest night at PICAC on the 23rd July from 6-00PM to 8-00PM to gauge interest from people wishing to pursue the certificate IV course.
Information on Type A and Type B Gas Appliances training now available.
The first edition of Insites is now available. Insites is a publication that brings together information and news of interest to registered building practitioners and registered and licensed plumbing practitioners.
June
As the driest populated continent on earth, we can't afford gardens that require excessive amounts of water. Many Australian gardens contain plants inappropriate for our environment and we tend to water far more than necessary, because we don't know what our plants really need.
The Victorian Government has pledged $5 million worth of funding for water conservation projects. This funding will support 21 different projects including several focuses on recycling water.
May
New amendments to the Building Act 1993 came into effect on 1 January 2009.This fact sheet provides information on how licensed and registered plumbing practitioners will be affected by the proposed amendments to the Act.
savewater!® runs many programs, events and exhibits through the year showcasing great water saving products and initiatives.
April
Winners of the 2009 Premier's Sustainability Small Business Award, Sustainable Plumbing Solutions is a company working closely with clients and community groups to develop a wider understanding of green technologies and educate people in how they can reduce their carbon footprint
The Premier's Sustainability Awards recognise innovation and reward outstanding achievement in the sustainable use of our natural resources for the benefit of all Victorians, now and for the future. The winners for the 2009 have now been annoucned
March
There are many ways to save water in the house, including bathroom, laundry, kitchen and other parts of your home. Some will even save you time and money.
In Victoria, the 5 Star Standard for new homes requires that you install a rainwater tank for toilet flushing or a solar hot water system. But many existing households are also tackling climate change by installing a rainwater tank or a solar hot water system or both.
Rebuilding after the devastation - the Bushfire Bulletin Magazine lifts the lid on the new building standard.
Please note the Bendigo seminar for the new plumbing regulations has been re-scheduled for Monday 23rd March at the Best Community Development Centre, 26-28 St. Andrews Ave, Bendigo, 7pm-9pm.
The Plumbing Industry Commission and the Building Commission have produced a guide to temporary homes and buildings in bushfire affected areas.
In response to Victoria's devastating bushfires, the Victorian Government has introduced a new residential building standard. You can download a copy of the guide to building in Victoria after the bushfires (PDF document)
The Victorian Government will introduce tougher building standards for homes, targeting high bushfire risk areas, to help save lives and property.
February
Generous donations to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund will help families in bushfire affected areas repair homes and start work again, the Premier John Brumby and Chair of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Advisory Panel John Landy AC have announced.
The Building and Plumbing Industry Commission today launched a telephone advisory service to assist people whose homes have been lost or damaged in the bushfires. The Bushfire Building Advice line, 1300 360 320, will operate from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm on Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
Advice and information to assist people affected by the bushfires return to their properties safely will be available at all community services hubs in areas affected by bushfires. Copies of the guide to a safe return to your property after bushfires are available to download.
The PIC thanks all practitioners who wish to volunteer for the bushfire support effort. We encourage you to volunteer through your industry association. If unable to volunteer through your industry association, please click above whereby one of our staff members will contact you shortly.
The horrific bushfires across Victoria have devastated the lives of many Victorians. For personal, emotional and financial support visit the Department of Human Services or call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.
January
The PIC in conjunction with GreenPlumbers is continuing the Free Solar Hot Water Training Sessions in 2009.
A slowly dripping tap can waste 20,000 litres in a year. Check for drips and take action now by calling a licensed plumber.
The international observance of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro.
2008
December
Read the fact sheet for information about the new plumbing Regulations.
Discounts and special offers on selected products are available at participating businesses, to help you save energy.
Our dams are still low and we need to save water. The Victorian Government is asking everyone in Melbourne to use no more than 155 litres of water per day.
With the threat of more severe water restrictions, the State's gardens need not take the heat.
DHS Food Safety Unit has released an updated guidance note on water carting, entitled Guidelines for drinking (potable) water transport in Victoria.
Visit www.legislation.vic.gov.au for a full copy of the amendments or view the fact sheet.
