The MPMSAA has written to the re-elected Queensland Premier - Anne Bligh to lodge its objections to the planned Queensland Government Solar Hot Water program. Under the proposal, householders will be able to install a new SHW system for $500.  What is not clear is the method for these installations to take place.   MPMSAA strongly support that the wider plumbing industry be able to install the solar hot water systems, as a significant number of local plumbing businesses and the wider solar hot water industry has been working successfully in this area for many years.  MPMSAA encourages the Queensland Government to engage with the plumbing industry to implement a plan which will support local small businesses and encourage the plumbing industry to continue to work and invest within the SHW industry.

29 March 2009

Hon. Anna Bligh

Premier and Minister for the Arts - Queensland

Executive Office

100 George Street

BRISBANE QLD 4000

PO Box 15185, City East QLD 4002

RE: Proposed QLD Solar Hot Water Program

Dear Premier

I am writing to you to express our concerns over the Government's plan for the solar hot water Industry in Queensland.

The plumbing industry has worked tirelessly over the past 10 years to establish the solar hot water industry, with thousands of plumbing businesses investing their resources  and money into increasing their capacity to install solar hot water systems including  additional employment.

Since 2003 in Queensland the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia through its GreenPlumbers® training program has trained and accredited over 2000 plumbers in solar hot water alone.

Currently many State Governments around Australia are expanding their regulatory requirements around low emission hot water systems and have also introduced additional financial incentives for householders to take up solar hot water options. In these states the governments have worked with industry and the various local / state and federal rebate strategies to support local businesses.

Make no mistake, that if it is to proceed in the form that I understand it will, then many plumbing businesses that have invested heavily to service this growing sector of our industry would be wiped out casting many employees out of a job.

Many plumbing businesses are already reporting that their solar hot water business has already reduced significantly due to the uncertainty created by this proposal.

Obviously, in the current economic climate this is extremely concerning as any disruptions like this will inevitably impact on the number of businesses and employees in this sector.

We would encourage you to reconsider your proposal and engage with the plumbing industry to establish a solution that will support the existing competitive solar hot water industry and the wider community for the long term environmental and financial benefits we all agree are there.

I look forward to continuing our discussions.

Acting CEO - Vin Ebejer

Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia

Tel: 03 9329 9622  Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

cc: Master Plumbers Association of Queensland