Dear industry colleague,

	David Sharp addresses the audience at the Plumbing Supply Forum about the National Construction Code.

When governments change policy, often the industry voice that is being affected is never heard. For real meaningful change to occur, the industry must be given a voice.

Whether its complacency coming from an industry that can't be bothered taking part in policy discussion, or regulators not listening, policy change is too often made without meaningful input from all parties affected. And that is a shame.

In Australia, a new National Construction Code (NCC) will be implemented in the coming 12 months. This Code affects the Construction industry in its entirety...and that includes plumbers.

This impending change was made clear recently at the Plumbing Supply Forum held in Sydney in June.

David Sharp is the man coordinating the various parties to the process. Speaking as the chair of the National Construction Working Group, his job is to galvanise the Australian plumbing industry to accept the NCC as the best move forward to a nationally consistent approach to on-site building and plumbing regulation.

David did a good job, however it is now the turn of the plumbing industry to have their say. And this industry should make full use of the opportunity.

The draft NCC Plumbing Provisions were released 21 July for public comment and can be found on the ABCB website at www.abcb.gov.au. The public comment period extends to 1 September.

Comments can also be sent to plumbing2011@abcb.gov.au.

And if you believe you have more to say, you might want to have a look at the CIB W062 Symposium to be held in Sydney in November.

All plumbers and members of the industry should take the time to make comment to let the government know that the plumbing community can be one voice and as such, a powerful lobby for or against major change.