SEWERAGE AND WATER SUPPLY ACT 1949 Reprinted as in force on 23 April 2002 (includes amendments up to Act No. 34 of 2000) Reprint No. 2A TABLE OF PROVISIONS PART 1--PRELIMINARY 1. Short title 2. Definitions PART 2--STANDARD SEWERAGE LAW AND STANDARD WATER SUPPLY LAW 3. Standard Sewerage Law 4. Standard Water Supply Law PART 3--CONSTITUTION OF THE PLUMBERS AND DRAINERS EXAMINATION AND LICENSING BOARD 5. Constitution of the board 6. Members 7. Vacancies 8. Chairperson 9. Meetings 10. Secretary 11. Entitlements of board members 12. Functions of the board 13. Classes of licences 14. Licences 15. Application for licence 16. Duration of licence 17. Interim licence 18. Limitation on interim licence holders 19. Scope of licences 20. Restricted plumber's or drainer's licence 21. Offences by persons not holding appropriate licences etc. 22. Cancellation and suspension of licences etc. PART 4--PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND TRADE WASTE 23. Prohibition on discharge of prohibited substances and trade waste PART 5--LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 24. Indictable and summary offences 25. Proceedings for indictable offences 26. Limitation on who may summarily hear indictable offence proceedings 27. Limitation on time for starting summary proceedings PART 6--GENERAL 28. Obtaining licence or interim licence by misrepresentation etc. 29. Approval of forms 30. Regulation making power 31. Reference to Standard Sewerage By-laws 1981 etc. 32. Reference to Standard Water Supply By-laws 1949 etc. 33. Sewerage, Water Supply, and Gasfitting Act 1949 references ENDNOTES - LONG TITLE An Act to make provision about sewerage, sanitary conveniences, stormwater drainage and water supply 1 Short title This Act may be cited as the Sewerage and Water Supply Act 1949. 2 Definitions In this Act-- "approved form" see section 29.1 "board" means the board constituted under part 3. "interim licence" means an interim licence in force under part 3.2 "licence" means a licence (other than an interim licence) in force under part 3. "Standard Sewerage Law" means the regulations in force under section 3. "Standard Water Supply Law" means the regulations in force under section 4. 3 Standard Sewerage Law (1) A regulation may make provision with respect to sewerage, sanitary conveniences and stormwater drainage. (2) The Standard Sewerage Law-- (a) applies to the areas of all local governments; and (b) is to be administered by local governments. (3) Without limiting subsection (1), the Standard Sewerage Law may provide for- - (a) the powers of inspectors to enter premises and inspect works with which the Standard Sewerage Law is concerned; and (b) the performance of works by, or on behalf of, local governments and the recovery of reasonable costs for the works; and (c) the creation of offences and prescribing penalties of not more than 165 penalty units for the offences. 4 Standard Water Supply Law (1) A regulation may make provision with respect to water supply. (2) The Standard Water Supply Law-- (a) applies to the areas of all local governments; and (b) is to be administered by local governments. (3) Without limiting subsection (1), the Standard Water Supply Law may provide for-- (a) the powers of inspectors to enter premises and inspect works with which the Standard Water Supply Law is concerned; and (b) the performance of works by, or on behalf of, local governments and the recovery of reasonable costs for the works; and (c) the creation of offences and prescribing penalties of not more than 165 penalty units for the offences. 5 Constitution of the board For the purposes of this Act there shall be constituted a board to be called the Plumbers and Drainers Examination and Licensing Board. 6 Members (1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (2), the board shall consist of-- (a) a representative of the department that deals with matters arising under the Building Act 1975 nominated in that behalf by the Minister for the time being administering that department; (b) a representative of the department that deals with matters arising under the Training and Employment Act 2000; (c) a representative of the department that deals with matters arising under the Health Act 1937; (d) a representative of local governments nominated by the Local Government Association of Queensland (Incorporated); (e) a representative of the Master Plumbers' Association of Queensland nominated in that behalf by that association; (f) a representative of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, Plumbing Division, Queensland Branch, nominated in that behalf by that branch of that union. (2) Subject to subsection (1), each member of the board shall be appointed by the Governor in Council, and shall be appointed for such time as the Governor in Council shall deem fit and proper, but so that the provisions of this section (including this subsection) shall apply so as not to limit the power of the Governor in Council to appoint temporarily another person in the place of any deceased, sick, or absent member or to fill any vacancy in the office of such member. 7 Vacancies If at any time any person has not been nominated in accordance with this Act for appointment as a member of the board or no appointment as a member of the board is made by reason of any person so nominated signifying to the Minister his or her refusal to act as a member of the board, or in the event of any vacancy occurring otherwise at any time from any cause whatsoever in the office of a member of the board, the Governor in Council may appoint, for such time as the Governor in Council shall deem fit and proper, any person to be a member of the board to represent the interest in the representation of which such nomination or appointment is not made or such vacancy otherwise occurs. 8 Chairperson (1) The Governor in Council may from time to time appoint a member of the board to be the chairperson of the board. (2) If at any meeting of the board there is no chairperson, whether by reason of no appointment as chairperson having been made or a vacancy otherwise arising in the office of chairperson or the absence of the chairperson, the members present shall elect one of their number to be chairperson of the meeting. 9 Meetings (1) Subject to this Act, meetings of the board shall be called, and the board shall meet at such times and places and shall conduct its business in such manner as may be prescribed, or otherwise as it may from time to time determine. (2) At all meetings of the board any 3 members of the board shall form a quorum. 10 Secretary (1) The secretary to the board is to be employed under the Public Service Act 1996. (2) The secretary shall have such powers and shall perform such duties pertaining to the business of the board as are from time to time conferred and imposed upon the secretary under this Act, or otherwise as may be directed by the board. 11 Entitlements of board members (1) The board members are to be paid the fees and allowances that may be approved by the Governor in Council. (2) A board member is entitled to be reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses that-- (a) are necessarily incurred by the member in the performance of the functions of the office; and (b) are approved by the board. 12 Functions of the board The board shall have and may exercise and discharge the powers, authorities, duties, and functions conferred and imposed upon the board by or under this Act. 13 Classes of licences The board shall have power to grant licences of the following classes-- (a) a plumber's licence; (b) a country plumber's licence; (c) a water plumber's licence; (d) a drainer's licence; (e) a restricted plumber's or restricted drainer's licence. 14 Licences A person is entitled to be granted a licence if the person satisfies the board that the person has the prescribed practical experience and qualifications. 15 Application for licence (1) Any person desiring a licence under this Act shall make application to the board for such licence. (2) The applicant shall, if so directed by the board, attend in person before the board. (3) If the board refuses to grant an application for a licence, the board must refund to the applicant the amount of the application fee paid, less the amount of the cost to the board of processing the application. 16 Duration of licence A licence remains in force for the period prescribed. 17 Interim licence (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act the board may grant to any person who has made application for a licence, an interim licence for a period (not exceeding 12 months at any one time) pending such person satisfying the board that he or she is entitled to the granting of a licence. (2) However, before granting such interim licence, the board may require the applicant to present himself or herself for a trade test or such other tests as the board may require. 18 Limitation on interim licence holders A person to whom an interim licence is granted by the board shall not enter into a contract (other than a contract of employment) with any person to perform any work which he or she is entitled to perform pursuant to section 19 and shall perform that work only while employed by another person. 19 Scope of licences (1) The holder of a plumber's licence or interim plumber's licence shall be entitled to perform any plumbing work governed by the provisions of the Standard Water Supply Law and the Standard Sewerage Law. (2) The holder of a country plumber's licence or interim country plumber's licence may perform plumbing work-- (a) under the Standard Water Supply Law; and (b) for septic tank installations--under the Standard Sewerage Law. (3) However, the holder of a licence mentioned in subsection (2) may not perform plumbing work under the Standard Sewerage Law for septic tank installations in-- (a) the area of the City of Brisbane; or (b) a local government area that is a city or town if the whole or a part of the area is a sewered area within the meaning of the Standard Sewerage Law; or (c) a part of a local government area that is a shire if the part is a sewered area within the meaning of the Standard Sewerage Law. (4) The holder of a water plumber's licence or interim water plumber's licence shall be entitled to perform any plumbing work governed by the provisions of the Standard Water Supply Law, and, with respect to work governed by the provisions of the Standard Sewerage Law, any plumbing work relating to the provision of water supply to the fittings and fixtures therein mentioned. (5) The holder of a drainer's licence or interim drainer's licence shall be entitled to perform any drainage work governed by the provisions of the Standard Sewerage Law. 20 Restricted plumber's or drainer's licence (1) The holder of a restricted plumber's or drainer's licence (a "restricted licence") may carry out plumbing or drainage work decided by the board in accordance with conditions decided by the board. (2) The work that may be carried out under a restricted licence, and the conditions of the licence, must be stated in the licence. (3) The board may issue a restricted licence only if satisfied the applicant for the licence has the necessary knowledge and skills to be issued a licence. 21 Offences by persons not holding appropriate licences etc. (1) A person must not perform work regulated by the Standard Sewerage Law or Standard Water Supply Law unless the person holds a licence or interim licence that entitles the person to perform the work. Maximum penalty--165 penalty units. (2) The provisions of subsection (1) do not apply to-- (a) a person executing any work consisting merely of the excavation or backfilling of trenches or any other work of an unskilled nature; or (b) an apprentice, as defined by the Training and Employment Act 2000, who performs any work under the direct supervision of a person holding a licence or interim licence which entitles such licence holder under this Act to perform that work; or (c) a person who performs work on house drainage under the direct supervision of a person holding a drainer's licence. 22 Cancellation and suspension of licences etc. (1) If at any time the board considers that the holder of any licence or interim licence-- (a) has been guilty of an offence against any provision of the Standard Sewerage Law or Standard Water Supply Law; or (b) has failed to comply with the reasonable instruction issued by an engineer or an inspector of a local government in pursuance of the Standard Sewerage Law or Standard Water Supply Law; or (c) is guilty of gross misconduct or negligence in the conduct of work performed by the holder by virtue of his or her licence or interim licence; or (d) is not entitled to be the holder of that licence or, as the case may be, interim licence or of a licence or, as the case may be, interim licence of the class to which the licence or interim licence held by the holder belongs; or (e) has obtained that licence or, as the case may be, interim licence by any false statement or misrepresentation, or, by any other means whatsoever, has not properly obtained that licence or, as the case may be, interim licence; or (f) should, for any other reason, be called upon to show cause why his or her licence or interim licence should not be cancelled or suspended; the board may call upon that holder to show cause why his or her licence or interim licence should not be cancelled or suspended, and, whether cause is shown or not, after inquiry, investigation, or hearing, the board may by order- - (g) reprimand or caution the holder; or (h) suspend his or her licence or interim licence for such period as it thinks fit; or (i) cancel such licence or interim licence; or may make such other order as the board deems necessary or desirable in the circumstances. (2) The board shall, in conducting such inquiry, investigation, or hearing, have all the powers, authorities, and protection of a commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1950. (3) While an order of suspension of a licence or interim licence remains in force the person concerned shall be deemed not to hold a licence or interim licence as such, but forthwith on the expiry of such order his or her rights and privileges as a holder of a licence or, as the case may be, interim licence shall be revived as from the date of such expiry. (4) Any person whose licence or interim licence has been so cancelled or suspended may, within 1 month of the board's decision being conveyed to the person, appeal to the Minister. (5) The Minister, on such appeal, may hear and determine the matter, or the Minister may, before determining the matter, refer such matter to any 1 or more persons for the purpose of inquiring into and investigating such matter and furnishing to the Minister a report thereon. (6) The Minister or the person or persons to whom the matter of the appeal is referred as aforesaid shall have the same powers, authorities and protection as the board has in conducting an inquiry, investigation or hearing under the provisions of this section. (7) After hearing the matter, or upon the receipt of the said report, the Minister may, in the Minister's absolute discretion, dismiss or allow the appeal or substitute therefor such other decision as the Minister thinks just and proper in the circumstances. (8) The decision of the Minister shall be final and binding on the board and the appellant, and shall be deemed to be the final decision of the board. (9) When under this Act a licence or interim licence is cancelled or suspended, then the person to whom that licence or interim licence was granted shall, upon request by a notice in writing served upon the person, deliver forthwith to the board that cancelled or suspended licence or interim licence. Maximum penalty--4 penalty units. 23 Prohibition on discharge of prohibited substances and trade waste (1) In this section-- "prohibited substance" means a substance prescribed under the Standard Sewerage Law as a prohibited substance for this section. "stormwater drainage" means a drain, channel, pipe, chamber, structure, outfall or other work used to receive, store, transport or treat stormwater. "trade waste" means water-borne waste from business, trade or manufacturing premises, other than-- (a) waste that is a prohibited substance; and (b) human waste; and (c) stormwater. (2) A person must not discharge a prohibited substance into stormwater drainage. Maximum penalty--1 000 penalty units. (3) A person must not discharge trade waste into stormwater drainage. Maximum penalty--1 000 penalty units. (4) This section is to be administered by local governments for their areas. 24 Indictable and summary offences (1) An offence against section 233 is an indictable offence. (2) Any other offence against this Act is a summary offence. 25 Proceedings for indictable offences (1) A proceeding for an indictable offence against this Act may be taken, at the election of the prosecution-- (a) by way of summary proceedings under the Justices Act 1886; or (b) on indictment. (2) A magistrate must not hear an indictable offence summarily if-- (a) the defendant asks at the start of the hearing that the charge be prosecuted on indictment; or (b) the magistrate considers that the charge should be prosecuted on indictment. (3) If subsection (2) applies-- (a) the magistrate must proceed by way of an examination of witnesses for an indictable offence; and (b) a plea of the person charged at the start of the proceeding must be disregarded; and (c) evidence brought in the proceeding before the magistrate decided to act under subsection (2) is taken to be evidence in the proceeding for the committal of the person for trial or sentence; and (d) before committing the person for trial or sentence, the magistrate must make a statement to the person as required by the Justices Act 1886, section 104(2)(b). (4) The maximum penalty that may be summarily imposed for an indictable offence is 165 penalty units. 26 Limitation on who may summarily hear indictable offence proceedings (1) A proceeding must be before a magistrate if it is a proceeding-- (a) for the summary conviction of a person on a charge for an indictable offence; or (b) for an examination of witnesses for a charge for an indictable offence. (2) However, if a proceeding for an indictable offence is brought before a justice who is not a magistrate, jurisdiction is limited to taking or making a procedural action or order within the meaning of the Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations Act 1991. 27 Limitation on time for starting summary proceedings A proceeding for an offence against this Act by way of summary proceeding under the Justices Act 1886 must start-- (a) within 1 year after the commission of the offence; or (b) within 1 year after the offence comes to the complainant's knowledge, but within 2 years after the commission of the offence. 28 Obtaining licence or interim licence by misrepresentation etc. (1) A person must not obtain or attempt to obtain a licence or an interim licence by a false statement or misrepresentation. Maximum penalty--4 penalty units. (2) A person shall not use any licence or interim licence which has been cancelled or suspended under this Act. Maximum penalty--4 penalty units. 29 Approval of forms The chief executive may approve forms for use under this Act. 30 Regulation making power (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations under this Act. (2) A regulation may make provision-- (a) prescribing, regulating, and controlling the meetings, business, and procedure of the board; (b) prescribing the times and places of examinations the appointment of examiners, exemptions from examinations and all other matters relating to the conduct and holding of examinations by the board; (c) prescribing, regulating, and controlling the keeping of a register of licences granted under this Act and the making of entries therein, and the manner of giving, furnishing, granting, or keeping notices, applications, licences, interim licences, registers, and other documents in pursuance of this Act; (d) prescribing, regulating, and controlling the granting, renewal, refusal to grant or renew, transfer, surrender, cancellation, or suspension of licences or interim licences and appeals against the cancellation or suspension of licences; (e) the mode and onus of proof of matters required to be proved under and for the purposes of this Act and for facilitating such proof; (f) prescribing fees payable for any licence or interim licence, or a duplicate copy thereof, or for or upon the doing of any act or thing prescribed or carried out or required to be carried out under or pursuant to this Act; prescribing the manner, time, place, and the person by and to whom fees due and payable under this Act shall be paid; (g) providing for a penalty not exceeding 1 penalty unit for an offence against any regulation. 31 Reference to Standard Sewerage By-laws 1981 etc. A reference in an Act or document to the Standard Sewerage By-laws 1981 or the Standard Sewerage By-laws (however described) is a reference to the Standard Sewerage Law. 32 Reference to Standard Water Supply By-laws 1949 etc. A reference in an Act or document to the Standard Water Supply By-laws 1949 or the standard Water Supply By-laws (however described) is a reference to the Standard Water Supply Law. 33 Sewerage, Water Supply, and Gasfitting Act 1949 references In an Act or document, a reference to the Sewerage, Water Supply, and Gasfitting Act 1949 is a reference to this Act. - NOTES Page Date to which amendments incorporated 17 Key 17 Table of earlier reprints 18 Tables in earlier reprints 18 List of legislation 18 List of annotations 21 Form 24 Table of renumbered provisions 25 This is the reprint date mentioned in the Reprints Act 1992, section 5(c). Accordingly, this reprint includes all amendments that commenced operation on or before 23 April 2002. Future amendments of the Sewerage and Water Supply Act 1949 may be made in accordance with this reprint under the Reprints Act 1992, section 49. Key Explanation Key Explanation AIA = Acts Interpretation Act 1954 prev = previous amd = amended (prev) = previously amdt = amendment proc = proclamation ch = chapter prov = provision def = definition pt = part div = division pubd = published exp = expires/expired R[X] = Reprint No.[X] gaz = gazette RA = Reprints Act 1992 hdg = heading reloc = relocated ins = inserted renum = renumbered lap = lapsed rep = repealed notfd = notified s = section o in c = order in council sch = schedule om = omitted sdiv = subdivision orig = original SIA = Statutory Instruments Act 1992 p = page SIR = Statutory Instruments Regulation 1992 para = paragraph SL = subordinate legislation prec = preceding sub = substituted pres = present unnum = unnumbered Reprint No. Amendments included Reprint date Name of table Reprint No. Note-- The Principal Act is amended by omitting the word "license" and the word "licenses" wherever either word is used as a noun and substituting in each case the word "licence" or the word "licences" as the case may require. The Principal Act is amended by omitting the words "technical college" wherever occurring and substituting in each case the words "college of technical and further education". Previous Renumbered as >