Plumbers Licensing Board media statement

The Plumbers Licensing Board has fined a South West plumber $7,500 for multiple disciplinary matters related to plumbing work at three properties in the Margaret River area.

James Robert Philbrick (PL9139) was penalised for non-compliant work and not providing mandatory documents as required by WA’s Plumbers Licensing and Plumbing Standards Regulations 2000.

According to information presented to the Board, Mr Philbrick was subcontracted for plumbing work at newly constructed homes in Prevelly, Cowaramup and Margaret River between late 2020 and early 2022.

The Board found breaches of the Regulations occurred at each property, including negligence or incompetence in relation to carrying out plumbing work. Several instances of non-compliance with plumbing standards were found at each property including high-risk issues at two homes.

Mr Philbrick also failed to provide the Board with compulsory compliance paperwork including notices of intention, certificates of compliance and drainage plumbing diagrams.

The Board noted Mr Philbrick had no prior history of plumbing breaches and had complied with rectification orders at two properties. Rather than pursuing an order, the Prevelly homeowners opted to demolish two bathrooms and engage a different plumber to redo the work.

According to the Board, the case should remind registered plumbing contractors of the legal obligations and community expectations to carry out high-quality services and provide official records to enable their work to be monitored.

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Media contact: BEmedia@dmirs.wa.gov.au