15-05-2025
News
The Victorian Government has introduced the Building Legislation Amendment (Buyer Protections) Bill 2025, marking a significant shift in the state’s approach to building regulation. This legislation paves the way for the establishment of the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC), a new authority designed to enhance oversight and consumer protection in the construction industry.
Key Features of the Reform
Unified Regulatory Body
The BPC will consolidate the functions of the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (DBDRV) and the Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) division of the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA). This integration aims to streamline processes and provide a single point of contact for industry professionals and consumers.
Enhanced Powers
The BPC will have the authority to issue rectification orders even after an occupancy permit has been granted, ensuring that post-construction defects are addressed promptly.
Strata Bond Requirement
Developers of apartment buildings over three stories will be required to provide a strata bond, ensuring funds are available to rectify defects discovered after occupancy.
Expanded Insurance Coverage
The DBI scheme will be broadened to allow claims in cases where builders fail to comply with rectification orders, regardless of insolvency or disappearance.
Mandatory Developer Notifications
Developers must notify the BPC before occupying new buildings to enable final inspections and to ensure compliance with building standards.
Implications for Industry Professionals
These reforms represent the most significant changes to building industry regulation in decades, which places consumer protection at the forefront. Industry professionals should prepare for a more rigorous regulatory environment with increased accountability and oversight throughout the building process.
For a detailed overview of the proposed changes and their implications, please refer to the official announcement: VBA – A New Regulator with New Powers
The Gas Technical Regulators Committee (GTRC) has issued two important Technical Guidance Bulletins (TGBs) that affect the certification of gas products in Australia. These updates provide interim guidance where the current standards are either unclear or silent, to ensure improved safety and compliance until the standards are formally updated.
TGB 26 – Internal Gas Connections in Domestic Cookers
This bulletin addresses concerns around gas fittings (e.g. elbows and adaptors) within appliances that are intended to be connected by gasfitters during installation.
What’s Changed
These fittings must now comply with mechanical strength and torque requirements from AS3688:2016 even if they are not independently certified.
Acceptable evidence includes compliance with AS3688 Appendix E or AS4618 Clause 3.2 for external leakage.
Why
There have been cases of failures in internal gas fittings during installation, particularly in domestic cookers. These components experience the same installation loads as external certified fittings and therefore must meet equivalent performance standards.
What You Need to Know
This applies to all new certification applications from 1 May 2025.
Existing certified products must demonstrate compliance by 1 July 2025.
Read the full bulletin: TGB 26 – Internal Gas Connections
TGB 28 – Hose Assemblies Transition Period Extended
This bulletin provides an extension to the transition period for gas hose assemblies currently certified to AS/NZS1869:2012, which is being superseded by the new AS1869:2023 series.
Key Update
The transition deadline has been extended by 6 months – from 2 June 2025 to 31 December 2025.
References to both AS/NZS1869 and AS1869 will be considered equivalent during this transition to avoid confusion in certification and documentation.
Why the Delay
AG-013 is currently reviewing the updated standard to assess whether further amendments are needed. In the meantime, this extension ensures the industry has sufficient time to adapt.
Read the full bulletin: TGB 28 – Hose Assemblies Transition
In a recent interview on 3AW Mornings with Tom Elliott, Victorian Minister for Energy, Lily D’Ambrosio, delivered a clear and positive message for the gas industry: gas is here to stay for many years to come.
Responding to growing public confusion about the future of gas, the Minister reinforced that gas remains a critical part of Victoria’s energy mix. While the government continues to support the transition to renewables, she made it clear that gas will continue to play a key role in meeting both domestic and industrial energy needs well into the future.
D’Ambrosio highlighted that gas is essential for many Victorian businesses and manufacturers and stressed the importance of using it “in the smartest way possible” to extend available supply and ease cost-of-living pressures for households.
Importantly, she confirmed the state government’s active support for new gas exploration. Since lifting the previous ban on gas projects, Victoria now has eight active onshore exploration licences and three offshore with major companies like Esso, Woodside, ConocoPhillips, Amplitude Energy and Lakes Blue Energy all moving ahead with new developments. These projects are already contributing to securing the state’s future supply.
The Minister also acknowledged the need for reliable electricity generation as renewable energy continues to scale up. She stated that gas-fired peaking plants will continue to be necessary to ensure supply during periods of high demand, particularly during winter when solar and wind production may not be sufficient.
At the national level, the Commonwealth Government and all states have backed a strategy empowering the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to plan for sufficient gas supply from 2029 onwards. This includes exploring options including new pipelines, improved infrastructure and import terminals. The Minister agreed with Tom Elliott’s point that these large infrastructure projects “can’t be built at the drop of a hat,” which is why planning is already underway.
For the gas industry, this interview is a timely and welcome reminder that gas will remain a vital part of Victoria’s energy system.
You can listen to the full interview via 3AW here: https://www.3aw.com.au/tom-elliott-podcasts/
The countdown is on for Connecting Hydrogen APAC 2025 (CHA2025), the premier hydrogen event in the Asia-Pacific region. Scheduled for 17–18 July 2025 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). This conference is a must-attend for professionals engaged in the hydrogen sector.
Event Highlights
* Over 5,000 attendees, including industry leaders, energy ministers, and CEOs.
* More than 200 exhibitors showcasing the latest hydrogen innovations.
* Participation of 150+ global and APAC experts sharing insights on policy, production, supply chains, and infrastructure.
* 30+ networking opportunities, including private meetings, panel discussions, and a gala dinner.
The conference will delve into key themes such as Power-to-X, green mobility and sustainable hydrogen production. Co-located events will also cover wind energy, carbon capture and sustainable aviation fuels, providing a comprehensive view of the clean energy landscape.
AGA is proud to be a supporting partner of CHA2025 and encourages members to participate in shaping the future of hydrogen in the region.
Event Details
Dates: 17–18 July 2025
Location: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australia
More Information & Registration: Click on the following link: https://www.connectinghydrogenapac.com/
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with key stakeholders and explore the advancements propelling the hydrogen industry forward.
The following Standards were reconfirmed on 14 March 2025:
AS 4617:2018 REC:2025 – Manually operated gas valves
AS 4618:2019 REC:2025 – Gas appliance regulators
AS 4619-2004 REC:2025 – Gas appliance thermostats
AS 4620-2004 REC:2025 – Thermoelectric flame safeguards
AS 4621:2019 REC:2025 – Regulator for use with liquefied petroleum – Vapour phase
AS 4623-2008 REC:2025 – Jointing compounds and materials for use in gas pipe joints
AS 4624-2005 REC:2025 – Combination controls for gas
AS 4627:2017 REC:2025 – Quick-connect devices for gas
AS 4628-2005 REC:2025 – Pressure and temperature limit devices for use with gas burners
AS 4631:2018 REC:2025 – Semi-rigid connectors for gas
AS 4632:2020 REC:2025 – Over-pressure and under-pressure shut-off devices
Plumbing Standards
AS/NZS 3500.1:2025 (Plumbing and drainage, Part 1: Water services) was published on 17 April 2025
AS/NZS 3500.2:2025 (Plumbing and drainage, Part 2: Sanitary plumbing and drainage) was published on 17 April 2025
AS/NZS 3500.3:2025 (Plumbing and drainage, Part 3: Stormwater drainage) was published on 17 April 2025