Canberrans urged to be wary of dodgy plumbers

Joe Prevedello • November 4, 2025

The Master Plumbers Association ACT (MPA ACT) is advising Canberrans to ‘do their homework’ before engaging plumbers and gasfitters for maintenance or new works, Chief Executive Officer Joe Prevedello said today. 


“This warning comes following an increase in complaints within industry and to the MPA ACT about consumers being overcharged on jobs or not having requested works adequately completed after engaging a plumber or gasfitter,” Joe Prevedello said. 


We are asking Canberrans to be discerning when engaging our trades. 


Don’t be afraid to ask:


If your plumber or gasfitter is licensed for the work you want them to do

For a reasonable estimate of costs associated with new works or a maintenance request

If they’re a member of the MPA ACT (as all our members are peer vetted and industry leading)


“Asking a few simple questions like these when enquiring about getting plumbing or gasfitting work done can ensure safety and save consumers pain and money in the long run,” Joe Prevedello said. 


“We issue this warning because we are hearing an increasing number of unfortunate stories where consumers - particularly seniors or those of a non-english speaking background - are being taken advantage of by unethical tradies. 


“This sort of behaviour is unacceptable. It’s not tolerated by the MPA ACT and the vast majority of Canberra’s responsible and professional plumbing and gasfitting industry. 


“Do your homework and ask the questions it could save you in the long run,” Joe Prevedello concluded. 


ENDS


Media Contact: Joe Prevedello | 0402 768 432

Download Press Release PDF

Recognise the importance of sanitation systems and the Canberra plumbers who provide them, this World Toilet Day

By Joe Prevedello • November 19, 2025
Today, 19 November is the United Nations’ World Toilet Day – a time to recognise the importance of toilets and our essential, local plumbing industry which installs safe sanitation systems here in Canberra, Chief Executive Officer of the Master Plumbers Association ACT (MPA ACT), Joe Prevedello said today. “We’ll always need the toilet, but in a relatively affluent city by global standards like Canberra, we can easily forget how important they are, and that around half the world’s population still lacks access to safe sanitation,” Joe Prevedello said. The 2025 World Toilet Day theme is ‘Sanitation in a changing world’, focusing on the urgent need for investment in ‘future ready’ system and services. As time moves, pressure on global sanitation is increasing with ageing infrastructure and investment failing to keep up with demand. Globally, 3.4 billion people live without safely managed sanitation services while 354 million still practice open defacation, obviously increasing risk of disease and harm. Sadly, unsafe water sanitation and hygiene are responsible for the deaths of around 1,000 children every day, across the world. “In Canberra, we should count ourselves lucky that safe access to toilets and sanitation is a given and we should thank the local plumbing industry and our utility Icon Water for the skilled work they carry out daily to keep these systems safe, hygienic and efficient,” Joe Prevedello said. “So, as you’re sitting in peace in the water closet today, remember how lucky you are to have the toilet and the people across Canberra who install, maintain them, and keep them safe and hygienic,” Joe Prevedello concluded. *More information on World Toilet Day can be found here. ENDS Media Contact: Joe Prevedello | 0402 768 432

Excellence in Canberra’s plumbing, drainage and gasfitting industries celebrated

By Joe Prevedello • October 27, 2025
Around 500 people attended the Ace Gutters Plumbing Industry Excellence Awards at the Hellenic Club last Friday night to celebrate quality, hard work and those who go above and beyond across Canberra’s plumbing industries, Chief Executive Officer of the Master Plumbers Association ACT (MPA ACT), Joe Prevedello said today. “Organised by the MPA ACT, the gala event showcased and delivered awards across 22 categories, from apprentices to post-trade and industry excellence. On behalf of our plumbing, drainage and gasfitting industries we congratulate all the winners, category finalists, the great businesses and organisations that put forward nominees and the industry stakeholders who dedicated so much to the awards assessment process,” Joe Prevedello said. “I also thank all the MPA ACT’s members, partners and sponsors for their ongoing support, and of course our major event sponsor, Ace Gutters - because without all of them, these awards wouldn’t go ahead. “Our industries are essential, professional and provide critical services across new construction and residential and commercial maintenance. Imagine what we wouldn’t have and how hard life would be without our plumbers? Once again, I congratulate the industry for coming together last Friday night,” Joe Prevedello concluded. The winners across the 22 categories in 2025 were: Cert III Outstanding Stage 1 Apprentice of the Year Award – Toby Bell – A-Plus Plumbing Cert III Outstanding Stage 2 Apprentice of the Year Award – Luke Simms – DFPG Plumbing Cert III Outstanding Stage 3 Apprentice of the Year Award – Lachlan Friend – Superior Plumbing and Gasfitting Cert III Ernie Dearing Overall Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Toby Bell – A-Plus Plumbing Colin Mills Award for the best all round hard worker – Lachlan Friend – Superior Plumbing and Gasfitting Paul Jurak Evoenergy Gas Excellence Award – Jayden Burleigh – Around Town Plumbing Services & Rowan Reed – Duncan’s Plumbing Service Most Outstanding Post-Trade Student in the Business Principles Course – Thomas Van Moer – Water Tight Canberra Most Outstanding Post-Trade Student in the Gasfitting Course – Cooper Purcell – MSJ Plumbing Most Outstanding Post-Trade Student in the Drainage Course – Aaron Johnston – Dinamic Constructions Most Outstanding Post-Trade Student in the Sanitary Course – Matthew Ward – Level Plumbing Canberra Most Outstanding Post-Trade Student in the Water Course – David Hackett – Custom Plumbing Services Registrar’s Award for the Most Outstanding Post-Trade Student – Thomas Van Moer – Water Tight Canberra Most Outstanding Woman in Plumbing Award – Ashley Condon – Level Plumbing Canberra Outstanding Plumbing Business Service Award – Ben and Lynley Stapleton – Rydeau Plumbing Safety Champion Award – Kris Robertson – Level Plumbing Canberra Outstanding Plumbing Industry Employee Award – Tom Wallace – Water Tight Canberra Industry Service and Support Person of the Year – Chris Collins – Reece Plumbing Outstanding Commercial Project Award valued over $1 million – Josh Cooper – D Group Outstanding Commercial Project Award valued up to $1 million – Blake Langtry – Canberra Plumbing and Fire Pty Ltd HCAA Hydraulic Consultant of the Year – Luke Hall – Sellick Consultants Icon Water Award – Alex Coleman – Advanced Plumbing & Drains 2025 Plumber of the Year Award – Lachlan Bugg – Syndicate Plumbing Group (Emerging Leader) & Jim Dahl – Custom Plumbing Services (Career of Excellence) (See winners photo attached). ENDS Media Contact: Joe Prevedello | 0402 768 432