Illegal plumber fined $4500

Topics: court, fine, law, mackay, plumber

A PLUMBER has been fined $4500, plus costs, for unlawful contracting and misuse of a licence.

Paul Joseph Wright didn't appear in court and the matter was dealt with in his absence.

He had been a licensed contractor for seven years until his licence lapsed in October 2011.

Queensland Building and Construction Commission barrister Simon Formby said Wright had been informed by letter that his licence was suspended.

However Wright proceeded to install a hot water system in a private residence under the Office of Clean Energy scheme.

He then filled out paperwork in-putting his lapsed QBCC licence to receive the solar rebate, the Mackay Miscellaneous Court was told.

Mr Formby submitted these were "two separate offences" and Wright should have known he was unlicensed.

Mr Formby said there was no amount of work a plumber could do without a licence.

"A QBCC licence (is) not a trade licence, it's a business licence," Mr Formby said.

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Illegal plumber fined $4500