mrwa registration of engineers update

ALDE has been consulting with the Melbourne Retail Water Agencies (MRWA) on a practical way to adopt the requirements of the Victorian Professional Engineers Registration Act 2019 (PER Act) into their submissions.

The MRWA made changes to the design drawing templates in response to the new legislation.

The Professional Engineers Registration Act 2019 & Land Development Engineers

The requirement for a civil and structural engineer to be registered in Victoria came into effect on October 2022.

Engineering Professionals must register with the Business Licencing Authority if they wish to continue legally providing Professional Engineering Services unless they are working under the guidance of a registered engineer or working only within a prescriptive standard.

MRWA supports the Victorian Government’s initiative to recognise the importance of engineers through a statewide registration process and considers the preparation of sewer and drainage documents as Professional Engineering Services.

Read the complete MRWA position here

Changes to MRWA designs due to the Professional Engineers Registration Act

MRWA proposes changes to the ‘Title Blocks’ MRWA design drawing templates to clearly identify the Registered Engineer involved in the process and abide by the PER legislation.

The MRWA design drawing template now includes:
1. Registered Professional Engineer’s name and registration number
2. Sign-off on each design revision by the Registered Professional Engineer (instead of the authoriser).

MRWA Title Block Template Change Professional Registered Engineers April 2023 — MRWA Title Block Template Change Example Professional Registered Engineers April 2023

The 100 Series water and sewer design standards drawing examples (PDF and AutoCAD files) have been amended on the MRWA portal website and are ready for use on projects.

All designs submitted from 1 July 2023 will be expected to adopt the new template and show the Professional Registered Engineer on the drawings.
The MRWA will be checking this requirement is being met on design submissions and after 1 July 2023 will not accept designs that do not include these changes.

Notification of changes to the ARCUS accreditation system will be advised in the near future.

View Sample Plans

Should you have any questions or wish to discuss these requirements further please contact
the relevant water retailer representatives:
 Ryan Leon (ryan.leon@yvw.com.au ) – Yarra Valley Water
 Bruce Johnson (bruce.johnson@sew.com.au ) – South East Water
 Nick Rhoden (nick.rhoden@gww.com.au ) – Greater Western Water

ALDE has received an update from the Melbourne Retail Water Agencies (MRWA) for guidance on how the Registration of Engineers Act will be administered in an engineering design and construction framework.

‘The MRWA have sought legal advice regarding the Professional Engineers Registration Act 2019.

Taking into consideration the legal advice, the MRWA are endeavouring to obtain a consistent approach on how the Act will impact the current interface between the accredited consultant and the MRWA.

While this work continues, it has been agreed the MRWA will not require Accredited Design ‘Checkers’ to be Registered Engineers. Notwithstanding the MRWA position on this issue, compliance with the Act rests with individual companies.

The MRWA do not consider the MRWA (WSAA) Codes to be Prescribed Standards. On this basis, designs being completed by consultants for the MRWAs are considered to be Professional Engineering Services and will require the involvement of a Registered Engineer in accordance with the Professional Engineers Registration Act 2019.

The MRWA look forward to working with ALDE and your members to determine the best way to provide assurance of suitable Registered Engineer involvement in designs (for example, through the ARCUS system or a drawing sign-off process).

Note that it is still the responsibility of each entity submitting designs to ensure compliance with Professional Engineers Registration Act 2019 on or by 1 October 2022. ”

The MRWA represents Yarra Valley Water, South East Water & Greater Western Water.

For further information, please contact the ALDE Executive team.

MRWA Design Update for Registered Engineers