After 14 years as AEPMA NSW ACT Chairman, I hope my last report will find you well.
Again, it is time to reflect on what the AEPMA NSW ACT State council has achieved or has been through on behalf of the members in the last 24 months.
We have had almost 4 online State Council meetings per calendar year, all on Teams or Zoom.
All face to face meetings as the conferences, the traditional Hawk Nest/ Tea Gardens meetings were cancelled due to Covid-19.
We have had plenty to do with Pest Management Licencing and Training, review of some of the Codes of Best Practice and so many other matters. Some of us attended Urban Pest Management Industry Training Advisory Group (PMITAG) meetings (4 per calendar year).
We have worked with EPA NSW on Licencing, Pesticide Regulations review.
The implementation of Automatic Mutual recognition for Pest Management Licences coming in July 2022. The most important factor being AMR (Automatic Mutual Recognition) would make the qualification more portable and ensure technicians who move frequently across borders are not hindered by red tape.
It is good to see such as a cooperation between the authorities and AEPMA.
The dropping of Urban Pest Management Competency unit 6 for Fumigation by EPA NSW and more recently on the introduction of a Timber Pest Licence.
We have liaised with EPA NSW regarding several matters regarding Urban Pest Management licencing and processes which resulted in successful outcomes for our members.
Again, I encourage members to tell us of any issues they may be experiencing with Licencing.
There were the possible implications to the Urban Pest Management Industry of the proposed changes to the Agvet Chemicals Regulations - especially the possibility of national licensing of the industry.
Some people on your State Council such as Dr Chris Orton spent so much time dissecting the draft documents and submitting submissions on behalf of AEPMA.
A lot of meetings and correspondence are required between your State (and National) Delegates and the various Government Authorities to make things a reality. All the delegates, on behalf of their companies or businesses, do all this work for free (this is what AEPMA does for its members).
The trainee Logbook is available on the AEPMA website. Please use it!
A few of your Council delegates have contributed to the review of some of the Codes of Best Practice Pest Management in the Food Industry and the Code of Practice for Prior to Purchase Timber Pest Inspections.
We contributed to the AEPMA National Newsletter after each meeting or whenever something came up on pressing matters such as Licencing.
We responded to emails/ phone calls helping members or National office regarding various matters associated with our Industry in NSW.
I stress that it is so important to understand that government authorities will negotiate and listen more to a strong Association such as AEPMA rather than with individuals.
EPA NSW has been keen to work with us.
I would like to take this last opportunity as Chairman to thank Gary Stephenson (Gary Stephenson Pest Industry Consultants) for his outstanding work as our NSW ACT Delegate to the AEPMA National Board. As usual, I would like to give a big thank you to this AEPMA NSW ACT State Council members:
Kylee Enwright (CPR Pest Management and now Chairman). Kylee has adapted very well in her new role of Chairman and I thank her for the contributions she made, whether be setting up or attending online meetings for AEPMA NSW.
Dr Chris Orton (formally of UNSW) one of the most dedicated and supportive person I have met, to help the Urban Pest Management Industry.
Ed Covey (Termitus Pest Management now retired), Kevin Parsons (Globe Pest Solutions),
Greg Moon (All termites and Pests solutions/ Life Member), Shayne Reynolds (previously Pelican Pest Control, Rentokil and now retired), Geoff Bryce (Bryce Pest Control), Don Wilsons (Wilsons Pest Control), Colin Urey (Drop Dead Pest Control), Paul Enwright (CPR Pest Management), Shaun Coe (Flick - Anticimex), Andrew Knight (Ensystex).
While some of the delegates to the State Council were unable to attend many meetings it was good to be able to count on them for advice when needed.
I would also like to thank Mr John Murray (Flick- Anticimex/ AEPMA QLD Chairman) for attending important meetings where no NSW delegates were not available. It has been very productive to work together on several matters.
We, as a State Council have been very inclusive and encouraged members (and some non- members) to come in and contribute. It also encourages new people with fresh ideas to get involved and for non -members to become members.
Without you and your wisdom this Council achievements would not have been possible.
As usual, on behalf of the AEPMA NSW State Council and members, I also thank the team from AEPMA National Office and our National Board for another 24 months of great work.
Kind regards
Patrick Legey AEPMA NSW/ ACT State Council
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