26 October 2022

MEDIA RELEASE

ARC gears up to help flood victims

The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) is gearing up to help victims of Australia’s widespread floods with practical assistance both during and after the floods.

As the national licensing body for the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) industry, ARC is suspending its usual audits and field officer visits in flooded areas until life returns to normal.

It is also ready for the rebuilding that will follow, when it will help flood victims to avoid being caught out by people doing substandard reconstruction work.

ARC chief executive officer Glenn Evans said the first stage of the flood strategy was to suspend regular audits in areas where businesses were impacted by the floods.

“Many of Australia’s 125,000 licensed refrigeration technicians and businesses are suffering major disruption, and some have been completely shut down by the floods,” he said.

“The last thing they need right now is an audit visit from our field officers, or even a desk audit over the phone, so we are leaving them to attend to much more pressing things.

“We also know floods can have a terribly long lasting impact – there are licensed technicians in Lismore who have still not recovered from the floods back in February.”

Once the floodwaters subside, ARC will work with its licence holders to protect home owners from unscrupulous people who offer to help rebuild but lack the skills to do a proper job.

Mr Evans encouraged people to report any air conditioning or refrigeration work not being carried out by licensed technicians, so ARC could take action against the wrongdoers.

“Phone us on 1300 88 44 83 or go to https://www.arctick.org/information/lodge-a-complaint/ and tell us who is doing the work and what they’re doing, and we will take it from there,” he said.

“In addition, our www.lookforthetick.com.au website enables people to make a quick, easy online check to confirm the person they are dealing with is properly licensed.”

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Media Contact:       Greg Shoemark        0412 577 526           gshoemark@arctick.org