Don't miss SPASA Victoria's Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner on Saturday 29th July 2017 to be held at the iconic MCG!

SPASA Victoria Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner Invitation

The Gallery of all 2017 Awards of Excellence Entries are now available HERE.

We want your vote! Click on the stars to rate your favourite 2017 Award entry.

PLUS - Don't forget the complimentary tour of the National Sports Museum at the MCG is available prior to our Gala dinner, courtesy of Protector Aluminium!

Nowhere in the world can you find a museum that celebrates a nation's rich sporting history like the National Sports Museum at an unmatchable venue like the MCG. Across a multitude of sports - and celebrating Australian sporting glory - the museum features memorabilia from some of the country’s biggest heroes and highlights moments that have shaped the traditions of Australian sport.

The museum also boasts other displays of basketball, boxing, netball, soccer, cycling, tennis, golf, Paralympic Games, rugby union, and rugby league. Don't miss this opportunity to visit one of Australia's most popular tourist attractions for FREE, with compliments of Protector Aluminium. 

There is a limit on numbers so be quick - first in, best dressed!

Self-guided tours 5.30pm – 6.30pm
Enter via Gate 3 – Main Gate Entry (between Light Towers 1 & 2)

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We'll see you at the G!

Due to the Spa & Pool Show (12 & 13 August 2017) being close to full capacity, our attention shifts to the 2018 February Pool & Spa Expo… which is now open for bookings!​

The event will be held Friday 2 – Sunday 4 February 2018 at the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If exhibiting at the Spa & Pool Show was still on your radar, act quick as stands are close to capacity. The show dates are Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 August, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Fill your order books by exhibiting at these shows.

Please contact the IEC sales team today on 03 9596 9205 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Visit: www.spasashow.com.au

Act Today!  To secure your stand contact a member of our sales team on 03 9596 9205 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The new Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (OHS Regulations) and Equipment (Public Safety) Regulations 2017 (EPS Regulations) have commenced on Sunday 18 June 2017.

Worksafe resources are available to help you understand the regulations and what the changes mean for you, including summaries of the changes and comprehensive guides comparing the 2007 and 2017 Regulations. The guides provide specific details of any changes to duty holder requirements and you can find them here.

From Monday, you will be able to access the new OHS Regulations 2017 and EPS Regulations 2017 online via links on the WorkSafe website. Printed copies are available to purchase from SAI Global.

 With the new OHS Regulations 2017 coming into effect, the compliance codes that align with the regulations are now under review. In consultation with stakeholders, WorkSafe has updated the codes. Eight of the proposed codes were recently available for public comment, including:

• Hazardous Manual Handling
• Hazardous Substances
• Plant
• Confined Spaces
• Demolition
• Facilities in Construction
• Excavation
• Noise

Four additional proposed compliance codes relating to asbestos and the prevention of falls are expected to be made available for public comment in late 2017. Find out more about the Compliance Codes Review here.

For more information about the new OHS Regulations 2017 and EPS Regulations 2017, visit the WorkSafe Victoria website, contact the WorkSafe Victoria Advisory Service on 1800 136 089 or email ohsregsreform@worksafe.vic.gov.au.

We’re focusing on compliance with the construction regulations

To align with the release of the OHS Regulations 2017, WorkSafe inspectors will be visiting construction sites to ensure duty holders are aware of the new OHS Regulations and are complying with their obligations required by the Construction Regulations of the OHS Regulations.

Read about Worksafe Victoria's Construction Safety Focus HERE

Prosecutions: WorkSafe has updated its summaries of prosecution outcomes up to the 2 June 2017.

Read more

VBA spokesman Craig Little said Ms Digby discussed retirement plans with the board “as early as late last year” and her decision had nothing to do with a class action taken against the authority by a group of residents in Diamond Creek’s Rangeview Estate.

Mr Little said the class action had been dropped by the residents, however, Builders Collective Australia president Phil Dwyer has denied this, saying “it hasn’t been dropped and won’t be dropped as far as we’re concerned”.

Read this article in full HERE

Interested SPASA members may wish to review the materials being considered for a review of the US drain cover Standard, for a copy of the document click HERE.

The last official rewrite of this standard took place in 2007. Then, APSP worked with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which had been charged with implementing and enforcing the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. The main goal was to provide specific instructions for testing the products for compliance and certification. Once VGB went into effect, the standard-writing committee and CPSC added update bulletins in response to a massive drain-cover recall in 2011.

SPASA members wishing to make comment on this issue can email Des Berry: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This time around, the group did not seek extensive or substantial changes, but rather to expand and clarify, especially issues regarding how the products are applied in the field, such as how the drains should be plumbed, acceptable field modifications and expiration dates.

 “Those issues … are where we’ve had entrapments since VGB passed,” said Steve Barnes, head of the APSP Technical Committee

The writers especially sought to settle the issue of expiration dates. Manufacturers assign an active window for their products, after which they are meant to be replaced. Generally speaking, drains have a lifespan of 3 to 7 years. However, since the enactment of VGB in 2008, the question has arisen as to when that time period begins and what the expiration signifies

This draft says the life of a drain cover begins at installation, said Barnes, also director of science and compliance with San Diego-based AquaStar Pool Products. Once the cover expires, he said, the pool falls out of VGB compliance and is subject to closure. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

A brand new house at 2 Myvore Court, Toorak has soared $5 million past its reserve to sell for a whopping $19.1 million - notching up Melbourne’s biggest sale price of 2017.

This four-storey, five-bedroom home - constructed by SPASA Member Matt Ramke-Meyer of Australian Spas and Pools - on behalf of builder/developer Chris Holland, sold at a private auction in May this year. The Real Estate Institute of Victoria said this was the highest price recorded by a Melbourne house so far this year.

James Buyer Advocates director Mal James said the auction kicked off at $12.8 million and the house hit the market soon after at $13.8 million. Mr James said the $19.1 million sale price was “one hell of a confidence stamp for Melbourne property”.

He said the house was “a very, very good one” with “all the bells and whistles” that occupied an average sized house block for Melbourne of 790sq m.

Abercromby’s agent Tim Derham said the house would cost about $6 million to build these days, and its land holding would be worth $6.5 - $7 million. The house offers 930sqm of living sprawled across four storeys, and has never been occupied.

“It’s just beautifully built — the quality of finishes is first class,” he said. “The floorplan was very popular, it suited a lot of people. And the home is brand new.”

Its luxury features included “quite spectacular entertaining and living areas”, a rooftop terrace with CBD views, a gym, climate controlled wine cellar and six-car basement garage.

The house also boasts a lift, a THX-certified 18-seat cinema with a bar, an infinity pool, Jack Merlo-designed landscaping, a Carrara marble kitchen with a butler’s pantry, Wolf appliances and an integrated Liebherr fridge and freezer, a palatial main bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe, plus four further bedrooms each with ensuites.

Read the full article from RealEstate.com HERE

A family vacation almost ended in tragedy when Alex Morgan's 6-year-old daughter, Darcey, was swimming in the hotel pool and nearly drowned.

Now, Morgan is warning other parents of the unexpected way her daughter nearly died.

"Hoping this can save someones life", she wrote in a Facebook post.

"Darcey was swimming under water when her hair got sucked into the filter that operates a waterfall in the swimming pool," Morgan wrote. "Her hair was stuck and she was unable to get up to the surface. She was kept under the water for over 2 minutes."

Morgan said that some witnesses at the pool saved her daughter's life. Darcey's hair was pulled until it ripped and she was given CPR at the side of the pool. The little girl was taken to the hospital, where x-rays and other tests found that she had low oxygen levels and a lot of fluid in her right lung. Her parents were able to take Darcey out of the hospital the next morning, but are still haunted by what could have happened.

"This was the worst day of our lives," Morgan wrote. "We are still suffering to come to terms with it all now but also feel incredibly lucky to still have our beautiful, brave little girl."

 Read this article in full HERE

A new study that evidences the health and wellbeing benefits of swimming has been released today.

• Swimming is uniquely placed to support people throughout their entire life
• Swimming lowers the risk of early death by 28 per cent
• Swimming lessons help children to develop skills quicker
• Swimming and aquatic activity is a safe, cost-effective and viable option for healthcare professionals to signpost patients
• Call for more research on the impact of physical activity on mental health and long term conditions

The report shows that the unique benefits of water make it the perfect place for people of all ages to exercise, particularly those with long term health conditions.

The report also found evidence that swimmers live longer and regular swimming helps older people stay mentally and physically fit. Importantly, it also showed that participation in swimming lessons can help children to develop physical, cognitive and social skills quicker than those who do not have lessons.

The findings of the report will be used to raise awareness within the health profession that swimming is a safe, cost effective and viable option to signpost patients.

Read this article in full HERE

SPASA Victoria would like to remind members that registered building practitioners are now required to re-register every five years.

If your building practitioner registration expires in July or August 2017 you should be completing and lodging your application for renewal of registration as soon as possible.

The first renewals of building registration will be issued from 1 July 2017. Members need to understand that if they fail to renew their registration before their designated renewal date, their registration will automatically expire and they will no longer be registered.

We have learned from the VBA that a significant number of building practitioners whose registration is due for renewal in July 2017 have not yet applied to renew their registration.

If you are not certain when your registration expires, please contact the VBA immediately on
1300 815 127.

Any Members requiring assistance can contact Marita on 9501 2040.

Safety experts say the material blamed for London disaster is present in thousands of structures and could cost billions to replace.

A leading Australian fire safety engineer has compared the task of removing flammable aluminium cladding from high-rise buildings to ridding the country of asbestos, saying it could affect tens of thousands of buildings.

Stephen Kip, an adjunct professor at Victoria University, said aluminium composite cladding of the style implicated in the Grenfell Tower fire in west London was used in “thousands” of high-rise apartments and other buildings, despite only being approved for use in Australia for interior use or in low-rise buildings. The material was also blamed for the “near-miss” fire in the Lacrosse building in Melbourne’s Docklands in 2014.

Read this article in full HERE

Introduction
Safety and Wellbeing (often also known as Occupational Health and Safety) relies on a combination of a strong policy framework and a commitment by business owners and leaders to people and safety for a successful and a safe work environment. Every work environment, regardless of industry, has risks that need to be assessed and managed. Having an emphasis on culture change and supporting that with easily accessed and uncomplicated processes and systems will assist in controlling business risk and lead to improved employee effectiveness, engagement and most importantly, their safety and wellbeing.

What are the dangers of not managing safety and wellbeing effectively?
Safety within Australia is managed around a high requirement for compliance underpinned by extensive laws and regulations. Every workplace is subject to the legal requirements of the state relevant occupational health and safety legislation and the regulations and processes that support the enforcement of the relevant laws.

Various state and federal authorities oversee the effectiveness of these laws and regulations and where safety and wellbeing programs are not properly managed or even non-existent, prosecution is highly likely. The various Courts have shown they are quite prepared to deal with non-compliance with heavy fines and even jail terms for business operators, owners and managers. In addition to this, the process of prosecution is conducted in public and business reputation can often be damaged when prosecutions take place.

Read this article in full from Enterprise Care

You work hard in your business, spending hours a week on the tools, yet somehow you just don't seem to be getting ahead financially. Does this sound like you? Unfortunately, the reality as a business owner is that over the lifetime of a business, 40% of businesses consistently lose money, 30% just breakeven and only about 30% make marginal profits.

The main reason that most small businesses close their door is lack of financial sustainability. Ensure that you are not making the mistakes below and if you are, puts some steps in place to fix them as soon as possible.

Mistake #1 - Not Charging Enough

It is unwise to charge too much, however it is equally unwise to charge too little. There are two aspects to this mistake. Firstly, knowing what you should be charging to ensure that you are making a profit on every job, and secondly, charging what you are really worth. Plenty of businesses that we start working with are undercharging their services simply because they are not aware of the actual running costs of their business and what is required to cover these costs and also make a profit.

Mistake #2 - Not Measuring Gross Profit

Gross profit is the amount that you keep after each job. That is, after you have paid for all the expenses associated with doing that job. This includes materials, cost of direct labour, waste removal, freight, etc... This is your REAL income. Your gross profit is what you now have to pay your running expenses and overheads, and make a net profit. If you don't know your gross profit margin, how do you expect to improve it?

Mistake #3 - No Cash Reserves

It is not a matter of if, it's a matter of when you will need some cash reserves to get through either a slump in sales or perhaps a climatic situation such as wet weather, when work cannot be completed and you still have to maintain the business overheads. Gradually building up some cash reserves overtime from today onwards will ensure you have a buffer for such situations. Start off by getting at least 1-2 weeks worth of operating expenses built up in cash reserves. Gradually build this to 2-3 months worth.

Mistake #4 - Not Knowing Your Break-even Point

It costs you a certain amount of money to run your business each and every day. Over a month of paying rent, vehicle leases, phone, electricity, fixed salaries, insurance, etc., it soon adds up. You are required to complete a certain amount of work every month just to cover these costs. Do you know accurately what that amount is?

Mistake #5 - Don't Pay Yourself a Salary

To run your business as a proper enterprise, it is important that you pay yourself, as an owner, a salary just like every other employee. Ensuring that you make this a habit allows you to run your business with a proper business model versus simply just paying yourself drawings when you have the cash available. If you cannot pay yourself a consistent salary, you have something missing in your business model and this needs to be fixed.

Mistake #6 - No Reporting or Review

As a minimum you should be reviewing a profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow forecast for your business every month. These three reports give you an overview and bigger picture of the results your business has produced and the future of your company. If you don't have the reports, you have nothing to review. This will be like a coach of a football team not evaluating the statistics of how his team performed after a match so that they can adjust the game plan.

Mistake #7 - Lousy Bookkeeping

The source of many financial challenges in a business come from the fact that the bookkeeping is either inaccurate or not up to date, or both. Ensuring that your bookkeeping is kept current and accurate allows you to make decisions for your business based on the financial results that it is producing. Plenty of businesses that have had to close their doors, could have been fixed if their bookkeeping was accurate early on, and the challenges identified as soon as possible.

Mistake #8 - No Allowance for Overhead Costs When Charging Out

When you charge out your labour do you include the overhead cost of actually managing that one hour of labour? Plenty of trade businesses undercharge, thinking that all they need to do is cover the cost of the hourly rate of the person they are paying, plus a margin on top. This does not take into account the actual cost of managing this person in the business which can be surprisingly high.

Mistake #9 - No Cash Flow Forecast

How do you know if you are winning in your business? For many trade business owners if they have money in the bank then they are happy. Yet this does not tell them what the forecast income is going to be. Plan out as many weeks or months in advance as you can based on your predicted work intake as to what your bank account balance will be on a weekly basis. This allows you to deal with challenges proactively, rather than last minute.

If you have identified that you are making any of the mistakes above, select one at a time and go to work to fix it. If you would like some guidance please touch base with the team at PROTRADE United to help create a game plan to get you financially well organised and profitable for the future.

Written by Jon Mailer
CEO – PROTRADE United
1300 767 774
www.protradeunited.com.au 

More than one in five plumbing installations in Victoria which were audited in April failed compliance with required standards, according to the building industry regulator in that state.

Unveiling the outcome of its audit work associated with 1,032 Compliance Certificates conducted throughout the month of April in the latest edition of its e-newsletter, the Victorian Building Authority said that 212 or 20.54 percent of the works fell short of required standards.

According to the regulator, the most common problems occurred in three areas: inadequate clearances for domestic gas cooking devices, excessive heating of hot water in showers and bathroom taps and inadequate overflow provision to eaves gutters.

In respect of the first point, the VBA found a number of problems associated with installations not allowing for minimum clearance between the highest part of the highest burner associated with a gas cooking appliance and overhead combustible surfaces, rangehoods or exhaust fans.

Read this article in full HERE

New research on the benefits of water exercise and immersion is beginning to emerge for specific chronic medical conditions. As researchers hone in on evidence supporting the benefits of aquatic therapy for these special populations, more people may seek relief from debilitating symptoms by going into the pool.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. The disease causes severe damage to the white matter of the brain and spinal cord neurons, which leads to muscle weakness, chronic pain, loss of mobility, fatigue and cognitive decline.

Since there is no cure for MS, treatments focus on reducing symptoms and improving quality of life. Aquatic therapy allows MS patients to participate in physical exercise in ways they may not be able to on land.

Read this article in full HERE

Melbourne-based pool heating company requires the services of a highly motivated sales representative to grow and develop its customer base in Melbourne and regional areas.

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills/experience:

• Proven direct sales
• Excellent communication/negotiation skills on all levels
• Develop new business relationships and maintain existing client base
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritise
• Ability to work as a team member
• A knowledge of the pool industry would be an advantage
• Be prepared to travel throughout Victoria when required

To apply, please forward your resume to Mark Lewis This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Established in 2000 as a landscaping construction company, C.O.S. Design has since evolved into a full design and contract administration business with an eclectic and well rounded team to delivering cutting edge, bespoke designs with documentation of the highest level.

Since C.O.S. Design began the team’s projects, and their associated trades, have accumulated more than 70 State and National awards making C.O.S. Design one of the most awarded landscape design companies in Australia.

C.O.S. Design process includes: site consultations, Schematic Design (Concept Plans), Design Development, Working Drawings through to Ongoing Project Consultancy.

Working with our clients, we develop personal spaces that are generally contemporary in design. Our unique pool designs turn a standard pool into a piece of garden architectural art. With over 20 years of industry experience in construction and design, Steve creates spaces and structures that due to his building knowledge, ensures C.O.S. Design's detailed documentation is second to none. Combining this knowledge along with the creative flair, has seen the demand for his work spread to all states and occasionally internationally.

 www.cosdesign.com.au

The SPASA Victoria Board warmly welcomes the following recent members to the Association:

PROTRADE United (QLD) Pty Ltd - Jason Loft & Jon Mailer
Membership Category: Associate
Website: protradeunited.com.au

Established 10+ years ago, PROTRADE United are business planners and strategists who assist in the development of small businesses, specifically tailored for the trades industry.

Indigo Pools - Claudio Avila
Membership Category: Upgrade from Restricted to Pool Builder 
Website: indigopools.com.au

Family owned and operated concrete pool building business based in Mornington with nearly 40 years in the pool & spa industry.

Franklin Landscape & Design - David Franklin
Membership Category: Upgrade from Restricted to Pool Builder
Website: franklinld.com

Award winning landscaping and design business - moved into concrete pool building in 2010.

Provisional Members Moving to Full Membership:

Diamond Valley Mobile Crane Hire - Paul Roche       

Gardens at Night - Asher Newton

Pave World Bricks & Pavers - Wade Ward                                       

Reece Irrigation - Phil Fitzgibbon

The Acoustic Box - Luke Humphreys

Deb Murray Spa & Pool Service - Deb Murray

ABGAL Liners & Covers - Garry Long

Member Benefits - Available to all Members in 2017

• AB Phillips - SPASA’s Risk Management, Insurance & Financial Services Provider
• Jeremy Johnson & Associates - Free Expert Legal Advice
• Expert OHS Advice - Jim Pashalidis, Australian OHS
• Career Dressing – Preferred Workwear & Corporate Clothing Supplier
• HR Central – Your People Management Professionals
• Online White Card Training with Aveling
• Houzz and SPASA – Free Profile-Building Website

See the full details of your Member Benefits here

Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner – Saturday 29 July

Board Meeting – Wednesday 12 July

SPASA Industry Learning - Strategic Financial Planning for Your Business - Wednesday 2 August

SPASA 2018 Advertising Offer Launch – Monday 7 August

SPASA Industry Training - Pool Construction Essentials - Tuesday 8 August

Board Meeting – Wednesday 9 August

SPASA Industry Training - Contract Training – Wednesday 9 August

SPASA Industry Training - Hydraulics - Thursday 10 & Friday 11 August

Spa & Pool Show at MCEC (Winter Show) – Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 August

SPASA Industry Learning - OH&S Materials Made Easy - Thursday 7 September

Board Meeting – Wednesday 13 September

SPASA Board Nominations – Wednesday 13 September - Friday 29 September

SPASA Industry Training - Basic Chemistry - Monday 18 September

SPASA Industry Training - Advanced Chemistry - Wednesday 20 & Thursday 21 September

SPASA Board Ballot – Friday 6 October - Friday 3 November

Board Meeting – Wednesday 11 October

SPASA 2018 Advertising Offer Close – Friday 27 October

2017 AGM – Wednesday 8 November

Board Meeting – Wednesday 8 November

SPASA Board Nominations - Monday 13th November

Board Meeting – Wednesday 13 December

2018

Pool & Spa Show at MCEC (Summer Show) – Friday 2 - Sunday 4 February

Spa & Pool Show at MCEC (Winter Show) – Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 August