Congratulations to all of our Members that exhibited at the Winter Show this year.
With the quality of leads proving better than ever before, sales were high and Member satisfaction was terrific.
The Association would like to encourage all SPASA Victoria Members to exhibit at our bi-annual Shows. Great Expos lead to better sales and more happy customers - bringing greater integrity to our industry.
Here's why you should exhibit at our Expos:
"The SPASA Winter Show was a fantastic opportunity to create brand awareness and to obtain qualified leads." Jaclyn Anderson from Endless Spa
"We will certainly get sales directly from [this Show] and more again in the future. I think we will have more success from this Winter show compared to the Summer show this year!" Jon Martin from Martin Poolcare
"The 2017 Winter Pool and Spa Show demonstrated a high level of genuine buyers and good quality leads to follow up." Danielle Neilson from Spa-Rite
We encourage all Members to get in quick and reserve your space at the Summer Expo, being held Friday 2 - Sunday 4 February 2018. We've got another stunning Feature Garden to present, the Outdoor Design Junction is back and a bigger Expert Seminar Series will feature. Members wishing to exhibit should email Conrad: conrad@iecgroup.com.au or 9596 9205.
From 1 August 2017, domestic builders are only required to be registered as a building practitioner if the cost of the domestic building work is $10 000 or more.
Prior to 1 August 2017, domestic builders and draftpersons were exempt from registration requirements for work costing less than $5,000.
The changes to registration requirements are set out in the Building Amendment Regulations 2017, which amends section 1810 and 1813 of the Building Interim Regulations 2017.
These changes do not apply to a builder who is engaged in the re-blocking, restumping, demolition or removal of a home, or any work that requires a building permit, where a registered builder is required to carry-out the work, regardless of cost.
Visit the VBA website to find out more about registration and the latest changes to building regulations.
New changes have been introduced that will help ensure that domestic building work undertaken for owner-builder projects is carried out only by appropriately registered and authorised building practitioners.
Changes for building practitioners
If you are a registered building practitioner, you will have to obtain a certificate of consent to be an owner-builder if you intend to undertake building work on your own land that is outside the scope of work authorised for your category or class of registration.
For more information on these changes, see the VBA fact sheet Building practitioners and owner-builder projects.
Further changes to the Building Act will be introduced in 2017. Practitioners can stay up-to-date by visiting the Changes to the Building Act section of the VBA website.
Entering into a major domestic building contract with a registered builder
As of 1 July 2017, an owner-builder must not enter into a major domestic building contract with another person to perform aspects of their building work for their owner-builder project unless
A major domestic building contract is required for domestic building work costing more than $10,000. The threshold amount for a major domestic building contract increased from $5,000 to $10,000 on 1 August 2017.
With the recent Grenfell tragedy and the 2014 Lacrosse fire in Docklands, considerable attention has turned to the issue of ensuring that products used in building projects meet the requirements of the National Construction Code.
For a range of parties, the growing incidents of products which are either non-compliant with standards required in the Building Code (i.e. faulty or not meeting performance standards) or non-conforming (i.e. products which are not fit for the purpose for which they ae are used) has resulted in considerable uncertainty – especially when it comes to the uptake of new and innovative products.
SPASA Builders should be aware that ESV has issued a safety alert to request that hire and rental organisations apply due diligence processes to ensure hirers are made aware of their electrical safety obligations when working near powerlines.
ESV has issued a safety alert to request hire and rental organisations apply due diligence processes to ensure hirers are made aware of their electrical safety obligations when working near powerlines.
On the morning of Friday 21 July 2017, an un-insulated Boom lift with a capacity greater than 11 metres made contact with and caused a live Low Voltage (LV) cable to fall to the ground. Damage was also sustained to the boom lift.
Initial investigations identified that:
ESV reminds hire and rental organisations to check that hirers have been provided appropriate information to allow them to plan and undertake the work safely.
As of 2 April 2017 a significant development occurred in the building dispute resolution space in Victoria.
An independent government agency was created which will assist with resolution of disputes between owners and builders in regard to domestic building disputes. In some cases, other people such as architects and sub-contractors can avail themselves of the free service.
Broadly speaking, the dispute can be about defective or incomplete work, building construction delays, issues concerning payment, and issues concerning the domestic building contract.
SPASA Victoria enjoys member representation from across a wide range of sectors within industry.
The SPASA Board is very keen to encourage participation from individuals who are willing to donate time to see our industry continue to prosper - we're currently putting all-time-record numbers of pools in the ground.
Here are a few good reasons why you should consider nominating for the SPASA Board.
If you want to make a difference to any or all of these issues, as well as contributing to the industry generally, then please nominate for the SPASA Board. Nomination Forms will be mailed shortly.
Cliff Cooke - Cooke Industries
Lindsay Hartshorne - Lincoln Pool Equipment
Justine Carlile - Justine Carlile Landscape Design
Gary Kilworth - OFTB
Rob Kruber - Spa industries
Ted Martin - Compass Pools Melbourne
Tim Neish - Kew Swimming Pools
Brendan Nelissen - Waterco Limited
Grant Symes - Protector Aluminium
Three local swimming pools will offer free lessons for children under five to learn vital water safety skills.
From September 23 to October 2 - which is national Learn2Swim Week - parents can enrol their children at Keilor East Leisure Centre, Ascot Vale Leisure Centre, and Windy Hill Fitness Centre in Essendon to take lessons free of charge.
Greg Peacock from Poolwerx urged parents to sign their kids up, “Drowning is still the leading cause of preventable deaths in children under five in Australia,” Mr Peacock said. “We hope that by having (swim) schools supporting the cause, we can get more kids in the water learning life-saving skills.”
Learn2Swim Week ambassador, Laurie Lawrence, said it was never too early to start teaching children water safety skills. “At four to six months, infants are ready to start formal swimming lessons,” Mr Lawrence said. “We want to see the day when we’re able to report that child deaths due to drowning have reached the magic number of zero, and if offering free lessons is what it takes, then that’s what we’ll do.”
Details: learn2swimweek.com
Much has been said about the cladding used at Grenfell Tower not complying with the standards in the United Kingdom.
This is for the appropriate British authorities to determine. However, there is an important distinction to be made between using a non-conforming product and using a product in a manner that does not comply with the requirements of the relevant codes and standards.
Relevant Terminology
In understanding this distinction in an Australian context, the following terminology is relevant:
To illustrate these interpretations, here’s an example:
Swimming isn't just a fun way to cool off during the Summer. It is one of the few sports or activities that doesn't cost a lot of money or require any equipment. It holds no age or ability barrier.
Read this article to discover 25 compelling reasons to make swimming a part of your life
Here are just some of those reasons:
|
|
It can be amazing how much difference a single word can make.
Case in point: Arizona's Title 44 is a law intended to increase pump efficiency in pools and spas by mandating two-speed or variable speed replacement pumps. But the fine print of the law says it applies only to "new products sold, offered for sale or installed in this state." It can be amazing how much difference a single word can make.
When enterprising Arizona pump technicians saw that wording, they realized homeowners could save many hundreds of dollars by avoiding the purchase of an expensive new pump. And thus, practically overnight, a burgeoning pump reconditioning market was born.
According to Perry Lusk, president of Perry's Pool Pumps in Phoenix, "If Title 44 read 'all' products sold instead of 'new' products, it would be a completely different story. A significant part of our business might be very different."
With just a few weeks left of the current session, California is seeing increased motion on three bills meant to lay out how the state will meet Governor Jerry Brown's mandate for across-the-board water reductions of 20% by the year 2020.
Senate Bill 606, along with Assembly Bills 1654 and 1668 are in various stages at this point. The Senate Bill and Assembly Bill 1668 have extensive language involving water savings in all sectors. However, the remaining piece of legislation only states, "It is the intent of the legislature to enact legislation necessary to help make water conservation a California way of life."
Melbourne based pool heating company Supreme Heating requires the services of a competent, experienced and suitably qualified person to fill the position of Solar Pool Heating Technician & Installer.
The successful applicant will join this vibrant and busy National pool heating company located in Bundoora, Victoria.
We are looking for an enthusiastic technician for our business in the pool industry. The position involves the installation and service of solar pool heating systems, pool covers, pool and spa heaters and auxiliary pool equipment. The candidate will ideally have experience in the plumbing industry.
The candidate will report to the Construction Manager and will be responsible for duties including:
The job will be full time with hours to be worked between 7am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Extended hours and Saturday's will be required during the summer period.
Successful applicants must:
Only candidates with a strong commitment to personal growth within the company will be short listed. Experience in the pool industry is advantageous but not essential. Full industry training will be provided.
ONLY PEOPLE WITH A STRONG WILLINGNESS TO LEARN AND PROGRESS NEED APPLY.
If you are interested in this position, please email your resume and cover letter to james@supremeheating.com.au
Construction across Australia has expanded at its fastest ever pace and is now at its highest level since the Ai Group began releasing the Performance of Construction Index (PCI) in September 2005.
According to the Ai Group and the Housing Industry Association, the PCI rose 4.5 points in July to 60.5, the fastest acceleration on record since the index was first taken amid the mining and construction boom in 2005
PCI readings above 50 indicate an expansion in activity, with higher numbers indicating a faster rate of expansion.
OH&S Materials Made Easy - Thursday 7 September 2pm to 5pmDownload the SPASA Industry Training Program with Booking Form HERE
We warmly welcome the following new members to SPASA Victoria:
Trading Name: Melbourne Plunge Pools
Company Name: Melbourne Plunge Pools Pty Ltd
Principals or Directors: Jason Daniltchenko
Membership Category: Pool Builder
melbourneplungepools.com.au
Trading Name: GNS Ceramics
Company Name: GNS Ceramics Pty Ltd
Principals or Directors: Michael Stokes, Peter Stokes, Jonathan Stokes & Richard Murphy
Membership Category: Associate
www.gnsceramics.com.au
Trading Name: Sunrooms Plus
Company Name: Libart Australia
Principals or Directors: John Haigh
Membership Category: Associate
libart.com.au
Trading Name: Icon Pools
Principals or Directors: Joshua Considine
Membership Category: Upgrading from Restricted to Pool Builder
www.iconpools.com.au
Trading Name: Evolution Pools Bendigo
Nominated Contact: Kurt Ross and Nicholas O’Keefe
Membership Category: Upgrading from Restricted to Pool Builder
www.evolutionpools.com.au
Trading Name: August Projects
Company Name: Maxabuild Pty Ltd
Principals or Directors: Xavier Broman
Membership Category: Restricted
http://www.augustprojects.com.au/
Brett Fitzmaurice from Pool Safe Inspections Victoria
I started Pool Safe Inspections Victoria three years ago after having major concerns with the pool barrier systems I was seeing and their continual maintenance failures.
I have an Advanced Diploma in Building Surveying and I have been working as a Building Inspector for eleven years. I work at the Melbourne City Council and also more recently at Banyule City Council.
We are a team of three at Pool Safe and are hoping for growth, with the goal of getting all of Victoria's pool barriers safe!
Our business works mostly with Property Managers and Foster Care Homes. We believe we are currently the number one pool barrier auditing company in Victoria.
As a Registered Building Inspector, I believe I stand out above the rest in providing a total knowledge base advice. I am 38 years old, married and have three children.
Do you want to be profiled in an upcoming "Off the Deep End" article ? just let Kathryn know at : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Member Benefits - Available to all Victorian Members in 2017
See the full details of your Member Benefits here
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
Pool & Spa Show at MCEC (Summer Show) – Friday 2 - Sunday 4 February
Spa & Pool Show at MCEC (Winter Show) – Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 August
