All members are invited to attend the 2017 SPASA AGM to be held at the association offices on Wednesday 8th November at 6pm.

This will be the last major association event for the year and will include a presentation of the 2017 Annual Report and an introduction of the 2017/18 Board.

We have a jam-packed schedule, aimed at providing you with essential industry news and updates that you don't want to miss!

Agenda

This year for the first time our AGM will be live on Facebook! Simply visit the SPASA Victoria Facebook page to watch the live video.

Come along. Network. Catch up with industry colleagues. Hear about the latest pool and spa industry developments. Just make sure you're there!

Didn’t pay for SPASA Advertising???  Don’t let this be you!

Starting at $1,350 (incl GST) this exclusive Member Advertising offer is a one-stop all-inclusive package of digital, print and website advertising for a full year. 

Whether you're growing your business - or protecting the reputation you've worked so hard to build - SPASA advertising is for you!

Sit back, relax and let SPASA find your customers for you.

Contact Marita on 9501 2040 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.In response to Member requests, SPASA have commissioned a Preliminary Works Agreement. We would appreciate your input. 

Draft Preliminary Works Agreement

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Have you downloaded the new version of the Consumer Affairs Domestic Building Consumer Guide which came into effect on 1 August 2017, yet?  A copy of this CAV Guide needs to be provided to consumers prior to the signing of a domestic building contract.  

Get your copy HERE

The Association has invested heavily in legal advice, re-printing large volumes of up to date contracts and further refined the investment in our on-line contract system.  

Here's a link to the latest advice on legally compliant process

The latest batch of hard-copy SPASA Swimming Pool Construction Contracts have just landed. Effective 1 December 2017 the price per contract will be:

• Hard copy - $38.50
• Digital - $34.50
• Unbranded - $50.00

Order now! Please email Marita if you have any general queries regarding the SPASA contracts.

Don't forget your SPASA Member Benefit of One Hour's Free Legal Advice from Jeremy Johnson, SPASA's specialist construction lawyer.  Call Jeremy on 0418 132 917.

Reading through reviews of home builders at productreview.com gives some dreadful insights into the kinds of defects buyers are experiencing in brand new homes.

It’s not just the small builders. Some of the country’s biggest residential volume builders are also getting ratings of 'terrible' with detailed descriptions of shonky workmanship and difficulties consumers have faced in trying to have faults rectified.

So how do we fix the system and ensure buyers are getting what they pay for?

According to Stephen Albin, managing director Oceania of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, the first step is to have national harmonisation of standards and regulations.

Read this article in full HERE

The Fair Work Ombudsman has produced a Fair Work Handbook for employers and managers, and is about workplace rights and responsibilities under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act):

Fair Work Handbook

You can use this handbook as a standalone resource, or you can add it to an existing workplace or operations handbook. As an employer or manager, you’re responsible for giving your employees their correct entitlements. It’s important you’re aware of the Fair Work Act and understand your rights and obligations

Click HERE for more information

The Handbook of First Aid Instructions, Safety Directions, Warning Statements and General Safety Precautions for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (FAISD Handbook) has been updated:

FAISD HandbookFAISD Handbook

This is Edition 3 / 2017 of the Handbook of First Aid Instructions, Safety Directions, Warning Statements and General Safety Precautions for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals, or as it is more generally known, the FAISD Handbook. The FAISD Handbook is updated quarterly (March/June/September/December) and is published on the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) website where it is available free of charge.

The FAISD Handbook is a consolidation of the advice provided to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) up to the date of amendment. The data on which these recommendations are based has been supplied largely by companies and persons seeking approval and registration of products from the APVMA. The recommendations are intended to provide guidance to these parties in the approval of labels for agricultural and veterinary chemical products.

You can view full details of amendments made to the FAISD Handbook from September 2017 on the website.

The opposition has pledged to bring in penalties and licensing on top of earlier commitment to ban flammable cladding.

Labor will create a national licensing scheme for builders and installers, and a new penalties regime for people who breach the national construction code, as part of efforts to boost fire safety standards in buildings.Labor will create a national licensing scheme for builders and installers, and a new penalties regime for people who breach the national construction code, as part of efforts to boost fire safety standards in buildings.

The new measures add to a previous commitment by Labor to ban the importation, future sale and use of highly flammable cladding – polyethylene core aluminium composite panels.

The Labor leader, Bill Shorten, said the current regulatory and enforcement regime was “broken”, and national action was needed to improve compliance with the building code, including toughening up penalties.

Read this article in full HERE

Would you like a professional sports journalist or well known commentator to MC our Gala night? What about a sporting hero or legend of the game?

We received great feedback on Rusty Berther after this year's Gala night and through our survey we received suggestions of other highly recommended MC's such as Brian Nankervis, Paul McDermott, Peter Berner and Steven Bradbury.

Sound exciting? Let us know your suggestions!

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

When retreating to a tropical island to escape your day-to-day routine and miserably average weather, packing in as much time by the pool can understandably become your no. 1 priority.

Thankfully, you'll soon be able to squeeze in a few more precious moments of vacation when you visit the Dominican Republic, now that the country's largest airport is building a brand new lounge with an outdoor pool that's basically on the tarmac.

This new amenity, which is part of a new VIP lounge area currently under construction at Punta Cana International Airport, will allow special guests to make a pit-stop for one last dip in the water before boarding. Besides a refreshing swim, visitors will also get to watch take-offs, landings, and taxiing jets on the tarmac, which sits just beyond the pool's infinity edge.

Sure, whiffs of diesel fumes and insanely loud engine noises may not seem like your idea of relaxation, but compared to huddling around a crowded gate trying to charge your phone, it sounds like heaven.

Read this article in full HERE

It's up to you to check before you build. Always ensure your building complies with regulations.

You must maintain required clearances between buildings and overhead powerlines at all times. Buildings that don't comply are a serious safety hazard and are in breach of the law.

Failure to consider overhead powerlines during the planning and construction stages can have expensive consequences and cause delays. It's your responsibility to ensure your building complies with Regulations well before construction commences.

This information has been developed to assist property owners, surveyors, planners, architects, builders and councils to consider clearance to overhead powerlines when designing and planning buildings, signs and other structures.

Read Energy Safe Victoria's pdf HERE

The ACCC welcomes two important legislative amendments to Australian competition law that have passed Parliament, following recommendations from the 2015 Harper Competition Policy Review.

The Competition and Consumer Amendment (Competition Policy Review) Bill passed Parliament today, following the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Misuse of Market Power) Bill 2017 (Cth) which was passed on 23 August 2017.

The Competition Policy Review legislation contains a broad range of amendments to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 in areas such as cartels, price signalling and concerted practices, exclusionary provisions, third line forcing, resale price maintenance, merger authorisations and non-merger authorisations, notifications and class exemptions, access and evidentiary provisions.

Read this article in full HERE

Ceramic Solutions commenced in 1994, supplying best-in-class German manufactured ceramic tiles for commercial and industrial projects. 

With a focus on sport and leisure applications, Ceramic Solutions soon became a preferred tile supplier for Olympic compliant swimming pools, resort leisure pools, hydrotherapy pools and concourses.   

In more recent years, Ceramic Solutions introduced a stock-holding of domestic pool mosaics.  These 48x48mm mosaics coupled with the company’s existing range of European mini mosaics, slip resistant finishes and tiling accessories provides unlimited design possibilities, whether it be a vanishing edge pool, spa spillway, beach entry or complex water feature.  

Located in Notting Hill, Melbourne, the team at Ceramic Solutions will assist clients throughout the design and development process to help homeowners, pool builders and landscapers achieve that “something different, yet timeless look”.  

Founder and Managing Director of Ceramic Solutions, Oliver Huss, is well renowned for his experience and passion in relation to successful tiling systems and has twice been the recipient of the Master Builders Association for Excellence in Tiling.

www.ceramicsolutionspools.com.au

Rainwise Pools Melbourne is looking for someone highly motivated to join Australia's #1 Pool Shop! 

We are looking for someone with a positive attitude & experience within the pool & spa industry to join our team as a full-time service technician.

Rainwise is a family-owned award winning fibreglass pool builder with a point of difference, offering full water solutions from pools, tanks, pumps & filtration designs out of our stunning interactive pool shop in Coburg North, which was just awarded Australia’s #1 pool shop for the 2nd time. 

Roles will include filtration designs, sales & installations, onsite trouble shooting & repairs, regular pool servicing & much more.

We are looking for someone to help manage & grow our on-site service side of the business.  

The successful candidate will receive:

• Above Award wages
  
• Superannuation
• Fully paid for work vehicle
• Phone allowance
  
• The opportunity to earn generous commissions!!!

To apply please send your resume to jason@rainwise.com.au  

1125 Sydney Road, Coburg North Vic 3058 

www.rainwisepoolsmelbourne.com.au

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

SPASA Victoria AGM – Wednesday 8 November

Board Meeting – Wednesday 8 November

Board Meeting – Wednesday 13 December

2018

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

Members Golf Day - Southern Golf Club Keysborough - Friday 20 April

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