Come along to catch up with colleagues. Get a copy of our 2018 Annual Report. Hear about the latest pool and spa industry developments. Meet our new CEO!

​Please download the FY/18 Annual Report HERE

Members wishing to ask questions related to the financials are requested to forward them in advance to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• SPASA Victoria President Cliff Cooke will introduce the new 2018/19 Board & Executive and 2018 SPASA Victoria Annual Report
• SPASA Victoria's new CEO Chris Samartzis will present SPASA Victoria's 2018 audited financials
• Jackie Prossor from Foresite Planning and Bushfire Consultants will speak on planning and permit issues around the Mornington Peninsula area
• Greg Johnson from Ascend Business Partners will be speaking on 'Ownership Thinking for your Business'

Once again our AGM will be live on Facebook! Simply visit the SPASA Victoria Facebook page to watch the live video.

Light refreshments from 5.30pm AGM commences 6pm sharp. We look forward to seeing you all there!

When: Wednesday 14 November 2018 @ 5.30pm
Where: SPASA Offices, Building 10, 270 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill
 
To allow for catering, please RSVP to suzy@spasavic.com.au ASAP

Last month, our new CEO Chris Samartzis - along with two SPASA Victoria board directors - met with the CEO of the VBA to discuss the pool and spa industry and in particular to gain an understanding of timelines around mandatory barrier inspection (MBI) legislation in Victoria.

Both Chris and the board directors were pleased to witness the collababorative spirit demonstrated by the VBA, who showed obvious respect and genuine gratitude for the input from the SPASA Victoria representatives.

As you may be aware, the MBI framework will be delivered in a structured step process, once the regulatory impact statement (RIS) is developed over the coming year.

Working closely with the VBA ensures that SPASA Victoria members are always kept up-to-date and informed on regulations that are essential elements to the building industry in Victoria.

SPASA Victoria is committed to strong government and stakeholder relationships. Maintaining a focus on local state regulatory developments is a very high priority.

Members will be kept informed of our meetings with the VBA and we will continue to highlight issues of concern and help to shape frameworks that impact our industry through a shared, collaborative approach.

The Domestic Building Dispute Resolution of Victoria (DBDRV) is now well and truly up and running.

SPASA Victoria CEO Chris Samartzis and two directors of SPASA Victoria met with representatives of the DBDRV in late October to hear about issues that have been reported to the DBDRV.

Some key points to come out of the discussions are listed below:

• 90% of disuptes are lodged by home owners
• 10% of disputes are loged by builders (up from 4%)
• There is no limit to the number of directives that can be issued by the DBDRV
• DBDRV can refer issues to Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV)
• DBDRV will inform SPASA Victoria Members on recurrent themes within the pool & spa industry in a timely manner
• Cases involving building work more than 10 years old are not considered 

Established in 2017, the DBDRV is an independent government agency designed to help resolve domestic building disputes. For more information see the DBDRV Guide HERE or the DBDRV's 2017 Presentation Slides HERE

In Victoria, the construction and installation of swimming pools, spas and safety barriers and barrier maintenance are subject to the requirements of the Building Regulations 2018.

The VBA have provided help to practitioners and consumers to meet the regulatory requirements for the installation of swimming pools and spas and their safety barriers, as well as help swimming pool and spa owners ensure their safety barriers are well maintained and meet the relevant requirements.

Swimming pool and spa owners have a legal obligation to ensure that they maintain the effective operation of their swimming pool and spa safety barriers. Gates and doors must remain closed except when entering the pool or spa.

As announced by the Victorian government, legislation was recently passed to make the registration of swimming pools and spas mandatory and introduce a new compliance regime to improve swimming pool and spa safety.

This will come into effect on 1 December 2019.

In the interim, to help reduce the risks of drowning incidents, the VBA has developed three self-assessment checklists to help swimming pool and spa owners check the safety of the barriers:

• Checklist 1 - for pools and spas installed before 8 April 1991
• Checklist 2 - for pools and spas installed between 8 April 1991 and 30 April 2010
• Checklist 3 - for pools and spas installed from 1 May 2010 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.SPASA Victoria membership renewal invoices will be e-mailed to all members on the 1st of December.

Please re-confirm your business details and pay your Membership invoice by the due date.

Just a reminder that all members are required to be fully financial in order to exhibit at our Expos.

If you have any questions, please contact our Membership Services Officer, Heather Webb, on 0404 377 069 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SPASA WA has issued a warning in relation to the presence of asbestos in older pools and spas, saying maintenance, repair or renovation work may introduce a hazard that is not commonly recognised.

Marblesheen (Marblelite) finishes have been identified as potentially containing asbestos. Marblesheen is a decorative coating applied to pool shells and is primarily composed of white cement and white marble chips.

Read this article in full HERE

Victoria recorded its highest-ever number of building permits and highest-ever value of building work in a year during the 12 months to 30 June 2018.

Victorian Building Authority (VBA) data shows that a record 114,803 building permits, for building work valued at $38.4 billion, were reported across the state in the 2017-18 financial year.

At $38.4 billion, the value of building work during the 12 months was 17.3 per cent higher than the $32.8 billion recorded in the previous financial year. The previous highest number of building permits in a financial year was 113,669 reported in 2009-10, one per cent fewer than this year’s total.

Read the VBA Media Release HERE

Equipotential bonding is the equalisation of electrical potential (voltage).

In Australia and New Zealand, in a swimming pool or spa area, any fixed metal item within 1.25m of the water’s edge must form part of an equipotential bond. This includes items such as the reinforcing steel of the pool shell or bond beam, steel in surrounding slab, metal pool fences or spigots, metal downpipes, windows, doors, pools ladders, pool blanket frames etc.
 
Equipotential bonding is the act of bonding all the metal components in an area together to create substantially the same electrical potential, so that under fault conditions, the difference in potential between simultaneously accessible exposed and extraneous conductive parts will not cause electric shock.

It is important for contractors to know their legislative requirements when working in these zones to ensure they are complying with the regulated safety requirements.  We now have a copy of the updated standard AS/NZS3000:2018 for equipotential bonding in our office. 

If you would like to visit the SPASA Victoria Office to read the Australian Standards please do so.

For more information contact:

SAI Global
Ph: 131 242
http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/

From August 1^st 2018, employees on modern awards can take up to five days of unpaid leave to deal with family and domestic violence following a ruling by the Fair Work Commission earlier this year.

Under the new entitlement, family and domestic violence means "violent, threatening or other abusive behaviour by an employee's family member that seeks to coerce or control the employee or causes them harm or fear".  Leave arrangements may include for example, making arrangements for their safety or the safety of a family member (including relocation), attending urgent court hearings, or accessing police services.

Read this article in full HERE

When you’re thinking about recruiting and retaining good employees, one of the first things to offer them is the opportunity to learn and develop their skills. If you’ve not considered the benefits of training, here are a few reasons why you should put it at the top of your to-do list.

If you want your renovation business to build a reputation for high-quality, efficient work, it’s essential your staff are well trained. Employees who are trained to the highest standards will be able to work to deadline, make fewer mistakes and finish projects at a level that customers are satisfied with. 

By ensuring your staff know the latest techniques and how to use new technology, you’ll find that projects get completed quickly and to a high standard.

Read this article in full HERE

Remember that Houzz offers SPASA Victoria Members:

• Free member profiles & ability to display the SPASA Victoria badge on their profile
• Access to Pro+ our local marketing program to build your business online! 
• Priority in depth consultations (at no cost) to train membershow to optimise their Houzz profile
• Support for profile creation for those that are less technically savvy and time constrained
• Access to have responsive design/mobile optimised website created for membersat no cost
• Access to How-to-Houzz, Trends & Research reports 

Member Benefits - Available to all Members in 2018

• AB Phillips - SPASA’s Risk Management, Insurance & Financial Services Provider
• Jeremy Johnson & Associates - One Hour of Free Expert Legal Advice
• Expert OHS Advice - Paul House, ISSC
• Career Dressing – Preferred Workwear & Corporate Clothing Supplier
• Online White Card Training with Aveling
• Houzz and SPASA – Free Profile-Building Website
• myhronline - HR Advice and resources, discounted for SPASA members

See the full details of your Member Benefits here

2018

2018 AGM – 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.

ProTrade United Business Success Webinar - Tuesday 4 December REGISTER HERE

2019

Pool & Spa Expo + Outdoor living - Friday 1 - Sunday 3 February

Chris Dorrity Memorial Golf Day - Southern Golf Club Keysborough - Friday 5 April

Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner – Saturday 13 July

Spa & Pool Show at MCEC (Winter Show) - Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 August

2020

Pool & Spa Expo + Outdoor living - Friday 7 - Sunday 9 February

Spa & Pool Show at MCEC (Winter Show) - Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 August