The SPASA Victoria office will close at 5pm on Friday 21 December 2018 and re-open at 9am on Wednesday 2 January 2019.
BUILDERS NOTE: Please ensure you have enough contracts to last throughout our Christmas closure period.
For more contracts, order online HERE or email Suzy at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and wonderful Christmas period. We trust that 2019 will be a happy, healthy and prosperous year for you all.
Merry Christmas and Happy Swimming in 2019!
We are delighted to announce that our Handover Books are now available electronically.
Digital Handover Book pdfs are available FREE to all SPASA Victoria Members!
A typical usage schedule is as follows:
- Finish all work on the pool and receive final payment.
- Fill in the handover book pdf form on page 11 (and page 12 if required). Save and email to your client.
- Your client prints out page 11 and dates & signs it with a pen.
- Your client emails you back a scanned copy of this signed page.
- You print and sign it and then email a copy to your insurer and your client.
We trust Members will enjoy the ease and convenience of our new electronic Handover Books, not to mention the saving of a few $$$ ?.
If you have any questions, please contact Kathryn on 8526 7799 or kathryn@spasavic.com.au
Following on from SPASA Victoria's meeting with the Hon Richard Wynne, Minister for Planning, last month, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) sent a letter of response regarding amendments to permits in the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
Essentially the letter states that while minor buildings and works associated with a dwelling are exempt from permit requirements, planning permit conditions are not completely overridden.
The on-going effect of permit conditions was confirmed by the Supreme Court where it held that (in summary):
- a permit condition continues to have effect while the owner of the land takes the benefit of the permit
- had there been a change in circumstances leading to the owner no longer taking the benefit of the permit, the condition would cease to have effect
Permit conditions continue to have effect long after the development is completed and regardless of whether the ownership of the land changes. Future amendments to permits will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will depend on what the permit allowed and the permit conditions.
Read the letter from DELWP regarding 'Building Permit Where Planning Permit Required' HERE
From 1 November 2018, Victorian employees are eligible to take long service leave after seven years of continuous service, instead of the previous 10 years.
The rate of accrual has not changed, so after seven years the amount of leave available will be 6.1 weeks, versus 8.67 weeks after 10 years, as it was previously.
Most Victorian employees will be covered by the changes, unless they are employed under a federal employment instrument (such as an enterprise agreement) or in an industry covered by long service leave legislation (such as the construction industry).
For other significant changes to the Act read this article in full HERE
The ACT government is putting lives at risk by not heeding advice to create more consistent backyard swimming pool legislation and enact a central registry of all pools, according to Royal Life Saving ACT.
Two years after a coronial inquest into the drowning death of a toddler in Canberra recommended the measure of a territory-wide database, Royal Life Saving ACT chief executive Cherry Bailey said it's concerning it hasn't been enacted and urged the government to create one.
"We've made multiple recommendations to the government that a registration list should be put together of home pool owners, as other states have done," Ms Bailey said.
"A database would help to identify what pools should be complying to a certain standard and how many would need to be brought up to standard."
Read this article in full HERE
On December 3rd this year, several children were hospitalised after being exposed to fumes from a chemical spill at a Sydney pool.
Nine children under six years of age and two adults were treated by paramedics for breathing difficulties following the incident at the Wollondilly Leisure Centre about 10.30am. Some people also broke out in skin rashes. One child was taken to Campbelltown Hospital in a serious condition while three other children and two adults were hospitalised in a stable condition.
Several NSW Ambulance crews were called to the pool on Argyle Street in Picton where it was believed an incorrect chemical mixture led to the fumes being released. Paramedics arranged for observation of those who had pre-existing respiratory issues. The indoor pool remained closed until mid-afternoon as a precaution, while the outdoor pool, gym and foyer remained open.
This is the second incident involving chemical mishandling to occur in recent months. SPASA Victoria would like to take this opportunity to re-enforce the importance of training for anyone working with and handling hazardous chemicals. For more information, please read SPASA Victoria's 'Safe Work Procedures Guidelines' on the OH&S page in the Member's area of our website.
Member Benefits - Available to all Members in 2019
- 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
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
