Quick Links - February/March 2010

Each issue, splashmagazine.com.au provides Quick Links so you can find more information on a topic or access important downloads. Here are the Quick Links mentioned in the printed edition of SPLASH! February/March 2010.

Don Bullock’s free electronic program for the filtration, pumping and hydraulic design of Community pools in high and low rise apartment complexes. (From p9)

The APVMA Gazette, where you will find new information on the Cost Recovery Impact Statement (CRIS) when it becomes available. (From p11)

Archicentre’s Australia-wide poll which shows, amongst other things, that 42% of the renovation jobs which included an outdoor component also included a pool. (From p12)

The NSW Innovation Advisory Service’s Ausinvent website to help small business owners and operators who are inventors, entrepreneurs and innovators to commercialise their ideas. (From p12)

Downes Nursery’s online chat service so builders and landscapers can quickly choose the right plants. (From p13)

Laticrete’s new comprehensive technical manual to provide guidelines and recommendations for the design, specification and installation of tile, stone or glass mosaics in swimming pools, fountains, water features and spas.

Downes Nursery’s online chat service so builders and landscapers can quickly choose the right plants. (From p70)

Vero quits home warranty

Vero is the latest in a long line of providers to pull out of builders’ warranty insurance. Vero will stop writing cover from June 30, 2010.

The insurer covers at least 40 percent of each of its markets across the country, and its exit leaves QBE and Calliden as the only private providers after June.

Vero says that all current home warranty insurance policies will remain valid for the duration of existing terms and that its claims team will continue to process any valid claims received on all certificates issued up to and including 30 June 2010.

Vero says that after discussions with various State Governments, it came to the conclusion that there was no choice but to withdraw from the national home warranty market.

However, the company has expressed an interest to the NSW government in being a participant in the NSW Scheme as an administrator/claims manager.

For further information click here or call Sue Repanellis on 0407 210 710.

Yarra pool in pipeline

A Melbourne consortium is proposing to build a swimming pool cantilevered over the Yarra River near the Melbourne Aquarium. It would be adjacent to the tourist district and would also have immediate access for office workers and high rise residents in the central business district (CBD).

It is proposed the pool would occupy a site on the banks of the Yarra River near to and west of the aquarium and would cover approximately 20 per cent of the existing public space at Batman Park.

The proposed public complex provides for an open air 35m x 25m swimming pool, a learn-to-swim and training pool, spa pools, a gym, café, hydrotherapy and massage facilities as well as secure storage, showers and repair amenities for city bike riders.

Rejuvenated parkland for family picnics and leisure in an indigenous-inspired filtered garden and wetlands area would occupy the remaining 80 per cent of the public space surrounding the facility.

A Melbourne consortium, Birrarung Pools & Melbourne LifeForm Development, has prepared the proposal. Grant O’Donnell, principal of the consortium, says the proposal incorporates some of the most advanced environmentally sustainable development processes (ESD) yet applied in Australia.

“The architecture, engineering and building processes will be a catalyst for balancing energy usage with urban ecology through energy capture, water capture and leading edge innovation in sustainable development,” he says.

“In effect we will harness water and energy from the precinct to sustain, nourish and enhance the adjoining parkland and public space.”

O’Donnell says that before progressing the complex architectural, engineering and ESD planning needed for such a project, they undertook extensive consultation with their city neighbours, and are in discussions with the City of Melbourne and State Government departments.

Artist’s impression courtesy of LAB Architecture Studio

Coroner finds spa death was preventable

Deputy NSW State Coroner Paul MacMahon has found the tragic death of Shannon Rankin in a 2006 entrapment incident in Forster was avoidable.

He found that the action or inaction of the pool and spa builder, A1 Pools & Spas, contributed to her death by placing the main drain in the floor of the spa.

He also found pool interior contractor, Pebble Pave Pool Interiors Pty Ltd, contributed to her death by failing to prevent waste material entering the drain – where it solidified and restricted water flow. The pipe below the main drain of the spa was blocked by sand, dirt and cement used in the pebblecreting of the spa, intensifying the pressure holding the 11-year-old girl to the suction under the water.

The incident occurred on March 25, 2006 in the pool spa at the Sevan Apartments, Forster on the NSW mid-north coast. The girl was trapped against the drain by water pressure estimated at 350kg. The effort of three adults failed to pull her free, and she drowned.

The deputy coroner said the tragedy was magnified by the fact that her death was avoidable.

He did point out that there was no credible evidence to suggest any person or persons had actual knowledge of the danger that existed in the spa.

The deputy coroner recommended the NSW government ban the installation of drains in the floor of spa pools in future constructions, and that an independent expert should certify that pools and spas are compliant with statutory requirements before they can be used.

He also said that the public should be informed through the media of the potential dangers associated with existing drains in the floors of spas.

Shannon’s parents, David and Donna Rankin, said that more pool and spa drownings would occur unless there was an industry overhaul.

David Rankin said that it was critical that the pool and spa industry takes the lead in implementing changes to eliminate safety shortfalls, and that the new processes are underpinned by legislation.

Safety alert on stacked stone tiles

The ACCC has given an urgent warning about decorative wall tiles containing Tremolite asbestos, which is a prohibited hazardous substance.

The tiles sold under the brand name Snow White, are described as bright white in colour, with a quartz like appearance, and are made up of a number of pieces glued together to give the appearance of stacked stone.

These tiles were imported from China, and most of the product has already been withdrawn. However it is possible that some product has been installed or is still available on the market.

The ACCC is working closely with the Customs and Border Protection Service and WorkCover authorities to identify any other sources of the product in the market and to have them withdrawn.

The affected area should be isolated until the material is removed by a licensed asbestos removalist and the area cleared by an occupational hygienist. The tiles should be sealed using appropriate plastic or leak proof containers and disposed of as asbestos waste at an approved asbestos disposal facility.

For more information click here.

Austrol Industries goes into liquidation

The global financial crisis has forced the liquidation of Australian controller manufacturer and pool accessories distributor Austrol Industries. According to the administrator, the business seemed to have grown too quickly without adequate capitalisation and stumbled in the face of the economic downturn.

All assets of Austrol and its subsidiary Steel River Manufacturing are for sale or have been sold, including intellectual property (IP), tooling and stock.

Waterco has picked up all the pool-related stock, including Austrol’s Aquacell foam products, smart controllers, solar controllers, air switches and timers, bodyguards, Anti Snare Plus, Intermatic valves and actuators, Solar Sun Rings, SwimGym DVDs and underwater MP3 players.

An undisclosed third party has bought the Austrol customer database and IP. However, there is still tooling equipment for sale, including flux baths and advanced soldering facilities.

There will be an auction for these items on March 2, 10am at 78 Kalaroo Road, Redhead. For more information call Ray Tolcher of Lawler Partners on (02) 4962 2294.

Beware Queensland developer

The QBSA (Queensland Building Services Authority) issued a warning on January 20, 2010 that contractors and homeowners should be cautious in any business dealings with Nerang-based MBW Group Developments Pty Ltd and its director Mathew Bradley Willaims (sic), also known as Edwin Nair and Edwin Mack.

The BSA suspended the company’s building licence for providing false information on its licence application. The company has 21 days in which to make representations as to why the licence should not be cancelled.

Willaims failed to disclose that under the name of Edwin Nair he had previously been the director of DES (ACT) Pty Ltd and All Invogue Constructions Pty Ltd when liquidators were appointed on 12 February 2009 and 30 April 2009 respectively.

Unless he successfully applies to be categorised as a permitted individual, Willaims will be permanently excluded from being the director of a BSA-licensed company in Queensland and personally holding a BSA Contractor Licence.

BSA enquiries have revealed that in April 2006, the Office of Fair Trading in the Australian Capital Territory issued a warning about Willaims (then known as Edwin Mack) and mentioned that Mack had also done business as Edwin Nair.

The warning followed successful legal proceedings that obtained two undefended judgments totalling almost $19,000 for customers of Vibe Kitchens against Mack (Willaims). In one case the work was of very poor standard and in the other case the deposit had been accepted but no work carried out. A refund cheque was subsequently dishonoured.

Willaims also failed to disclose to the BSA that in 2005 he had been convicted of making a false statement regarding an odometer reading in a vehicle he sold, and in 2003 he had been convicted of assault.

The BSA will assist homeowners with contracts with MBW Group Developments Pty Ltd through the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme.

Given his history, the BSA urges homeowners and contractors to be cautious in any dealings with Willaims (or Mack or Nair) and seek advice before participating in any business with which he is involved.

For more information call the QBSA on 1300 272 272.

Poolside expands into South Pacific

Poolside will open its first store outside of Australia and New Zealand with an agreement to open a store in Suva, Fiji. The store will also be Poolside’s 50th after four new stores opened in the past 12 months.

The first Poolside store opened in early 2000 and since this time the network of stores has grown rapidly with many BioGuard stores rebranding to Poolside.

The establishment of Poolside in Fiji is being backed by the Carpenter Group, which has interests in motoring, hardware, supermarkets, shipping, finance and property.

The Suva store is set to open in February/March and could be followed by other stores throughout Fiji and the South Pacific.

Award entry forms available for download

The SPLASH! Environmental Awards entry forms are now available for download.

All pool builders, designers, consultants, architects, aquatic centre managers, spa installers, pool shop owners and product manufacturers should download the from and print it out, or use the hard copy entry that was included with the February edition of SPLASH!.

The 2010/2011 Awards will include new product categories, and two overarching awards: The SPLASH! Environmental Project of the Year and The SPLASH! Environmental Product of the Year.

As well as appearing as a lift-out in the February edition, the entry forms will be available for download on the Awards page on this website in the coming weeks. An email notification will be sent once they are online.

For more information on the Awards click here. 

Cairns water park moving ahead

Architects see trend for pools

A recent Archicentre poll on residential trends shows that swimming pools are a popular element of domestic renovations. Archicentre polled 900 architects across the country and their response was that of all the outdoor renovation jobs on their books at that time, 42% of them included a pool.

For the results of the poll click here (PDF 2MB).

Quick Links - December 2009/January 2010

Each issue, splashmagazine.com.au provides Quick Links so you can find more information on a topic or access important downloads. Here are the Quick Links mentioned in the printed edition of SPLASH! December 2009/January 2010.

Click here for more information on the changes to Home Warranty Scheme in NSW, from the article on page 9.

For the full ABS survey on Children's Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities mentioned on page 12.

For the full version on of the Crawford Report, from the story on page 59.

The information on round two of the regional funding program mentioned on page 60.

For the ASC online videos to help coaches and officials with skill acquisition and mentor training.

Another new association formed

An association of pool and spa cover manufacturers has been formed, with one of their stated aims being to identify minimum manufacturing and design criteria for Australian covers.

The Pool and Spa Cover Association of Australia (PASCAA) is insisting that everyone who joins the association must strictly adhere to PASCAA standards. PASCAA minimum product standards are being reviewed and adopted by a number or State and national departments.

John Webb from Elite Pool Covers is the inaugural PASCAA President, Derek Prince of Daisy Pool Covers is Vice President, and Theo Haaima of ABGAL is the Secretary and Treasurer.

“We want to ensure that consumers know the difference between a PASCAA-approved cover and flimsy bubble wrap pretending to be the real thing,” Webb says.

“At present, there is no uniform standard that distinguishes a poor quality bubble blanket from a high quality, high tech and long-lasting cover. Our Association’s positioning statement is that our products are made for Australia. A lot of other pool covers on the market will not stand up to Australia’s harsh climate,” he says.

“At the moment consumers can recognise in the price difference but not the quality. We want the consumer to have a full understanding of the choices. The poorer quality products have been riding the coat-tails of our higher quality reputation. Unless we alert the consumer we will join the race to the bottom for price and sacrifice quality.”

For more information about PASCAA email info@pascaa.com.au.

Aussie builder wins international Gold

Queensland builder Stuart Bevan has won Gold at the Global Aquatekture Visionary Awards (GAVA) in Las Vegas.

The Brisbane lap pool designed and built by Stuart Bevan Pools is suspended up to 12.5 metres off the side of a hill; providing panoramic views of the surrounding bushland and rural properties.

Stuart Bevan said it was an honour to be named the only Australian swimming pool among the other 38 international finalists from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela and the Caribbean.

“We have been building concrete pools on difficult sites for the past 25 years,” he says. “This tree-top pool is spectacular while giving the owners everything they asked for.”

The owners wanted a lap pool for health and fitness reasons, a difficult build on such a steep site. Naturally, they also wanted to make the most of their elevation by allowing swimmers to enjoy the expansive view of the Brisbane hinterland.

The pool is 16.6m long x 5m wide, fully lined in Sapphire Blue tiles and is surrounded by a hardwood timber deck. It extends from an architecturally designed gazebo, which was positioned to maximise the entertainment potential and view.

“The pool is supported by poles,” says Bevan. “If you think of a pole house – well this is a pole pool built on the side of a sloping hill.”

The GAVA Awards recognise artisans globally whose visions and creativity exemplify the best in AquaTekture: the discipline of designing, engineering and erecting water environments and ancillary components in a harmony with nature, taking into account function, space and aesthetics.

For more on the Awards go to: www.gavaawards.com.

Aussie kids still love swimming

Following positive data from the Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS) covered in the previous issue of SPLASH!, new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in a report titled Children’s Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities (CPCLA) has confirmed not only that Australians love sport, but that kids love swimming.

Quick Links – SPLASH! October-November 2009

Each issue, splashmagazine.com.au provides Quick Links so you can find more information on a topic or access important downloads. Here are the Quick Links mentioned in the printed edition of SPLASH! October-November 2009.

From page 11, the website for the Swimming Pool Retail Association.

Queensland’s new safety laws, including Stage Two changes (p22).

The new Australian Sports Academy website (p61). Note: Careers Information Day for 2010 is Saturday 31st October 2009, 10am – 6pm.

The Exercise, Recreation and Sports Survey by the Australian Sports Commission (p64).

The Swimming NZ coaching starter pack (p64).

Qld readies mandatory pool pump control

Comment on the impact statement until November 13.

The Queensland Government, though the Office of Clean Energy, has released a regulatory impact statement (RIS) for the mandatory load control of pool filtration systems.

By controlling when pool owners can run their swimming pool pumps, the government hopes to better manage peak electricity loads.

The measures outlined in the document are expected to reduce peak electricity demand and improve the sustainability of Queensland's electricity network infrastructure. The RIS proposes that pool filtration systems for new household swimming pools in Queensland be required to connect to an off-peak tariff. The government plans to amend the Queensland Development Code to mandate the measure on new swimming pools built from 1 July 2010.

Peak demand, or the amount of electricity necessary to supply a large number of customers concurrently, is the key driver of increased electricity network infrastructure expenditure.

Approximately 11 per cent of distribution network capacity is built to meet a level of demand which only occurs for approximately one per cent of the time. As peak load continues to grow, costly network upgrades must be undertaken to meet demand and this expenditure is ultimately passed onto all customers through electricity prices.

By 2020 the proposal is projected to avoid up to 60 megawatts of peak electricity demand which represents capital infrastructure savings of $188 million over this period. The proposal is expected to save the average pool owner $180 a year on what their pool would have otherwise cost to run.

The Queensland Government is seeking feedback from all members of the community and industry sectors most affected by the proposal.

Sunbather sponsors Environmental Awards

SPLASH! NZ keeps growing

The Kiwi pool and spa industry got its second chance to SPLASH!

Once again, the SPLASH! crew ventured across the Tasman to hold the SPLASH! New Zealand Pool and Spa Trade Show.

This time, the event was 25 per cent bigger – now 500 square metres in total floor space covering two floors of the Auckland Hilton.

Almost exactly the same number of people came to the show as in 2007 (558 compared with 560). There was plenty for the visitors to see, but with the extra space, they could do it at a more leisurely pace, and there was more room to wander around.

The seminars were well attended and were more spacious thanks to the banquet style seating arrangements. As well as the seminars, the NSPI ran a pre-show workshop, and the New Zealand Master Pool Builders Guild held their AGM at SPLASH!

Simon Cooper, organiser of SPLASH! New Zealand, says he was very pleased with the event.

“Now that we’ve come across the Tasman for second time, we’ve become part of the New Zealand pool and spa landscape. The show was bigger than 2007 and we had the same number of visitors. I think it shows there is definitely scope in this market for a bi-annual event, and we’ll be holding the next SPLASH! New Zealand on July 27 and 28, 2011.

“I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank the sponsors, AstralPool, Filtermaster, Ascon and BioGuard. Without their support, the event couldn’t have happened.”

The next Australian SPLASH! trade show will be on the Gold Coast on July 28 and 29, 2010.

Hot water and healthy living

One of the highlights of the recent SPLASH! New Zealand trade show was Tom Lachocki’s animated and heartfelt breakfast talk. Part of the focus of his talk was the Hot Water & Healthy Living booklet published by the National Swimming Pool Foundation.

The booklet explains how the simple act of immersion in hot water helps create healthier bodies, hearts, minds and lifestyles.

It translates science into language for the general consumer and is based on interviews with leading scientists and more than 25 scholarly research publications. It is authored by Dr JB Smith of Indiana University, Pennsylvania.

Lachocki is a passionate advocate for the industry, and believes this book should be used as a sales tool for all spa retailers and pool builders.

“Prior to this, our industry had not had the science that explains how hot tubs improve our health, and the benefits had not been communicated to society,” he says.

This well-written and beautifully illustrated book has six chapters, with a bibliography of scientific references, scientific charts and colour photographs.

The 36-page, four-colour book is available at www.nspf.org for $US10.95 per book. Quantity discounts are available by contacting media@nspf.org.

SPLASH! has some copies of Hot Water & Healthy Living to give away.

For a chance to win, email: splashcomp@intermedia.com.au. In the subject line write “SPLASH! Online Competition – Hot Water & Healthy Living”. In the body of the email write how many scholarly research publications formed the basis of the publication. In the body of the message also include your name and address.

3M says goodbye to Colorquartz

3M will be exiting the Colorquartz Crystals business by December 31, 2009. The combination of reduced customer demand and the cost of supporting the business contributed to 3M’s decision.

The business will not be sold and production of the products will wind down by the end of this year. 3M says it will be working closely with customers to meet their needs and ensure an orderly phase-out of the products. Additionally, they will honour the 10-year product warranty. While 3M will no longer supply Colorquartz Crystals for pool and spa surfaces, many other 3M products such as adhesives, respirators and diamond abrasives remain available to this sector.

Zodiac buys Leisuretime NZ

Efficiency labelling coming for pool pumps

Retailers form new association

The formation of the Swimming Pool Retail Association of Australia (SPRAA) has been led by franchise networks PoolWerx, Swimart, Poolside and Clark Rubber.

Peter Barr of PoolWerx is the inaugural President, the Vice President is Simon Isherwood of Neptune’s Pool Care, the Treasurer is Robert Millard of BioGuard Poolside and the Secretary is Therese Nolan of Swimart Pool and Spa Services Capalaba.

Other board members are Chris Fitzmaurice (Swimart Pool and Spa Services), Luke Gervais (Rode Pool Services), John Hudson (E-Zee Pool & Spa Pty Ltd) and Gary Nye (Clark Rubber).

Barr says that the body was established to meet the specific needs of pool and spa retailers and field service technicians including the increasing demand for more relevant and appropriate training in the pool and spa aftermarket retail sector.

He says SPRAA was started because he and others in the retail sector didn’t believe that the government fully understands what pool industry retailers do. This confusion, he says, led them to have only one pathway for retailers to become licensed in Queensland, which Barr says was expensive and included many skills not required by retailers and maintenance technicians.

“We need to have representation on the licensing side that covers exactly what we do,” Barr says. “Because the licensing doesn’t fit the criteria for what we do – we don’t pave or lay bricks, but in Queensland that’s what they say we have to do.”

Barr says SPRAA will be putting in place training pathways to have recognition of prior learning (RPL) through an external registered training organisation (RTO), S/T Construction Techniques.

SPRAA has also been brought into existence with the aim of lobbying government on licensing and occupational health and safety (OH&S) issues.

“There are different issues all around the country. For example, the South Australian government has now deemed the filter to be part of the building,” says Barr. “And we all know OHS is becoming a minefield, and it changes in every State. We’ve found that government doesn’t have a full understanding of what retailers and technicians do. It’s important, especially if licensing becomes national.

“We’ve worked with government to achieve a pathway outside of PoolWerx and Clark Rubber, and have an approved course in Queensland to gain licensing,” he says. “We were incorporated on the 7th of August, and achieved a licensing pathway in Queensland a week later. It’s not an issue in NSW yet, but we want to make sure that the industry is represented, especially as there’s a push by Kevin Rudd to achieve national licensing.”

Barr insists SPRAA will work with SPASA.

“It’s important that we work together – absolutely. And try to achieve the same goals. SPASAC have invited us down to Melbourne for their meeting. We’re not a threat and we shouldn’t be seen as a threat. It’s just that we’re trying to achieve a pathway for licensing for a fair and reasonable cost.

“I’m passionate about it. It’s something I believe will benefit the industry as a whole.”

Barr says they will begin to canvass for more independent members, and then look to set up chapters in each state.

“But we’ll crawl before we can walk. It will happen, optimistically, sometime in the next twelve months. But we’ve got the season coming on us right now, so we’ll have to settle down. But if you think about it, PoolWerx is headquartered in Queensland, Swimart in New South Wales, Poolside in South Australia and Clark Rubber in Victoria, so we could start setting it up pretty easily.”

For more information go to www.spraa.asn.au. or contact the secretary, Therese Nolan on 0414 324 535.

Quick Links - August/September 2009

Jeff Denmeade joins SPLASH!

NSPI gets Certificate IV

Male swimmers live longer

Discounted CPR training for pool buyers

Pool mums feel less pain

NSPI releases safety guide