splashaug08_01_32

The voice of the Wet Industrywww.splashmagazine.com.au

August 2008/September 2008

DECORATIVE TILINGEye catching ornamentation, in and out of the water

How to make it pay

LEARN-TO-SWIM

Keeping the USmarket afl oat

ABOVEGROUND POOLS

Expo EditionSPLASH!

At last, someone has combined the world’s best pool productsinto one perfect ‘Pool Package’.

The Package starts with Hayward, the world’s best range of pumps, filters, gas heaters and cleaners.

Next we add the world’s best Water Management System from Puresilk.

And finally, the world’s best Electric Heating Systems from AquaCal.

Then, as if that’s not enough, we back it all up with the best customer service and the most competitive pricing in the industry.

Now that’s Cleva!

AquaCal

Contact ClevaQuip • Ph: +61 3 9792 2325 • Address: 163 Greens Road, Dandenong, 3175 VIC • www.cleva.com.au

contents

Contents 42

70

34

46

INDUSTRY NEWS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

What’s happening in the pool and spa industry

BOOK SHELF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Reviews and freebies

INDUSTRY CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Key dates to keep in mind

INDUSTRY MOVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Pool industry comings and goings

ENVIRO UPDATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Do water bans achieve their aims?

SAFETY UPDATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Latest on CPR and potty skimmers

SPASA AWARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

NSW award winners

DECORATIVE TILING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Art of the ancients in modern pools

CHOOSING BETWEEN A POOL OR A COURTYARD . . . 42

Why not have both?

POOL PUMPS HEADING FOR THE STARS . . . . . . . . . . 44

Help set the standard

US AFLOAT WITH ABOVEGROUND POOLS . . . . . . . . . 46

Stuttering economy sees rise in AG

CREATING AN IDEAL TEAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Who makes the grade?

CHANGES FOR WORKERS COMPENSATION . . . . . . . 60

NSW compo update

WORKPLACE CHANGES COMING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Keeping an eye on Federal reforms

SPLASH! COMMERCIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

News and features from the commercial sector

RESORT POOL AS RELAXATION DRAWCARD . . . . . . . 70

Idling at the Byron at Byron

LEARNING TO LOVE LEARN-TO-SWIM . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

How to make it pay

NEW PRODUCTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

The latest equipment, materials and technology

SUBSCRIPTION FORM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

With free iPod offer

READERS’ SURVEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Six dozen bottles of wine to give away

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

www.splashmagazine.com.au SPLASH! | 3

Sunbather developed HiPEC solar to heat

faster, weigh less and be more durable. They

punched holes in the webbing to increase

performance and introduced the first range of

award-winning designer colours.

Then, in a world first, their Flat Loop

Technology won the Product Innovation

Award. FLT allowed solar strips to lay flat

against the roof eliminating big loops that look

ugly and can collect dirt and debris.

Kwik-lok followed soon after cutting

installation time and cost and now the amazing

SunSwitch solar controller is providing pool

owners, pool technicians and pool shops with

a vast range of previously unheard of features.

Having generated pool heat naturally, it was

logical for Sunbather to then look for ways to

conserve it naturally. And the best way to do

that was with a pool cover.

Sunbather soon developed the Thermal

Blanket to lock in warmth over night and

extend the hours of swimming each day,

and the days of swimming each year.

Safety was also a major issue so the

Security Blanket was developed. It not only

retained heat but had interlocking slats that

could support the weight of a child or small

animal for total safety. And these are just two

of the great cover, roller and blanket ideas

from Sunbather.

And throughout this evolution Sunbather

has also focused on delivering world’s best

practice in installation and customer service

through its network of dealers and in Australia

and around the world.

So if you’d like to be part of the Sunbather

revolution and always stay one step ahead

just ring (03) 5979 5777 or visit the website.

For over 30 years Sunbather has pioneered environmentally responsible technologies for pool heating and heat retention.

Contact Sunbather on 03 5979 5777 or www.sunbather.com.au

Collect and Conserve!Sunbather’s great ideas use energy... naturally.

editorial

It’s that time again: Showtime!

Once every two years, we get ready for the

biggest swimming pool and spa trade show

in the Southern Hemisphere: SPLASH!

In 2006, the show was an overwhelming success.

That was the fi rst time it had been organised by

Interpoint; it built upon the earlier success of

Carol and Kevin Benger, and grew to a new level.

This year, it’s going a step further. There is an extra

pavilion and almost one hundred exhibitors. There are

two full days of seminars and so many add-on events

it has now become SPLASH! Week, starting with the pre-show workshops on

Monday and Tuesday, through the Trade Show and seminars on Wednesday

and Thursday (July 30 and 31), and the Environmental Awards Dinner with

Anh Do on Thursday night.

On top of all that, there’s the welcome drinks on Wednesday night, a site

inspection to WhiteWater World on Thursday morning, and the Andrew Simons

Golf Day on Friday. And if you’re on the Gold Coast on Friday evening,

it makes good sense to stay on for the weekend and enjoy the surf and

sunshine before heading back to work.

Above and beyond all that is the irreplaceable opportunity to network with

industry members from around the country and the world. I enjoyed the 2006

event immensely, and look forward to meeting new people and old friends,

while discussing new ideas and happenings in the industry.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Chris Maher

Editor

[email protected]

Welcome to SPLASH!

Swimming Pool Lifestyle And Spa Hi-tech

Published by

The Intermedia Group Pty LtdABN 940 025 83 682Suite 39, Level 1, 100 Harris Street, Pyrmont NSW 2009 AustraliaPh: (02) 9660 2113 Fax: (02) 9660 4419

Managing Director: Simon Grover

Managing Director Interpoint Events: Simon Cooper

Editor: Chris MaherPhone: 0412 048 639Email: [email protected]

Advertising Manager: David McLeodPhone: (02) 8586 6135Email: [email protected]

Production Manager: Jill Lehmann

Graphic Designer: Melissa Drennan

Contributing Writer: Christina DiMartino

Head of Circulation: Chris Blacklock

For Subscriptions Call: 1800 651 422

Printed by: Bluestar Print

CopyrightAll material in this publication is copyright to the publisher and/or its contributors. No material may be reproduced without the express permission of the publishers.

Disclaimer: This publication is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd (the "Publisher"). Materials in this publication have been created by a variety of different entities and, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher accepts no liability for materials created by others. All materials should be considered protected by Australian and international intellectual property laws. Unless you are authorised by law or the copyright owner to do so, you may not copy any of the materials. The mention of a product or service, person or company in this publication does not indicate the Publisher’s endorsement. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Publisher, its agents, company officers or employees. Any use of the information contained in this publication is at the sole risk of the person using that information. The user should make independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before relying on that information. All express or implied terms, conditions, warranties, statements, assurances and representations in relation to the Publisher, its publications and its services are expressly excluded save for those conditions and warranties which must be implied under the laws of any State of Australia or the provisions of Division 2 of Part V of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof. To the extent permitted by law, the Publisher will not be liable for any damages including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity) or indirect loss or damage of any kind arising in contract, tort or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damages. While we use our best endeavours to ensure accuracy of the materials we create, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher excludes all liability for loss resulting from any inaccuracies or false or misleading statements that may appear in this publication. This issue of SPLASH! magazine published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd (Intermedia) may contain magazine or subscription; offers, competitions, forms and surveys (Reader Offers) which require you to provide information about yourself, if you choose to enter or take part in them. If you provide information about yourself to Intermedia, Intermedia will use this information to provide you with the products of services you have requested and may supply your information to contractors that help Intermedia to do this. Intermedia will also use your information to inform you of other Intermedia publications, products, services and events. Intermedia may give your information to organisations that are providing special prizes or offers that are clearly associated with the Reader Offer. Unless you tell us not to, we may give your information to other organisations that may use it to inform you about other products, services or events or to give it to other organisations that may use it for this purpose. If you would like to gain access to the information Intermedia holds about you, please contact Intermedia’s Privacy Officer at The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd, PO Box 55, Glebe, NSW 2037.Copyright © 2008 - The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd.

Audited Circulation Average Net Distribution Per Issue, 4,421CAB Yearly AuditPeriod ended March 31st, 2008

The views expressed in this magazine do not necessarily represent those of the above supporters, nor should any product advertised in SPLASH! magazine be seen to be endorsed by the above.

The main cover shot shows the luxurious

pool at the Byron at Bryon resort. There

is more on this pool on page 70. The

inset pictures are examples from the

feature on page 34 about the ancient

art of decorating with tiles.

This issue’s coverProudly supported by:


IntelliFlo.The world’s best poolpump is also the greenest.

www.onga.com.au

Superbly engineered with a permanent magnet motor, IntelliFlo uses far less energy than other pool pumps. As well as consuming less energy and generating fewer carbon emissions, it can also reduce your pool’s running costs by up to 90%. To find out more about IntelliFlo, the world’s most energy efficient pool pump, visit our website.

industry news

NEW research from the Housing Indus-try Association (HIA) indicates Australia will need almost one million new homes to meet the anticipated growth in popula-tion over the next fi ve years.

The research considers Australia’s permanent and short term immigration intake, household formation trends and demolition activity.

HIA CEO of Policy, Chris Lamont, says that the challenge of building this many homes in just fi ve years is a daunting one but essential if the increased demand is to be met. He says the demand is being driven primarily by two key factors: very strong immigration and a decline in the number of persons per residential dwell-ing.

Record migration and demand for hous-ing is being seen in a number of areas, but is perhaps most signifi cant in respect to the private rental market where vacancy rates are hovering around 1 per cent.

“Demand for housing is really biting as evidenced by record low vacancy rates in the private rental market,” he says. HIA research shows that in 2008/9, 190,000

new dwellings will be required. This is 40,000 more dwellings than are expected to be built.

Australia’s population is growing at his-torically high levels. Resident population grew by 332,000 or 1.6 per cent in 2007. Much of this increase (184,000) was due to growth in net overseas migration. The growth in net permanent migration is expected to increase by a further 37,500 in 2008/9.

Most of this increased demand is ex-pected to be in the capital cities.

Meanwhile, the Senate Select Commit-tee on Housing Affordability has tabled the Committee’s report “A good house is hard to fi nd”.

The committee conducted public hearings across all mainland state capitals as well as many outer metropolitan and regional areas, and found the severity and the nature of the affordability problems differ from region to region.

In the Western Australian mining town of Karratha, for example, the housing af-fordability crisis could partly be attributed to the failure of the state government’s

land and property developer, LandCorp, to plan for the release of suffi cient land. In western Sydney however, the problem was not a shortage of land but housing with inadequate infrastructure and the developers failure to build the type of housing required.

Recommendations include increasing the supply of social housing provided by governments and community organisa-tions, and more resources for rental assistance. A link to the full report can be found at www.splashmagazine.com.au.

The Federal Government also an-nounced a $512m Housing Affordability Fund (HAF) which will be distributed by direct grants, primarily to local govern-ments, local government associations and State or Territory Governments, through a competitive selection process.

Some of this money will be allocated to developing electronic development assessment systems and online tracking services to reduce red tape and streamline planning approvals.

A link to a HAF consultation paper can be found at www.splashmagazine.com.au.

We need a million more homes

Waterco sells chemical armWATERCO has sold the part of its chemical business which supplies supermarkets, mass merchants and hardware customers. It was bought by Pool Resources in June 2008. Waterco has retained the part of its chemical business which supplies independent pool stores and the Swimart chain.

As part of the sale, Pool Resources has become responsible for the Banks-town site and will take over the lease.

In a statement, Waterco said it would like to thank its chemical customers for their support over the years and is confi dent that Pool Resources will build on this strong relationship.

Waterco remains a supplier of swim-ming pool equipment and accessories to the supermarket, hardware and mass merchant stores.

Onlinelabelling stalls THE swimming pool and spa industry, though the active participation of indi-vidual members and SPASA NSW, has been in discussions with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) regarding the delays in labelling pool chemicals.

There has been hope that the use of online templates would streamline the process of applying for labels, which would have a benefi t for many mem-bers of the industry from chemical suppliers to pool shops and ultimately end-users.

However, glitches have been report-edly found in the process, delaying the successful implementation of this scheme. SPLASH! will report more in following issues as the situation develops.

IF it wasn’t for his backyard swimming pool, Coffs Harbour MP Andrew Fraser might be without a home right now.

One night late in June, a bar heater caught alight in his house, setting off the smoke alarm and waking the family. Within 20 minutes, volunteer fi re-fi ghters arrived and began attempting to put out the blaze. His daughter was treated at Coffs Harbour hospital for burns to her feet while thefi re-fi ghters battled for an hourto save the house.

They later claimed that one of the main reasons they managed to save most of the house was the availability of the swimming pool water, which was pumped over the fi re to put it out.

Swimming pool saves MP’s home


NSW (Head Office)02 9898 8686

QLD07 3299 9900

VIC / TAS03 9764 1211

SA / NT08 8244 6000

WA08 92731900

Equip your pool with Waterco’s innovative pool equipment

MultiCyclone centrifugal filter

MultiCyclone is a new pre-

filtration device that can help

you save water and reduce

filter maintenance. Based on

the principals of centrifugal

water filtration, MultiCyclone

collects 80% of the dirt

before it reaches the pool

filter and it only takes 15

litres of water to flush.

Waterco’s innovative range of pool equipment not only maximises your time in the pool, but also delivers significant water and energy savings.

Micron fibreglass filters

Manufactured from the

highest grade of non

corrosive materials and

employing the latest

in fibreglass winding

technology, Micron

fibreglass filters are

designed and built for

many years of trouble

free operation.

Fulflo Tri-cartridge filters

Fulflo Tri-cartridge filter houses

three individual pleated filter

cartridges, maximising its dirt

holding capacity and minimising

filter maintenance, leading to

significant water savings.

Waterco Hydrostorm Plus pumps

Hydrostorm plus pumps are hydraulically

efficient, high performance pumps designed

to provide the extra power needed to cope

with ancillary systems

like water features,

in-floor cleaning,

vacuum cleaning

and swim jets.

BriteStream LED lights

The BriteStream utilises super bright LED’s

capable of delivering 352 lumens of light,

making it one of the

brightest LED underwater

pool lights available on

the market. Yet it only

operates on 15% of the

electrical power of an

underwater pool halogen

light.

Electroheat heat pumps

The latest advancement

in swimming pool heating,

Electroheat heat pumps

are an energy efficient

way to heat your pool.

Electroheat produces

up to 5 times more heat

energy than the electrical

energy it consumes.

Chemflo chemical controllers

Chemflo automatic control systems measure

and precisely control set levels of sanitiser

(chlorine) and pH

balance (acid) ensuring

the safest possible

swimming conditions

and minimising

chemical use.

Electrochlor salt chlorinators

Electrochlor automatically generates chlorine

to keep your pool clean

and healthy. Electrochlor

continually monitors

its chlorine production

and the pool’s salt level,

displaying vital statistics

via its backlit LCD panel.

Established since 1981, Waterco is an Australian public listed company involved in the design and manufacture of pool and spa equipment. The company’s advanced manufacturing and engineering techniques have delivered innovative products to over 40 countries.

industry news

THE Master Plumbers Association of Queensland (MPAQ) is establishing a committee to review the draft of the Queensland Water Commission’s (QWC) South East Queensland Water Strategy.

The committee will be chaired by past president Bill Watson with support provided by technical offi cer, Ernie Kretschmer.

MPAQ President Bob Kimlin says it’s intended that the strategy be examined from a practical perspective, considering opportunities for the plumbing industry to make positive contributions to the outcomes.

According to the Water Commission, the strategy is designed to provide certainty in the supply of water requirements for the next 50 years. It seeks to support a comfortable, sustainable and prosperous lifestyle while meeting the needs of urban, industrial and rural growth and the environment. It contains detailed analysis of supply

and demand factors and seeks feedback on the balance between demand management and infrastructure investment to achieve appropriate levels of service. The plan sets out an approach toward securing South East Queensland’s future water supply, including implementing a range of demand management measures and planning for the building of new infrastructure.

It includes:• Target 230 – the permanent

residential water usage target,• Business striving for best practice

water use,• New climate resilient water supplies

such as purifi ed recycled water and desalination schemes,

• Drought response plans so medium level restrictions occur no morethan once every 25 years on average,

• Power stations and major industrial customers using recycled water where available,

• Additional water supplies for rural production.

Members of the MPAQ can send comments to the committee at [email protected]. Others can comment directly to the QWC.

You can view the full strategy from a link at www.splashmagazine.com.au.

Send any comments on the draft South East Queensland Water Strategy in writing to: Queensland Water Commission PO Box 15087, City East 4002

You can also email [email protected], attaching any additional documents, or use the online feedback form available from a link on the News tab at www.splashmagazine.com.au.

Comments must be provided before 31 July 2008. For further information, contact the QWC on 1300 789 906.

The fi nal report will be used toinform the Queensland Government and local government regarding future water security programs.

Water supply strategy under review

Are your workers contractors or employees?WHEN it comes time to sort out paperwork for the tax offi ce, some people in the swimming pool and spa industry have trouble deter-mining whether the people they’re paying for their labour are actually employees or are in fact contractors. You know what you call them, but the tax offi ce may have a differ-ent opinion.

It’s an important distinction to determine the correct tax and superannuation obliga-tions. Determining a worker’s status depends upon the terms and conditions under which the work is performed, as well as the relationship between the employer and worker.

To help businesses un-derstand and meet tax

and super obligations, the Australian Tax Offi ce (ATO) has a number of web-based tools. The free interactive tools have been developed for employers to provide an easy way to determine and calculate their tax and super obligations.

The tools include:• Employee/Contractor De-

cision Tool, to help work out whether your new or existing workers are con-tractors or employees for tax and super purposes;

• Superannuation Guaran-tee Eligibility Decision Tool, to help you work out if you have an obligation to make super contribu-tions for your workers;

• Superannuation Guaran-tee Contributions Calcu-

lator that calculates how much super you should be contributing for your eligible workers.

All the tools are free and available 24/7 on the ATO’s website. There is a specifi c tool for the building and con-struction industry, called the Building And Construction Industry Employee/Contrac-tor Decision Tool.

This decision tool is de-signed to help a payer in the building and construction industry understand their Commonwealth taxation and superannuation obligations in relation to an individual worker – or class of individual workers.

Provided your answers re-fl ect the actual circumstances of your arrangement with the

worker(s), and those circum-stances don’t change, the ATO won’t charge a penalty or general interest charge (GIC) that might otherwise apply. You should print a copy of the report as a record of the decision outcome for this particular arrangement.

You will remain anonymous at all times. No personal in-formation will be transmitted to the ATO.

The tool does not provide guidance on payers’ obliga-tions under state and territory legislation – for example, payroll tax obligations.

Go to www.ato.gov.au and click on “Rates, Calculators & Tools” and then “Busi-ness”, or go to the News tab at www.splashmagazine.com.au for a direct link to the tool.

CHECK WITH THE ATO’S DECISION TOOL


TH E CO M P L E T E SO L U T I O N T O YO U R PO O L CO N T R O L NE E D S

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All you need to help maintain

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DM52

THE NSW Trade Day was held in June, with 47 exhibitors including representation from Cooke Industries, Associated Controls, Jandy, Pool Controls, Quartzon, Lincoln, Quality Pool Interior Supplies, Waterlinx, QIS, Swimline, Cantera Stones, Solartech, Pool Ranger, Aqua Joy, Sunlover Solar, Zodiac, Supreme Solar, Zeolite, Aqua Quip, The Plumbing Shop, Clevaquip, Complete Temporary Pool Fencing, Heliocol Solar, Davey, Prime Sunbather, Sunbather NSW, Poolstore, AstralPool, Niagara, Heliocol, Spa Electrics, Waterco, International Quadratics, Chlorine Discounters, Lo Chlor, PQ, Poolrite, Hayda, Pentair, Automated Pool Products, The Italian Mosaic Pool Company, Poolwater Products, The Pool Tile Company, ABGAL and Pool-Water Products.

NSW Trade Day HERE ARE SOME SHOTS FROM THE SPASA NSW TRADE DAY, HELD AT ROSEHILL RACECOURSE ON JULY 26 & 27

WATERCO New Zealand hosted a June open day at its Penrose warehouse in Auckland, with the aim of showing customers the new products for the upcoming summer, and highlightingthe scope of Waterco’s range from spa products to large commercial applications.

The company also communicated toits customers that it had returned to a regular stock situation after the Waterco Far East fi re.

Around 90 attendees came from as far off as Christchurch, including customers from many different aqua products businesses ranging from aquaculture to commercial, and including two new Swimart franchisees, who took over their new stores of Quay St and Glenfi eld that week.

NZ open day

industry news

Heliocol catching up on their reading

Chlorine Discounters enjoyed the show

Demonstrating the Kreepy Krauly

Niagara saw some traffi c


industry news

PENTAIR & GE IN FILTER VENTURE PENTAIR and GE Water & Process Technologies, a unit of the General Electric Company, have announced a joint venture to combine their respective global water softener and residential water fi ltration businesses. The venture, Pentair Residential Filtration, will take advantage of GE’s and Pentair’s technology andPentair’s expansive distribution channels.

Pentair chairman and CEO Randall J Hogan says that the joint venture will place both companies in a better position to serve residential customers with indus-try-leading technical applications in the areas of water conditioning, whole house fi ltration, point of use water management and water sustainability.

“Further, this joint venture advances Pentair’s current residential fi ltration strat-egy for growth,” he says. “We believe we will accelerate revenue growth by selling GE’s existing residential conditioning and treatment products through Pentair’s sales channels, and by gaining access to some of GE’s current and emerging fi ltration technologies.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Pen-tair has an 80 percent ownership stake and GE has a 20 percent stake of Pentair Resi-dential Filtration. In 2007, the combined residential and commercial net sales of the parent companies were approximately $US450m.

Pentair Residential Filtration will serve as the primary sales channel forPentair’s and GE’s respective global residential water fi ltration and water softener businesses. It will also serve as the manufacturing arm for residential and commercial tanks, valves, and some limited fi ltration products for the parent companies. Pentair and GE will continue to serve existing municipal, commercial and industrial water treatment customers separately, sourcing select products from the joint venture as needed.

THERMOSPASRECOVERS FROM FIRE

ThermoSpas’ Connecticut manufac-turing plant caught fi re in May after a

mechanical failure in part of the fi breglass process allowed fl ammable chemicals to mix.The company says the fi re was quickly controlled and resulted in minimal dam-age and no serious injuries. One worker was taken to hospital, as were a numberof fi re-fi ghters, but all were soon released.

Andrew Tournas, president of ThermoSpas, praised his workers who turned up on their day off to help get the facility back on line.

MORE US KIDS DROWNING;LESS IN CARE

A US Government’s Consumer Product Safety Commission has released a report showing an increase in the number children under fi ve drowning in pools and spas. An estimated 319 under-5s died in pool and spa incidents in 2005, the latest year for which the agency had data –74 more deaths than in 2004.

Children between age one and two accounted for the majority of deaths, and drowning occurred most often when children were in the water without an adult’s knowledge.

However, the report also showed fewer children were treated in emergency rooms for pool and spa injuries: about 2200 chil-dren in 2007, down from 3900 in 2006.

MEDALLION POOLSHIT BY TWISTER

Medallion Pools’ Virginia factory and distribution centre was rocked by a tornado in April. The tail of the twister devastated a 70m strip more than a kilometre long through the area, ripping off the roof of the factory and damaging many other buildings. The company says it recovered quickly from the event andis now operating again.

BASKETBALLER TOADDRESS IPSE FAIR

Legendary NBA player Bill Walton will deliver the keynote address during the

2008 International Pool, Spa, Patio Expo on November 18-20 in Las Vegas.

During his presentation, Walton willdiscuss the characteristics that create

success in business, including focusing on teamwork, hard work and a positive attitude. Walton played college basketball at UCLA, where he was a member of the 1972 and 1973 NCAA championship teams that accumulated a record 88-game winning streak. He won two NBA championship titles and was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 1978. In 1993, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame; in 1997, he was selected as one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players of all time. Walton is also the second of only four players in the history of the NBA to lead the league in both blocked shots and rebounding in the same season.

“Bill Walton’s Hall of Fame career provides a great story,” said Bill Weber, Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) CEO. “Many similarities exist between what it takes to succeed at the highest level of competitive sport and what it takes to succeed in the challenging pool, spa and backyard marketplace.”

BRITAIN HIT BY DIPPING CRAZEIt’s called “dipping” but it’s not a lot of

fun – not if you’re the pool owner, that is. Web-savvy teenagers in Britain are using Google Earth to fi nd the locationof homes with local swimming pools,then post the address on Facebook to organise an impromptu party – without the owner’s knowledge.

The police have said that many home owners return from work to fi nd their backyard full of beer cans, or are wokenin the middle of the night to fi nd youngsters swimming in their pool.

These impromptu parties often involve the participants wearing fancy dress and bringing pushbikes so they canescape quickly.

The craze has been compared to the skaters pool craze in the seventies, when Californian skateboarders would slowly drive around the Santa Monica suburbs, with a lookout standing on the roof of a car, searching for pools in vacated homes. They would sometimes even have pumps to drain the pool if needed, so they could skate in the empty pool shell.

Around the globe

12 | SPLASH! www.splashmagazine.com.au

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18-21 Nov. 2008Eurexpo Lyon, France

• Worldwide previews: all concepts,prototypes, materials and trends.730 exhibitors.

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book review

The SPLASH! Bookshelf

Win a copy SPLASH! has a copy of Boycott to give away. For a chanceto win this book, email: [email protected] the subject line write the name of the Olympics at the centre of the controversy. In the body of the message include your name and address. The fi rst received correct entrywill be sent a copy of the book.

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IN 1980, at the height of the Cold War, the Fraser government told the Australian Olympic Federation (AOF) to boycott the Moscow Olympics, in response to the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan.

The AOF refused. By the time the Australian team marched into the Opening Ceremony, the controversy had split Australian public opinion. The Olympic team had defi ed pressure from

the highest levels – and unprecedented public criticism. Australian sport would take years to recover.

Lisa Forrest was just sixteen when she was named captain of the women’s Olympic swim team. Boycott recounts her experiences of this bitter rift.

With interviews from the signifi cant players, including Malcolm Fraser, executives of the AOF, journalists and athletes, this compelling narrative describes how the 1980 Olympians fought the government, the public, the media and each other in order to fulfi l their dreams, and uphold their belief that the Olympic Games is about peace, not politics.

Boycott is published by ABC Books and is available from ABC Bookshops, ABC Centres and other selected bookshops for an RRP of $35.

A YOUNG AUSSIE SWIMMERMEETS COLD WAR POLITICS HEAD-ON


www.splashmagazine.c

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Go to www.splashmagazine.com.au

and click on Directory(plus news, events, industry links and much more)

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You mean I can fi nd every pool product I need just by clicking here?

Industry Calendar

2008July 18-Aug 2 Rescue 2008, International Life Saving

championships, Berlin (pool events) and Warnemünde (open water events)

July 26 WA Awards NightJuly 28-29 Qld Education Infrastructure Conference,

Marriott Hotel, BrisbaneJuly 30-31 SPLASH! Pool & Spa Trade Show,

Conrad Jupiters, Gold Coast Thebiggest pool and spa trade expoin the Southern Hemisphere

July 31 SPLASH! Environmental Awards Gala Dinner

Aug 1 SPLASH! Andrew SimonsMemorial Golf Day

Aug 8-24 2008 Summer Olympics, BeijingAug 15-17 Victorian Winter Spa and

Pool Consumer ShowAug 25-28 National Water 2008, Sofi tel MelbourneSept 3-5 International Swimming Pool, Sauna and

Fitness Expo, ShanghaiSept 10 SPASA Qld Golf DaySept 12 SPASA Vic Trade DaySept 13 SPASA Vic Gala Dinner and Awards NightSept 25 Bob Stanley Memorial

Golf Day, Camden ValleyOct 15-17 World Aquatic Health Conference (WAHC),

Colorado SpringsOct 15-18 Interbad 2008, Stuttgart, Germany Oct 16-19 Piscina International Pool Show,

Santarem, PortugalOct 26-29 World Waterpark Association Symposium

and Trade Show, Las VegasNov 18-21 Piscine 2008, Lyon, France Nov 18-20 International Pool Spa

Patio Expo (IPSPE), Las Vegas

2009Feb 1-3 Spatex 2009, Brighton, UK

More details available at www.splashmagazine.com.au.

These dates are subject to change and should be checked with the relevant organisation. Please send calendar submissions to [email protected]

FUTURE INDUSTRY DATES TO KEEP IN MIND


industry news

SPASA in NSW has launched Pool& Spa Essentials, a high quality colour publication aimed at converting consumer interest in pools and spas into sales.

The publication of the magazine was one of three key changes to SPASA that Brian Hardiman oversaw before he leftthe organisation [for more on this story,see page 18].

Pool & Spa Essentials is edited by Lisa Llewellyn, who has been helping SPASA with its public and media relations for the past three years. She has previously worked at BRW, National Constructor magazine and for PR companies before starting her own consultancy.

To produce the magazine, she put together a strong team of specialist writers, designers and ad sales representatives.

Pool & Spa Essentials is designed to give readers vital information about pools and spas – whether they’re looking to install one or need information on maintaining a pool and/or spa. The magazine is also a perfect means of showcasing all of the 2008 award winners.

It is sent free to consumers who enquire to SPASA. However, it has been given a cover price of $9.95 so the readers acknowledge the value of the publication. This is a similar price to the other consumer publications available through newsagents.

The fi rst issue of the magazine contains interesting editorial features on everything from choosing the right pool and the latest spa designs to the best in outdoor living accessories.

As with the previous SPASA publication, the magazine also showcases the 2008 pool and spa award winners.

Essential marketing for pools and spas NSW SPASA LAUNCHES ITS NEW CONSUMER MAGAZINE

FOCUS is launching Inside Dealer Services at the SPLASH! expo onthe Gold Coast, July 30 to 31.

Focus Products is known as a leading provider of pool and spa chemicals, cleaning accessories, PVC pipesand fi ttings but this season Focus dealers will get access to morethan just products.

Inside Dealer Services offers direct contact with the retail business support and technical teams who work hard to maximise dealers’ retail growth and accurate water treatment. Focus Insiders will receive support in theform of newsletters, product information, online training, technical guides, marketing strategies, POS materials and legislative updates. Plus Insiders are integral in the creation and deployment of new products to market.

Focus will also have information on their new Relax consumer campaign, using bright and fun marketing to encourage simplicity in pool management.

For more information, visitFocus at stand 34 at SPLASH!

Inside thedealer network

NZ fencing regulations under reviewTHE New Zealand Master Pool Builders Guild has reviewed the discussion paper from the Department of Building and Housing on pool fencing, and has submitted its comments.

The Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987 is a small but important piece of legislation intended to promote the safety of young children around swimming pools and spa pools. Every year in New Zealand, an average of four children under six fall into a swimming pool and drown. Often these tragedies could have been prevented had the pool been properly fenced. Since the Act came into force 20 years ago there has been a signifi cant reduction in the number of drownings.

The discussion document was the fi rst of two papers to assist the Department with the evaluation of the Act. A second paper is planned for 2009 to seek further industry views on any proposals developed from the initial consultation.

Fencing regulations are slightly different to those in Australia. Although the Pool Fencing Act of 1987 is still law, many Territorial Authorities (TAs) are using the NZS8500:2006, which has been

developed on the basis that TAs will gradually seek an upgrade to existing pools over a transitional period. It is expected that this transitional phase would be completed within fi ve years of the publication of the Standard.

The standard says, “Access to the house from outside the property shall not be through the pool area”.

Where compliance is impossible, unreasonable or in breach of any other Act, regulation or bylaw, then a special exemption or determination may be sought from the TA or the DBH. Considerations may include additional layers of protection incorporating at least one of the following:

a) Automatic pool covers that comply with ASTM F1346 – 91,

b) Alarms complying with ASTM F2208, with warning signage required in accordance with Section 5, or

c) Any barrier/fence approved by the TA or DBH through the special exemption/determination process.

For a link to the discussion document go to: http://www.dbh.govt.nz/fospa-consultation or the News tab at splashmagazine.com.au.


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industry news

HARDIMAN MOVES ONAFTER three years at the helm of SPASA NSW, General Manager Brian Hardiman has decided to move on.

Hardiman oversaw a diffi cult period which included the ac-celeration of water

restrictions and other pressures on the NSW industry.

Over the three years since Hardiman’s tenure began, there have been a number of positive changes in SPASA NSW. Probably the three most signifi cant changes were overseeing the publication of the new training guide and the establishment of the Certifi cate IV course in conjunction with the MBA; the drawing up of a new contract with the MBA; and driving the publication of the new consumer magazine.

According to Hardiman, the three big challenges for the new GM will be the es-tablishment of a Home Warranty scheme which could, amongst other things, generate cashfl ow and allow the lowering of membership fees; fi nding more suitable premises; and determining the format and timing of the new Sydney consumer show.

Hardiman has picked up a prestigious job heading up the Tourism Industry Council.

BIOGUARD RESTRUCTURINGBIOGUARD has announced a revamped busi-ness structure in Australia and New Zealand is aimed at con-tinuing growth and developing the BioGuard and Poolside networks.

As commercial director, Lindsay McGrath will head up the new team, and will use knowledge gained from previous senior roles at BioGuard to focus on delivering

results for retailers. This includes employing a new

National Sales Manager, Gregory Wood. Wood provides a fresh approach and a wealth of knowledge for BioGuard’s retail network after years of international business experience. He will be in the fi eld for a minimum of two days per week, delivering ongoing training and development to the sales team and nurturing retailer relationships.

Another new appointment is Julian Quinn, who steps into the newly created role of Retail Development Leader, Australia and New Zealand.

Quinn has been with BioGuard for more than fi ve years. He will supply quality training and develop promotions and educational programs for fi eld staff, with the aim of continually improving value to the retail network and identifying new business opportunities.

Additionally, Bill Mansfi eld will move into the newly appointed role of Technical Sales Support Representative, where he will continue to increase BioGuard’s support and commitment in providing technical education and training.

NEW ORGANISER FORSYDNEY CONSUMER SHOW?

Noel Gray of Australasian Exhibitions and Events is being considered for the position of organiser for the Sydney consumer trade show. Gray is the organiser of the successful Melbourne summer and winter events. The position has become vacant after the resignation of Geoff Holland, who had organised the Sydney event for the past fi ve years.

SWIMART APPOINTS NEW FDMSWIMART has appointed Peter Allen as its NSW Franchise Development Manager. Allen has extensive experience in the franchise industry, as both a franchisor and as

a franchisee, affording him the ability to

identify and understand challengesfaced by franchisees in today’s market, how to address them and also whattype of support franchisees requirefrom the franchisor.

Before joining Swimart, Allen was the Franchise Development Consultant to the Health Information Pharmacy group, and prior to that, the NSW State Franchise manager for the Blockbuster group.

Allen says his responsibilities are to work with existing franchise owners to develop their businesses and also to identify and develop new market territories for Swimart.

SUNLOVER MAKES NEW APPOINTMENTSGRANVILLE Harris has been appointed Sunlover Heating’s NSW Manager. Harris has a wealth of pool industry knowledge and a unique understanding of client’s requirements and needs. He entered the pool industry in the early 1970s with an architectural background and has held senior sales and management positions, including operating a sales training consultancy.

Also, Richard Duncan has been appointed Business Development and Account Manager in the Victorian offi ce. His customer service career developed in the transport and logistics industry, where on-time cost-effective delivery of product is critical to all customers.

Sunlover is also launching a range of product brochures, a comprehensive catalogue covering the company’s new lines and a web site featuring a special “trade only” section for online orders. The brochures and website are reference materials to help trade customers sell Sunlover products to their retail clients, and the “trade only” catalogue provides the technical detail to answer retail sales enquiries.

GENN TASKER LEAVESSWIMMING AUSTRALIASWIMMING Australia CEO, Glenn Tasker, has moved on, taking up a new role in Sydney at Tennis NSW. Duringhis six year tenure, he oversaw a change from Australian Swimming Incorporated to Swimming Australia Ltd.

Industry moves

Lindsay McGrath


industry news

GORDON Brock of Leisure Pools Coffs Harbour has be-come a minor celebrity in the district after rescuing a woman trapped in a car.

But in the typical Australian, uneffacing way, he says it’s ridiculous to call him a hero.

“The real heroes are the people from the SES and Fire Brigade,” Brock says. “People who do this sort of thing every day and risk having their lives changed every day. For an ordinary person like me, this sort of thing only happens once in a lifetime.”

The incident occurred in early June when about 200mm of rain fell within half an hour. After checking on the condition of the site where he is installing his own pool, he remembered his horses, and went to check on them. That’s when he saw the bobbing headlights of a car washed into nearby Newee Creek.

“It was a Commodore station wagon, two-thirds submerged and trapped against the fence by a torrent of water,” he says. “The water was so high that one tyre was sitting on the top of a fence post.”

Brock ran onto the road to stop the traffi c coming down the hill into the fl ooded creek.

That was when he got the shock of his life. He saw an arm come out of the driver’s window and heard a woman’s voice call: “I’m in the car!”

He dashed straight into the fl ooded creek. The car was now tilting so much the driver’s side had come right out of the water. He convinced the woman, Robyn Fletcher, to climb out the window and onto his back. Calmly, she followed his advice. But she had a carry bag with her, and as it hit the creek it fi lled up with water, dragging them along with the torrent and sending Brock under the water.

“Then I started to panic,” he says. “I knew there was a barbed wire fence there, and a sunken tree, and if I got washed away in my Drizabone and boots, we wouldn’t be found till morning.

“Then something came over me – maybe it was the adrenaline kicking in. I spotted a mudguard and used it to pull myself around till I eventually got to the back of the car where the water wasn’t so forceful. Then I managed to jump up and get a breath of air, and push her onto land.”

While Brock’s wife and daughter looked after Fletcher, the police arrived.

“They thought the trouble was a couple of kilometres further up the road, and they just drove straight into the creek. All you could see of the police 4WD was the lights fl ashing on top. But they managed to back out and stop the traffi c.”

Brock credits the good outcome with a few instances of chance – the fact he had gone out to check his horses for one – and also the calmness and maturity Fletcher displayed during her ordeal.

He was initially reluctant for SPLASH! to run this story, as he didn’t want to big-note himself, but eventually consented when told it was an opportunity to tell a positive story about a member of the pool industry. And we all know we could do with some more of them. And as much as he’d hate SPLASH! to mention it, he’s not the only Brock to be praised recently. A few days after the incident, he travelled down to Sydney to see his son presented with a bravery award for running into a burning building to save the occupants.

It seems his style of ordinary Australian heroism runs inthe family.

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IT’S bad enough to dig a pool without a license or experience, but one man in Tasmania went a step further down the path of irresponsi-bility. He stole two mini-ex-cavators to do the job.

His estranged wife, with whom he had an acrimoni-ous split, insisted he create a decent backyard for their fi ve children.

Ian Reid fi rst stole one excavator, but when it turned out to be too small, he went back and stole a second one.

He had previously stolen two ride-on lawnmowers, and given his earlier poor record, which included serv-ing six-months for stealing a caravan, he was sentenced to 18 months jail.

The judge said at sentenc-ing that the thefts would have caused much disrup-tion for the self-employed owner of the excavators and that a signifi cant penalty was needed as a deterrent. Reid must serve a non-parole period of 15 months.

Digging his wife’s pool lands man in jail

BIOGUARD has reported that an increasing number of pool owners are neglecting their backyard pools during winter with detrimental ef-fects on the environment.

BioGuard’s Technical Sales Support Offi cer, Laura Coveney, says that after last winter they saw a 25 per cent increase in the number of calls seeking assistance with green pools in comparison to the previous year.

Coveney says that many pool owners neglect their pools with good intentions, thinking they’re saving water, energy and reducing their overall chemical use but in fact the opposite is true.

“Getting the pool ready for summer after a winter of ne-glect can lead to a signifi cant waste of water, chemicals and energy,” she says.

“It also costs more money, and other drawbacks include algae growth, surface stain-ing, equipment damage and chlorinator cell failure. Water waste results from the need to extensively backwash the pool and in some cases, the

draining and refi lling of the pool after winter.”

Coveney says for an average pool this could waste up to 500L per extra backwash, and refi lling the pool may waste up to 40,000L.

“At a time when water re-sources are a major concern, we strongly advise owners to take care of their pool over winter. Maintaining a 12 month water management program is vital to maintain-ing a pool’s health and is the key for using less water, energy and chemicals.”

BioGuard also reported an increase in the use of chlo-rine caused by winter neglect, as accumulated substances reduce the effectiveness of residual chlorine resulting in more chlorine being added to restore the health of the pool for summer use.

“One of the key benefi ts of managing pool water over winter is that the water re-quires less chemical additions and fewer hours of fi ltration, which means that the pool owner will save water, energy and money,” she says.

Warning about green pools


environment update

Environmental updateBan water bans, says commission

The Productivity Commission has

released a report which says that State

governments should stop restricting

specifi c water uses, and instead use market

forces to restrict water consumption.

In fact, the commission’s Urban Water

Reform Report says that restricting specifi c

uses (such as fi lling pools) costs households

$150 per year more than if the overall price

of water had been raised.

It also says the total cost of these

restrictions across Australia could reach

into the billions of dollars.

The report states:“The aggregate cost to Australian urban

households of the water restrictions can be

approximated by taking costs for particular

cities and applying them to the entire urban

population subject to restrictions. If the

estimate of $150 per household for the extra

cost of using water restrictions rather than

price increases to ration water use in Sydney

in 2005 is applied to the approximately 80 per

cent of Australia’s households then subject

to restrictions, the corresponding estimate

of the national cost is around $900 million.

Given the likelihood that costs excluded from

the Sydney estimate (for example, the costs

of rearranging gardens and installing

watering systems that are allowed under

the restrictions, the costs — including

reduced leisure and/or sleep — of time spent

watering gardens in permitted labour-in-

tensive ways, the deterioration in gardens

and lawns) dominate the costs included in

the estimate, the annual cost of the water

restrictions to Australian households is

probably a multi-billion dollar fi gure

under recent high-level restrictions.

“Water restrictions impact on people

beyond their homes. They experience loss of

amenity from unwatered council parks — or

they pay through their rates for high-cost

recycled water to keep them green.

Community sporting facilities have been

adversely affected. For example, some

football and cricket competitions have been

cancelled or their start delayed because of

the state of water-deprived sports grounds.

Households and businesses in urban

centres are affected also in less obvious

ways by the water restrictions. For example,

water restrictions have resulted in reductions

in output from water-dependent, coal-fi red

electricity generators. This has exacerbated

the reductions in hydro-generation output due

to water shortages. These infl uences have led

to higher wholesale electricity prices.”

To view the report, go to the News tab at

www.splashmagazine.com.au.

Meanwhile, Cairns City councillor Paul Gre-

gory claims it is overkill to bring in “one-size-

fi ts-all” requirements regarding water regula-

tion, which means many people in Cairns will

be installing rainwater tanks despite the high

rainfall and full dams in the area.

As chair of the council’s Water and Waste

Committee, he says the committee supports

wise water use, but some of the members

were concerned that if tanks are not

properly maintained or installed there may

be increased health risks such as dengue

fever. Climate change models predict that

these type of tropical diseases are likely

to head further south, he says.

The foundationof water savingH20 Hive Holdings has come up with an

idea by which every house with a slab could

save and store water automatically.

The company has been awarded a $64,000

Commercialising Emerging Technologies

(COMET) grant to help market its novel

rainwater storage system. It was one of 40

companies across Australia sharing in $23.6

million of funding from the most recent round

of Commercial Ready and COMET grants.

The H20 project is developing a system

in which water storage can be built into the

foundations of any concrete slab based struc-

ture such as a house, patio, driveway or shed.

“Each H20 Hive cell is constructed of fi ve

160mm PVC pipes encased in expanded

polystyrene. The cells are placed in position,

connected, reinforced and then covered in

concrete to complete the foundation,”

says Senator Carr, Minister for Innovation,

Industry, Science and Research.

“The system is connected to a building’s

downpipes and channels the rainwater

off the roof – storing on average

12,500 litres per home.”

For more information on H20 Hive Hold-

ings, call Matthew Woods on 1300 658 393.

Wong confi rms water fundingPenny Wong, the Minister for Climate

Change and Water, confi rmed Labor’s

election commitments to national water

supply management at the most recent

Annual Australian Water Summit.

She outlined the Water for the Future

program which will allocate nearly $13 billion

over 10 years to address the key national

challenges posed by current and potential

water shortages. Her four priorities are:

taking action on climate change, using water

wisely, securing water supplies and

supporting healthy rivers.

Three key commitments include

$1 billion for the National Urban Water

and Desalination Plan (for centres with popu-

lations greater than 50,000); $250 million for

the National Water Security Plan for Cities

and Towns (for centres with populations less

than 50, 000); and $250 million for the

National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative.

Now we like recycled waterCommunity attitudes towards recycled

water are changing, according to a new

University of Melbourne report commissioned

by the Cooperative Research Centre for

Water Quality and Treatment.

Respondents to the Adelaide study showed

an increase in the acceptance of Class A+

recycled water for drinking, up to 58% from


environment update

4%, while the majority (94%) were satisfi ed

with overall recycled water use at Mawson

Lakes, up from 88% in 2005.

Other key fi ndings of the study include:

• An increase in the acceptance of Class A+

recycled water for clothes washing (up to

74% from 23% two years ago);

• A signifi cant decrease in the perception of

risk associated with recycled water for all

uses, from car washing and garden

watering to showering and drinking;

• A signifi cant increase in the perceived

value of what recycled water should cost,

from A$0.46 in 2004 to A$0.89 in 2007.

Dr Anna Hurlimann says the research is

important given the increasing pressure on

water resources experienced in many areas

of the world.

“Policy makers are increasingly turning to

other water alternatives such as desalination,

often assuming that the public will not be will-

ing to use recycled water. Such assumptions

are often not based on evidence,” she says.

A copy of the report is available at the

News tab of www.splashmagazine.com.au.

European rain eases drought for now And just to remind us that it’s not only

Australia that is suffering from drought,

Barcelona had been shipping water in from

France and neighbouring districts. With water

storage dropping to 20 per cent, they had

tankers bring water in until rains recently

eased the situation.

The Catalonia Environment Department is

now building a desalination plant and pipe-

lines to bring water from the Ebro River.

Even London is considering desalination

now that its once notorious and omnipresent

rainfall is declining. A £300 million reverse

osmosis plant is being built to turn the

murky waters of the Thames in crystal

clear drinking water.

Council waters withbackwashThree water tanks are now collecting

backwash water from a Victorian pool for

use on watering nearby sporting grounds.

The Yarra Ranges council received

$240,000 in Victorian Government funding to

build the pool backwash facility at its Yarra

Junction pool, with $200,000 coming from

Regional Development Victoria and $40,000

from Sport and Recreation Victoria.

This will enable the water to be treated so

it can be used for watering purposes.

Combined capacity of the tanks is 66KL.

Similar works have been established at

Kilsyth Centenary Pool, where a 125KL

tank has been installed, and also a 90KL

tank at Lilydale Swimming Pool.

Literally heating a pool by computerComputer data centres generate a lot of heat

energy, which has to be dispersed. Swimming

pools needs heat to make them more

enjoyable. So those clever Swiss have

come up with a symbiotic solution: heat

the pool with the computer.

The hot air expelled by the servers and

communications equipment at a large

IBM-built computer centre near Zurich

is being redirected next door to warm the

local swimming pool.

The hot air from data centres is normally

wasted, while the machines themselves

are blasted with cold air to keep them at

optimum operating temperatures of around

21-degrees Celsius.

On this project, waste heat will fl ow

through heat exchangers to warm water

that will be pumped into the nearby pool.

The local government authority paid for

some of the infrastructure, but will

garner the heat for the pool for free.

The data centre, built in a former military

bunker in Uitikon, will generate 2.8GW of

energy once it is operating at full capacity.

IBM claims this will enable re-using up to

90 percent of the energy generated for the

operation of the data centre, saving approxi-

mately 120 tonnes of carbon emissions.

IBM believes this type of system can

be rolled out internationally.

Davey wins sustainability awardDavey Water Products has won the

Large Business Award in the 2008 Premiers

Sustainability Awards. Davey spokesman

Max Ekins said that the Award fl owed from

a company-wide approach which has created

a ‘house of quality’ concept incorporating

all three aspects of the triple bottom line

– People, Planet and Profi t.

Ekins said that some of the key achieve-

ments over the eight months that the project

has been in train include reducing and

recycling all grades of waste to reduce

landfi ll from 350 cubic metres to 65 cubic

metres per month; and installing a system

harvesting more than one million litres of

rainwater per year from the building roof,

and using it to fl ush all the building toilets

as well as supplying rinse water for the

powder coating pre-treatment line.

Davey’s sustainability concept has also

extended to their products including the

Celsior and Silensor water-cooled pump

motors for swimming pool and spa bath

pumps; and the Davey RainBank automatic

rainwater harvesting controller.

Water coming by sea – the Sichem Defender

The Swiss computer centre will generate 2.8GW of energy

Victorian Premier John Brumby presenting the Award to Max Ekins from Davey Water Products


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safety update

Don’t be scared of resuscitationA study has found that parents are wrongly

afraid of doing CPR on their kids

A study recently published in the Medical

Journal of Australia found that some

parents were reluctant to perform

resuscitation, fearing they could do it wrong

and make the situation worse.

However, Sydney University Associate Pro-

fessor Gary Browne has come out to encour-

age parents to overcome their fear and try to

resuscitate children who have nearly drowned

in backyard swimming accidents.

With an attitude of “even done badly, it’s bet-

ter than nothing,” Browne says that incorrectly

done resuscitation is unlikely to do any harm,

and may in fact save a child’s life.

The study looked at eight children who

drowned or nearly drowned in Sydney in Janu-

ary last year. Browne says half the children

had immediate resuscitation and survived, but

there were signifi cant delays in resuscitation

of the other four children who died.

Browne says the study shows any life sup-

port is better than no life support, saying that

children who had been waiting ten or twenty

minutes for emergency services without any

sort of basic life support were the ones who

didn’t survive. Meanwhile, a 14-month old boy

has been revived after nearly drowning in an

indoor spa at Holsworthy in Sydney’s west. He

had been under the water for several minutes

before he was found not breathing by a family

member. The parents started CPR immedi-

ately, and after approximately one minute he

started breathing again.

“The fact that family members started

resuscitation made all the difference,” a Care-

Flight spokesperson said.

More potty skimmer repairsConsumer Affairs in the Northern Territory

has sent SPLASH! some information on a

potty skimmer repair that an NT builder car-

ried out recently. One of the potty skimmer

evisceration incidents which occurred earlier

in the year was in the Territory.

The images (top left) show the completed

work, using fi breglass to create a lid. The

builder left some simple notes on the job:

“Rectifi cation work to potty seat skimmer

boxes entails fi xing a permanent fi breglass lid

to the skimmer box. The fi breglass lid is then

glued down with fi breglass and a weir fl ap is

placed at the front of the skimmer box.”

The cost is believed to be around $300.

The builder also pointed out there should

be two suction points, so if one is blocked, the

suction will divert to the secondary suction

point.

The other potty skimmer incident earlier

this year involved a 3yr-old boy, Julian from

Wellington, NSW.

The local support of the Wellington and

Dubbo community was a great strength to the

family, and fundraising efforts have already

garnered $25,000 to help with Julian’s medical

expenses and care.

Another event is being organised for the

Sunday 20th July – a 45km walk from Dubbo

to Wellington symbolising taking baby steps

forward with courage, patience and inner

strength. For more information go to the

News tab of www.splashmagazine.com.au.

Safety strategy releasedThe recent 2008 Australian Water Safety Con-

ference at Darling Harbour Sydney was her-

alded a success by a range of Australian and

International water safety experts who were

eager to contribute and collaborate to the draft

Australian Water Safety Strategy 2008-2011.

“The AWSC has identifi ed three key drivers

which will form the basis of the strategy to

reduce drowning deaths by 50% by 2020. We

must take a life stage perspective, target high

risk locations and meet several signifi cant

drowning challenges such as those faced by

the indigenous or culturally and linguistically

diverse communities in Australia,” says Rob

Bradley, convenor of the council.

“The Australian Water Safety Council have

set an ambitious target to reduce drown-

ing deaths in Australia by 50% by 2020, the

necessary approach was detailed in the draft

Australian Water Safety Strategy 2008-2011.

“After an encouraging 20% decrease in

drowning deaths between 2000-04, a number

of disturbing upwards trends have emerged

recently, in particular in the under fi ves group.

To hear from parents who had either lost a

child to drowning or continued to care for a

child who suffers serious medical conditions

due to a near drowning, puts a face to the

sometimes cold statistics.

“The International keynote speaker Dr

Michael Linnan, Technical Director, The Al-

liance for Safe Children spoke of the hor-

rendous plight suffered by many of our Asian

neighbours, due to an obvious lack of exper-

The potty skimmer repaired with fi breglass


safety update

tise and resources in the area of water safety

that are often taken for granted here

in Australia.

“It is essential that we make available

whatever is necessary to help these

countries,” he says. The Australian Water

Safety Council member organisations are

Austswim, Royal Life Saving Society Aus-

tralia, Surf Life Saving Australia, Swimming

Australia, Standing Committee on

Recreation and Sport, Farmsafe Australia,

Kidsafe Australia, Australian National

Sportfi shing Association, Aquatic and

Recreation Institute, Surfi ng Australia,

Australia and New Zealand Safe Boating

Education Group, Australian Local Govern-

ment Association, and the Australian Swim-

ming Teachers and Coaches Association.

For a link to the full presentations given

at the 2008 Australian Water Safety

Conference go to the News tab at

www.splashmagazine.com.au.

Alarm manufacturer says supervision not enoughDrowning death numbers in Canada have

plummeted – from eight per 100,000 at the

end of the second world war, to less than a

quarter of that now, at 1.4 per 100,000.

However, while Canadian drowning

numbers in total have dropped, the

under-two category has risen in recent years.

Canada, like Australia, places great

emphasis on supervision.

“Children have to be supervised – they

have to be watched,” said Gillian Baker of the

Canadian Red Cross in a recent article in the

Ottawa Citizen. “It takes just seconds for the

unthinkable to happen. Let the phone ring, let

the doorbell go, or take the child with you.”

However, Bob Lyons, president of Canadian

alarm manufacturer, Terrapin (developer of

the Safety Turtle) has an alternate view,

believing that the emphasis being placed

solely on supervision is misguided and is in

fact a contributing factor in the issue of

drowning-related deaths and injuries.

“I’m a little frustrated,” Lyons says.

“Some of these messages were ultimately

counterproductive, because they would extol

people to watch their kids, which is fi ne, it

probably saves some kids – but it suggests the

solution is just to watch your kids more closely

– and it’s anything but. We’ve been trying that

solution for years and years.

“People aren’t perfect, they never will be

perfect. It’s a theoretical solution that we’ve

reached diminishing returns on. People are

doing their best, but the tragedies continue

to occur each year.

“Drowning is right up there as a problem

that’s not going away, although it’s evolved,”

he says.

Lyon has a product to sell, but he is not

advocating replacing supervision with alarms,

merely complementing supervision with other

safety measures. He believes the new mes-

sage should be: Supervision can and does fail.

“To focus solely on supervision is to over-

simplify the issue and could create a false

sense of security,” he says.

“The mentality now is to blame drownings

on lack of supervision. People take a position

of superiority and don’t feel vulnerable.

They feel they’re not part of that group,

but they are – what they don’t realise is

how insidious this problem is.”

Rob Bradley, Michael Linnanand Noeline Brown

The Water SafetyConference participants


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industry news

SPASA NSW AwardsThe Awards for the NSW pool and spa industry were recently

handed out at a gala dinner at Rosehill Racecourse

The NSW State

Award Winners are:

Cat 1: Residential Concrete

Pools – Traditional or

Geometric up to $50,000

Gold: A1 Pools & Spas Pty Ltd

Silver: Architectural Pools

Cat 1a: Residential Concrete


Geometric $50,000 to $100,000

Gold: Sunrise Pools

Silver: Liquid Pool Design

Cat 1b: Residential Concrete


Geometric over $100,000

Gold: Mediterranean

Pools & Spas

Silver: Sunrise Pools

Cat 2: Residential Concrete

Pools – Freeform or

Natural up to $50,000

Gold: Aurora

Landscaping & Pools

Category 1a Gold winner, Sunrise Pools

Category 1b Gold winner, Mediterranean Pools and Spas

Category 1 Gold winner, A1 Pools and Spas

Category 2 Gold winner, Aurora Landscaping and Pools

Category 2aGold winner, Discovery Landscaping and Pools


Cat 2a: Residential Concrete

Pools – Freeform or

Natural $50,000 to $100,000

Gold: Discovery

Landscaping & Pools

Cat 3: Residential Fibreglass

Pools up to $30,000

Gold: Narellan Pools Riverina

Cat 3a: Residential Fibreglass

Pools over $30,000

Gold: Local Pools & Spas

Silver: Narellan Pools Central

West & Blue Mountains

Cat 8: Spas and Hot Tubs

Gold: Sunrise Pools

Silver: Mediterranean

Pools & Spas

Cat 10: Commercial Pools

or Spas below $250,000

Gold: Architectural Pools

Cat 10a: Commercial Pools

or Spas over $250,000

Gold: Mediterranean

Pools & Spas

Cat 11a: Renovations

Over $20,000

Gold: Smart Pools & Renovations

Silver: Polar Pools

Cat 12: Innovative

Gold: Bazley Pools & Spas

Cat 13: Water Features

Gold: Sunrise Pools

Silver: Polar Pools

Cat 14: Lap Pools

Gold: Mediterranean

Pools & Spas

Silver: Architectural Pools

Most innovative product

Waterco’s MultiCyclone

industry news

Category 8 Gold winner, Sunrise Pools Category 3 Gold winner, Narellan Riverina

Category 3a Gold winner, Local Pools and Spas

Category 10a Gold winner, Mediterranean Pools and Spas

Category 10 Gold winner, Architectural Pools

Category 13 Gold winner, Sunrise Pools

Category 12 Gold winner, Aquastone

Category 11a Gold winner, Smart Pools

and RenovationsCategory 14 Gold winner, Mediterranean Pools and Spas


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