SPASA revolution: NSW becomes SPASA Australia

In a controversial move designed to reinvigorate the concept of a national industry voice, the Swimming Pool & Spa Association of NSW has relaunched itself as the Swimming Pool & Spa Alliance of Australia (SPASA Australia).

In effect, SPASA NSW has set itself up as a national body and has registered a number of trading names including SPASA Australia and SPASA Australia Training. The name SPASA Australia in this instance stands for the Swimming Pool & Spa Alliance of Australia.

This represents an issue as the existing national body is also called SPASA Australia, the acronym standing for the Swimming Pool and Spa Association of Australia.

The SPASA NSW management and board say the move was the only way forward following the ongoing failure of the current national body, the Swimming Pool and Spa Association of Australia, to reach consensus on many vital issues.

“There is a great need for a national body,” says Peter Moore, President of SPASA NSW and now also President of the Swimming Pool & Spa Alliance of Australia.

“Unless the body is national, many government departments and Standards Australia do not want to liaise with you. SPASA NSW has built up great creditability and rapport with many government departments and Standards, which is a solid foundation to build on,” he says.

“In its current form, the SPASA Australia board can find it difficult to agree on some issues, and consequently issues may not be addressed adequately. The new Alliance will not be placed in this situation.”

At the heart of the problem is the Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Australia constitution which stipulates that all decisions must be agreed unanimously by the five directors, who are the five presidents of each state organisation.

This story was prepared under embargo, and SPLASH! has since updated this story with feedback and opinion from other industry associations.

Disharmony between the states

Alliance CEO Spiros Dassakis says that for some time there’s been significant disharmony between the states relating to the operation of the Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Australia, and the NSW board has not been happy with the requirement for a unanimous vote. They would prefer to have a majority vote to decide proposals, and believe that would overcome the regular impasses in getting decisions made.

He also says that it’s a critical point that no-one other than the state SPASAs are members of the existing national organisation. Therefore, neither state nor national members can use the existing Australian logo to show they are part of a national industry, nor can they have a direct voice in the organisation.

However, all members of SPASA NSW will now automatically become members of the new national body and will have the choice of using the existing NSW branding, or using the SPASA Australia logo.

The SPASA NSW board, which includes national members, will initially make up the Alliance board until elections are held in June 2013.

SPASA NSW will no longer participate in the national membership arrangement with the other state SPASAs, by which a fee is collected by the state where the national company is headquartered, and divided amongst the other states. What this means for the national membership arrangement with the other states is unclear at this stage.

As of December 5, 2012, any national member who wishes to join the Swimming Pool & Spa Alliance of Australia can apply directly.

Dassakis says they have received in-principle support from several key national members including Davey Water Products, International Quadratics, LoChlor Chemicals, Niagara Pool Supplies, Pentair, Spa Electrics, Sunbather, Waterco Ltd and Zodiac Australia. Additionally, the new organisation will be supported by international associations including the New Zealand Master Pool Builders Guild (NZMPBG) and the Malaysian Swimming Pool Association (MSPA).

Cross border evolution

Moore says that the changing nature of the legislative landscape means it is vital that a functioning body exists to lobby on national matters.

“Currently, the legislation affecting the industry is predominantly state-based,” he says. “But heading into the future, legislation will be nationally based, especially with licensing et cetera. This new body will be ready to adapt to these changes.”

Moore also says that prospective members often ask about the national status of the organisation.

“We are receiving enquiries from potential new members, asking if we are a national body. These include franchise set-ups, which may operate in several states. These members require a national body.”

He says that the board is highly supportive of the change in direction and he believes the members will also be very supportive.

“I believe the membership will certainly embrace the new body,” he says. “They will become part of a national body, not just a state body. The credibility will be certainly raised. The new Swimming Pool and Spa Alliance of Australia will be a very proactive body, representing the whole industry at a national level for the future of the entire industry.”

Moore says that as President of SPASA NSW, he is and will remain a director of the Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Australia. However, he will declare a possible conflict of interest.

SPASA NSW Vice President Rob Guthrie says the move will be good for members.

“For NSW members, things will go on as they are; but the big benefit is there will be a national voice for the whole of the industry, not selected parts – not different states or different sectors,” he says.

“And we’ve got the base to do it because we’re the only RTO in the industry that is pool-based, and training is becoming more and more important in the industry. It’s vital for us to become more professional; and government recognises that and will put more pressure on us to become more professional in the future.”

Lengthy consideration given to decision

Moore says he hopes the move will not be seen as being aggressive.

“It’s a big move which has not eventuated without many hours of careful consideration,” he says. “Hopefully there won’t be any negative reaction from other state SPASAs. We are creating this national body for the betterment of the entire industry. We are not trying to create conflict with any other states, but it may cause a few small waves through the industry.

“This is the first big step and there will be other steps to take along the way. Everyone is keen and excited to create this new body, which is being created for the future of the entire swimming pool industry.”

Dassakis also says that SPASA NSW does not wish any ill will on any state, and will be inviting other states to join a national committee.

“We have attempted to work with every state for the benefit of the industry. We believe there is no other alternative. SPASA in its current form faces irrelevancy if it fails to deal with matters across borders. More and more people are looking for a national logo, a national presence, a national influence.

“We will formulate an invitation to the other states with the view of inviting them to be on a national committee that will operate on majority vote.”

SPASA Convention

The Alliance will also bring back the idea of a SPASA Convention, which will be held on August 15 to 17 at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre (SOPAC) in Homebush. It will include an exhibition and educational forums in a one day event, followed by a SPASA Australia Golf Day on the Friday and the Awards Night on the Saturday.

SPLASH! has updated this story with feedback and opinion from other industry associations.

Earlier, SPASA NSW came to an arrangement with SPASA Queensland to supply training to their members.

For more information email info@spasaaustralia.org.au or go to www.spasaaustralia.org.au.