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ACWA Membership Renewals Advice

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To our Association Members

At the most recent meeting of the Board of the Australian Car Wash Association, it was resolved to increase membership fees for the 2022-23 financial year.

It is never pleasant to announce a fee increase; however, this will be the first fee change since ACWA lowered membership fees five years ago.

Like many businesses and organisations, ACWA has been burdened with rising costs.  However, with COVID and other factors impacting members, the Board and staff elected to restructure the Association, allowing us to keep membership prices on hold during the turbulence of recent years.  Unfortunately, this is not sustainable in the year(s) ahead, particularly with our most significant event, Car Wash Show Australia, returning to the Association’s calendar.

The Board acknowledges that a 10% membership subscription increase is sizable.  However, I take this opportunity to point out that the fees in many membership categories are lower than they were six years ago!

We also acknowledge that dire weather conditions and severe staff shortages continue to chronically impact some wash operators, particularly on the east coast.  If your operation falls into this category, please let us know.  We will do our best to accommodate your circumstances.

I trust members will appreciate all ACWA has achieved over the past few years.  Please continue supporting our efforts by renewing your membership subscription when it becomes due.

Regards, Neil

Neil Fox, President, Australian Car Wash Association

2021-22 Annual Wage Review Decision

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Workplace Alert

2021-22 Annual Wage Review Decision

The Fair Work Commission has handed down the 2021-22 Annual Wage Review Decision.  The revised rates come into effect for most Award categories from the first pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2022.

The Decision provides for a significant increase in wage rates for base-level employees.  We take this opportunity to remind car wash operators that employers must comply with minimum wage and/or Award obligations, and there are severe penalties for non-compliance.

The Decision is now available by logging into the Members’ section of the ACWA website https://acwa.net.au/members/  and can be quickly located by clicking on Quick-Find – Wage Rates, Templates, Manuals and Business Essentials in the left-hand navigation panel

The new wage rate full calculations provided by our Industrial Relations Specialist will be displayed shortly. 

Only ACWA Members receive free annual wage rate analysis and calculations from the Association’s Industrial Relations experts, Employment Services & Solutions Australia (ESSA).  Your membership subscription entitles you to free access to ESSA services.  Please check the ACWA website for terms and conditions.

You Are Invited – Victorian car wash gathering

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Wednesday 15 June  

Victoria Car Wash Meeting

Meet on-site at 11:15 for 11:30am start of the on-site tour and talk

Thank you to ACWA Member, John for hosting this meeting at his showcase site

Tap & Go Laser Car Wash, 1470-1474 Sydney Rd, Campbellfield

Approx. 12:45pm join ACWA Board members for lunch at The Meadow Inn, Bistro at 1435 Sydney Rd, Fawkner (500 metres from the car wash site)

Plus – Latest news from ACWA

ACWA Supplier Member, Mark Pollard, Make it Cheaper 

Bring your bill to the meeting and meet Mark to see how he can help you save on energy costs at your car wash site

ACWA Supplier Members, Tracey Michaels, TMC Building Design Group

and Glen Gamble, One Stop Carwash Equipment

Tracey and Glen will take you on a guided tour of this epic 2,300M2 Car Wash site with the latest in car washing equipment.

Featuring two Laserwash 360 Plus Automatic Touchfree Carwash with ICS Cashless Entry Systems giving the customer a wide range of marketing and sales options. There is also an iWash self- serve system with Nayax cashless payment only, as well as a range of vacuum, dog wash and vending.  This site is a full cashless site.

Join us for a walk around to discuss the intricacies of the design layout and equipment placement which is spaced over 2 separate buildings and the challenges that were faced.

This Car Wash has the best views of the city!  A site/sight that must be seen…

Site Features:

– 2 x PDQ Laserwash 360+,

– 4 x iWash Self-Serve,

– 6 x Vacuum Bays,

– 1 x K9000 Dog Wash + Dog Run,

– 2 x Separate Plant Rooms,

– 1 x Laundrette,

– 1 x Caretakers Unit (note we will not have access to this area).

RSVP by Tuesday 14 June to Fiona, ACWA email: contact@acwa.net.au

Take Action Now and Avoid Increased Energy Prices

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ACWA Members,

With small business electricity prices set to skyrocket, there has never been a better time to introduce members to ACWA Supplier Member, Make it Cheaper.

They are energy experts and ideally positioned to help you get the best possible price in a rising energy market.

In the first three months of the year, wholesale energy prices saw a year-on-year increase of 141%, and they look like they are continuing to rise.

These increases are set to flow through to retail prices across small business and residential customers from July 1st.

Indeed, ABC News has reported that Small Business Electricity prices will rise by 18.3%, and the Australian Financial Review said we could expect a double-digit increase in our power bills.

So now is the time to take action to make sure you are getting the best power deal.

In the coming weeks, you will receive a rate change notification from your current retailer detailing your new (increased) pricing and how this will affect your energy contract.

This is where MiC can assist!  Click Here 

At absolutely no cost or obligation to you, MiC will undertake a completely free comparison and tell you whether they can find your business savings or whether it is best to stay put with your current retailer.

Now is the time to take action.  Let MiC ensure you are not paying any more than you need to in the current volatile market!

Queensland Car Wash Meeting

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All Welcome
Queensland Car Wash Meeting
Tuesday 5 April, 2022 at the Breakfast Creek Hotel.
Meet in the Rum Bar at 11.30 for a 12 noon meeting start.
Presentations, lunch and non stop car wash talk !
Thank you to our Meeting Bar Sponsor – Ben Haycroft from Workplace Central  https://www.workplacecentral.com.au/  
Please RSVP to contact@acwa.net.au by Monday 4 April.

NSW Bulletin

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NSW Bulletin

There have been recent COVID health orders in NSW, and those are set to change tomorrow.  However, ACWA has received some questions around QR Code Check-ins and mask requirements. We, therefore, provide the following advice as a summary of NSW conditions:

On Friday, 18 February 2022, the Government made the following adjustments to NSW COVID settings:

  • QR check-ins are only required for nightclubs and all music festivals with more than 1,000 people
  • No density limits (previously one person per 2sqm for hospitality venues)
  • Hospitals, aged and disability facilities may use their existing systems for recording visitors
  • Singing and dancing is permitted at all venues, except music festivals
  • The recommendation to work from home will change and be returned to the employer’s discretion

The following further adjustments are to be made from Friday, 25 February 2022 (tomorrow):

  • Masks will only be mandated on public transport, planes, and indoors at airports, hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, corrections facilities, and indoor music festivals with more than 1,000 people.
  • Masks are encouraged for indoor settings where you cannot maintain a safe distance from others and for customer-facing retail staff to protect vulnerable people who must access these premises and services.
  • Each State Government agency will review where it may be appropriate for public-facing staff to wear masks .
  • The 20,000 person cap on music festivals will be removed, with singing and dancing permitted.
  • Vaccination requirements will remain for indoor music festivals over 1,000 people, with attendees required to have at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Queensland Bulletin

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Queensland Bulletin

There are changing COVID conditions in Queensland, particularly in South East Queensland, ACWA advises as follows:

From 6 pm on Friday 4 March 2022:

  • Masks will no longer be required indoors, except in hospitals, residential aged care, disability accommodation, prisons, public transport, airports and planes.
  • Masks will no longer be required in schools.  This includes staff, students and visitors.
  • Masks are recommended whenever social distancing cannot be maintained.
  • Venues and events will no longer have capacity limits.
  • There will be no limit on the number of visitors you can have in your home at one time.

Until 4 March, restrictions and requirements will continue to be in place.

The Queensland Public Health information can be found here

https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/public-health-social-measures?_cldee=c2NvdHRAcHJvd2FzaC5jb20uYXU%3d&recipientid=contact-7a039c0287e8e81180e6000d3ae0def9-2a670b9932ea43bfb279f078875fc904&esid=0873fdb2-3d94-ec11-b400-00224811e5b9

ACWA Bulletin – Victoria Members

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The Victorian Government has announced that from 11:59 pm this Friday, 25 February 2022:

  • Face masks will no longer be required in most indoor settings in Victoria and,
  • The requirement to work or study at home will be removed.

After this Friday, masks will only be necessary INDOORS in the following circumstances unless an exemption applies:

  • People on public transport, in taxis and rideshare, on planes, and indoors at an airport
  • People working or visiting hospitals, and indoor areas at care facilities
  • Workers in hospitality, retail and the court system
  • Workers at justice and correctional facilities
  • Students in year three or above at primary school and workers at early childhood centres and primary schools (masks can be removed in secondary school)
  • People working indoors at an event with more than 30,000 people attending
  • In exceptional circumstances, such as if you have COVID-19 or are a close contact and you’re leaving home

8 February 2022 Bulletin Victoria

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A reminder to all Victorian members that all Victorian workplaces must have a COVIDSafe Plan in place.

The government has released a new template to assist businesses to ensure that their plans cover all the current requirements. It is not mandatory to use this template, but it provides an excellent checklist to ensure your wash’s current COVIDSafe Plans comply with legislation.

Your COVIDSafe Plan must:

  • Outline your actions to help prevent the introduction of COVID-19 to your workplace
  • Prescribe the type of face mask or personal protective equipment (PPE) required for your workforce
  • How you will prepare for and respond to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in your workplace
  • How you will meet all the requirements set out by the Victorian Government.
  • Organisations with multiple worksites must complete a COVIDSafe Plan for each worksite.

The Victorian Government is offering a free support service for small to medium businesses to ensure your COVIDSafe Plan is up to date and reflects current COVIDSafe Settings

Further detail and information can be found here https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covidsafe-plan

 

Festive Season Message

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The Australian Car Wash Association staff and Board extends the warmest compliments of the season to members.  It’s been fantastic working with you all in 2021.

We wish to advise that the ACWA office will be closed for a short time over the Christmas holidays from December 24 until January 10 2022, inclusive.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy and profitable holiday season.  Most importantly, please stay safe.

We look forward to catching up with members face to face in 2022.