News

Businesses in the car wash industry whose turnover has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic may be able to access a wages subsidy through the Federal JobKeeper Scheme. The Scheme is designed to allow businesses to continue paying your employees as we go through the tumultuous Coronavirus environment and provide companies with a kick-start when it’s over.

Under the JobKeeper Program, your business can claim a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee from 30 March 2020, for a maximum of six months.

Please find attached detailed information regarding the Federal Government’s JobKeeper Payments announced today. Please be aware this package still needs to pass through legislation before it can take effect. In the coming days, the Government will shed more light on how the Scheme will be implemented.

More information is available on the Federal Treasury’s resource site. It has detailed fact sheets on all COVID-19 economic measures and is a great resource.

https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/businesses

 

This information and other important resources are also available in the member’s area of the ACWA website https://acwa.net.au/members/ .

 

NSW Water Minister, Melinda Pavey recently announced that from 1 March 2020 water restrictions would drop from level 2 to level 1 for greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra Water.  However, on checking the Sydney Water website, ACWA discovered that conditions for commercial car washing remained unchanged.

It is pleasing to report that as of today, this situation has been resolved and commercial car washes in areas under Sydney Water’s authority will revert to more favourable Level 1 conditions.  Indeed, Sydney Water has approved an additional concession, allowing operators to average water use per car across all wash types on the site. This is a condition ACWA fought for during Level 2 Restrictions.

Level 1 Restrictions for commercial car washing in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra are:

• All commercial car washes must apply for a Water Restrictions Exemption.
• Commercial car washes may wash vehicles using any wash method.
• Commercial car washes must use an average* of fewer than 125 litres of drinking water for each car washed*.
  • *125L/wash is the efficiency requirement.
  • Most car wash sites use multiple car wash systems (self-serve and auto, for example).
  • Average water use is calculated per vehicle across each washing method used on the site.

ACWA encourages all members to ensure they hold a Water Restrictions Exemption. The Exemption is an online application process https://www.sydneywater.com.au/SW/water-the-environment/what-we-re-doing/water-restrictions/water-restrictions-exemption-request/index.htm

Members should also be aware that a fine of $550 (per day) may be applied to businesses who have not applied for an Exemption.

The Reserve Bank yesterday revealed the design of the new $100 banknote, which is the final denomination to be redesigned as part of the Next Generation Banknote Program. The banknote will be released into circulation in the second half of 2020.

As with the existing banknote, the new $100 features Sir John Monash and Dame Nellie Melba.

The Reserve Bank has advised that it is continuing to work with banknote equipment manufacturers and retailers to help them prepare banknote accepting and dispensing machines to handle the new $100 banknote.

Existing $100 banknotes remain legal tender and can continue to be used.

Full details of the design and security features on the new $100 banknote, and other denominations, are available on the Bank’s website at banknotes.rba.gov.au.

ACWA takes this opportunity to advise members of several Worksafe inspections carried out at car wash sites in Victoria in the last week.

Car wash site operators are encouraged to review and update their WHS Site Plans and ensure any required on-site signage is clear and visible to customers.

We take this opportunity to remind operators that ONLY ACWA MEMBERS can access exclusive:

• WHS Guides and Templates specifically designed to ensure car wash sites are Worksafe compliant
• Free individual opportunities to consult with the best one-on-one WHS Consultancy Service in the marketplace

The Fair Work Ombudsman has issued a revised copy of the Fair Work Information Statement.

The Fair Work Information Statement must be given to each employee when they commence employment.  The Statement provides new employees with information on the National Employment Standards, Awards, the role of the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Fair Work Commission as well as other employment-related matters.

Under section 125 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act), a national system employer must give each employee a copy of the Fair Work Information Statement as soon as practicable after they commence employment.

Penalties of up to $63,000 for a corporation and $12,600 for an individual may be imposed if the employers do not comply with this requirement.

ACWA Members can access the statement by logging into the Members Only section of the ACWA website.  The Fair Work Information Statement along with up-to-date Annual Wage Rates details can be found in the Industrial Relations Section.

https://acwa.net.au/members/car-wash-operator-member-services/industrial-relations/

It is difficult to ever describe a Victorian weather event as extraordinary.  Still, last Thursday’s 40-degree scorcher really was one out of the box…even for Melbourne!

As the city baked through its equal-hottest November day this century, fierce winds swept across the State, uprooting trees and creating dust storms throughout Melbourne suburbs.  Then, just minutes later, light rain, thunderstorms and a 20-degree temperature drop.

But what may have been uncomfortable for the city’s residents, produced an absolute boon for car wash sites with many operators are still reporting queues and record wash numbers a week later.

With the background above in mind, ACWA would like to thank those who took a time-out from the bustling car wash scene to attend the ACWA State Meeting yesterday.  A crowd of around 40 people participated in the event which was followed by a relaxed counter lunch and an opportunity to enjoy the fellowship of the car wash industry.

The informal affair, held at the Rising Sun Hotel in South Melbourne, was held immediately following ACWA’s November Board Meeting and presented a rare opportunity for all Board Members to attend.

In his presentation, ACWA President Neil Fox was keen to thank members for their support this year, emphasising that without an active and supportive membership base, the task of representing and protecting the interests of the car wash industry is difficult.

In support of this statement, Neil outlined ACWA’s involvement in some of the key issues and opportunities confronting the car wash industry around the country.

High on the agenda was the water crisis facing the industry in NSW and Queensland.  Neil outlined the work ACWA has been undertaking in both States to ensure car washing continues under water restriction conditions.  He highlighted that despite Sydney Water announcing Level 2 Restrictions from 10 December, car washing will continue.

“The new restrictions state you can wash your car, truck, van, using a bucket and sponge or at a commercial car wash,” said Neil.  He went on to say, “this commendation and recognition of commercial car washing is carried across Sydney Water’s communications and website and will encourage consumers to use our services”.  This is a significant achievement considering the position we were faced with just a few months ago.

The crowd was reminded of the need to support the recently announced Water Restrictions Fighting Fund.  “We must remain united in our approach,” said Neil.  “While it is NSW and Queensland most affected at this time, as sure as night follows day, drought will follow in other areas, and we must be prepared to fight for our rights to wash”.

Attendees also received an enthusiastic reminder that Car Wash Show Australia 2020 on the Gold Coast is looming.  The Show will run from 22 to 24 September 2020, and with record numbers of exhibitors almost certain, the event is set to be the biggest and best ever.

Packages and bookings for car wash operators will be released in February.

ACWA would like to thank members once again for their support of the State Meeting and taking time out of very busy schedules to be with us.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has undertaken a first print run of the new banknotes and is making them available for calibration purposes.

All banknote equipment manufacturers with a signed Banknote Loan Agreement with the Reserve Bank should have received an email with instructions for placing orders.

The Reserve Bank has further advised that a second print run will be made available for testing purposes in mid-2020 and this will be accompanied with further information specifically for machine users, including retailers and commercial banks.

The new design of the $100 banknote will be revealed to the public early next year and the new format $100 note will be released into circulation in late 2020.

With the recent announcement that Level 2 Water Restrictions will come into force from December 10 2019, Sydney is facing its harshest water restrictions in more than a decade

In June 2019 and for the first time since the Millennium Drought in 2003, Sydney was placed on Level 1 Restrictions. However, rainfall in catchment areas since June has been minimal, forcing the NSW State Government to announce the introduction of Level 2 Restrictions.

These restrictions will impact all car wash operators in Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains and The Illawarra.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said in a statement “Given the rapid rate of decline of our dam levels we have decided to enact the next level of restrictions sooner than planned. We’re experiencing one of the most severe droughts on record, and we expect that by introducing level two restrictions to save 78.5 gigalitres of water per year.”

ACWA has worked tirelessly to get the best possible outcome for the commercial car wash industry and ensure the industry can continue to operate during Sydney’s water restrictions. We are pleased that under Level 2 Restrictions, commercial car washes can access permits to wash via the exemption process.

ACWA will continue to fight for the rights of commercial car washes to operate during restrictions, but we can’t do it alone. Please help us, help you by contributing to the Water Restrictions Fighting Fund at https://acwa.net.au/join-the-fighting-fund/#!form/Levy

Your Association continues to work closely with Sydney Water, and we are currently seeking clarity around conditions accompanying Level 2 Restrictions for car wash operators. A further communication to members will be issued in the coming days.

Sydney Water Level 2 Water Restrictions – Key Points for Car Wash Operators:

• Level 2 Water Restrictions will be introduced on December 10 2019

• Level 2 Water Restrictions apply to car wash operators in Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra.

• Car washing can only take place by using a bucket and sponge or in a commercial car wash.

• Car wash operators with businesses under the authority of Sydney Water (Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra) must have a valid Exemption Permit.

• Car wash operators who have a Level 1 Exemption Permit need do nothing at this time. Sydney Water will contact these operators by mid-December and outline the necessary process. In the meantime, these sites can continue using water under the conditions of the Level 1 Permit.

• Car wash operators without a current Exemption Permit, need to apply for a Water Restrictions Exemption online at https://www.sydneywater.com.au/SW/water-the-environment/what-we-re-doing/water-restrictions/water-restrictions-exemption-request/index.htm. A separate Exemption Permit is required for each car wash site.

• Car wash operators can face fines of $550 per day if they are operating outside water restrictions conditions.