Bluewater Lagoon ex-staff lodge complaint over safety concerns, unpaid super at Mackay pool

A lifeguard trainer who raised safety concerns at a council-owned pool for kids is aiming to win the contract himself, as more complaints come to light.

Mackay lifeguardpatrolling the Bluewater Lagoon during school holidays. Picture: Zizi Averill

A lifeguard trainer who was contracted at the Bluewater Lagoon has put his eye on the upcoming tender as more ex-employees come forward raising safety concerns.

While training lifeguards at the venue last month, disaster and emergency management coordinator David Ayles became aware of what he alleged were several safety violations, including broken medical equipment and staff patrolling without valid certificates.

The current operator of the pool, Lifeguarding Services Australia, has said all equipment is regularly assessed and denied any wrongdoing.

David Ayles was contracted by LSA to train staff at the Bluewater Lagoon. Photo: Contributed

Mr Ayles claimed he saw damaged spine boards missing straps and head-guards, medical kits wrapped in ripped bin bags, a defibrillator bag ripped and damaged oxygen kits. He said this prompted him to come forward with the allegations and consider the contract himself.

One of the spine boards was missing straps and missing a head guard according to Mr Ayles. Photo: David Ayles

Medical kits stored inside ripped plastic bags with rescue tubes tied up incorrectly according to Mr Ayles. Photo: David Ayles

Mr Ayles said the Automated External Defibrillator was seen exposed to the weather containing a damaged oxygen kit. Photo: David Ayles

“I’m in emergency management and when these concerns came up, I thought if there’s an opportunity for me to provide a better service for the community, why not throw my hat in the ring,” he said.

“When I did the lifeguard training I had no interest in the place, I had no idea about it all.”

David Ayles was contracted by LSA to train staff at the Bluewater Lagoon.

Earlier this month, staff at the Bluewater Lagoon walked off the job leaving the CEO of Lifeguarding Services Australia who currently own the contract for the venue, Stanley Wall, to man the pool on his own.

An empty Bluewater Lagoon manned by CEO Stan Wall after staff refuse to rock up due to pay disputes and overworked employees, March 7, 2025

The pool’s supervisor at the time, Madison Pittman, who quit after speaking with the Daily Mercury, said she and her team were inspired to take a stand after weeks of being underpaid while Mr Wall was visiting.

Since then, more ex-staff have come forward with similar complaints.

Sarah Lowcock, who was venue manager for around 16 months before Ms Pittman replaced her in November last year, said she had to lie to her staff about unpaid super and wages.

She also claimed to have been underpaid herself while sometimes having to work seven day weeks filling in for colleagues who were sick.

“I didn’t want to leave my position in November last year,” she said.

“But as a mother of two children I didn’t have a choice.

“I needed to financially provide for my children and I couldn’t do that.”

CEO of LSA, Stan Wall who currently owns the contract for the Bluewater Lagoon.

Mr Wall said that after undertaking a complete audit, his company found no claims for payment, petty cash or anything to do with entitlements not processed at the Bluewater Lagoon.

“We have also spoken to Fair Work and there are currently no claims or issues raised or registered with them,’ he said.

He also said the pool’s equipment is replaced annually or through an “equipment replacement schedule” and is in line with the company’s safety management protocols.

“The venue has annual safety audits and inspections completed, the one for this year is currently scheduled to be undertaken by our ISO external accreditation company for mid-April,” he said.

A formal complaint was lodged to the Mackay Regional Council by both Ms Pittman and Ms Lowcock last week claiming Mr Wall had been “repeatedly informed about these hazards” yet “failed to take corrective action”.

Acting Mackay Council CEO David McKendry said, in response to the allegations being made, key staff, including from council’s Workplace Health and Safety program, undertook an unannounced inspection of Bluewater Lagoon last Saturday.

“Inspection found no issues of concern in relation to public safety,” he said.

Originally published as Bluewater Lagoon ex-staff lodge complaint over safety concerns, unpaid super at Mackay pool