Bluewater Lagoon workers walk off job over alleged missing pay, leaving CEO to run pool

Lifeguards at a swimming paradise have walked off the job, leaving the CEO of an Australia-wide company to patrol the popular pool alone amid claims of missing pay and superannuation.

The CEO of an Australia wide lifesaving company was manning the lifeguard’s post at a public pool today after none of his staff came into work.

The CEO of an Australia-wide lifesaving company was left manning the lifeguard’s post at a public pool alone on Friday after his staff reportedly reached “boiling point” and refused to work.

Stan Wall, who employs roughly 12 people at the popular Bluewater Lagoon in Mackay was seen alone, supervising a near empty venue with both the top pool and canteen closed to customers.

Mr Wall is the CEO of Lifeguard Services Australia Group, which has the contract for operating Bluewater Lagoon and runs pools and aquatic facilities across Australia.

The pool’s supervisor, Madison Pittman said she and her team were inspired to take a stand after weeks of being underpaid while Mr Wall was visiting.

“I have kind of just told myself I can’t watch my staff go through this anymore,” Ms Pittman said.
“I had one of my staff members break down in tears yesterday at work.”

21 year old Madison Pittman, Supervisor at the Bluewater Lagoon in Mackay, February 7, 2025

The 21-year-old is currently on leave and several staff have called in sick while others have refused to work.

She said the team had been wanting to walk out for several weeks but waited until March 7.

She also claimed thousands of dollars of her superannuation had been withheld and she had to pay some of her staff up to $500 out of her own pocket to make up for missing pay cheques.

“We work our arses off and we don’t get paid what we deserve,” she said.

The kids' play space at the Bluewater Lagoon in Mackay. Picture: Bron Griffiths

As working at the Bluewater Lagoon had been her “dream job”, Ms Pittman was scared to take action.

“I love the Bluewater Lagoon, I grew up there, this is my town,” Ms Pittman said.

“I did everything I could to get this job and once I got it, I saw all the bad things happening.
“My staff have just had enough.”

Mr Wall said he could not comment on that as “that’s all gone to the ATO”.

“We do quarterly payments which means the next payments on the 28th of April,” Mr Wall said.

Chandra Hodge-Brady has been working at the Bluewater Lagoon for roughly a month but said she had ignored her shifts this week as she was still waiting on last Friday’s pay.

“The rest of the crew didn’t all show up because we thought there’s only one way we’re going to get to the boss,” she said.

“If that’s how we have to do it then we will.”

Ms Hodge-Brady said the ordeal had affected her mental health and put employees in “financial hardship”.

Stan Wall on his phone manning the Bluewater Lagoon, Friday March 7. Photo: Contributed.

Mr Wall said he wasn’t made aware of any collective action from his workers, any issues with pay or any instances of overwork.

“I got a call at 10am saying some staff had called in sick,” Mr Wall said.

“They asked if I could come across and lifeguard so I did.”

An empty Bluewater Lagoon manned by CEO Stan Wall after staff refuse to rock up due to pay and other work disputes on Friday, March 7.

In response, Mr Wall said there were three different mechanisms for LSA staff to use for lodging issues and of two pay issues he was aware of, both had been resolved.

“I haven’t been made aware of any of the complaints that they’re talking about,” he said.
“There’s a feedback mechanism, there’s an internal staff feedback mechanism and a complaint mechanism that can all be followed.

“They’ve got my number they can always call me, and I’ll put them in touch with our independent auditors.”

Ms Pittman said she complained to Mr Wall via a work phone two weeks ago and was not put in touch with independent auditors.

On Friday Mr Wall manned the lifeguard’s post at Bluewater Lagoon all day and said he was rostered on for the weekend.

“I’ve already called and spoken to staff that are working the weekend, there’s no issue… I’m here all week,” he said.

The Royal Life Saving Society’s Guidelines for safe pool operations recommend a minimum ratio of one lifeguard for every 100 swimmers.

David Ayles whose company 1300DISASTER provides disaster management assistance as well as lifeguard, rescue and first-aid training was assigned last month to take the Bluewater Lagoon staff through their routine course training.

He said that given one of the top pools was above eye level, it’s impossible to supervise without at least four crew on deck between Monday to Friday, and at least six lifeguards were needed on weekends with one in the canteen.

It also states a second person qualified to a minimum of First Aid, CPR and RLSSA Bronze Medallion should also be on site in case of an emergency.

The Mackay council was also contacted for comment and referred the Daily Mercury to speak to the contractor.

Originally published as Bluewater Lagoon workers walk off job over alleged missing pay, leaving CEO to run pool