Scenic Pools goes under leaving Sydney families with holes in their backyards

A major pool company has suddenly collapsed, leaving clients with unfinished projects and a pile of dirt in their backyards. 

Scenic Pools, based in Sydney, describes itself as a fibreglass pool building company that is about ‘complete transparency’.

Owners of the company emailed customers on May 3 telling them the business was no longer trading and a liquidator would be in touch as soon as possible.

But Scenic Pools wasn’t yet in liquidation, with the corporate watchdog confirming the company was placed into receivership on June 21.

Several clients have come forward to reveal the completion date of their pools had been delayed in the lead-up to the company’s collapse and are still unfinished.

They confronted the director before receiving a string of confusing emails that contained various excuses ranging from personal drama to staff shortages. 

Tony, from North Curl Curl in Sydney’s northern beaches, has been left with an empty pool shell and a giant pile of dirt after Scenic Pools went bust

Tony has paid the company $84,000 for what he claims is essentially now a half-built pool

Tony, from North Curl Curl in Sydney’s northern beaches, has been left with an empty pool shell and a giant pile of dirt.

He’d signed a contract with the company in May last year, with work on the pool beginning in January.

While the excavation of the pool went fine, Tony said there were several delays and cancellations surrounding the pool’s installation.

Eventually a shell of his pool was delivered, but when it came to installing the backfill of his pool, there were even more setbacks.

March 21 was the last day any workers turned up on Tony’s site, despite nearly half of the work still yet to be completed.

Tony received an email on April 8 from one of the company’s directors, David Afoa, apologising for the delay and saying a ‘family tragedy’ was to blame, as well as inadequate staff who have since been let go.

‘I personally will be stepping in to give you confidence that your job will be completed in the month of April,’ Mr Afoa wrote.

‘All I ask if that you give me time and some flexibility at this unbelievably difficult time.’

Tony received an email on April 8 from one of the company’s directors, David Afoa, apologising for the delay and saying a ‘family tragedy’ was to blame, as well as inadequate staff

Pictured are a string of emails Tony sent Mr Afoa asking for urgent work to be carried out on his unfinished pool

With still no work carried out, Tony kept sending more emails, demanding to know what was happening, adding the heavy amount of rain was affecting the pool’s installation.

Mr Afoa sent another email on April 17 blaming staff shortages for the work, but said if all went to plan, he could have a team out in the next week.

Communication continued back and forth until May 3 when Scenic Pools sent one final email, claiming they had gone into liquidation.

‘It comes with great sadness and regret that yesterday it was established that Scenic Pools is no longer trading,’ the email read.

‘I hope that you can understand that this has been the hardest decision we have had to make and we are devastated with the outcome. 

Pictured is Tony’s pool in the backyard of his North Curl Curl home

Mr Afoa sent another email on April 17 blaming staff shortages for the work, but said if all went to plan, he could have a team out in the next week

Scenic Pools told clients in early May the company was no longer trading

‘Our liquidator will be in contact with the next steps and hopefully everything will be resolved asap. Unfortunately we are no longer able to be in contact.’

Tony has paid the company $84,000 for what is essentially now a half-built pool.

‘All they’ve done is dug a hole and put the shell in,’ he said.

Due to recent heavy rain, the pool shell has moved and the base is now uneven.

Tony expects he’ll have to fork out another $80,000 just to have the pool repaired and installed properly.

‘My backyard is unsafe and if it rains, I have a floating pool,’ he said.

Tony’s eldest son lives with severe autism and the exposed worksite in the backyard has raised fears he could become injured.

Mr Goel paid $64,000 for what is now a hole in his backyard. He’d bought the pool from Scenic Pools for his three children

‘He’s a runner and we’ve got to watch him the whole time because now my backyard is unsafe,’ Tony said.

‘It’s basically a construction zone.’

Another client, Rakesh Goel, from Kellyville in Sydney’s northwest, signed a contract with Scenic Pools in late last year, and work began in his backyard in late February 2023.

He paid $64,000 all up for his pool in April – 98 per cent of the total price – which he said was outlined in the contract.

But Mr Goel, a father-of-three who bought the pool for his children, said he felt like he was being ‘rushed’ to hand over the money.

‘I felt like there was a rush to get the money without any intention to complete the work,’ he said.

Mr Goel has now been left with an open two-metre deep pit that’s just a metre away from his family home

‘The moment I paid the remainder of the money, they disappeared.’

He’s now been left with an open two-metre deep pit that’s just a metre away from his family home.

‘I was trying to call and email but after so many follow ups they just sent the email about going into liquidation,’ Mr Goel said.

‘My kids are the reason I wanted the pool and now there’s danger in my backyard because I’ve got this pit so close to my house.’

A source from the company said an investor pulled out at the last minute which ultimately led to the business’ collapse. 

They said they were trying to get the business into liquidation so clients could immediately start the insurance process, but an internal dispute at the company meant they were unable to do so.

A spokesperson from Scenic Pools told Daily Mail Australia the company has gone into administration, with Edwin Sanjesh Narayan appointed as liquidator.

‘During the operation of our business, we serviced many happy customers and always complied with our contractual obligations in relation to payment terms and insurances,’ they said.

‘Unfortunately, due to many external difficulties, the resignation of a director and general market and economic pressures, we are one of the 2,000 construction businesses that went into liquidation in the last 12 months and were unable to continue to trade. 

‘It is very sad for our employees, customers and of course, our own family. We had, of course, hoped for a better outcome for everyone. 

‘Pool building is a very challenging business and has faced huge impacts across the country with around one pool business closing each week as we face this recession.

‘Fortunately, we hold all the correct insurances in the event of insolvency so any customer or creditor who has a claim, proof of debt or other concern may contact the liquidator to lodge that claim and seek reimbursement.’