Water Safety
New Laws for Properties with Swimming Pools and Spa Pools
May 20, 2016
The article below comes from the Water Safety website and can be found at http://www.watersafety.nsw.gov.au/pool-safety/
It discusses not only the importance of pool safety but also the relevant legislation and the responsibilities of pool owners.
From 29 April 2016 all properties in NSW with a swimming pool or spa pool cannot be sold or leased without a valid certificate of compliance. Local councils and accredited private certifiers can provide information on how to obtain a certificate.
At Southern Independent Building inspections, we can ensure that your property complies with the new regulations, whether you are buying, selling or renting a property, we can also provide certification for new pools.
Pool Safety
Drowning is one of the major causes of death for NSW children under the age of five. Each year on average 26 children under five drown in backyard swimming pools and many more suffer brain damage and other serious injuries associated with near-drowning experiences.
- Be Pool Safe! Register your pool at www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au
- Fence your pool or spa with a self-closing and self-latching gate. Ensure the fence is secure and in good working order
- Actively supervise your child by focusing all of your attention on them when they are in, on or around the water
- During parties or gatherings by the pool, nominate a designated child supervisor and rotate the supervision responsibilities regularly
Legislation
The Swimming Pool Act was amended on 20 October 2012 to address concerns about the high rate of non-compliance with swimming pool barriers requirements.
The Legislation addresses where swimming pools are, educate pool owners about pool safety, and enable inspections to be carried out to ensure that pools, particularly those that pose the highest risk to children, are made safe.
More information on the Legislation
Swimming pool register
Targeting pool safety messages and inspection requires councils to know where pools are located in the community. Although a number of councils already hold this information, many do not. The amendments to the Act therefore require pool owners to self-register their pool, free of charge, on a statewide online register.
Pool owners can register their backyard swimming pools online at www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au.
Registration is free. There may be a penalty applied to owners who fail to register a swimming pool by 29th October 2013.
More information on the Swimming pool register
Fact sheets
- A range of pool safety fact sheets are available on the Royal Life Saving website:
- NSW Swimming Pool Register: information on the NSW Swimming Pool Register
- Swimming Pool Supervision: supervision and the most effective ways to supervise
- Restricting Access: restricting access and the benefits of pool fencing and Child Safe Play Areas
- Water Awareness: including the importance of water familiarization and setting rules around water for young children
- Resuscitation: the importance of resuscitation, where to learn and the legal implications
