Changes Effecting Swimming Pool Owners

The NSW Government has put in place new requirements for pool owners.

In NSW, an average of 11 children under five years of age drown annually, with a further 62 children being admitted to hospital each year for near drowning. Approximately 70% of drowning deaths occur in swimming pools. In many cases, these deaths are preventable

In the interest of lowering this statistic, in 2012, a review of the Swimming Pools Act 1992 was finalised and a number of amendments were made to improve the safety of children around swimming pools in NSW.

These changes have now taken effect and include:

From 29th October 2013

• Current swimming pool owners are required to have their swimming pool registered. If you haven’t already done this, go to http://www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au and register online.
• There are also checklists of things that should be in place to keep your family safe around the pool area. This is a self-assessment and it costs nothing to do.Councils will be carrying out inspection programs.

From 29th April 2014

• A valid compliance certificate will be required to lease or sell any property with a swimming pool and will need to be attached to the sale contract or given to the tenant.
• All multi occupancy developments will require a valid compliance certificate if they have a swimming pool. For example, if in a unit complex with pool, the strata manager must have this compliance certificate.

Compliance certificates are valid for 3 years and can be organised by contacting the council.

A swimming pool is defined in the law as an excavation, structure or vessel that is capable of being filled with water to a depth greater than 30cm and is used for swimming, wading, paddling or any other human aquatic activity. Generally this includes, but is not limited to, swimming pools and spa pools.

For more comprehensive information visit http://www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au or speak to your local council.