Pools, Fencing and Inspections

Swimming pool safety

Residents are urged to ensure that their backyard swimming pool is safe and secure at all times, especially in the lead up to summer.  When summer is approaching and many of us are thinking of beating the heat, relaxing by the pool and spending some quality time with the family and kids always comes to mind. 

Unfortunately every summer there are tragic announcements that children have drowned in backyard swimming pools.  These incidents could have been prevented by ensuring that adequate fences were surrounding the pool.

Your Responsibilities under the Act

The Swimming Pools Act 1992 requires that the owner of the premises on which a private swimming pool is situated, including spas, indoor pools, and above ground pools are surrounded by a child-resistant barrier:

• That separates the swimming pool from any residential building situated on the premises and from any place (whether public or private) adjoining the premises, and
• That is designed, constructed, installed and maintained in accordance with the approved standards.

In addition pool owners are required to display an approved resuscitation poster that contains the warning "young children should be supervised when using this swimming pool" this poster also contains the details of resuscitation techniques.

These measures are designed to help protect children from the risk of drowning and ensure that the backyard swimming pools are is safe.

Should you wish to install or build a new swimming pool, then you are required to lodge a Development Application with details, specifications and fencing arrangements with Council for approval.

Home Pool Safety Checklist

The Home Pool Safety Checklist, Developed by the NSW Water Safety Taskforce in consultation with local councils, has been designed to assist pool owners determine whether their pool fence or other barrier complies with the legislation.

Legislative Changes

Recent changes to the Swimming Pools Act 1992 have been introduced to improve pool safety for children. This has resulted in new requirements for existing non-complying barriers and additional safety measures for new pools constructed after July 2010.

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