Deadline approaching for pool registration

KIDSAFE has reminded Victorian homeowners about the requirement to register their pool or spa with their local council before the November 1 deadline.
The new laws to improve swimming pool and spa safety came into effect in Victoria in late 2019. They introduced new registration, inspection and certification requirements for property owners.
As well as registering their pool or spa, homeowners must also:

• Organise an inspection of your pool barrier by a registered swimming pool inspector
• Rectify any issues identified by your pool inspection, and
• Submit a certificate of compliance to your council by the due date.

Last week, Kidsafe launched its annual “Safe Barriers Save Lives” backyard pool safety campaign, which encourages pool and spa owners to check their barriers ahead of summer.
According to the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia’s national drowning report, 12 Australian children aged 0-4 years of age drowned in 2019/20. Swimming pools were the leading location where these incidents occurred, accounting for half of all toddler drowning deaths.
Kidsafe Victoria general manager Jason Chambers said while Kidsafe could not hold its traditional media launch during the COVID-19 pandemic, the child safety organisation had extended its community awareness and social media campaign to ensure families were prepared and equipped to keep their children safe in and around water.
As part of the campaign, Kidsafe ambassador and Australian world champion swimmer Matt Welsh features in a video providing advice to all pool and spa owners on how to regularly check and maintain their barriers.
For more information about the rules and requirements about pool and spa barriers, head to vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/swimming-pools.
For more information about Kidsafe’s campaign, head to kidsafevic.com.au/water-safety/pool-fence-safety.