Mandatory pool register announced

THE state government will establish a register of all household pools and spas across the state as part of a major regulatory overhaul to improve safety. Earlier this month, Minister for Planning Richard Wynne announced the introduction of legislation for a mandatory register and regular inspections to ensure pool and spa safety barriers are effective and working properly.

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for Australian children under the age of 5 –  in 2016/17, 29 Australian children aged 0-4 years drowned, with the majority (45 per cent) in backyard swimming pools. There are an estimated 158,000 pools in Victoria and all are required to meet high safety standards in place at the time of construction.

However, many are now unsafe due to wear and tear, landscaping and house alterations, overgrown trees or ground movements. Under the regulatory changes, pool and spa owners will be required to ensure their safety barriers remain in working order at all times.

Households will need to register their pool or spa with their local council, and declare their pool barriers are compliant. A regular regime of inspections as frequent as every three years will then be enforced. Landlords will be expected to register pools and spas as owners of properties and to ensure barriers comply with required standards.

The changes have been made after consultation with Life Saving Victoria, Kidsafe, the Spa and Pool Association of Victoria, the Royal Life Saving Society and Landscaping Victoria. “Too many families have had to endure the heartbreak of losing a child in a drowning tragedy and it has to end,” Mr Wynne said.

“All drowning deaths in household pools and spas share a common theme: a lack of adult supervision. Always watch kids when there’s water close by.” Kidsafe Victoria general manager Jason Chambers said his organisation supported the proposed regulatory changes.

“The introduction of measures such as these, in combination with existing education efforts, are vital to effectively reduce the rate of childhood drowning in home pools and spas in Victoria.”