In an effort to increase safety around water and decrease the annual number of drownings or near drowning incidents, the NSW Government has developed new rules for pools and spas.
These rules also apply to any swimming pool with a depth of 300mm or more, which includes temporary rubber swimming pools.
So far only 6,348 swimming pools have been registered in The Hills Shire out of an estimated total of 20,000.
Home owners are reminded that they must provide a compliance certificate for every home sold or leased after April 29, 2014.
Pool owners must:
• Register their pool on an online register provided by the State Government.
• Self-assess and state in the register that, to the best of their knowledge, their pool complies with the applicable standard.
• Provide a valid swimming pool compliance certificate before being able to sell or lease a property with a pool.
• Council inspectors may conduct swimming pool inspections initiated by the owner. Council will:
• Develop and implement a swimming pool barrier inspection program in consultation with the community.
• Report annually on the number of pool inspections and the level of compliance with requirements.
• Inspect pools associated with tourist and visitor accommodation and multi-occupancy developments every three years
• At the request of a pool owner, inspect pools prior to sale or lease
• Issue compliance certificates after an inspection which finds a pool barrier compliant with the legislation.
A $220 penalty applies for failing to register a swimming pool.
Find out more at www.dlg.nsw.gov.au and select backyard swimming pools or contact Council’s Development Monitoring Team on 9843 0303
