ON 1 DECEMBER 2019, NEW LAWS TO IMPROVE SWIMMING POOL AND SPA SAFETY CAME INTO EFFECT IN VICTORIA.
Since 2000, approximately 75% of young children who fatally drowned in private swimming pools within Victoria, did not have restricted access or the barriers were un-maintained or non-compliant.
In 2019, Victoria introduced new registration, inspection and certification requirements, making it now mandatory for owners of land where a swimming pool or spa is located, to register their pool or spa with the relevant council.
Additionally, all swimming pools and spas capable of containing water to a depth greater than 30cm must have a compliant safety barrier, to restrict young children from entering.
Water Safety Victoria offer a brief list of measures you can take at home to ensure safety around your swimming pool and spa:
- Always supervise children in and around the pool.
- Ensure your pool/spa fence is compliant – check and maintain it regularly.
- Never leave pool gates propped open.
- Always empty inflatable pools and paddling pools immediately after use.
- Ensure your children learn to swim.
- Learn CPR and display a resuscitation chart on your pool fence.
You can visit the Victorian Building Association (VBA) for more information and details around barrier requirements. You can also find appropriate checklists for any existing pools to ensure they too comply with current regulations.
https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/swimming-pools/pool-safety-barriers
