Pool and spa owners are reminded that they have just over a month to register with Horsham Rural City Council.
The Victorian Government regulations require:
- Mandatory registration of pools and spas with local Councils
- Mandatory safety barrier inspection and certification
- A process for dealing with barriers that do not meet safety requirements, and
- Fees for registration, and lodgement of compliance and non-compliance certificates.
HRCC Chief Executive Officer Sunil Bhalla said home owners were required to register their pools and spas with Council by Sunday 1 November 2020.
The original June registration deadline was extended due to Coronavirus and the new date is drawing near.
“New regulations came into force in December last year to ensure pool and spa barriers meet required standards,” Mr Bhalla said.
“They apply to permanent pools, above-ground pools, indoor pools, hot tubs/spas, bathing or wading pools and relocatable pools that can hold water to a depth of more than more than 300 mm.
“Barriers must be assessed by a registered building surveyor or inspector who will issue certificates of compliance or non-compliance, which owners will need to lodge with Council.
“Inspection compliance certificates will then be required to be lodged with Council every four years,” he said.
Most drowning deaths of children under five happen in home swimming pools.
The Government introduced new regulations in December last year to make swimming pools and spas safer and prevent young children from drowning.
These changes require owners to register their pools and spas with their local council with a one-off fee of up to $79.
Once registration is complete, the Council will inform the pool owner of the date by which they must organise their first inspection and certification of their barrier. Property owners have the responsibility to engage Council or the services of a registered practitioner to inspect their pool/spa barriers.
Owners who fail to register their pool or spa with their council by 1 November 2020 may face an on-the-spot fine of $330.
Owners wishing to do their own initial safety assessment can be guided by the .
Work on an existing safety barrier, other than basic maintenance, is likely to require a building permit and will need to comply with regulations. Registration is mandatory and fines are applicable.
