New pool safety measures being considered

17-January-2012

Member for Port Stephens Craig Baumann has announced that the NSW Government has released a number of options to strengthen the State’s laws around backyard swimming pools, to better protect young children from drowning.

A Discussion Paper (attached) has been released seeking comment on a number of potential new safety measures including the creation of a state-wide swimming pool register, mandatory inspection of pool barriers at any property with a pool at the point of lease or sale, and a pool inspection regime run by councils, including for tourist and visitor accommodation, and other multi-occupancy developments.

“This is about trying to strike a balance between improving the safety of children around pools without introducing unnecessary red tape for pool owners, and I urge residents of Port Stephens to comment and help get that balance right,” he said.

“The Government’s goal is to have a discussion about these proposed changes with the community, with the aim of preventing more children from drowning.

“There is no substitute for adult supervision of children around pools, however any inspection that uncovers a deficiency will potentially save a child’s life.

“Every child drowning is a tragedy as most are preventable.”

The Discussion Paper gives consideration to:

• Pool owners registering their pools via a free online register;
• Pool owners being responsible for assessing their pool fences and certifying that they meet safety requirements, or have them assessed and certified (information will be available regarding compliance requirements);
• Mandatory inspection of pool barriers at any property with a pool, at the point of lease or sale (certification would last two years);
• Councils developing Pool Barrier Inspection programs;
• Mandatory inspection by councils of pools associated with tourist and visitor accommodation and other multi-occupancy developments at least every three years; and
• Councils reporting annually on details of their pool barrier inspection programs.

The Discussion Paper invites submissions from the public on the suggested changes to the Swimming Pools Act by Friday, 24 February 2012. The Discussion Paper can be viewed online at the Division of Local Government website, www.dlg.nsw.gov.au.