New Swimming Pool Laws

As the weather starts to warm, the days become longer and we flock to somewhere to keep cool, it is a timely reminder that drowning is a leading cause of preventable death in children under 5 years of age. Late last year a number of new laws were introduced to improve the safety of children around swimming pools in NSW.

In NSW, the legislation has recently undergone some changes including:

* The requirement for an Owner to register their swimming pool by 29 October 2013.

* The requirement for local councils to inspect pools from 29 October 2013.

* The requirement for all tourist, visitor and multi occupancy developments to have a valid compliance certificate for their swimming pool by 29 April 2014.

* The requirement for a compliance certificate to be attached to a lease or sale contract for a property that has a swimming pool from 29 April 2014. 

For Property Owners, this will mean contacting the local council where your property is located and register the property to receive a compliance certificate. 

Many councils are providing an online service for this and you will receive a certificate to place into the property file.  

When inspecting properties it is important to ensure that the pool is surrounded by child-resistant safety fencing and gates separating the pool from any residential building or adjoining premises and warning and CPR signs are displayed near the pool. Also to make sure that all gates and doors are in working order and closed at all times.

It is important more than ever to make sure that Routine Inspectoins are carried out by the Managing Agent/Owner and that any issues relating to the Pool Safety is dealt with as a matter of urgency.

For more information, please visit http://www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au/.