More time to register pools

Register your pools and spas with the council by November 1. 210914_02

Wyndham residents have been given until November 1 this year to register their pools and spas with the council.

The registration deadline has been extended from June 1, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

An amendment to state government building regulations last year means pool and spa owners must register them with their local councils.

Owners must also provide certificates confirming their pools are compliant with safety regulations.

Wyndham mayor Josh Gilligan said the council believed there were about 4000 swimming pools in Wyndham, but only 800 residents have registered their pools so far.

“Many residents have had their pool barriers checked by a professional and received a certificate of compliance and believe they have completed the process, but it is now a state government law to also register residential pools and spas with council,” Cr Gilligan said.

“Once you register your pool with council, your name will be added to the database so council can inspect your pool once every four years, as part of these new regulations.

“If you have a new pool, your council inspection may be three years away but if they are older, it could be in the coming year.”

Cr Gilligan said the state government had changed the laws around pool and spa safety, in order to protect children.

“Since 2000, 27 young children have drowned in private swimming pools and spas, and in at least 20 of those cases, the non-compliance of the safety barrier was a contributing factor,” Cr Gilligan said.

“While it is vital that children are supervised around backyard pools and spas, barriers will prevent children from falling into water and drowning.

“Registration of your current swimming pool will just need to be done once before 1st November and if you build a pool in the future, it will need to be registered once built.”

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