By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council is reminding residents to register their pools and spas by June 1.
An amendment to state government building regulations requires all residential pools and spas to be registered with councils by this date.
Owners must also provide certificates confirming their pools and spas comply with safety regulations.
Wyndham’s safer communities portfolio holder Cr Kim McAliney said the amendment changes were aimed at keeping children safe.
Cr McAliney said that since 2000, 27 children across the state have drowned in private swimming pools and spas.
“In at least 20 of those cases, the non-compliance of the safety barrier was a contributing factor,” Cr McAliney said.
“While it is vital that children are supervised around backyard pools and spas, barriers will prevent children from falling into water and drowning.
“The pool gate must be closed whenever someone enters or exits the pool area and nothing can be near the barrier that would allow a child to climb the fence.
“Residents must also ensure the gaps in the fence are not wide enough for a small child to access the pool area.”
Cr McAliney said that residents needed to get their pool’s barriers inspected every four years by a building inspector.
The council conducts pool safety barrier inspections every week and often adds new pools to its database.
Wyndham council has already counted 5000 pools in the municipality, with the number expected to increase under the amendment change. Details: vba.vic.gov.au/swimming-pools
