NSW Local Government Minister Don Page today released a number of options to strengthen the State’s laws around backyard swimming pools, to better protect young children from drowning.

Mr Page said the Discussion Paper was seeking comment on a number of potential new safety measures including the creation of a statewide 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.

 “These proposals have been developed over recent months with pool safety experts with the aim of preventing more children in NSW from drowning – every child drowning is a tragedy as most are preventable,” Mr Page said.

 “The Government wants to strike a balance between improving pool safety for young children, while avoiding imposing unnecessary red tape on pool owners. We are seeking comment from the public to make sure we get that balance right.

 “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,” Mr Page said.

 Mr Page said that the proposals reflected requirements already in place in other States.

 “Queensland and Western Australia already have a swimming pool register. Western Australia requires regular pool fence inspections, while Queensland and South Australia require pool fence inspections when properties are leased or sold.”

 The Discussion Paper being released today 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 potential benefits of the proposals include highlighting faulty pool fences and gates in our suburbs, increasing pool owners’ safety awareness and providing a basis for ongoing education for pool owners.

 “The options under consideration are intended to be user-friendly for pool owners – it is envisaged that self-certification will occur on the basis of a check-list addressing the core components under the Australian Standard for pool fences.

“The proposed requirement that any property with a swimming pool must be inspected and have a valid compliance certificate before the property is leased or sold provides new tenants and property purchasers with the assurance that any swimming pool on the property they are leasing or buying has a compliant barrier. The selling or leasing process is a sensible time to ensure swimming pool fences are compliant.

 “Some councils already conduct periodic inspections of pools and pool barriers – despite not being required to – and those councils report high levels of non-compliance with the legal requirements for safety.

 “These proposals follow recommendations made by Coronial inquests into swimming pool deaths which have highlighted faulty fences as a significant contributing factor to the drowning deaths of several children.”

 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 from Monday, 16 January 2012.