Is your Backyard Swimming Pool Safe?

With the summer temperatures heating up, now is the perfect opportunity to consider the safety of your backyard swimming pool.

Drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death in young children in NSW.  With over 300,000 backyard swimming pools in NSW and upwards of 500 swimming pools in the Shire, swimming pool safety is a vital issue that affects the whole community.

Statistics from the NSW Child Death Review Team showing that between 2007 and 2014 nearly a fifth of drownings (19 per cent) occurred in above-ground portable pools and that all those pools were unfenced.

Many residents in the Moree Plains Shire have been ensuring that their pools are ready for the summer swimming season.  It is a timely reminder to also ensure that your swimming pool meets the current safety requirements in order to prevent accidental drowning.

In NSW the Swimming Pools Act 1992 requires that all swimming pools have an appropriate child resistant barrier separating the swimming pool from any residential building or place adjoining the premises and a warning/resuscitation sign displayed.

Of major concern are the inflatable and portable swimming pools which are becoming increasingly popular.  One point that people may not realise is that any pool that is capable of being filled with water to a depth of 300mm or more, may be subject to pool fencing laws. It is also important to note that pools greater than 2,000L in capacity may also require prior Council approval before installation.

Council staff will shortly commence swimming pool compliance inspections across the Shire.  The campaign is a coordinated response to the NSW State Government’s introduction of the NSW Swimming Pool register. 

Council’s compliance officers will also be keeping a vigilant eye out for any inflatable pools which do not appear to be appropriately fenced. Penalties may apply for unfenced pools or for those pools which do not have the appropriate consent where required.

Further information on backyard swimming pools can be found at www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au or contact our Moree Plains Shire Council office and speak to one of our trained swimming pool inspectors.