New regulations to ensure pool, spa safety

Published on 04 December 2019

New State regulations came into effect on Sunday 1 December to improve safety by ensuring pool and spa barriers meet required standards.

The State Government regulations require:

• Mandatory registration of pools and spas with local Councils

• Mandatory safety barrier inspection and certification

• A process for dealing with barriers that do not meet safety requirements, and

• Fees for registration, and lodgement of compliance and non-compliance certificates.

Corangamite Shire Manager Planning and Building Services Aaron Moyne said owners will need to register their pools and spas with Council by June 2020, or within 30 days of completion.

“These new regulations apply to permanent pools, above ground pools, indoor pools, hot tubs, bathing or wading pools and relocatable pools that can hold water to a depth of more than more than 300 mm,” he said. 

“Barriers will need to be assessed by a registered private building surveyor or inspector who will issue certificates of compliance or non-compliance, which owners will need to lodge with Council,” he said.

“Inspection compliance certificates will then be required to be lodged with Council every four years.”

Owners wishing to do their own initial safety assessment can be guided by the Victorian Building Authority checklists.

Work on an existing safety barrier, other than basic maintenance, is likely to require a building permit and will need to comply with regulations.

For more information, call Council on 5593 7100 or click here.