Register your swimming pools by November

Wyndham City ratepayers now have until 1st November to register their pools and spas with Council.

The registration deadline was extended from 1st June due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

An amendment to State Government building regulations last year means pool and spa owners must register them with Council and provide certificates confirming that they are compliant with safety regulations.

Wyndham City Mayor Josh Gilligan said Council believed there were about 4,000 swimming pools in Wyndham but only 800 residents have registered them 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.

“Residents need to get their pool and spa barriers checked to receive the certificate but also register their pool with Council.”

“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.”

“The reason the laws around pool safety have been tightened is for the protection of children around backyard swimming pools and spas.”

“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.”

“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.”

Wyndham City Council conducts pool safety barrier inspections every week and often adds new pools to its database.

All pool and spa owners must register with their local councils by 1st November, 2020.

For more information, please visit https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/services/building-planning/wyndham-building-permits/wyndham-building-permit-forms