New safety regulations for pool and spa owners

Published on 19 February 2020

Drowning is one of the leading causes of preventable death in young children aged up to five years. In Victoria, 40 per cent of drowning incidents in this age group occur in home swimming pools.

To improve the safety of pools and spas, the Victorian building regulations changed on 1 December 2019. From this date, owners of properties that contain a swimming pool or spa are required to register the swimming pool and spa with Council’s Building Services by no later than 1 June 2020.

This requirement applies to all pools and spas capable of holding more than 300mm of water, regardless of whether the pool or spa is permanent or movable. This includes permanent pools, above ground pools, indoor pools, hot tubs, bathing or wading pools and some relocatable pools.

Significant penalties apply for not registering swimming pools and spas by 1 June 2020. Anyone building a new pool or spa will have 30 days from the date of an occupancy permit or certificate of final inspection being issued to register their pool or spa with Council.

The requirement for registration of pools and spas is part of a program to help ensure child safety and that the standard of fencing and safety barriers around swimming pools and spas on properties is maintained.

The change in regulations aims to address common reasons why safety barriers fail to keep children safe, such as: a lack of maintenance on hinges and latches, allowing vegetation to grow too close to the barrier, placing climbable objects such as planters or barbecues next to the barrier and allowing fences or alterations to compromise the effectiveness of the barrier.

Further information can be obtained from the Victorian Building Authority website www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/swimming-pools/registration-requirements.

To obtain an application form to register your pool, please contact Council’s Building Services on 5494 1242 or email building@loddon.vic.gov.au. An application to register a swimming pool or spa may be obtained from Council’s website www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Forms-and-permit-applications.