Time running out for pool owners

Published Tuesday, 24 November, 2015 at 10:30 AM

Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Science and Innovation
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

Australia’s favourite water safety advocate Laurie Lawrence has joined forces with the Palaszczuk Government to remind Queenslanders of the looming compliance deadline for pool safety laws. 

Pool owners have until 30 November to ensure their pools are compliant, or they risk being fined.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Leeanne Enoch said with less than a week of the five-year grace period remaining, many people had taken the right steps toward compliance. 

“We know that pool inspectors and fencing contractors right around the state are flat out, which means many people are taking action to get their pools up to scratch,” Minister Enoch said.

“We also know that many people have already registered their pools with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission.

“In the last 12 months approximately 17,000 pools have been registered, which is almost three times more than each of the previous two years.

“Since the final awareness campaign started five weeks ago we have been seeing more than 100 pools a week being registered, and we expect that to continue.” 

The current pool safety laws commenced on 1 December 2010, with a five year moratorium and community education period, and were introduced to better protect children aged under five from drowning.

Minister Enoch said the government was proud to be partnering with respected pool safety advocate Laurie Lawrence.

“Mr Lawrence understands that when it comes to kids and pools, deaths can be prevented when there’s appropriate education, supervision and appropriate fencing,” Ms Enoch said.

Mr Lawrence said the bottom line was that pool fences saved lives.

“Remember Kids Alive - Do the Five, and make sure you make your pool compliant,” Mr Lawrence said.

“The gate is the weakest link so it’s important to check that it latches and self-closes, and if it has a key lock, secure it when it’s not in use.

“We can all have a lot of fun in swimming pools, but it’s important to respect the risks and do everything we can to protect our young kids.” 

Ms Enoch said while every pool owner needed to register their pool, not every owner would need to book a pool inspection.

“Owners need to make sure their pools meet the safety standard, but only need a pool safety certificate to sell or lease their property,” Ms Enoch said. 

“A pool compliance checklist on the QBCC website can help pool owners self-assess whether their barrier is compliant and what they can do to fix it.”

The checklist can be downloaded at:

http://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/Pool_Safety_basic_checklist.pdf

From 1 December, local councils will be responsible for enforcing the laws which replaced 11 different standards to make it easier for owners to be comply.

For more information about the pool safety standards visit www.qbcc.qld.gov.au.