By Brendan Rees
Casey Council will begin registering all backyard swimming pools and spas from 1 December this year as part of a State Government plan to prevent drownings.
All councils will take charge of the mandatory registration scheme with all pool owners required to contact their council by April 14 next year and pay the small $37 registration fee.
Property owners will also be required to submit a current certificate of compliance for their pool or spa safety barrier.
Pool and spa owners will be charged a maximum of $20 to lodge their inspection compliance certificates, a process they will be required to undertake just once every three years.
Households will have 20 days to bring their pools into compliance if an inspector identifies any safety concerns.
The state government introduced this new scheme after numerous coronial investigations found that un-maintained and non-compliant pool barriers had contributed to the deaths of children in backyard pools.
Swimming Pool and Spa Association of Victoria CEO, Chris Samartzis said: “As the peak body of the swimming pool and spa industry in Victoria, SPASA Victoria is delighted that these new safety measures will increase the enjoyment of pool and spa ownership for all Victorians.”
Inspection certificates for all pools built before 1994 must be lodged by 30 October 2020.
For pools built between 1994 and 2010, owners will have until 30 April 2021, with all pools built after 2010 requiring to be certified by 29 October 2021.
