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Prevent a tragedy – ensure your pool or spa is safe

With families keen to make the most of the warm summer months, Wellington Shire Council is issuing a timely reminder to those with an outdoor pool or spa to ensure that they meet safety requirements.

By Wellington Shire Council - 22nd December 2004 - Back to News

Drowning is the most common cause of preventable death for children under five years of age in Victoria. With this in mind the State Government has implemented a number of regulations designed to improve child safety and eliminate the likelihood of a tragedy occurring. The most important requirements to note are:

• A building permit is needed to install or alter a pool or spa capable of containing a water depth exceeding 300m (regardless of the volume of water), as well to install or alter child resistant safety barriers. Permits must be obtained from a private building surveyor and these are listed in the Yellow Pages;
• gates and doors giving access to the pool or spa area must be self-closing;
• fences, barriers, gates and doors to pools and spas need to be regularly maintained to ensure they operate effectively at all times.

These requirements also apply to toddlers pools capable of containing a water depth of 300mm.

As part of the Council’s ongoing safety program, Enforcement Officers will be carrying out periodic inspections of pools and spas around the Shire - which have been identified from site inspections, and using mapping software and special global positioning equipment - to make sure they meet all necessary regulations.

Failure to comply with the regulations is not only potentially life-threatening, but carries the prospect of an on-spot-fine of $200 and a possible maximum penalty of $5,000 plus court costs.

The Council has produced a fact sheet titled Swimming Pool and Spa Safety Barrier Information, which is available over the counter from its Maffra, Sale and Yarram services centres, from its web site www.wellington.vic.gov.au or by telephoning Wellington’s Municipal Building Surveyor, Russell Wallace on 5142 3414.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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