SOUTHERN building consulting

 

On 1 December 2019, new laws to improve swimming pool and spa safety came into effect in Victoria. It is now mandatory for owners of land where a swimming pool or spa is located to register their pool or spa with the relevant council. 

The deadline for registering your pool is 1 Noveber 2020.

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Owners are also required to have their safety barriers inspected and to lodge a certificate of barrier compliance with their council. If a safety barrier is not compliant, it is the owner’s responsibility to make the barrier compliant.

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The new laws apply to swimming pools and spas that are capable of holding more than 300mm (30cm) of water. This includes permanent pools, above ground pools, indoor pools, hot tubs, bathing or wading pools and some relocatable pools.

Relocatable pools that do not consist of multiple components and do not require any assembly are not subject to the barrier requirements. An example of such a product is a small inflatable pool that requires no assembly other than inflation.

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Inspection and lodgement of certificate of barrier compliance for pools and spas

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• For pools and spas constructed on or before 30 June 1994, a certificate of barrier compliance must be lodged by 1 November 2021

• For pools and spas constructed between 1 July 1994 and 30 April 2010, a certificate of barrier compliance must be lodged by 1 November 2022

• For pools and spas constructed between 1 May 2010 and 31 October 2020, a certificate of barrier compliance must be lodged by 1 November 2023

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For pools and spas constructed on or after 1 November 2020, a certificate of barrier compliance is due within 30 days of occupancy permit or certificate of final inspection. This certificate must accompany an application for registration. The next certificate of compliance is due four years after registration.

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We can inspect your barrier and issue certificates of barrier compliance.

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