Deadline Extended for New Swimming Pool Rules in Victoria
The Victorian Government has introduced new regulations for pools and spas to prevent children from drowning
Deadline extended for pools and spas in Victoria
More than 80 per cent of safety barriers around pools and spas in Victoria don’t meet the required standards.
On average, four children die in pools and spas every year and many more are taken to hospital after near-drownings.
Property owners with a pool or spa will need to show that their barrier still meets the safety standard from when it was built.
Under new Victorian regulations, all swimming pools and spas must be registered with local councils.
You need to register your pool or spa with council before 1 November, 2020. It was previously 1 June, 2020.
Once your pool or spa is registered, you’ll need to organise an inspection of your pool safety barrier.
After the inspection, you will need to lodge your certificate with the council to show that your barrier is safe.
You’ll need to have your safety barrier inspected and certified every four years.
Buyer Solutions has done some research on this and the cost could be around $660 every four years, so it is not cheap.
Fines for Not Registering Your Pool
However, the fines will outweigh the cost.
Failure to register a swimming pool or spa within relevant time frame up to $1,652.20
Failure to lodge certificate of barrier compliance by date specified up to $1,652.20
Failure to lodge certificate of barrier non-compliance by date specified up to $1,652.20
Failure to comply with barrier improvement notice by date specified up to $1,652.20
More information about registering your pool or spa can be found on the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) website.
Register Your Pool or Spa With Your Council
To register your pool or spa with your local council, here are some links to suburbs in which Buyer Solutions manages rental properties in Melbourne.
Where to find a Pool Inspector in Victoria
You can find a registered service provider via the VBA website at https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/tools/find-practitioner and book a time to perform your pool or spa inspection and provide you with the necessary certificate for you to lodge with your local council
Business Owned Pools in Victoria
It is not commonly understood that businesses that have a swimming pool also need to be registered. If you teach swimming, operate hydrotherapy services, run a council or hotel pool, they all need to be checked every four years, certified and be lodged with your local council.
At Buyer Solutions we are educating our property owners, landlords and social followers as during COVID-19 many pool and spa owners may not be aware of these new regulations.
Finally, I would like to add that all of the above comments are intended as general information only. To organise a no-obligation, confidential professional discussion related to your circumstances, please contact us now. For assistance with managing your investment property please email rentals@buyersolutions.com.au and we will provide you with information about Buyer Solutions boutique Property Management services.
For independent advice on buying or selling real estate, contact Janet Spencer at Buyer Solutions +61 3 9816 8555 or email jspencer@buyersolutions.com.au
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