Swimming Pools

• Register your swimming pool on the NSW Governments Swimming Pool Register https://www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au/
• Ensure that pools are surrounded with a child-resistant safety barrier that separates the swimming pool(s) from any residential building and any place adjoining the property
• Keep closed the doors and gates that provide access to the swimming pool
• Ensure that fences surrounding pools are designed, constructed, installed and maintained to comply with the relevant Australian standards.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) signage to be displayed and visible near your pool.

Note: from 1 September 2019 signage is required for pools under construction or renovation – “this swimming pool is not to be occupied or used”.

As summer approaches and temperatures rise, many of us enjoy spending time by the pool. However, the arrival of the warmer weather also marks the beginning of mosquito season. These pests can disrupt a pleasant outdoor experience, transforming a peaceful afternoon into a frustrating one. Beyond their nuisance, mosquitoes pose health risks as potential carriers of serious diseases. Therefore, it is important to take measures to keep them at bay in order to maintain a safe and enjoyable environment around your pool.

Remove Standing Water

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so it's important to remove any standing water around your pool area. 
This includes: 

• Emptying and refilling birdbaths,
• Cleaning out gutters, and making sure any containers or objects that can hold water are emptied or stored away.
• The less attractive you make your pool area for potential breeding; the less likely mosquitoes will be to hang around.

Keep your pool area clean and well maintained

• Regularly clean your pool and the surrounding area. 
• This includes skimming your pool, periodically cleaning your filter, and maintaining proper chlorine levels.

Maintain your pool covers

Covering your pool when it's not in use can help prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the water, however, it's just as important to ensure that the cover is properly installed and has no gaps or tears.

Resources and Factsheets

• Mosquitoes are a health hazard fact sheet

• Mosquito reduction

• A certificate of compliance; or
• A relevant occupation certificate and a certificate of registration; or
• A certificate of non-compliance

Purchasers of a property with a non-compliant swimming pool have 90 days from the date of settlement to resolve any non-compliance matters.

• A certificate of compliance; or
• A relevant occupation certificate and a certificate of registration.

Landlords and Real Estate Agents must provide the tenant with a copy of the above. Non-compliance certificates are not acceptable where a residential tenancy agreement is in place.

• Develop and implement a swimming pool barrier inspection program in consultation with their communities
• Inspect pools associated with moveable dwellings, tourist and visitor accommodation at three-year intervals
• At the request of a pool owner, inspect a swimming pool or spa pool prior to the sale or lease of the property
• Issue either a certificate of compliance or non-compliance after an inspection
• Investigate complaints about breaches of the Swimming Pools Act 1992
• Where necessary, direct pool owners to take action to ensure that legislated pool barrier requirements are complied with
• Make publicly available a relevant extract of the Building Code of Australia, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation Guideline and applicable Australian Standards
• Report annually on the number of pool inspections undertaken and the level of compliance with the requirements.

Inflatable/portable pools capable of being filled with water to a depth of more than 30 centimetres require the same child proof fence standards as a normal backyard swimming pool. Use the following checklist as a guide:

• Is the pool at least 1200mm high all the way around, measured from the outside of the pool?
• If a boundary fence forms part of the pool fence, is it at least 1800mm high measured from the inside of the pool area?
• Is the gap between the bottom of the fence and the ground no more than 100mm?
• Are all the fence rails vertical and less than 100mm apart?
• Are there any potential hand holds or foot holds within 900mm of the top of the pool fence in any direction?
• Is there a 300mm clearance from the barrier inside the pool area?
• If perforated or mesh fencing is used, are the holes 13mm or less?
• Is your pool fence well maintained, in a good state of repair with no holes, broken rails or pailings?
• Is the gate self closing and latches by itself from any position?
• Does the gate latch work well so that when the gate closes it can't be pulled open?
• Does the gate open outwards, away from the pool area?
• Is the gap between the vertical barriers of a gate no more than 100mm?
• Is the gate latch: 1. 1500mm above ground level? Or, 2. if located inside the gate, 1200mm above ground level and at least 150mm below the top of the gate?
• Did you know it is dangerous and against the law to the prop the gate open?
• Is there an appropriate warning sign with details of resuscitation (CPR) techniques in the immediate surrounds of the pool area, which can be easily read from a distance of three metres?
• Is your pool fence clear of any objects such as barbecues, trees, rocks, shrubs and deck chairs that can be used by a child to climb over the fence?