`Aesthetics’ blamed for almost 70 per cent of pool owners failing compliance safety checks
Almost 70 per cent of pool owners in one Adelaide area have failed compliance safety checks this year as “aesthetics” trump safety requirements.
Adelaide Hills
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A staggering amount of backyard pools in the Adelaide Hills are failing compliance inspections, forcing the council to issue a warning about the risk of drownings.
Adelaide Hills Council data has revealed 68 per cent of pools across the local government area failed safety inspections between January and August this year.
Of the 112 pools and spas inspected, 76 were found to be non compliant in one way or another.
The council’s director of development and regulatory services Marc Salver said the most common problems identified were gates that did not close properly and a lack of pool fencing.
“Our general finding is that people don’t like pool barriers because of the aesthetics and glass barriers are quite expensive,” Mr Salver said.
“And so, there’s been a few cases where people have not erected the barriers and the pool is full of water and that immediately is a serious risk if anybody gains entrance to the property or even children.”
Royal Life Saving Australia data shows 92 people drowned in Australia last summer - a 36 per cent increase on the same period the year before.
It’s a figure, Mr Salver said, was worrying with local property owners now urged to not become part of the statistic.
He said those identified with breaches had been put on notice to rectify “the situation in a set period” but could face charges if failing to comply.
He said more pool owners would be added to the list in the months ahead with the council generally inspecting properties three months after a development application is made.
“No one has been fined yet as many owners undertake the actions required for compliance,” Mr Salver said.
“Council did, however, take a pool owner to the ERD Court in 2017 to have them rectify a pool barrier matter.
“As a result, the court ordered the pool owner to rectify the pool barrier and pay $1000 towards the costs of the proceedings.”
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