NT Pool Safety Review considers harsher on-the-spot fines, regular inspections following toddler drowning

The Territory could splash out harsher penalties, on-the-spot fines and mandated pool safety inspections following the drowning of a two-year-old girl in Katherine.

Harsher penalties, on-the-spot fines and regular mandated inspections could be on the table to keep children safe around their own family’s pool.

A heartbreaking tragedy in a Katherine backyard could result in a massive overhaul of the Territory’s pool safety standards.

The NT government has confirmed it is reviewing the safety rules around Territory pools following the drowning of a two-year-old Katherine girl, known as Baby Crocker.

Harsher penalties, on-the-spot fines and regular mandated inspections could be on the table to keep children safe around their own family’s pool.

Northern Territory Water Safety Strategy 2030 said people in the Territory were three times more likely to drown than other Australians, with nine Territorians losing their lives in the water each year.

From 2002 to 2021, 170 people drowned in the Northern Territory, and there were an estimated 510 non-fatal drowning incidents.

Tragically Territory children under four, like Baby Croker, made up 12 per cent of these deaths.

Following the May 2023 hearing into her drowning, Coroner Elisabeth Armitage recommended a complete overhaul of the 20-year-old Swimming Pool Safety Act.

Coroner Elisabeth Armitage. Picture: Zizi Averill

Ms Armitage found it “does not reflect current best practice, and is minimally enforced”.

The Swimming Pool Safety Authority Mark Meldrum frankly conceded that he was not confident that all 17,000 homes with private pool certificates were compliant with the Act, given many approvals were at least 20 years ago.

He said a Pool Fencing Unit study of 20 random pools found 75 per cent were non-compliant with safety standards.

A DIPL spokeswoman said within the second inspection 55 per cent of these pools achieved compliance, with the remaining four pools needing additional inspections before meeting the safety standards.

Last financial year the water safety watchdog conducted 1143 Territory pool inspections.

The coroner also heard recommendations for pool safety inspectors to be able to issue on-the-spot fines, and for penalties to be increased.

Mark Meldrum. Photograph: Che Chorley

Mr Meldrum suggested that given Northern Territory’s climate pool safety inspections should be held every three to four years and in the sale of a property.

In November the Northern Territory Water Safety Advisory Council and Sports Minister Kate Worden called for an immediate review of the Act.

On Friday DIPL confirmed it was addressing the coroner’s recommendations, and was undertaking a review of the policies and operating procedures concerning enforcement, particularly for dodgy fences and reports for dangerous pools.

Photos from the scene where Baby Croker tragically drowned during a social barbecue at a Katherine home. Picture: Supplied.

“The Act encourages personal responsibility for swimming pool safety at residential premises and requires that owners, occupiers maintain swimming pool safety barriers in substantially the same condition as on the date of compliance.”

“The Swimming Pool Safety Authority is addressing recommendations from the Coronial Inquest,” a spokeswoman said.

“Revised policy and procedures are currently being developed.”

Originally published as NT Pool Safety Review considers harsher on-the-spot fines, regular inspections following toddler drowning