Swimming pool owners could blow $50K to comply with new laws, says Mosman real estate agent
A MOSMAN real estate agent has slammed new pool laws as “bureaucracy gone mad”, while almost 95 per cent of pool barriers fail a first inspection.
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A MOSMAN real estate agent has blasted stringent new swimming pool safety laws which came into effect last Friday as “a can of worms”.
Richardson and Wrench Mosman/Neutral Bay director Robert Simeon said the legislation contradicted every pool that had already been built.
He estimated some pool owners might be forced to spend up to $50,000 to ensure their pools were compliant, including tree removal and new fencing.
The laws apply to the sale and lease of properties with pools.
The State Government has admitted that up to 95 per cent of pool barriers failed a first inspection.
“It’s been a wake-up call but in some instances it’s bureaucracy gone mad,” Mr Simeon said.
“For existing pools, you can be a couple of millimetres out and that can cost you.
“It’s the American legal system.”
He suggested pool owners first hire a private contractor to find out what work needed to be done and complete the work before applying for a certificate.
The new laws have been delayed several times since the government released options in early 2012 to bolster backyard pool safety to curb child drownings.
Sixty children have drowned in the past 10 years in home pools.
Pool owners must obtain a certificate of compliance, certificate of non-compliance or relevant occupation certificate before the property can be sold or leased.
A non-compliance certificate gives a property buyer 90 days to make the pool compliant from the date of settlement.
Requirements differ depending on factors including pool location, property size and when the pool was built.
A Mosman Council spokeswoman said council received several inspection applications each week and there was a recent spike in inquiries.
Convert your unwanted pool into a piece of nature
FORGET the chlorine and let nature do the rest if you want to convert your unwanted swimming pool into a tranquil pond.
Legally the pond will still be a swimming pool, but you will save time and money while helping the environment, says Ku-ring-gai Council’s WildThings officer Peter Clarke.
Mr Clarke will host a free talk about pool to pond conversions in the Mosman Civic Centre on Monday from 6-8pm.
He said about 70 properties in Ku-ring-gai had “taken the plunge” during the eight years the conversion program had been running.
“This is like creating an oasis, a billabong in your backyard and is, dare I say, no work at all,” Mr Clarke said. “Wildlife doesn’t care if you throw a couple of plants in and turn your back on it.”
He said the process was reversible, unlike filling in a pool.
“It’s a big step to take and it’s a process,” Mr Clarke said.
“The water has to go green, it has to go clear, plants have to grow.
“It takes a couple of years before they start looking really good.
“But you get all the environmental benefits.
“Frogs and fish can’t live in unhealthy water.”
He said the big problem was probably frog noise if a pond was near a neighbour’s bedroom.
“One thousand tree frogs can push a few buttons,” Mr Clarke said.
“But there are ways to mitigate this.”
More information is available at events.mosman.nsw.gov.au
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