Fees revealed for mandatory pool safety registration scheme

Tough new laws for Victoria’s pool owners will see a massive $186 million spent getting backyards into shape. But the government is also set to rake in millions from those ignoring the changes.

Victoria’s 220,000 pool owners are facing a massive $186 million bill to get their backyard pools inspected to ensure they are compliant with safety laws.

From December this year, local councils must register all pools in their area, with owners also required to get a qualified surveyor to issue them with a certificate of compliance.

The state government introduced the tough new scheme after numerous coronial investigations found dodgy pool barriers had contributed to the deaths of children in backyard pools.

The draft regulations, published online today, show pool owners will be fined $330 if their pools are not registered or properly inspected.

All backyard pools must be registered with councils by April 14 next year. Picture: Ray White

It is expected that councils will hit households with $48 million in penalties for failing to comply with the new regulations.

Pool owners are also tipped to have to pay $155 million for works to ensure the barriers and fences at their homes are safe.

A survey last year by the Victorian Municipal Building Surveyors Group found noncompliance with existing laws on pool barriers was as high as 90 per cent, and that pool owners had a poor understanding of the requirements.

The Victorian Building Authority has been running a voluntary pool registration scheme since the middle of last year, but only 120 households have signed up.

Councils will take charge of the mandatory registration scheme from December, with all pool owners required to contact their council by April 14 next year.

They face a maximum registration fee of $37.

Inspection certificates for all pools built before 1994 must be lodged by 30 October 2020.

For pools built between 1994 and 2010, owners will have until 30 April 2021, with all pools built after 2010 needing to be certified by 29 October 2021.

Councils will be able to charge a maximum of $20 to pool owners lodging their inspection certificates — a process which they must undertake every three years.

Households will have 20 days to bring their pools into compliance if an inspector identifies any safety issues.

Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien said he supported pool safety measures but that the changes should not be “used as a cash cow by local councils”.

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HORROR SUMMER SEES 26 DROWNING DEATHS IN VIC

Over the last 20 years, 27 children have drowned in Victorian backyard pools and spa.

For every fatal drowning, there are approximately six more non-fatal drownings, and 20 per cent of those cases result in long-term behavioural and learning impairment.

The Victorian Coroner recommended strengthened pool safety laws after investigating several drowning cases.

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