Audit on Swimming Pools in Cootamundra Shire
 |
Drowning is one of the major causes of death for children under the age of five in NSW. Each year on average 10 children under five drown in backyard swimming pools and many more suffer brain damage and other serious injuries associated with near-drowning experiences.
Summer will soon be here, and in order to prevent such tragedy impacting on our local community, Cootamundra Shire Council will be conducting an audit of all Swimming Pools and Spas located within the Shire.
Council will be enacting the powers granted under the Swimming Pools Act 1992 to enter land, inspect and enforce compliance with the Act, to ensure that swimming pools in the Shire are properly secured and maintained.
Swimming pool inspections will start in September and take place on Mondays and Fridays between the hours of 9am and 5pm.
In the event that the occupant is not home during an inspection, Council will leave appropriate notification for re-inspection in accordance with the Act.
Council would like to remind all pool owners, that they have an obligation to restrict access to their pool in accordance with the Act. Council inspectors will be identifying areas of non-compliance and will enforce modification or repair where required.
This is your opportunity to have your pool inspected free of charge by Council's building inspectors and make all necessary repairs and modifications before the summer approaches.
The main areas of concern targeted by these inspections are that:
- The pool fence height maintains a minimum 1.2m above finished ground level and any openings in the fence are no greater than 100mm
- There are no objects near the pool fence which may facilitate climbing.
- The pool gate opens in an outward direction and latching devices are installed, in a proper working order and located 1.5m above finished ground level or are appropriately shielded.
- A resuscitation chart is present and in clear view of the pool area, and in good legible condition.
- The filtering system is in good working order, test kits are present to monitor water quality and appropriate backwash systems are in place.
For further information on the swimming pool requirements, download the Swimming Pool Information Brochure and Home Pool Safety Checklist, or alternatively contact Council on 02 6940 2100 during normal office hours.
Contact details
Health & Building
Tel: 02 69402119
Fax: 02 69402127
mail@cootamundra.nsw.gov.au
