SCA (NSW) has been informed by the Chief Executive of Local Government that the NSW Government has decided to provide an additional twelve months to give property owners more time to ensure that their swimming pool is compliant before their property is sold or leased. The provisions have been extended and will now commence on 29 April 2016.
As you would be aware, the NSW Government introduced new measures to boost compliance with swimming pool fencing requirements over two years ago. However councils and private certifiers are still finding that over 95% of swimming pool fences are failing to pass their first inspection. The high rates of failure are placing an excessive demand on pool inspectors with most pools requiring multiple inspections to pass.
SCA (NSW) understands that owners are facing difficulties in securing contractors and materials to rectify their swimming pool barriers.
The Government advises that it has created a new E1 pool certifier classification to ensure additional inspections services are available to pool owners and courses have recently commenced to train new certifiers. It has indicated that this further work will be done to promote the importance of effective barriers around backyard pools and consideration will also be given to increasing penalties for non-compliant pool owners.
During this time, councils will continue their inspection programs and inspect, at least once every three years, all tourist and visitor accommodation and multi-occupancy premises in their local government area. Accredited certifiers will also continue to inspect pools and issue certificates of compliance. All pools must be registered on the NSW Swimming Pool Register.
If you would like more information please go to http://www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au/