Swimming pools – time to get with the program

For those of you with swimming pools you will need to get with the program or sooner or later the Government is going to get you.

Since October 2013 it has been mandatory in New South Wales for pool owners to register their swimming pool and/or spa pool.  Pools should be registered at www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au.  It is already the situation that if you do not register you can be fined.

From 29 April 2015 pool owners must obtain a swimming pool compliance certificate before they can sell or lease a property which has a swimming pool and/or spa pool as part of that property.  To obtain a swimming pool compliance certificate in Wagga you should contact Wagga Wagga City Council on 1300 292 442 to arrange an inspection for a swimming pool compliance certificate.  There is a fee of $150.00.

There are a few exceptions such as properties less than three years old with final occupation certificates but mostly swimming pool compliance certificates are going to be needed.

If you have a pool, sooner or later this is going to affect you as section 22B of the Swimming Pools Act 1992 (NSW) provides for each local government authority to set up a program of mandatory pool inspections in their area.  It is just a matter of time before the pool inspector comes knocking on your door.  

Author: Tom Pottenger