Home owners reminded to register pools and spas before June 1
Published on 31 January 2020
Frankston City Council Mayor, Sandra Mayer, has reminded home owners to register their pools and spas before the State Government’s June 1 deadline.
“The deadline is getting closer and quite a few pool and spa owners are yet to register with us,” Cr Mayer said.
From 1 December 2019, amendments to the Building Act require Council to establish a register of swimming pools and spas that exist within the city.
“This includes fixed, temporary, inflatable and relocatable pools and spas with a depth more than 300 millimetres,” Cr Mayer said.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning introduced the amendments in an effort to reduce the rate of drownings in private swimming pools and spas by improving compliance with the required safety standards.
“Whether it’s putting up a pool fence or fixing that faulty gate we all need to do our part to reduce the risk of drownings.”
The Mayor added that registering a pool or spa and paying the $79 registration fee was the legal responsibility of the property owner.
“Agents and tenants are unable to register pools or spas and in the case that they have applied, the owner will need to call our Customer Service team to provide their consent.”
Pools can be registered online or by visiting one of Council’s service centres.
Cr Mayer said when this was complete, owners would need to engage a private building surveyor or inspector to assess whether their barrier meets the required standard.
“The standard will depend on when the pool or spa was built and Council will provide you specific details when confirming your registration.
“When the standards are met, the surveyor or inspector will issue you a compliance certificate which will need to be lodged with Council.”
Cr Mayer said the owner should make a note of the date on their certificate as the next one would need to be lodged with Council four years later.
Those owners wishing to decommission their pool should call our Customer Service team to discuss this process.
Visit: frankston.vic.gov.au or call 1300 322 322 for further information.
Timelines for complying with the new regulations following registration:
- Swimming pools or spas constructed on or before 30 June 1994 - certificate to be submitted to Council by 1 June 2021
- Swimming pools or spas constructed between 1 July 1994 and 1 May 2010 - certificate to be submitted to Council by 1 June 2022
- Swimming pools or spas constructed on or after 1 May 2010 - certificate to be submitted to Council by 1 June 2023
- Swimming pools or spas constructed on or after 1 June 2020 - relevant certificate of occupancy or certificate of final inspection to be submitted to Council within 30 days of receipt of certificate