Local councils will be required to register all backyard pools and spas in their area as part of new changes proposed in the Building Amendment of the Swimming Pool and Spa Regulation 2019.
The mandatory registration scheme will require all pool owners to contact their council by April 14 next year and pay the small $37 registration fee.
Inspection certificates for all pools built before 1994 must be lodged by October 30, 2020.
For pools built between 1994 and 2010, owners will have until April 30, 2021, with all pools built after 2010 requiring to be certified by October 29, 2021.
Councils will charge pool and spa owners a maximum of $20 to lodge their inspection compliance certificates, a process they will be required to undertake just once every three years.
Households will have 20 days to bring their pools into compliance if an inspector identifies any safety concerns.
CEO Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Victoria (2006-18) and previous CEO Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Australia (2013-14) Brendan Watkins said too many toddler deaths and permanent brain injuries were occurring from non-compliant pool fences.
“In the past 15 years, Victoria experienced 22 toddler deaths plus more than 60 toddlers left with permanent brain injury after accidents in backyard pools and spas,” Mr Watkins said.
“I feel physically ill contemplating what’s worse – a fatality, or permanent brain damage of a small child.
“These tragedies affect parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, extended family, friends and connections - the ripples spread to literally hundreds of Victorians every year.
“Drowning is the most common cause of death from injury in children aged one to four. Pools and spas are where most of these fatalities occur.
“Most drownings occur in yards without correctly maintained barriers or have no fence at all.
“The majority of Victorian pool fences aren’t compliant with Victorian law. Councils randomly inspect pool fences - the most common results report between 80-100% fail.
“Successful experiences elsewhere prove that this traumatic scenario is largely preventable, or in the least can be significantly reduced with correctly maintained fencing.
“Self-regulation of pool fences does not work. To prevent drownings, we need mandatory independent inspections of all pool and spas.”
“We also need to accept there will be frustrating system glitches as the new regulations are rolled out. There will likely be interpretations of the new regs that will cause angst to a minority of those fortunate enough to enjoy a pool or spa in their yards.
“Everybody accepts that car owners have an obligation to keep their vehicles roadworthy. We need to start thinking the same way about pool and spa owners, we can’t be complacent about protecting toddlers,” Mr Watkins said.
The state government introduced this new scheme after numerous coronial investigations found that un-maintained and non-compliant pool barriers had contributed to the deaths of children in backyard pools.
The Victorian Coroner recommended strengthened pool safety laws after investigating several drowning cases.