The Samuel Morris Foundation welcomes proposed changes to the NSW Swimming Pools Act announced by the NSW Government today.
In particular the Foundation welcomes
- the improvements to requirements for all pools to have four sided fencing,
- the removal of exemptions from the requirement for fencing
- granting council powers of entry
- granting council power to effect urgent repairs for safety
- the proposed requirement for fencing at pre 1990 installed pools to be upgraded to existing standard at point of sale or renovation
The Foundation congratulates the NSW Government on this initiative to improve the safety of domestic swimming pools in NSW, and is supportive of the changes announced.
The Foundation believes that there is still significant room for further improvements in the proposed changes. These additional changes include:
- changes mandating compliance for ALL swimming pools not just those constructed or installed after 1990
- Mandatory regular compliance inspections and certification
- Mandating CPR requirements for adults of homes with swimming pools
It is noted that government sources have indicated that they are looking at proposals for pre 1990 pools but have ruled out the introduction of the other two points due to potential cost to home owners. The Foundation modeling indicates that mandatory inspection programs could be introduced with a cost to pool owners of approximately $1 – $1.50 per week. In the conext of expenses that a home owner incurs to run a pool such as the supply of chemicals, power to run filters, solar heating etc this is a very small cost. Compared to the cost of dealing with the death or disability of a child the cost is completely negligible.
The Samuel Morris Foundation calls on politicians from all parties to take a proactive role in reviewing and moving amendments to proposed changes to ensure that everything possible is done to make domestic swimming pools as safe an environment as possible.
The full Samuel Morris Foundation proposal can be found at our reports section.
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