Carolyn Male MP, State Member for Pine Rivers, would like to make people aware that stage one of Queensland’s tough new pool safety regulations came into effect on 1 December 2009.
Carolyn Male MP said stage one of the new laws applies to all new residential swimming pools.
“This means all new pools must meet the latest pool fencing standards, with clear and strict non-climbable zones above and adjacent to the fence,” Carolyn Male MP said.
“Stage two starts in late 2010 and largely targets existing pools.”
“Of course, nothing replaces adult supervision of children when they’re near water, but the new laws aim to drastically reduce the risk of young children entering pools on their own.”
“Almost 60 per cent of children under five who lost their lives through drowning did so in backyard swimming pools. Pools are four times more likely than lakes, dams or lagoons to be where these children lost their lives.”
Stage one includes:
- the adoption of the latest pool fencing and CPR signage standards
- new provisions to allow temporary pool fencing for short periods of time
- mandatory follow-up inspections for new pools
- upgrading police reporting forms for pool immersion incidents
- the development of a Queensland pool register
Stage one of the Queensland Government’s swimming pool safety improvement strategy includes the development of a swimming pool register and analysis is currently underway to identify the most suitable register model for Queensland.
Queensland does not currently have a register, or accurate number, of swimming pools. It is anticipated pool owners will need to register their pool within a six month phase in period.
The swimming pool register is proposed to be implemented in stage two of the pool safety improvement strategy, expected to begin later in 2010. Once finalised, the register will hold information about swimming pools covered by the State pool safety laws.
The register will provide important support for the proposed point of sale and lease swimming pool safety inspection system, which is another stage two measure. The register may also be of assistance for any future review of swimming pool safety legislation or for any future pool safety campaigns. For more information on the pool safety laws, please visit www.dip.qld.gov.au/poolsafety.
