WITH warmer months ahead, Whittlesea council has reminded property owners with a pool or spa that they must be registered with council by the end of October.
As part of a new registration process, pool and spa barriers must also be assessed by a registered inspector.
A compliance certificate must be lodged with council every four years.
Regulations apply to any private swimming pool or spa that can hold water to a depth greater than 30 centimetres.
The new laws were introduced in an effort to save children’s lives by making swimming pools and spas safer.
Drowning is the most common cause of preventable death for young children, and in Victoria, most fatal drownings of young children occur in home swimming pools.
Since 2000, 27 young children have drowned in Victorian private swimming pools and spas.
In at least 20 of those cases, the non-compliance of a safety barrier was a contributing factor.
Spa and pool owners can register their pool online at whittlesea.vic.gov.au/pools.
