Building (Non Commercial)

Swimming Pool Information Sheet - 5th November 2001

Note: The information provided on the following sheets relates to private swimming pools only.

  1. Building Licence

    1. A building licence must be obtained prior to work being carried out in the construction of a below or above ground swimming pool.
    2. Two copies of the site plan are required indicating the location of the pool and the distances from the boundaries and residence. Fences and gates must also be shown on the site plan, which must be at a scale of not less than 1:200.
    3. 2 copies of the details of fences and gates must be submitted with the licence application.
    4. Approval will not be given for swimming pools before the residence is occupied except where special approval is first obtained from the Manager Building Services.

  2. Location of Swimming Pools

    Swimming pools shall, in general, be setback from the site boundaries and all buildings by at least the depth of the swimming pool.

  3. Fences and Gates

    1. Every portion of a fence, wall or building used to enclose a swimming pool shall be at least 1200mm in height and shall be of such construction to prevent young children from passing beneath or through it and not to afford foot or hand holds.
    2. Any gate incorporated in the swimming pool enclosure shall be at least 1200mm in height and fitted with a self-closing mechanism together with a self-latching mechanism, situated not less than 150mm below the top of the gate. The latching mechanism shall be shielded in accordance with AS 1926.1.
    3. Gates shall swing out and away from the swimming pool.
    4. A gate may also be fitted with a release mechanism at a minimum height of 1500mm, this will not require shielding.
    5. A gate may also be fitted with a mechanism, which enables the gate to be permanently locked.
    6. Roller doors and overhead tilting doors, or similar, are not acceptable as part of a swimming pool enclosure.
    7. Water is not to be placed in the swimming pool before installation of fences and gates.

  4. Child Resistant Openable Portion of a Window

    Where a window opens directly in to a pool enclosure the following shall apply:
    1. Where the sill of the lowest opening panel of the window to the building floor level is less than 900mm the opening panel shall be totally covered with approved bars or security mesh. The bars or mesh shall fixed to the building with fasteners that can only be removed by the use of a tool or:
    2. The window may be fixed in such a way as to permanently restrict the opening to 100mm.
    3. Where the sill of the lowest opening panel of a window to the building floor level is 900mm and 1200mm the opening panel shall comply with (a) or fitted with a securely fitted flyscreen.
    4. Where the sill of the lowest opening panel of a window to the building floor level is greater than 1200mm need not comply with (a), (b) or (c).

  5. Inspections

    Council's Building Department will carry out a mandatory swimming pool inspection at least every 4 years. However as a pool owner it is your responsibility to ensure that all swimming pool fences and gate mechanisms are properly maintained at all times.

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Last modified 25-10-2006 08:56 AM