Pool and spa registration

Horsham Rural City Council residents now have until November 1 to register their pool or spa, following a State Government deadline extension.

Community wellbeing director Kevin O’brien said State Government requirements, which came in to effect on December 1 last year, aimed to make pools and spas safer for everyone in the community.

“The government introduced requirements to improve swimming pool and spa safety, making it mandatory for owners of land where a swimming pool or spa is located to register with the relevant council to arrange for the periodic inspection and certification of pool and spa safety barriers,” he said.

“The registration period for existing swimming pools and spas closes on November 1.”

The new deadline is an acknowledgment of the extra pressure on families and the increased workload on councils due to the pandemic.

Mr O’brien said the registration measures were for the safety of the community, particularly children, around pools and spas in the home.

“The legislation also applies to relocatable and temporary swimming pools and spas which are capable of holding more than 30 centimetres of water,” he said.

Mr O’brien said the council acknowledged that while the registration fee was relatively insignificant, some members of the community might be worried about their potential inability to pay the fee.

He encouraged people to contact the council to discuss payment options.

“We urge any community member experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the current COVID-19 situation to contact the council to discuss payment options available, whether it’s regarding the pool-registration fee, or any other council payment.”

The fee to register a pool or spa with the council is $31.80. A search fee of $47.20 might apply where a landowner is unable to provide a copy of the building permit or certificate of final inspection for the pool or spa.