On Thursday, the Victorian Government announced owners will now have until November 1 to complete their mandatory registration, an extension of five months from the previous June 1 deadline.
“We know many people are doing it tough and this gives owners and councils more time to comply with the new regulations ahead of next summer,” Planning Minister Richard Wynne said.
“Pool and spa ownership is a choice and with that choice comes the responsibility of making sure they are safe.
“These regulations are necessary to prevent children continuing to drown in backyard pools with non-compliant safety barriers.”
Under the changes, owners will need to pay a one-off fee of up to $79 to their local council.
Once registration is complete, the council will inform the pool owner of the date by which they must organise their first inspection and certification of their barrier – the deadline for owners to lodge their first barrier certification will also be extended.
In addition, owners must have a registered building surveyor or inspector certify the continuing compliance of their safety barrier every four years.
Owners who fail to register their pool or spa with their council by November 1 could face an on-the-spot fine of $330.
For more information on the Victorian Government’s pool safety reforms, visit vba.vic.gov.au.
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