MALLEE residents have more time to get their pools and spa safety barriers inspected and certified after the Victorian Government extended a deadline.
Planning Minister Richard Wynne extended the deadline for owners to lodge certificates of pool and spa barrier compliance with their local council, in recognition of the limited opportunity for building inspectors to visit homes during the coronavirus pandemic.
The first certificate lodgment deadline will be extended from November 1, 2021, to June 1, 2022, with subsequent lodgment deadlines also moved back to June 2023 and June 2024 respectively.
“This extension acknowledges the extra pressure that the coronavirus is placing on families, as well as the challenge of finding building practitioners to inspect and certify safety barriers and fix any identified non-compliance,” Mr Wynne said.
In December 2019 the government amended building regulations to introduce new requirements to improve the safety of private swimming pools and spas. The regulations include for owners to register their swimming pools and spas with their local council. Failure to register may attract an infringement notice of up to $363.
Owners must also have a registered building surveyor or inspector certify the continuing compliance of their safety barriers every four years.
“Drowning is the most common cause of preventable death for young children and in Victoria most fatal drownings of young children occur in backyard swimming pools,” Mr Wynne said.
