Tuesday 30 November, 2010
The Swimming Pool Retailers Association Australia (SPRAA) is today calling for the national harmonisation of pool safety laws under an agreement by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to help save lives and make Australian pools safer.
Drowning deaths in Australia are at their highest in more than seven years.
The call from SPRAA comes on the eve of the final stage of the country’s toughest new swimming pool safety laws coming into effect in Queensland.
The laws include:
- Mandatory inspections by local governments for immersion incidents of children under 5;
- Replacement of child resistant doors that form part of the pool barrier with a fence;
- Establishment of a state-based pool register;
- Fencing for all portable pools and spas deeper than 300 millimetres;
- The removal of local government pool safety laws where state laws now apply.
One of the initial requirements of the tough new laws includes the introduction of pool safety certificates with pool owners given five years to make sure their pool complies with the pool safety standard. From December 1st this year anybody selling, buying or leasing a property with a pool must have a safety certificate.
Pool safety certificates can only be issued by licenced pool safety inspectors who’ve completed a rigorous four-day Pool Safety Council approved course.
SPRAA President, Mr Peter Barr, said every Australian has the right to be protected in the same manner and the national harmonisation of pool safety laws is the most sensible way of ensuring this occurs.
“The safety of a child in Victoria or South Australia is equally important as the safety of a child in Queensland.
“The public needs to be confident that all State and Territory governments are doing everything possible to reduce incidences of drowning and serious immersion injuries of young children in pools.
“Since Queensland introduced its new laws, it has highlighted weaknesses in other State and Territory laws, which some governments including South Australia have moved quickly to tighten.
“We welcome any move by other states to improve public safety but to achieve best practice we need consistent laws throughout the country.
“SPRAA endorses moves to introduce standard pool safety certificates throughout Australia through a network of licenced pool safety inspectors.
“Our members, who include professional Pool Technicians servicing and cleaning backyard pools everyday are well placed to take on the responsibility of becoming a licenced pool safety inspector.
“A national certificate and inspection system would certainly help to reduce the risk of drowning and serious incidents. It would send a clear message that all State and Territory governments are serious about this issue.”
In the past two years alone, the number of people drowning in Australia has increased by over 20 per cent. Children under 5 years old remain the most vulnerable to drowning.*
Swimming Pool deaths in 2009/10 rose by over 36 per cent compared to the Australian five year average.**
“Governments must act quickly to help to save lives and SPRAA is also backing previous calls by Royal Life Saving to improve Australian pool fencing legislation, said Mr Barr.
“SPRAA urges the Federal and State governments to put pool safety on the agenda for the next COAG meeting and we will be writing to the Prime Minister, State Premiers and Territory Chief Ministers with this request.”
“SPRAA will also be using its membership of the Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council (CPSISC) to engage with other relevant members including the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) and Facility Management Association of Australia (FMA) and promote the benefits of a national harmonisation of pool safety laws.”
More information regarding SPRAA
Issued by Hughes Public Relations: Simon Hatcher on 0419 780 071 or simon@hughespr.com.au
References: * & ** - Royal Life Saving 2010 National Drowning Report
