HAVE YOUR SAY ON DRAFT STAGE TWO NEW POOL SAFETY STANDARDS

_{14 April, 2010}

Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe today invited Queensland pool owners to have their say on a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) for the second stage of the State Government's tough new pool safety standards.

Mr Hinchliffe said the statement listed the benefits and costs of the draft pool safety standards ahead of their expected introduction on December 1.

The draft second stage of the State Government's tough pool safety regulations could see pool safety inspections included at the point of sale or lease, greater powers of entry for council pool inspectors, fences for all portable pools deeper than 300mm and the broadening of laws to include indoor, hotel/motel, caretaker residence and caravan park pools. Doors that form part of the pool barrier will have to be replaced with a fence under the draft new laws.

"The Bligh Government is not prepared to take risks with the safety of young children around pools," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"Eight children drowned in backyard pools in Queensland last year alone and 35 children have drowned in the state's residential swimming pools in the last six years.

"It's estimated 50 children a year present to emergency departments for immersion injuries, some of whom suffer brain damage due to lack of oxygen.

"Parents remain the first line of defence - they must always watch their kids around water and teach them how to swim from an early age. In addition, I encourage all Queenslanders to undergo a CPR course.

"The State Government is determined to help stop these drownings and near drownings in backyard pools.

"The release of the Regulatory Impact Statement for public consultation will give pool owners time to have their say and prepare for the second stage of the Bligh Government's tough new swimming pool safety standards.

"The draft laws could ensure the sale or lease of a property with a pool does not proceed unless a certificate has been issued by a licensed pool safety inspector.

"In addition, all portable pools deeper than 300mm may need to be fenced and powers of entry could be increased for council inspectors. The Regulatory Impact Statement outlining the fine detail of the new safety standards will be available for public comment from the Department of Infrastructure and Planning's website for four weeks."

The RIS can be viewed at http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/poolfencing

The draft laws could see almost 70 per cent of Queensland pool owners required to undertake some upgrade work within five years-or earlier if the property is sold or leased-to ensure their pools comply.

"This process is about asking for, receiving and assessing public consultation on the Regulatory Impact Statement. If the laws are approved and the Building Act 1975 amended, the estimated average cost for pool owners to upgrade a fence to meet the new standard has been estimated at $430,'' Mr Hinchliffe said.

"Similarly, where pool owners do not comply with existing pool safety requirements, the average cost has estimated at an additional $730.

"If one child is saved or protected from injury as result of these new measures, the costs will be worth it.

"The bulk of the cost estimations contained in the Regulatory Impact Statement are the maintenance costs for people to upgrade their pools-in order to meet the pool fencing standards they should already be meeting now. Just as car owners need to replace bald tyres, pool owners will have a responsibility to ensure their pools comply with safety standards and legislation.''

The RIS follows the introduction of stage one of Australia's toughest new pool laws on December 1. Last year the Bligh Government asked an expert committee, including Kidsafe, the Royal Lifesaving Society, Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit and Local Government Association of Queensland, to conduct the most exacting review of pool laws in nearly 20 years. The committee released a consensus report with 23 findings, all of which will be implemented. Public consultation will close 16 May 2010.

Stage one included:

·the adoption of the latest pool fencing and CPR signage standards

·new provisions to allow temporary pool fencing for short periods of time

·mandatory follow-up inspections for new pools

·upgrading police reporting forms for pool immersion incidents

·the development of a Queensland pool register

Stage two could include:

·mandatory inspections at point of sale and lease of properties with a pool to obtain a certificate of compliance - a pool safety inspection certificate will last for two years for a non shared pool (e.g. house) regardless of how many times it is released or sold in this period.

·local governments to gain greater powers of entry for safety inspections

·fencing for all portable pools deeper than 300mm

·wider application of state laws to include indoor pools and pools associated with hotels, motels, caretaker residences and caravan parks

·doors that form part of the pool barrier to be replaced with a fence

·removing the ability for councils to create local pool laws where state laws apply and,

·model local law for councils to cover public swimming pools outside state laws.

Background: The swimming pool safety review committee consisted of: Australian Institute of Building Surveyors; Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian; Dawn Spinks, independent child drowning prevention expert; Department of Community Safety (Queensland Ambulance Service); Department of Infrastructure and Planning (Chair); Housing Industry Association; Kidsafe Australia; Local Government Association of Queensland; Queensland Health; Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit; Queensland Master Builders Association; Royal Life Saving Society Australia; Swimming Pool and Spa Association of Queensland.

More Media Releases

Latest Media Releases