TOUGH NEW POOL LAWS ANOTHER STEP CLOSER

_{21 May, 2010}

A critical stage of Queensland's tough new pool safety legislation has been passed in Parliament.
Member for Whitsunday, Jan Jarratt said changes under the new Building and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2010 would increase pool inspection powers, create a State-wide swimming pool register and allow for the implementation of a new swimming pool safety inspector licensing system.
“An alarming statistic is that almost 60 per cent of children under the age of five, who lost their lives through drowning, did so in backyard swimming pools,” Ms Jarratt said.
"The Bligh Government is simply not prepared to risk the safety of young children around pools and this new legislation sets in place another piece of the framework for the toughest pool safety regime in Australia.
"Of course nothing replaces adult supervision of children near the water, but these new laws aim to drastically reduce the risk of young children entering pools on their own.''
The changes would see licensed swimming pool safety inspectors able to conduct pool safety inspections of swimming pools controlled by State law, and the roll out of a new class of licensed pool safety inspectors.
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Sterling Hinchliffe said the introduction of a new class of pool inspectors, and the provision of training from well respected organisations will ensure pool safety inspectors receive high quality and relevant training.
"In coming months we expect to see the first training courses rolled out and these training courses will cover knowledge of the pool safety barrier code which sets out the technical requirements for pool fences and barriers.
Mr Hinchliffe said it was anticipated pool inspection fees would cost between $90 and $130. Under the amendments, owners of regulated pools will be required to ensure their pools are registered. An offence will apply to owners who fail to do so.
More information on the new Pool safety amendments to the Building Act 1975 are available online at http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/poolfencing.
Media Contact:
Jan Jarratt
4945 3343
whitsunday@parliament.qld.gov.au

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