POOL and spa owners on the Mornington Peninsula have more time to get their safety barriers inspected and certified as compliant with Mornington Peninsula Shire guidelines.
Planning Minister Richard Wynne last week acknowledged the challenges imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, including limits on building inspectors visiting homes, and extended the deadline for a first certificate to 1 June next year. Subsequent deadlines have also moved back to June 2023 and June 2024.
A five-month extension from the original 1 June deadline last year was granted until 1 November 2020 because of the effects of the coronavirus and also its impact on council staff workloads. (“More time to register pool” The News 9/6/20).
The safety measures aim to reduce the number of drownings of children under five. Over the past 20 years 27 youngsters have drowned in private pools and spas in Victoria. The coroner reportedly found that, in at least 20 of these cases, a non-compliant safety barrier was likely to have played a role in their deaths.
Owners must register their pools and spas for a one-off fee of up to $79 (“Pool register date looms” The News 19/5/20). Failure to register by the due date can result in a $363 on-the-spot fine.
Once registered, the council will inform the owners of the date by which they must organise their first inspection and certification of suitable safety barriers.
Owners must also have a registered building surveyor or inspector certify the continuing compliance of their safety barrier every four years.
First published in the Mornington News – 16 November 2021
