Council reminds land-owners pools and spas must be registered
Published on 04 May 2020
Colac Otway Shire Council is reminding land-owners to register their pool or spa with Council before 1 June.
General Manager of Development and Community Services Ian Seuren said that the State Government requirements, which came in to effect 1 December last year, aimed to make pools and spas safer for everyone in the community.
“The Victorian Government introduced requirements to improve swimming pool and spa safety, making it mandatory for owners of land where a swimming pool or spa is located to register with the relevant council to arrange for the periodic inspection and certification of pool and spa safety barriers.
“The registration period for existing swimming pools and spas closes on 1 June, 2020. Council is currently in the process of contacting land-owners who haven’t yet registered their pool or spa to remind them of their responsibility to do so.
“Measures put in place are for the safety of our community, particularly children, around pools and spas in the home. The legislation also applies to relocatable and temporary swimming pools and spas which are capable of holding more than 30cm of water.”
Mr Seuren said Council acknowledged that while the registration fee isn’t significant, some members of the community may be worried about their potential inability to pay the fee and encouraged people to contact Council to discuss payment options.
“We urge any community member who is experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the current COVID-19 situation to contact Council to discuss payment options available, whether it’s regarding the pool registration fee, or any other Council payment.”
The fee to register your pool or spa with Colac Otway Shire Council is $31.84. A search fee of $47.24 may apply where a landowner is not able to provide a copy of the building permit or certificate of final inspection for the pool or spa.
For more information, visit www.colacotway.vic.gov.au or phone Colac Otway Shire Council on 5232 9400.