Moore family dives into pool safety debate

18 Jan, 2012 04:00 AM
A SUITE of options are on the table to strengthen backyard swimming pool laws.
Pool owners would be required to register their pools online under the proposed changes.

They also would be responsible for assessing their pool fences and certifying they meet safety requirements or have them assessed and certified.

The options contained in a state government discussion paper are designed to protect children from drowning.

Port Macquarie parents Eddie and Bronwyn Moore had a backyard pool put in a year ago.

“We made the decision as parents to wait to put in a pool until the children were a bit older and they could both swim,” Mrs Moore said.

Children Charlotte and Robbie are 11 and nine respectively.

Mrs Moore said discussion about pool safety was a good idea.

It was important for parents to supervise their children in the pool, too.

She pointed to inconsistencies such as new requirements that meant they had to install a fence 180cm high to go with the new pool but that was not the case with existing pools.

Amendments in 2009 provided the legislative framework for a high standard of four-sided, child-resistant pool barriers to be consistently applied to all new private pools in NSW.

Further amendments are in the pipeline.

Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said the potential new safety measures were about trying to strike a balance between improving the safety of children around pools without introducing unnecessary red tape for owners.

She encouraged people to comment to help get the balance right.

“The government’s goal is to have a discussion about these proposed changes with the community, with the aim of preventing more children from drowning, and I think the residents of the Port Macquarie electorate would welcome the chance to contribute to that process,” Mrs Williams said.

“There is no substitute for adult supervision of children around pools, however, any inspection that uncovers a deficiency will potentially save a child’s life.”

The discussion paper invites submissions from the public on the suggested changes to the Swimming Pools Act by February 24.

The discussion paper can be viewed online at www.dlg.nsw.gov.au