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Swimming pools and spa pools - approval information
Swimming pools and spa pools - approval information - Campbelltown City Council
Do I need Council's approval to build a swimming pool? |
| You must have an approval from Council for the construction or erection of any swimming pool whether it is on residential property, motel, hospital, institution, caravan park or the like. It is our responsibility to make sure that your swimming pool complies with the Swimming Pools Act 1992, various Australian Standards and The Building Code of Australia. |
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How does Council ensure that my pool complies? |
| Firstly through the development assessment process. After you have considered the type of pool you wish to build and its general location you will be required to submit an application to us. This can take the form of a development application, or in some situations, a complying development certificate. Regardless of the type of pool or the process that your approval takes, you will be required to submit the appropriate application form complete with a site plan and specifications. A site plan must include: During the construction phase and at the completion of the pool, Council will perform inspections as per the relevant Consent documents. After the final inspection and your pool is filled with water the onus for maintaining the area in a safe condition falls on the owner/operator of the pool. We will not perform routine inspections but may be required to do so when properties change hands through the building certificate process or in the event of receiving complaints. If however you wish to confirm that your pool fence complies before properties change hands or for your own piece of mind, an application for a “Certificate of Compliance” can be made for a fee of $50.00 to ensure that your pool fence complies with the Australian Standard. An application fee applies in accordance with Council's Fees and Charges. Pool users should be aware that if there is a death or injury at a pool, legal liability may fall on the person responsible for the pool at the time, even if a safety fence and signage is installed. |
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What specifications does Council require? |
| This depends on the type of pool construction. For prefabricated above-ground pools the manufacturer's installation instructions will suffice. This requirement extends to relocated above-ground pools as well as new installations. For in-ground pools (either concrete or other prefabricated pools), Council requires full structural details prepared by a practising Structural Engineer (being a member of the Institute of Engineers of Australia) or a person holding equal qualifications approved by Council. |
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How can I be sure that my pool fence complies? |
| The standards for pool fence design and construction are described in Australian Standard AS1926. A pool fence and gate must be designed and constructed so that they will prevent a small child entering the pool area either under, over or through a fence. To achieve this a fence must have an effective height of at least 1.2m at any point along its length on the outside of the fence. This means that the top of the fence must be 1.2m from ground level or any projection when measured in a 900mm arc from the top of the fence. For full details you should consult the Australian Standards or alternatively you may wish to download Council's Swimming Pool Safety Fact Sheets or the Home Pool Safety Checklist by clicking on the link at the top of this page. This is a NSW Government water safety initiative to improve the safety of backyard. Please be advised that if you answer “no” to any of the checklist questions please contact Campbelltown City Council for further advice. |
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What are the safety requirements for a swimming pool? |
| The owner must ensure that the swimming pool is surrounded at all times by a child-resistant barrier. The barrier must separate the swimming pool from any residential building on the premises and from any adjoining property. It must be immediately around the swimming pool and be designed, constructed, installed and maintained in accordance with AS192611 - 2007 Australian Standard Swimming Pool Safety Part 1: Safety Barriers for Swimming Pools. |
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Do I need any approval to install a spa? |
| You must have an approval if the spa pool is 300 mm or greater in depth and is used for swimming, wading, paddling or any other human aquatic activity. A spa pool is the same as a swimming pool which includes any excavation, structure or vessel in the nature of a spa pool, flotation tank, tub or the like but does not include a spa bath or anything that is situated within a bathroom and is drained after use. |
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What are the safety requirements for a spa pool? |
| These are similar to those that apply to a swimming pool but may also take the form of a locked and secure cover that is removed only when the spa pool is in use. |
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Where can I go to obtain more information on swimming pools or spa pools? |
| Safewaters provides further information on fencing backyard pools, frequently asked questions and checklists for pool owners. For further information please contact Campbelltown City Council on (02) 4645 4604 or email council@campbelltown.nsw.gov.au |
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