For further information contact the District Council of Barunga West - Development Services at the Port Broughton Office, located at 3 Bay Street Port Broughton.

Tel: 8635 2107 Fax: 8635 2596 Email:barunga@barungawest.sa.gov.au

Website: www.barungawest.sa.gov.au

RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOLS & SPAS

The Development Act 1993 and associated Development Regulations set the swimming pool safety provisions for swimming pools built since 1993. This Fact Sheet explains the design and safety requirements for swimming pools and spa pools.

Is Council Approval required?

Development approval is required for:

• A swimming pool which is capable of being filled to a depth exceeding 300mm, or any above ground or inflatable

swimming pool that incorporates a filtration system and is capable of being filled to a depth exceeding 300mm. • A spa pool which has a maximum capacity exceeding 680 litres.

Consideration should be given to the setback of the pool and filtration system from property boundaries as the setback will determine what assessment process and public notification procedures apply – check with Council for details. It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure the necessary approvals have been granted from Council and/or SA Water.

Pool Safety Barriers

All pools are required to have safety barriers or fencing constructed in accordance with Australian Standard AS 1926.1 to restrict access by young children to the immediate pool surrounds as follows:

• the effective height is not less than 1.2m

• the clearance between the ground and the bottom of the fence and gap between vertical members of the fence rails

does not exceed 100mm

• horizontal fencing components are spaced a minimum of 900mm apart.

Gates to the pool area must:

• swing outward from the pool area

• be self closing and self latching

• be fitted with a latching device that is out of reach of small children (a minimum 1.5m above ground level)

• where the latching device is less than 1.5m above finished ground level a shielding device shall be fitted.

Doors providing direct access from the house to the pool area must be fitted with:

• a door closer and

• a self-latching device located at least 1.5m above floor level

Windows* that provide direct access to the pool area, are openable and less than 1.2m above the floor are required to have one of the following:

• bars (maximum 100mm apart) or mesh screen (to withstand a minimum of 300N or 30kg).

• mechanism limiting the size of the window opening or in some cases, a securely fixed flyscreen.

An above ground pool also requires fencing if the walls are less than 1.2m high all the way around the pool. If the pool walls are 1.2m high and non-climbable with no indents or projections, then the access steps are to be enclosed by a fence with a self closing gate. There must be no climbable objects within a1.2m radius of the wall.

SWIMMING POOLS

& SPAS

For further information contact the District Council of Barunga West - Development Services at the Port Broughton Office, located at 3 Bay Street Port Broughton.

Tel: 8635 2107 Fax: 8635 2596 Email:barunga@barungawest.sa.gov.au

Website: www.barungawest.sa.gov.au

SWIMMING POOLS

& SPAS

SPA

Pump and Filtration Equipment

The pump and filtration systems for pools must comply with the requirements of AS 1926.3. The following information is required for Building Rules Consent:

• Manufacturer and model of skimmer box certifying compliance with the above mentioned standard.

• Details of the skimmer box confirming a solid member no less than 100mm wide separates the pool from the leaf basket,

the skimmer box has a vented lid, and the basket dimensions comply with the standard.

• Each pool pump must be connected to at least two outlets (an outlet also being the skimmer box) which must remain

operative at all times and be separated a minimum of 800mm apart (Note: for spa pools the outlets must exceed

600mm).

Managing Waste Water

Where a property is served by a community wastewater management scheme (CWMS), backwash water is to bypass the septic

tank and be discharged to the drain between the septic tank and the common effluent drain. Under no circumstances should

backwash be discharged into the septic tank or soakage trench. In unsewered regions, backwash water is to be discharged

to a grassed, vegetated or garden area, or a stone-filled trench either open to the surface or underground (similar to a septic tank

absorption field). Any surface run-off resulting from the discharge should be contained within the property boundaries.

Maintenance

It is the owner’s responsibility to maintain the pool safety barriers and features, maintain safe water quality and filtration system, and maintain the pool’s structural integrity. Once the outdoor pool and fence have been constructed, pool fences need to be kept compliant by:

• Ensuring that gates self-close and self-latch without the need to slam the gate shut

• Keeping gates securely closed at all times

• Not propping the gate open for any reason

• Never placing climbable objects near the pool fence

• Checking the pool fence regularly for wear and tear.

If a pool is not properly maintained, it can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, which may cause serious illness. The pool supplier should provide a water testing kit and instruct in its use, as the correct use of appropriate chemicals and good management of the disinfection, filtration and recirculation system will keep the pool water in a clean, safe and healthy condition.

Swimming pools built prior to 1 July 1993

As of 1 October 2008, all homes with existing pools are required to have child safety barriers in accordance with relevant Australian Standards prior to the property being sold. The owner shall be responsible for ensuring the latest pool safety requirements are met prior to the settlement date when selling a property with a swimming pool. For an independent pool inspection to ensure the pool meets compliance with the necessary Australian Standards, the Department of Planning, Transport & Infrastructure (DPTI) has a list of swimming pool safety consultants available via its website.

For further information contact the District Council of Barunga West - Development Services at the Port Broughton Office, located at 3 Bay Street Port Broughton.

Tel: 8635 2107 Fax: 8635 2596 Email:barunga@barungawest.sa.gov.au

Website: www.barungawest.sa.gov.au

SWIMMING POOLS

& SPAS

SPA

Further Information:

Further information can be obtained from Council on 8635 2107 or within Council’s Development Plan, or:

Department of Planning, Transport & Infrastructure South Australia: Phone: 1800 752 664. Web: www.dpti.sa.gov.au

Department of Health: Phone: (08) 8226 7100 Web: www.sahealth.gov.au

Home Pool Safety – www.homepoolsafety.com.au

Information that must be submitted with a Development Application 1. A completed development application form which is signed and dated.

2. Payment of relevant fees.

3. Declaration of Applicant (in relation to power lines).

4. A current copy of the Certificate of Title for the site (no more than 12 months old). Check for easements and registered

encumbrances or Land Management Agreements.

5. A copy of the builders Indemnity Insurance Certificate (if valued $12,000 or more).

6. Proof of payment of the Construction Industry Training Board Levy (if over $15,000).

Plans and Documentation (3 copies with at least one copy being A3 or smaller)

7. Site plan clearly showing the location and size of the proposed swimming pool or spa including:-

• Site boundaries with dimensions, roads and existing structures (inc dwelling, verandahs, retaining walls, fences and sheds);

• Set backs between the proposed swimming pool or spa and existing structures and buildings, septic tanks, boundaries,

roads and easements;

• Location of the proposed safety barrier, gate, direction of swing of the gate and pool filter; and

• Be in a scale of 1:200 indicating the north point.

8. Structural details of the swimming pool or spa from the manufacturer.

9. Structural details from the manufacturer for above ground pools to be constructed in ground.

10. A soil test to confirm if the design parameters of the pool suit the proposed site (fibreglass or concrete in-ground pools).

11. Structural details of the safety barrier, including details of boundary fences or openings in buildings if forming part of the safety

barrier.

12. Details of the method of discharge of the pool or spa water; (note: pool water must not be discharged to any creek, waterway,

stormwater system or septic tank).

Development Approval - Council will check:

• The details and location of safety barriers (they should restrict access to the pool or spa area by young children),

• The safety of the pump (there are a number of safety requirements in place to prevent suction related injuries or deaths in

swimming pools),

• The adequacy of structural support for the swimming pool or spa (in particular where the pool or spa is to be placed on a

deck or balcony or near a retaining wall).

• If a deck is proposed to support or surround the swimming pool or spa, details of the deck are to be submitted for

assessment also. Ensure details such as height, elevations and structural details are provided.