Time is running out for residents to register their private swimming pools and spas online with the City of Greater Bendigo to meet the November 1, 2020 deadline as required by the new Victorian Government legislation introduced in December 2019.
Earlier this year the Victorian Government extended the deadline for residents to register their private swimming pools and spas online with the City of Greater Bendigo from June 1 to November 1, 2020.
City of Greater Bendigo Acting Safe and Healthy Environments Manager Jock Schofield said under the new mandatory requirements all residential swimming pools and spas that fall within the requirements of the Act must have a compliant barrier in place and must be registered with their local Council.
“Broadly, these include all permanent pools and spas and most relocatable pools and relocatable spas capable of holding a depth of water greater than 300mm,” Mr Schofield said.
“The new legislation has introduced mandatory requirements for all Victorian Councils to establish and maintain a register of all private swimming pools and spas and residents must undertake the registration process online via the City’s website at https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/poolregister by November 1, 2020, or within 30 days of completion if the installation is under construction at this date.
“As part of the new registration process, pool and spa barriers will need to be assessed by registered private building surveyors or inspectors and this is up to the pool or spa owner to organise. The inspectors will issue certificates of compliance or non-compliance, which owners will need to then lodge with the City. Certificates of non-compliance will also be acted upon.
“This is a Victorian Government requirement and the City is urging all private pool and spa owners who haven’t already done so to commence the process as soon as possible to ensure their pool barriers are compliant to avoid receiving any penalties.
“We’ve had a good response so far, but we know that there are still many residents who have yet to register their swimming pools and spas and we don’t want them to face any unnecessary penalties.”
Inspection compliance certificates will be required to be lodged with Council every four years.
