Make sure your pool fence is compliant before Christmas

As Townsville heats up, it’s high time to check whether your pool fence is compliant with the Queensland Development Code.

Townsville City Council conducts checks on pool fences to make sure they are up to code and Queensland Government legislation allows Council to issue on-the-spot fines for non-compliant pool fencing.

Community Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability Committee chairperson Margie Ryder said pool safety should be at the forefront of every pool owner’s mind.

“It only takes a split second for tragedy to strike in pools. It’s incredibly important to limit the risk of drowning by having compliant pool fences that meet the Queensland Government’s standard,” Cr Ryder said.

“Having a compliant pool fence helps keep everyone safe, particularly children in our community.

“Some things you can do to help make your pool fence compliant is to make sure it is at least 1.2m from bottom to top, trim any branches that a child could use to climb over the fence, remove climbable objects within 90cm of the fence, the gate is self-closing and latching and install fixed security screens on windows that open into the pool enclosure.”

Cr Ryder said the onus of pool fence responsibility fell on the pool owner or resident.

She said there was no excuse for not having a compliant pool fence.

“When it gets hot in Townsville the whole community gravitates towards water. The last thing anyone wants is for any member of our community to have a near-drowning experience or worse because of a non-compliant fence,” Cr Ryder said.

“Inflatable pools and spas are very popular heading into Christmas, but it’s important to remember that if they are deeper than 30cm they need to be fenced.

“In particular we must think of children across our community, whether they’re your loved ones or children in your neighbourhood, and do what we can to keep them as safe as possible this summer.”

To learn more about pool fencing requirements, head to Swimming Pools and Spas.