Port Stephens Council is undertaking an audit of private swimming pools in the Local Government Area to ensure all safety fencing and ‘child safe’ protection devices are up to standard.
Speaking today, Environmental Services Manager Bruce Petersen said the audit was prompted by a number of drowning tragedies involving children in private pools.
"Last year in Australia, 16 children drowned in backyard pools," he said.
"This has highlighted the need for the implementation of appropriate safety standards."
The objective of the audit is to check whether residents have adequate fencing, up-to-date resuscitation charts and self-locking gates that meet the requirements of the Swimming Pools Act and Australian Standard.
"Council would like to cooperate with the community to ensure all backyard pools are safe and complying with national safety guidelines so that we can hopefully avoid these tragedies," Mr Petersen said.
Council will be sending out letters to pool owners in Port Stephens seeking their assistance in organising the pool inspections.
"If you’re not sure whether your pool complies with safety standards, you can contact the council to arrange a Certificate of Compliance," Mr Petersen said.
For more information regrading pool safety please contact Council’s Customer Service desk on 49800 255.
