All pools and spas in the City of Stirling are required to have building approval and compliant safety barriers. Inflatable pools capable of holding over 300 mm of water also require approval and safety barriers.
The City of Stirling is required by law to inspect pool and spa barriers for safety, with not less than 4 years between inspections. Pool Inspectors have a legal right of entry onto your property to conduct these inspections.
Inspectors are available for inspections and consultations from Monday to Friday. Appointments can be made by contacting the Compliance Unit on (08) 9345 8444.
Pool and spa safety guidelines
The Pool and Spa Safety Guidelines brochure contains information on:
• Guidelines for pools and spas built before and after 5 November 2001
• Design and construction guidelines for fencing, gates and fittings, latching devices, doors and windows
• Safety hints
• Sustainability tips
• Other important information.
Pool and spa safety barriers
Safety barriers must be compliant with the Building Regulations 1989, as amended, and the Australian Standard 1926.1 (1993).
Pools or spas installed on or after 5 November 2001 are required to have an isolation fence. There must be an approved fence or gate between any door and the pool or spa area.
Pools or spas installed before 5 November 2001 are required to restrict access from the house, neighbours, and road. Doors are permitted to lead directly into the pool area but must be compliant with the Australian Standard 1926.1 - 1993. If the property is sold, the existing owners are required to complete these upgrades before settlement.
The Private Swimming Pools/Spas Safety Barriers information sheet covers the pre-November 2001 safety standards for:
• Doors
• Windows
• Isolation fences
• Gates.
Handy tips for pool and spa safety at home
Here are some tips to keep your swimming pool or spa safe:
• Always close pool and spa gates
• Ensure the gate self-closes and self-latches from all positions (propping a gate open is against the law and may result in a fine)
• Remove all climbable items from the pool or spa fence.
You must ensure pool and spa barriers are maintained, but remember—there is no substitute for good supervision!
Swimming pool and spa removal
All swimming pools and spas must have building approval from the City of Stirling, and must have compliant safety barriers.
Minimum requirements for a safe removal of spas and pools are:
• Fibreglass pools must be completely removed from the site
• Concrete pools must be completely removed from the site
• Liner pools must be completely removed from the site
• Spas must be completely removed from the site
• Above-ground pools must be completely removed from the site.
If you wish to build on the area where below-ground pools or spas has been removed, you will need to get a compaction certificate from a licensed structural engineer as part of the building licence application.
Please contact the City of Stirling on (08) 9345 8555 for more detailed information on building requirements.
For all swimming pools and spas to be listed as removed a Notification of swimming pool/spa removal form must be completed and submitted to the City of Stirling.
Swimming Pool and Spa Removal