Following discussions with child safety advocates, councils and industry stakeholders, pool owners will be granted a 12-month extension to make sure they have a valid compliance certificate before the property can be sold or leased.
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"We have listened to stakeholder requests for more time and examined the evidence from certifiers," Minister for Local Government Paul Toole said.
"The evidence showed there was a high failure rate for initial inspections and a heavy demand to make pools compliant," he said.
The extension until April 29, 2016 ensures:
- Homeowners and landlords wishing to make pools compliant but experiencing a wait for a contractor will have sufficient time;
- Increased numbers of qualified private certifiers to conduct inspections;
- More certifier courses available to ensure that the high standard of inspections is maintained; and
- Councils will continue to run risk-based inspection programs, including compulsory three-yearly inspections for strata units, tourist and visitor accommodation, to improve compliance rates and child safety around backyard pools.
Michael Ilinsky from the Royal Life Saving Society NSW said the Society supported the extension of time to enable the community to complete the necessary works to ensure compliance.
"Royal Life Saving Society NSW will continue to work to protect children in over 320,000 backyard swimming pools across the State," Mr Ilinsky said.
The president of the Building Professionals Board George Maltabarow also supported the extension, saying it would enable more inspectors to be accredited.
The NSW Government encourages all owners of properties with a pool or spa who are thinking of selling or leasing to apply for a Swimming Pool Certificate of Compliance now.
