Don’t let safety slip this summer – check your pool fence

With Townsville enduring another sizzling summer, now’s the time to check your pool fence meets the Queensland Development Code.

Under Queensland Government legislation local councils, including Townsville City Council, have a role to play to ensure pool fences are up to standard and can issue on-the-spot fines for non-compliance.

Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto said safety should remain a top priority for every pool owner.

“It only takes a split second for tragedy to strike in pools and having a compliant pool fence is one of the simplest ways to prevent drowning and protect lives,” Cr Dametto said.

“So many of us here in the North have pools in our backyards, and a compliant fence is essential in helping to keep everyone, especially children, safe in our community.

“This is not something to be relaxed about – if you have a pool, or even a spa or portable pool that holds more than 300mm of water, it must be fenced.”

The Queensland Development Code specifies that pool fences must be at least 1.2m from the bottom to the top and the gate must be self-closing and latching.

Any branches that a child could use to climb over the fence must be trimmed back and a 90cm buffer zone applies for climbable items to prevent children accessing the pool area without adult supervision.

For information on pool safety, visit the Queensland Building and Construction Commission’s (QBCC) pool safety standard webpage.

The QBCC also administers the pool register all pools must be registered and the details of pool safety inspectors.