Swimming pools offer recreation and relaxation for families and communities, but they may also pose significant safety risks, particularly for young children. In the past decade, drowning has remained one of the leading causes of accidental death in children under five across Australia.

To help reduce these risks and ensure all pools within the Burwood Local Government Area (LGA) meet NSW legislated safety standards, Burwood Council has developed a Draft Swimming Pool Safety Policy and a Draft Swimming Pool Barrier Inspection Program. This program aligns with the Swimming Pools Act 1992 and Swimming Pools Regulation 2018, and aims to clarify the roles and responsibilities of pool owners, Council, and the community in promoting safe swimming environments.

The policy responds to the legal obligations placed on pool owners to register their pools, maintain compliant barriers, and obtain compliance certificates, particularly when selling or leasing properties.

The aim of the program is to:

• Provide inspections and compliance certificates from private accredited certifiers or Council
• Educate the community,
• Enforce pool safety standards under NSW legislation.

The policy complements and formalises existing Council initiatives around community safety, child wellbeing, and public health.

The Draft Swimming Pool Safety Policy and Draft Swimming Pool Barrier Inspection Program seeks to:

• Improve safety for children and families using swimming pools in the Burwood LGA.
• Ensure consistent compliance with relevant state legislation and Australian safety standards.
• Clarify responsibilities for pool registration, inspections, and certification.
• Promote proactive maintenance and monitoring of pool safety barriers.
• Enable Council to undertake inspections and enforcement action where required.
• Encourage education and awareness around water safety in residential and commercial settings.