Make a splash in safe pools this summer
Published on 10 November 2023
As the sun shines brighter and the temperatures rise, families and friends in the Rockhampton Region are gearing up for a summer of fun in the water.
Planning and Regulation Councillor Grant Mathers said he is encouraging families and friends to keep children and themselves safe by checking their pool security and prioritising safety.
“Whether your pool is inflatable, above ground, inground or even a plastic shell pool, practising pool safety and supervision is essential to avoid drownings,” Cr Mathers said.
“Pool safety laws require you to construct and maintain a compliant fence around your pool, inflatable or not, if it is capable of being filled with water to a depth of 300mm or more.
“And in addition to this, active supervision is a key requirement at all times, irrespective of the size or depth of the pool.”
The Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2023 found that 61 people drowned in Queensland waterways with 13% of these deaths occurring in a swimming pool.
Regional Queensland leads the nation with nearly one in four regional Queenslanders living in a house with a swimming pool or spa.
“Before hitting the pool take the time to check your gate closes properly and check the surround to ensure there’s no climbable objects nearby for children to enter the pool area,” Cr Mathers said.
“Swimming is a fun, healthy activity for kids, so not only is it important for them to learn how to swim, but teaching them about pool safety means that everyone can enjoy the water in confidence.
“Don’t forget, even as an adult you are not immune to drowning, alarmingly the largest number of drowning deaths occurred among people aged 25-34 years in Queensland in 2022, which is different to the trend in the rest of Australia.
“By following some simple tips and laws, we can make sure that every poolside is both enjoyable and secure.”
All regulated swimming pools and spas in Queensland must also be registered with the Queensland Building & Construction Commission (QBCC) and require a building permit in accordance with relevant building legislation and Australian standards.
If you don’t have a pool at home, Council has a range of water play areas and pools across the region for you to enjoy, including:
- Northside Pool (42nd Battalion Memorial Pool)
- Southside Pool (2nd World War Memorial Aquatic Centre)
- Gracemere Swimming Pool
- Cedric Archer Wet Play
- Kershaw Gardens Wet Play
For more information about pool safety and compliance, view our fact sheet.