MORE than 90 per cent of swimming pool fences checked by Sutherland Shire Council compliance officers under new child safety laws failed their first inspection.
Between January and October last year, the council conducted more than 850 inspections.
"Of these, 352 pools were declared compliant," a spokeswoman said.
"Council inspectors have advised that less than 10 per cent of pools inspected are compliant on the first inspection, with the majority of pools requiring between two and four additional inspections before they are deemed compliant.
"More difficult sites with pools have required five or more inspections before they could be deemed compliant."
The council faces a massive job inspecting the estimated 21,000 shire homes with backyard pools.
A proposed program to train and accredit private certifiers has yet to be introduced. The council spokeswoman said its focus so far had been on carrying out inspections requested by owners, including high-risk properties that were declared a priority under the legislation.
They include "tourist and visitor accommodation" and common pools servicing more than two residences, which are required to be inspected once every three years.
Tourist and visitor accommodation covers hotels, motels, bed and breakfast providers and serviced apartments.
‘‘Pool owners within these categories should be organising an inspection of their pool barriers,’’ the spokeswoman said.
A new phase in the legislation begins on April 29, when pool fences will need to be certified as safe before homes can be sold or leased.
This requirement was meant to come in early last year but was deferred when the government accepted more time was needed to prepare for the changes.
Pool fencing contractors said at the time the industry was not ready to meet the forecast demand.
The Building Professionals Board was expected to use the time to develop accreditation and training for private pool inspectors.
Sutherland Shire Council has two full-time pool safety inspectors and a co-ordinator. Another inspector’s time is shared between building and pool inspections.
‘‘Council is looking at increasing its number of inspectors in order to meet the demand of the upcoming new legislation requirements,’’ the spokeswoman said.
COUNCIL FEARS
Sutherland Shire Council fears it will be swamped by requests for inspections this year.
‘‘With the legislation [covering homes being sold or leased] due to come into effect in a few short months, there is still no private industry accreditation or training provided for the proposed swimming pool inspectors,’’ the spokeswoman said.
‘‘Councils still face a potential surge of applications.’’
The spokeswoman said many pools throughout NSW had not been inspected since installation.
‘‘The owners of these older pools are likely to require significant assistance to bring their pool fencing in line with the new safety standard,’’ she said.
‘‘The NSW government needs to help councils and pool barrier certifiers understand the legislation and the variable standards that apply in order to provide a clear direction and achieve a uniform approach by all for pool barriers,’’ the spokeswoman said.
‘‘The Building Professionals Board has begun developing accreditation and training and this needs to be followed up to resolve the many issues open to varying interpretations.’’
Why do you think so many pool fences are failing inspections?