December 2018

Swimming Pool Compliance Certificates

Council would like to remind swimming pool owners to register their pool on the NSW Government’s swimming pool register prior to applying for the Swimming Pool Compliance Certificate (http://www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au/).

Pool owners should carry out a self-assessment of the swimming pool barrier and gates prior to arranging an inspection by using a Home Pool Safety Checklist.

This checklist is available on the website under Be pool Safe program.

To assist you, here is guide of what is required for the pool, gate, fence and surrounds to be deemed compliant:

A SWIMMING POOL GATE must:

Must open outward from pool
Must be self-closing and self-latching
Latch must be more than 1.5m from the ground
Must latch shut on the first swing

The SWIMMING POOL FENCE must:

Secure and in good working order
Should be at least 1.2m high
No more than 100mm from the ground
No vertical gaps more than 100mm apart

You need to ensure that AROUND THE SWIMMING POOL FENCE

Pool aids and toys should be stored securely and out of view
Objects that could be used to climb the fence should be removed from the area
A current Resuscitation Sign is prominently displayed in pool area

The above requirements are intended to serve as a guide to assist you in the process of obtaining a Swimming Pool Certificate and are not an exhaustive list of all requirements that apply to the pool barrier. The particular requirements applicable to the swimming pool will be determined at the time of the inspection.

From January 2019, Council will charge a $100 fee for a follow-up inspection in accordance with Council fees and charges and Swimming Pool Regulation which will be payable in addition to initial Swimming Pool Compliance fee of $150.

Earthworks Incorporating Batters & Unprotected Embankments

Sloping sites can result in unexpected fill levels and retaining works required during construction. To ensure correct execution of all earthworks it is important that the site design and required cut and fill levels be incorporated early in the design and planning stage. To assist in implementing good practice in relation to cut and fill and in particular, batters and unprotected embankments the following BCA and Australia standard apply.

AS 2870 – 2011. Section 6.4.4 Treatment of sloping sites
AS 2870 – 2011 Figure 6.1 Fill and slab edge options on sloping sites.
AS 2870-2011 Section 6.2 Permanent excavations
NCC 2016 BCA Part 3.1.1 Earthworks

Earthworks incorporating a permanent excavation must take into consideration the soil classification and the appropriate embankment slope. The embankment must address the impact on neighbouring structures, council infrastructure and implement effective drainage provisions.

Cooling Towers: Roles & Responsibilities

Occupiers are responsible for ensuring that cooling water systems on their premises are managed (installed, operated and maintained) in accordance with the Public Health Act 2010, Public Health Regulation 2012 and appropriate AUS/NZ Standards.

Occupiers may engage a duly qualified person (DQP) to manage the system on a routine basis on their behalf, and a competent person to undertake a risk assessment on their behalf.

The occupier must ensure that, for their cooling water system:

A competent person undertakes a risk assessment every five years (or more frequently high risk or if required), with all identified risks and their control strategies documented in a Risk Management Plan (RMP).

The initial certificate of RMP completion and must be provided to the local Council no later than 31 March 2019, if not already submitted.

An independent auditor performs an audit of compliance every year. A certificate of audit completion must be submitted to Council as soon as received by the auditor.

A DQP performs inspection, maintenance (including servicing), chemical analysis, and laboratory testing for Legionella count and heterotrophic colony count (HCC) every month.

The local government authority is notified of reportable test results of Legionella count ≥1,000 cfu/mL or HCC ≥5,000,000 cfu/mL.

The local government authority is notified of the installation of the system and any change in particulars, including decommissioning.

A unique identification number is displayed on each cooling tower in their system.

Required documents and information are made readily available at the request of a health officer.

Should you have any enquiries regarding the new requirements, please contact Council’s Environmental Health Team on 1300 292 442.

IMPORTANT

Changes to Private Section 68 Activity Approvals

Council has this year updated its requirements for information to be submitted with applications for sewage and stormwater drainage works.

Each application is required to include the completed application form and a site plan detailing the location of all proposed or existing buildings and a schematic design (sketch plan) of the proposed works.

This plan is to provide indicative details of the proposed sewage and stormwater drainage works. These details must include sewer drainage connection to fixture groups and the boundary riser (or septic tank) and stormwater drainage works, including disposal location (street gutter / on-site system).

Plans must be submitted with sewer and stormwater works drawn with two separate distinguishable lines. Sewer drainage works can be detailed in red and stormwater works in blue or each line drawn with a different line type as shown below:

The plan must also be annotated to detail that all works are to be undertaken to AS/NZS3500.

Thank you for your cooperation in improving the quality of documentation provided for assessment with applications under section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993.

Should you have any inquiries about the above, please contact Council's Plumbing Section on 1300 292 442.