Queensland’s swimming pool safety laws have undergone the most comprehensive review in nearly 20 years. An expert committee was established in January 2009 to assist with this review.

The committee’s report sets out 23 recommendations for improving Queensland’s swimming pool safety laws and was released on 26 April 2009 for a six-week public consultation period, concluding on 5 June 2009. Read the report ( 1.2 MB)

Feedback results indicated strong public support for most of the committee’s recommendations. A report on the findings will be available for download in the near future.

The Queensland Government will now implement a two-staged improvement strategy aimed at reducing the number of immersion injuries and drownings of young children in Queensland pools.

It is important to remember that effective pool safety depends on parents and carers being vigilant in supervising young children around pools. Climbable objects, such as garden furniture and pot plants, present a significant risk to young children accessing the pool area. These types of climbable objects should be kept well clear of the pool fence and put away when not in use or fixed in such a way that they cannot be moved by a young child.

To help remind Queenslanders of these important safety message the government will be enhancing its ongoing summer pool safety awareness campaign which will also promote the need for young children to be taught to swim as early as possible.

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