AusLeisure

As part of its commitment to improving safety standards at Victoria’s public pools, Life Saving Victoria (LSV) has turned on its newly created Public Pools Register.

Introducing the initiative, LSV General Manager - Public Training and Pool Safety, Andy Dennis explained “the Register is an online document, open to the public, which allows pool patrons to check the safety classification of any public pool in the state.

“Schools, specialised user groups and members of the public will simply be able to check the Register and see if a pool has a. undertaken a formal Pool Safety Assessment and b. been awarded a Gold, Silver or Bronze safety endorsement.

“This is a key step in the Victorian Government’s Safer Pools Project and utilises the National Pool Classification System which identifies Council Owned, Learn to Swim and School/University Pools under the header of ‘Public Pools’.”

The Safer Pools project was born out of Coronial recommendations and includes a focus on improved benchmarking, monitoring, and reviewing of safety standards and the provision of improved stakeholder engagement and industry support.

LSV Manager - Pool Safety, RJ Houston advises that “LSV strongly encourage preventative measures and continue to write to pool owners and operators encouraging them to undertake Pool Safety Assessments, on a one, two or three yearly cycle - based on patronage.

“63 Council owned facilities, one school pool and one university pool have been awarded safety endorsements to date. We commend those facilities on their achievements and encourage the wider community to insist upon safer public pools. All pools on the register should be assessed and all can achieve a safety endorsement.”

Backing the register, Alek Olszewski - Operations Manager at AquaPulse, Hoppers Crossing commented “by achieving a Gold Safety endorsement from LSV, Western Leisure Services actively deliver on Wyndham City Council’s vision to create a healthy and liveable city which strives to guarantee the health, wellbeing and safety of our community.

“We are proud of this achievement and thank LSV and the Victorian Government for this joint initiative.”

City of Melbourne Councillor Beverley Pinder added “it is a privilege to have our pools deliver on community and council goals- especially safety. We’re now working towards getting all aquatic facilities rated with a Gold Safety Endorsement.”

Key project milestones already delivered include the development of the Safer Public Pools - Code of Practice, the State of Sector Report, improved industry training and increased support resources.

Once the register has been rolled-out, LSV will meet with key stakeholders and government to plan the next phases of the long-term Safer Pools Project.

Click here for more information on the Public Pool Register - best viewed using Google Chrome.

Images: AquaPulse, Hoppers Crossing (top) and sample entries in the Public Pools Register (below).

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