[DanielleJ]

We were going to purchase a small pool for a family christmas present 4.3metres in diameter from toys r us and have been enquiring about pool fence which I expected would be expensive but I don't mind this so much as I see it as vital and responsible if you have a pool. Yesturday I phoned my council to find out about necessary permits and fees to be told it was approx $800 as I need a DA, construction certificate, occupancy certificate and possibly neighbour notification.

While I want to do everything to comply with the regulations I really think this is excessive and we are now thinking about not going ahead with any pool at all and it makes me wonder if this is why so many other pool owners don't comply and kids drown, I realise this may be a sensitive issue for some and I am not sure what the answer is but there has to be a better way of addressing the issue than just charging people an arm and a leg.

[JRA]

Putting a pool fence in that can help save your children's life costs money. If you don't think your children's life is worth that, well that says a lot about you and your thoughts about your children

This post has been edited by JRA: 04/12/2012, 09:14 PM

[scarlettsmummy]

JRA I think she was referring to the fees the council is charging, not the cost of putting a fence up.....maybe read the OPs post again....

[JAPN2]

It costs the council to ensure that you comply.

Other rate payers shouldn't have to subsidise the fact you want a pool.

Sorry OP but little sympathy from me here.

[JRA]

And because people don't do the right thing councils need to manage this and make sure people do it right.

That costs money.

If you want to care for your children, you care for your children.

Simple

[BabeBlossom]

As you said, a lot is involved in the permit. We are paying around $600 for a permit for a pool fence for around our spa, my brother who is a builder drew up the plans and saved us probably another $600.
You should see it as part of the cost of the pool, not an extra expense afterwards. If you can't afford a pool fence then you can't afford a pool, simple.

[DanielleJ]

I didn't say that I didnt want to pay for a fence, or that i didnt feel that was important, I dont see how the council's approach is helping people comply as their fees are over and above the cost of the fence.

I also mentioned that we are now NOT going ahead with it !

This post has been edited by DanielleJ: 04/12/2012, 09:20 PM

[lozoodle]

I have no issue with it, DA cost money. Putting in our renovation plans cost over $2k. Thats life!

A thing like a pool fence i wouldnt even hesitate to comply, but i do think those pools need to come with more information from the retailer about what is required. Perhaps a person needs to have a planning permit for it before they are allowed to purchase, that would make more sense to me.


This post has been edited by lozoodle: 04/12/2012, 09:20 PM

[cas8cas]

Councils are just money hungry

$800 is massive considering you can pick up the pools for as little as $59

[BetteBoop]

Some local councils charge stupid amounts of money for doing next to nothing.

It's also the reason why people don't seek approval for minor building works like carports or cubby houses.

OP, in some councils if the pool wall is a particular height (maybe 1.6?) then it can act as its own fence. And provided you need a ladder to enter it and the ladder can be removed, you may not need a separate fence.

Can you ask into that?