More insanity, swimming pools

flappist · 15-12-2008, 02:41 PM

The same idiots who are lowering speed limits rather than fixing roads have come out with this little gem.

All pools in QLD (not just house pools) will need fences with random paid for inspections on a regular basis.
This is to save childrens' lives because if the pool is fenced no one can drown obviously.

Strangely, of the 23 children drowned only 23 of them drowned in pools with fences.

Even more strangely, none of them drowned while they were being closely supervised by adults.

But of course a $300 random inspection will raise money for the state government and make jobs for little hitlers who need bigger hitlers to manage them and then even BIGGER hitlers to supervise the managers.

Of course when kids keep drowning it will be because there are not enough inspectors and pools will need to be licensed to pay for these new inspectors but it will never be the parents' fault because that is discrimination.

The world is a dangerous place, accidents happen and people die, NOTHING will ever stop this but when are we going to accept that parents NOT the social engineers in the government are responsible for children and meddling political correctness is what has got us into this mess in the first place.

The death of a child for ANY reason is a tragedy but grandstanding knee-jerk reactions never have and never will solve anything other than to take the media pressure off the politicians until the next event.

/end rant

burnz · 15-12-2008, 02:43 PM

i can see this catching on in other state's..

4Vman · 15-12-2008, 02:44 PM

Its been Compulsory to have pool fences here in VIC for as long as i can remember..

RG · 15-12-2008, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Its been Compulsory to have pool fences here in VIC for as long as i can remember..

True that is, last 10 years at least but here you don't need random inspections, most councils use Google Earth to check on your backyard.

FGII-XR6 · 15-12-2008, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Its been Compulsory to have pool fences here in VIC for as long as i can remember..

Same in NSW .
23 Out of 23 had fences because the fences prevented more drownings in the 23 cases mentioned it's a case of you can make things fool proof but not idiot proof . the 23 children were killed by parental neglect and no fencing can stop that

flappist · 15-12-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Its been Compulsory to have pool fences here in VIC for as long as i can remember..

Yes they are compulsory here too and have been for years. That is not the problem, now they want to do school and public pools etc but also want to start up another revinue stream.

e.g. The sunny coast has about 23,000 pools * at least one $300 inspection per year = over 6 million.

How many pools in Brisbane, Gold Coast etc etc.......

The Yeti · 15-12-2008, 02:54 PM

I think another concern and a little left of topic are these soft sided temperary pools that hold a truck load of water so there not a fill for the day afair, theres no permits no fences no nothing, now I know these arent reprecented in the 23 drownings but I think these are far grater risk that MR & Mrs well minded Citizen who have a properly constructed pool fence and adiquate supervision

mcnews · 15-12-2008, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

All pools in QLD (not just house pools) will need fences with random paid for inspections on a regular basis.

I thought every state already had this? In WA the inspections are organised by local councils and there is a small charge on your council rates to cover the inspection I believe. Think they do it every few years.

4Vman · 15-12-2008, 02:56 PM

So the household/pool owner foots the $300 "random inspection" bill??
If so that's ridiculous...

4Vman · 15-12-2008, 02:59 PM

Im waiting for the "rain fall consumption" or water tank tax to come in... all those people who have installed tanks on their suburban properties to collect rain water off their roofs and claimed the govt rebate will be the first to cop this automatic tax, because by claiming the rebate you've admitted to the tank/usage....
Its only a mater of time....

XR6TCraig · 15-12-2008, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcnews

I thought every state already had this? In WA the inspections are organised by local councils and there is a small charge on your council rates to cover the inspection I believe. Think they do it every few years.

How small is the fee? $30 or $300?

The point flappist is making isn't that pool fences are compulsory or that the government is making random inspections.

Its the fact that every pool inspection comes at a pretty big cost and the state government is lining there pockets. They're not putting this money into free learn to swim classes for kids or anything. Just cashing in on pool owners with a new tax.

XR6TCraig · 15-12-2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Im waiting for the "rain fall consumption" or water tank tax to come in... all those people who have installed tanks on their suburban properties to collect rain water off their roofs and claimed the govt rebate will be the first to cop this automatic tax, because by claiming the rebate you've admitted to the tank/usage....
Its only a mater of time....

And yet that is a compulsory requirement for any new house at the moment in many parts too. Make people put the tanks in to take the strain off the outdated infrastructure that the government doesn't want to spend any money fixing, then tax the hell out of them for having the tank!

:

Clint Eastwood · 15-12-2008, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Im waiting for the "rain fall consumption" or water tank tax to come in... all those people who have installed tanks on their suburban properties to collect rain water off their roofs and claimed the govt rebate will be the first to cop this automatic tax, because by claiming the rebate you've admitted to the tank/usage....
Its only a mater of time....

In south australia if you have tanks over a certain size, you have to install a water metre on the outlet side of the tank,and you are charged accordingly,so you are being charged for using the rainwater that lands on YOUR roof.

burnz · 15-12-2008, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Im waiting for the "rain fall consumption" or water tank tax to come in... all those people who have installed tanks on their suburban properties to collect rain water off their roofs and claimed the govt rebate will be the first to cop this automatic tax, because by claiming the rebate you've admitted to the tank/usage....
Its only a mater of time....

the rain water tank was banned in sydney metro area 1969 from memory,
and now when buying for your private use you have to register for a rebate, why??
cant they just view my tank/receipt, but as you say the'll tax bill.

Deech · 15-12-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craiginmackay

They're not putting this money into free learn to swim classes for kids or anything. Just cashing in on pool owners with a new tax.

But then they'd argue that studies have proven defensive swimming lessons only cause people to swim recklessly all the time!

**buggerlugs** · 15-12-2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

So the household/pool owner foots the $300 "random inspection" bill??
If so that's ridiculous...

That can go with our annual fee of $47.00 for the council to inspect our septic tank. Even thou the septic tank has been in the ground for 14 years, the council in their wisdom decided it needed to be inspected ( for the environment of course ). Funny thing is they charge you but don't come and inspect it !!!

SB076 · 15-12-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

The same idiots who are lowering speed limits rather than fixing roads have come out with this little gem.

All pools in QLD (not just house pools) will need fences with random paid for inspections on a regular basis.
This is to save childrens' lives because if the pool is fenced no one can drown obviously.

Strangely, of the 23 children drowned only 23 of them drowned in pools with fences.

Even more strangely, none of them drowned while they were being closely supervised by adults.

But of course a $300 random inspection will raise money for the state government and make jobs for little hitlers who need bigger hitlers to manage them and then even BIGGER hitlers to supervise the managers.

Of course when kids keep drowning it will be because there are not enough inspectors and pools will need to be licensed to pay for these new inspectors but it will never be the parents' fault because that is discrimination.

The world is a dangerous place, accidents happen and people die, NOTHING will ever stop this but when are we going to accept that parents NOT the social engineers in the government are responsible for children and meddling political correctness is what has got us into this mess in the first place.

The death of a child for ANY reason is a tragedy but grandstanding knee-jerk reactions never have and never will solve anything other than to take the media pressure off the politicians until the next event.

/end rant

I am starting to enjoy your rants, maybe you should run for office - would be nice to have someone with a little bit of common sense to vote for

ZA-289 · 15-12-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SB076

I am starting to enjoy your rants, maybe you should run for office - would be nice to have someone with a little bit of common sense to vote for

Indeed, He does make some very good points.

Laminge · 15-12-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZA-289

Indeed, He does make some very good points.

Try talking to him when he just gets off a flight from darwin to melb, whoa!

:

Scott · 15-12-2008, 06:08 PM

Just plain wrong. Any idea of the implications for refusing payment/entry to the Inspectors?

rodderz · 15-12-2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Im waiting for the "rain fall consumption" or water tank tax to come in... all those people who have installed tanks on their suburban properties to collect rain water off their roofs and claimed the govt rebate will be the first to cop this automatic tax, because by claiming the rebate you've admitted to the tank/usage....
Its only a mater of time....

I've heard of this too, along with seeing who has the "tank water used" signs on front gardens being recorded against the house number, but nothing has been confirmed. Didn't know the council owned the air above our houses if true.

uranium_death · 15-12-2008, 06:53 PM

Recently in Victoria I think, a couple of little toddler boys drowned in their backyard pool. There was a locked gate and fence, but they WERE NOT SUPERVISED!

The parents had no idea what their little boys were up to, and lo and behold, they found a way out.

My aunt and uncle, con-merchants as they are have never had a fence around their pool, but whenever kids are there, an effort is made relentlessly to ensure that the location of all children was known...of course, that's when we actually kept in contact.
No drownings.

The answer is teaching adults to never "assume" you know what your child(ren) is/are doing. Kids have an amazing knack of getting their way around barricades.

MAGPIE · 15-12-2008, 07:29 PM

I knew things were going down hill when I got a paddling pool for the wee one and there were instructions stating that it "must be fenced in accordance with local authority regulations"...

WTF it's a blow up paddling pool for christ's sakes

SM1DY · 15-12-2008, 07:56 PM

I'd say that was to remove the manufacteurs from any blame if a child were to drown in the pool. I can't understand why anybody in there right mind would fence a kiddy pool, nor can i understand why you should pay someone $300 for a check-up that will soon become redundent.

uranium_death · 15-12-2008, 07:57 PM

It only takes a shallow puddle for a kid to drown though.
By having these instructions, should a child drown, they can't be sued for a dangerous product because the parents didn't put a fence around it as instructed to...

I know it's donkey plop, but it's about avoiding litigation.

StAndArdAU · 15-12-2008, 08:11 PM

In WA it is law to have a fence around any body of water taht is more than 30cm deep. this includes swimming pools (both temporary and permanent), fish ponds, water features etc.

Yet there is no fences around those lakes they put in the middle of new housing estates, nor is there any on most houses whose backyards open directly onto canals....... i dont get it.

i do believe tho, unless the laws have changed again, if your pool has walls taller than 1.3m it does not require a fence as long as it has a removable ladder, and is not closer than 1.3m to any otehr object including boundary fences, trees, bbq etc.

Bucknaked · 15-12-2008, 08:12 PM

My 3 year old nephew drowned in a pool that was surrounded by a fence. This was about 14 years ago. He climbed over the pool fence which was at a caravan park. An unfortunate thing to happen, and the pool fence is not going to save lives. Children are resourceful, and if they want in, they will get in. All it achieves is to slow them down long enough, that hopefully an adult will catch them in time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by uranium_death

It only takes a shallow puddle for a kid to drown though.

2 years ago a 5 year old from my sons kinder drowned in the bath tub. From reports, there was just a small amount of water in that tub. As you say, it doesn't take much at all.

MAGPIE · 15-12-2008, 08:13 PM

I'm not having a go at the manufacturer, it's the law that's an a$$

xtremerus · 15-12-2008, 08:14 PM

Flappist
You are using facts and reasoning. Govts do not understand either of them. They only understand how to TAX.

rodderz · 15-12-2008, 08:36 PM

It's the same as the speed camera's- the revenue raising isn't getting to the source of the problem. In this case parents need to be responsible and keep an eye on their kids, they also have to be responsible for how well kept their facilities are. Just as drivers need to be responsible on the road. Fines don't solve the bigger picture, they make people angry for losing $$ not for thinking about why they have been fined.