Proposed changes will require pool owners to have a current compliance certificate certifying the pool meets safety standards. This certificate is likely to be required at time of lease or sale from December this year.

Since swimming pool fencing laws were introduced in 1991, the number of child drownings in Queensland swimming pools has halved.

In 2008-09, eight children drowned and another 50 young children were rescued after nearly drowning in Queensland swimming pools. Some of the survivors suffer ongoing injury-such as permanent brain damage.

In January 2009, an expert pool safety committee was established. The subsequent report made 23 recommendations for improving Queensland's swimming pool safety laws. The Queensland Government accepted the recommendations of the committee and is now implementing a two-staged swimming pool safety improvement strategy.

Stage one was introduced on 1 December 2009 and applies to new residential pools.

The stage two measures are proposed to come into effect in December 2010 and will apply to both new and existing indoor and outdoor swimming pools (including spa pools). This includes pools associated with houses, residential units, hotels, motels, caretaker dwellings (class 1-4 buildings) and caravan parks.

Some of the key stage two measures include:

• the adoption of one fencing standard for all pools, regardless of the pool's age, including the phasing out of child-resistant doors used as a barrier to an existing swimming pool (a five-year phase-in period will apply, unless the property is sold or leased first)
• the requirement that properties with a pool covered by state law will need to obtain a current pool safety certificate from a licensed pool safety inspector, prior to sale or lease
• a state-based swimming pool register.

The sale and lease compliance requirements will mean that standard sale and leasing documentation will need to be changed. The Queensland Government is working with stakeholders to ensure that these changes are implemented smoothly.

The first phase of stage two will see the Building Act 1975 amended to establish the pool safety inspector licensing system and a state-based pool register.

View information on pool fencing on the Department of Infrastructure and Planning website to stay informed on the new pool safety laws and for an opportunity to have your say on the remaining stage two measures.

To see the latest media statement from the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, the Hon Stirling Hinchliffe, on "tough new pool laws another step closer".