New pool bylaws unwelcome
JOBURG - Councillor's chime in on what the new pool by-laws will mean for their constituents.
The City of Johannesburg is set to introduce a new bylaw that will require all home pools to be fenced off or covered with a protective net at all times when the pool is not in use.
According to the city council the introduction of these measures are to ensure safety around private swimming pools by preventing accidental injury or drowning.
Homeowners who already have a pool will be given a 90-day grace period to comply and get a certificate of safety, while construction of new pools must follow the guidelines prior to filling the pool with water. Thereafter, the homeowner may be liable for a fine.
With many homeowners in Northcliff Melville Times turf having a pool on their property we contacted a few of our councillors to find out their view.
Bruce Herbert, Councillor of Ward 99, thinks the municipality is going too far. “My personal view is that it’s ridiculous. In Johannesburg we don’t just go the extra mile, we go the extra 60 miles. I can guarantee that most of the pools in my area on properties with young children are adequately covered.”
Ward 86 councillor, Steve Kotze, is not confident that the requirement is the best way for the municipality to tackle poolside safety. “The idea is very important because we don’t want our children to drown,” he said. “But now residents will have to pay for the privilege of having a pool – it’s almost like another tax. If the City of Johannesburg doesn’t have the ability to enforce the current bylaws do we have the wherewithal to enforce new ones? Rather, go about educating people on how to be responsible pool owners. Beyond that I can’t see the practicality behind it.”
Councillor of Ward 117 Tim Truluck agreed that enforcement of bylaws has long been a problem but is no excuse for non-compliance.
“We know how ineffective the city council is at enforcing our bylaws so you may be tempted to shrug your shoulders and carry on as before,” he said. “But you will need to comply in order to sell the property and more importantly – if, God forbid, somebody dies in your pool and you don’t have a net, fence or wall and a [compliance] certificate, you could face a very expensive lawsuit that your household third party insurance will probably not cover.”
The city council meets today (27 February) to discuss the issue.
