14 July 2025

Home pool barrier inspections begin this June in Kalgoorlie-Boulder

Kalgoorlie-Boulder residents with home pools and spas are urged to prepare for upcoming safety inspections aimed at protecting young lives and preventing drowning within their community.

Royal Life Saving WA, in partnership with the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, will begin conducting inspections of residential swimming pool and spa barriers across the local area from June through July 2025. These checks are not only a legal requirement—they are a proven life-saving measure to reduce the risk of drowning, especially among children under the age of five.

According to the latest drowning data, home pools remain the leading location for toddler drownings in WA. Many of these incidents are preventable through simple maintenance and awareness of safety standards. Ensuring barriers meet current requirements is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk.

“Children under five are at the greatest risk of drowning in WA and most of these incidents is home swimming pool,” says Travis Doye, Senior Manager of Safety Services at Royal Life Saving WA.

“It only takes a moment for a child to slip away—and a non-compliant gate or fence can turn that moment into a tragedy. These inspections are not about penalties; they’re about prevention. A compliant barrier can be the last line of defence when active supervision lapses.”

Ensuring home pool and spa barriers meet current safety standards is one of the most effective ways to prevent drowning incidents. Regular inspections help identify and fix potential risks before they result in tragedy.

Travis Doye, Senior Manager of Safety Services at Royal Life Saving WA says that these inspections are not just a regulatory box-tick—they’re about saving lives. “We’re urging all pool owners to take this opportunity seriously and ensure their barriers meet safety standards to protect the youngest members of their household.”

To help pool owners prepare, Royal Life Saving WA has identified the most common reasons for non-compliance:

• Non-Compliant Gates: Gates must self-close and self-latch from any position without assistance. Gates found to be faulty or propped open are a primary cause of inspection failure.
• Climbable Structures Adjacent to Barriers: Any object or structure that could allow a child to climb over the barrier—such as furniture, pot plants or vegetation—must be removed from the 1.2 metre non-climbable zone surrounding the pool fence.
• Unrestricted Windows Opening into the Pool Area: Windows must be permanently restricted to open no more than 100mm. Temporary devices or keyed locks do not meet compliance. Suitable solutions include fixed window limiters or security screens.

Residents are encouraged to address these issues in advance to ensure a smooth and successful inspection process.

For further details regarding pool and spa barrier requirements, please refer to the Rules for Pools and Spas on the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder website linked below, or contact the City’s Home Pool Inspection Team on (08) 9021 9600.