Make pool safety a priority this season

Saturday, 20 September 2025

With warmer months upon us, Penrith City Council is encouraging residents to check that their backyard pools, including inflatable and portable pools, are safe, secure and compliant.  

Penrith Mayor Todd Carney said pools are a great way to enjoy the season, but they come with serious responsibilities.

“Pools offer fun and relief from the heat, but they can quickly become dangerous if safety measures aren’t in place,’ Cr Carney said.

“We’re asking residents to take a few minutes to check that their pool is secure by ensuring there is a compliant child-resistant barrier preventing children from accessing the water unsupervised.”

“Active adult supervision is the best defence against drowning, but a compliant pool barrier adds an essential layer of protection.”

Council’s qualified Compliance Officers are available to assist residents with pool inspections and certification.

Portable and inflatable pools carry the same safety risks as permanent pools. If a pool is deeper than 30cm, it must be properly fenced. Additionally, any pool with a capacity over 2,000 litres requires development approval before installation and filling.

Council can issue on-the-spot fines of $550 for propped-open gates or unfenced pools.

To help prevent child drowning: 
• Install and maintain a compliant child resistant pool barrier.
• Always supervise children around water.
• Teach water awareness and swimming skills.
• Learn CPR – any attempt is better than none.

For more information, visit penrith.city/pools or contact Council’s Swimming Pool team on 4732 7864. 

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Saturday, 20 September 2025.