By law, every pool of higher than ankle depth must be fenced, and you can’t afford to do a shoddy job. The legislation around pool fencing for Melbourne backyards is very strict, with requirements for the way the gates swing, the exact measurements of the perimeter, the maintenance of the fence and its position in relation the climbable objects surrounding. If you’re thinking of building a pool to stave off the summer heat, there are specific things you need to be looking out for…

The Pool Surroundings:

Fencing is all well and good, but you need to be aware of things in the area that could be climbed. This isn’t simply a precaution; it’s a piece of valid legislation. These could include overhanging trees, pieces of play equipment, shed roofs or really anything that allows access to the pool without going through the gate.

This can include the neighbouring property, especially if your pool is against a fence. If something next door can be climbed that allows a person to enter the pool, that’s a problem that needs to be dealt with.

The Style:

This is less to do with the law and more to do with decor, though it can also be a matter of safety. The most typical type of fence is aluminium, multiple bars that prevent even small children from slipping through. There is always a vague danger of these being climbed, but the chances of this are slim, and if a child has this ability they could probably simply access the gate anyway.

The second option is a glass pool fence. This style is more pricey, but has a number of advantages: they cannot be slipped through, are completely transparent and are fairly durable. Plus they generally look pretty great.

The Intended Use:

You might be planning to build a pool in your garden, but it pays to consider every possible use. Do you have children? That will play a huge part in your decision making. Is it the type of pool that will only be used for a few months a year, or all year round? That will also be a significant factor.

As long as you know exactly why the pool is being built, you can plan accordingly.