Decommissioning or removal of swimming pools and spas

If you no longer wish to use your pool or spa, and would like it removed from Council’s Swimming Pool and Spa Register, you will need to :

Step 1 -  Remove or decommission it so that it can no longer be used.
   
See What constitutes decommissioning below.

Step 2 - Tell us your pool has been decommissioned

Once the area has been inspected, and we are satisfied with the works, we will remove it from the Swimming Pool and Spa Register.

What constitutes decommissioning?

To decommission your pool or spa, you need to remove aspects that make the structure a swimming pool or spa, such as:

• complete removal of the pool or spa
• remove its ability to contain more than 300mm of water
• remove its access, such as access ladders
• remove any filtration system
• fill the excavation area with clean soil endemic to the site and compacted in layers. 

The main consideration is ensuring it is unable to hold water.

Above ground pools and spas

• Inflatable:
  • deflate
  • remove
• Solid-sided:
  • Remove liner, ladder and any filtration system
  • completely dismantle and remove. 

Above ground pools and spas installed below ground

• Retaining walls and steel frame still in place:
  • Remove liner, ladder, and any filtration system. Ideally completely dismantle and remove.
  • Fill the excavation with clean soil endemic to the site and compacted in a maximum 30cm layers.

• Bury the retaining walls:
  • Remove all of the above-ground pool structure and filtration system.
  • Break down the retaining walls to a minimum of 60cm below natural ground level.
  • Remove the demolished material to an approved disposal site.
  • The excavation filled with soil endemic to the site and compacted in a maximum 30cm layers.

• Total removal
  • As with bury above, but the total demolition of the pool structure including the walls and any footings.
  • Filling the excavation with clean fill endemic to the site and compacted in a maximum 30cm layers.

Below ground concrete or fibreglass pools and spas

• Bury the pool:

• Cut at least two 50cm x 50cm squares in the base of the pool (deep end) and remove all the fibreglass or concrete from the pool.
• Disconnect and remove the filtration system and any access ladders.
• Remove the demolished material to an approved disposal site.
• Fill the excavation with soil endemic to the site and compacted in layers.

• Complete removal of the pool:

• Excavate and lift out fibreglass pool shell whenever possible.
• Demolish and remove the pool shell material from the excavation to an approved disposal site.
• Fill the excavation with soil endemic to the site and compacted in layers.

Note

• In some areas, impervious soil types or high ground and perched water tables may make holing pools problematic and advice from a suitably qualified structural or hydraulic engineer may be needed to see if this is a viable option.
• Pools located less than the depth away from any building or boundary fence may require a building permit prior to removal and consideration should be given to the protection of adjoining property owner prior to the removal of below ground pool.
• Any demolition material is to be removed from site and taken to an approved disposal site.
• The excavation should be filled with soil endemic to the site and compacted in a maximum 30cm layers.
• When a below ground pool is buried rather than being removed, this may cause potential issues for future development on the property.