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Pools & Spa Inspections

Pool and Spas are inspected every 4 years to ensure compliance. Our inspections are currently carried out by the City of Nedlands. If you believe your pool requires an inspection or you'd like to organise a time please contact the City of Nedlands 9273 3500 or email council@nedlands.wa.gov.au.

To view current guidelines and safety requirements please view the Rules for Pools and Spas booklet developed by the Department of Commerce.

Decommissioning of Pools and Spas

When a swimming pool and/or spa is no longer required it should be totally removed from site either by deflating, dismantling, excavating and lifting out, or complete demolition.  Any demolition material should be removed from site and taken to an approved facility; the excavation filled with soil typical to the site and compacted in layers (maximum of 300mm per layer).

Many below ground pools and spas get buried which is not sufficient as this can create future development problems.  It is recommended that pools and spas be totally removed.

Decommissioning of a swimming pool or spa is where the property owner removes aspects that make the structure; such as complete removal, removing its ability to contain more than 300mm of water, removing its access, or removing any filtration system.

The following are examples of the main types of swimming pools and spas and how best to decommission or remove them.

  • Inflatable: deflate and remove
  • Solid sided: Remove liner, ladder, and any filtration system.
  • Complete dismantling and removal.

  1. a) Minimum requirements for retention of walls and steel frame still in place:
  • Remove liner, ladder, and any filtration system.
  • Complete dismantling and removal.
  1. b) Minimum requirements for burying the retained walls:
  • Remove all of the above-ground pool or spa structure and filtration system;
  • Breaking down the retained walls to a minimum of 600mm below natural ground level;
  • Dispose of demolished material at an approved site, and;
  • Excavation to be filled with soil typical to site, compacted in 300mm (max.) layers.
  1. c) Total removal to be:
  • As per b) above removing the entire pool, including walls and footings.
  • Excavation to be filled with clean fill typical to site, compacted in 300mm (max.) layers.

Minimum requirements:

  • Cut a minimum of 2 x 500mm x 500mm squares in the base of the pool or spa (deep end).
  • Remove all fibreglass or concrete from pool or spa.
  • Disconnect the filtration system and remove any access ladders.
  • Excavation to be filled with soil typical to the site compacted in 300mm (max.) layers.

  • Cut a minimum of 2 x 500mm x 500mm squares in the base of the pool or spa (deep end).
  • Remove all fibreglass or concrete from the pool or spa.
  • Disconnect the filtration system and remove any access ladders.
  • Cut down walls of pool or spa at least 600mm from the top.
  • Dispose of demolished material at an approved site.
  • Excavation to be filled with soil typical to the site compacted in 300mm (max.) layers.

  • If the pool or spa is in excess of 40m2 in area an Application for a Demolition Permit is required from the Town.
  • Excavate and lift out fibreglass pools or spas whenever possible.
  • Demolish and remove the demolished material from the excavation to an approved disposal site.
  • The excavation filled with soil typical to the site and compacted in 300mm (max.) layers.

  1. In some locations, impervious soil types or high ground and perched water tables may make puncturing pools problematic and advice from a suitably qualified structural or hydraulic engineer may be required as to whether this is a viable option.                                                                                      
  2. When emptying a pool or spa of water, consideration needs to be given for the appropriate disposal of the water. Under no circumstances should water be emptied into the sewer system, or the Town’s stormwater drainage system.                                                                                                                    
  3. Pools located less than the depth away from boundaries may require a BA20 and BA20A forms to be signed by the adjoining property owner prior to the below ground pool being removed from site.
  4. Some installation/manufacturing companies will remove your pool or spa for free, if they can then on-sell that pool or spa. It would be useful to contact some of these companies before decommissioning your pool.

Plan Searches

A search request form must be completed to obtain details relative to former Building Licences and Permits, Sign Licences or any other approval issued by the Town.

Please note the owner listed on the property must provide consent before the plans can be given out.

Plan Search Request Form

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Building Applications

Please  click here for information and documents relating to Building Applications.

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