2009-03-09: Are our Children Safe?
WE have had a number of tragic deaths in private residential swimming pools in Johannesburg. This is not a new problem but every accident at a swimming pool is one accident too many and the overwhelming majority can be avoided through common sense and adequate supervision.
The primary responsibility for welfare of family members at a swimming pool will always be with the family and their friends. This would include ensuring that any one with access to a swimming pool are aware of the dangers, individuals do not swim alone, children are never unsupervised, and basic relevant first aid is known by responsible adults.
These very personal basic requirements can never be adequately legislated and will always remain the responsibility of families, but it is also recognized that there is a need for guidance and support to ensure that the environment around swimming pools are safe and the dangers well known.
The City's elected representatives share community concerns on the dangers of swimming pools and is asking for critical and constructive comment on a new draft bylaw that it is hoped will help to reduce the number of incidents at swimming pools in the Johannesburg area.
Your elected representatives would be grateful for your critical and constructive comments before the bylaw is finalized.
Whilst it is always preferable to read the actual bylaw, the substantive contents are as follows:
1. ALL outdoor pools must comply with the bylaw.
2. The pool must be totally enclosed, and the wall or fence must be at least 1.2 metres high, and over a metre from the pool.
3. A child of less than four year should not be able to gain access through the enclosure.
4. The entrance must be self locking and an alarm which goes off when opened or left opened. It must be secure unless the pool is being used.
5. The pool must be covered or fitted with a floating pool devise when not in use.
Indoor pools
Every indoor pool must have a floor glide system or a floating pool alarm.
General issues
Council will issue a permit for a private swimming pool if it complies with the provision of the bylaw.
Two years after the bylaw is finalised no person may have a pool if it does not have a permit.
All owners with an existing private pool are required to inform the Council of its existence within 90 days of this bylaw coming into force..
All owners must inform Council before any new pool is filled with water and it must be enclosed according to specific requirements before it is filled with water.
Where can I obtain copies of the draft bylaw?
REGION A
Midrand
300 15th Road Randiespark , Midrand.
Tel: 011 203-3605/3300
REGION B
Northcliff
ACA Krans Building
35 Symons Road,
Auckland Park
Tel: 011 718-9612/3 or 011 718-9650
REGION C
Roodepoort
Ground Floor, Roodepoort Civic Centre
100 Christiaan de Wet Road,
Florida Park
Tel: 011 761-0145/0146/0140/0440
REGION D
Sophie Masite Civic Centre
Koma Road, Jabulani,
P/Bag X10, Kwa-Xuma, 1868
Tel: 011 986-0178/0296/0077
Soweto
Diepkloof People's Centre
729 Zone 1,Talani Street, Diepkloof
Tel: 011 985-1003
Meadowlands
Tel: 011 936-5292 Orlando East
Tel: 011 935-8432
Orlando West
Tel: 011 536-2694
REGION E
Alexandra
8th Avenue, Alexandra
Tel: 011 531-5591
Sandton
A Block, Civic Centre, Sandton
Tel: 011 881-6241
REGION F
Inner City
Ground Floor, CJ Cronje Building, 80 Loveday Street
Tel: 011 376-8600
Joburg South
Eureka House, 92 Marlborough Road, Springfield
Tel: 011 681-8000
REGION G
Ennerdale
Katz and Smith Streets, Ennerdale Extension 9
Tel: 011 213-0056
Where can I obtain copies of the draft bylaw?
Please take this opportunity to read the draft bylaw and copies can be obtained from the following:
Amukelani Masia
Stakeholder Relationship Management
Ground Floor A Block
Metro Centre Building
158 Loveday Street
Braamfontein
Contact Numbers (011) 407 6700 or 073 2531538.
From the 1st March 2009 copies of the draft report can also be obtained from the web site www.joburg.org.za or by Emailing public1@joburg.org.za or public2@joburg.org.za. The final date for comment is 31st March 2009.
Written comments must be directed to Kebitsamang Mthunzi, 3rd floor B Block South Link, 158 Loveday Street, Braamfontein or by e-mail to KebitsamangM@joburg.org.za or fax to 011 403 1615. You can also call her on 011 407 6662 for further information.
What will now happen?
The bylaw will be gazetted, and there will be adverts in newspapers with the dates between which public comment will be received.
There will be follow up press releases to provide information on the public comment received.
A committee of Council will then review the critical and constructive comments and make recommendations for amendments. The draft bylaw will be revised by the Administration and both the final bylaw and all comments received will be presented to Council for a final decision to be made.
Issued by:
Keith Peacock
Director: Stakeholder Relationship Management
Office of the Speaker
