1. Aquatic Facility Regulation and Guidance Reviews
Life Saving Victoria Pool Safety Summit – October 2018
Suzie Sarkis
Water Unit
Department of Health and Human Services

2. Public health and wellbeing legislation
Purpose: Promote and protect public health and wellbeing in Victoria

3. Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009 Part 6 Aquatic facilities
Aquatic facility deemed open for use
If any door or gate provided for access to the facility is open or unlocked and there are no conspicuous signs advising users that the aquatic facility is closed r. 36
Maintenance of aquatic facilities r. 37
Responsible person must ensure that any aquatic facility is maintained and tested in the manner set out in regulations 38 to 48
Water quality requirements r
Aquatic facility records r. 48
Aquatic facility suspected or implicated as the source of infection r. 47
Enacted 2009 and sunset in 2019.
They currently require:
Sunsetting provides an opportunity to review and improve.
Water quality requirements, record keeping requirements, outbreak requirements
At this stage we aren’t proposing any changes to these water quality or record keeping requirements, outbreak requirements need some amendments

4. Review Process Part 6 Aquatic facilities
2017
2018
2019
Policy analysis
Define policy problems
Discussion paper to generate discussion/feedback
Consultation: July 2018
Assess submission
Draft policy options: November 2018
Regulatory impact statement
Finalise policy options
Regulations drafted
RIS published/public consultation – Second quarter 2019
Regulations made
Commence 16 December 2019

5. Review Process Part 6 Aquatic facilities
Policy analysis
Targeted consultation - Discussion paper to identify issues and seek feedback on regulations
22 submissions (3 government, 15 local government, 4 industry)
347 comments for review
WE’ve been consulting since late 2017
So far we are still reviewing all the comments from the consultation phase in step 1.
We consulted with Aquatics industry – ARV, LSV, industry forums, conferences etc
Local gov – directly, MAV, EHPA, conferences
Other stakeholders, government departments, jurisdictions

6. Consultation Feedback
Public health hard reduction
Regulations to address pathogen risk
Clarification of definitions and responsibilities
Who regulates?
What facilities are included in the regulations?
Risk based regulation
Risk based categorisation of facilities
Regulatory requirements are proportionate to the risk profile
Adaptable to address existing and emerging risks
We are tasked with developing feasible options to support what this would look like

7. Review Process Part 6 Aquatic facilities
2. Develop policy options – Seek feedback and data from stakeholders to inform the Regulatory Impact Statement
Late November
How?
Targeted – Survey
Industry workshop – facilitated by ARV
Other….
3. RIS – public consultation with submissions analysed to inform the final drafting of the new regulations.
Early to Mid 2019

8. Water quality guidelines for public aquatic facilities
MAHC – CDC US guidance
Swimming pool water – Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG) - UK

9. What’s new?
Guidance to focus on water quality and facilities to develop risk management plans
Refer legislation, Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation, Australian Standards to avoid duplication
Aligned with Queensland (SA, ACT, TAS, NT likely to adopt)
The concept of treatment validation (for manufacturers)
Detail requirements in appendices – easier to update

10. Process
Currently finalising the water quality guidelines for aquatic facilities
Sought feedback/targeted consultation
Redrafting taking into consideration feedback from consultation process
Finalise and publish document in December 2018
On the horizon:
Develop quick start/go to guides for facility operators to manage water quality
What tools would help you achieve this?
Competency and training of aquatic industry staff/regulators

11. Questions To submit feedback or for further information contact:
Water Unit