An independent panel has recommended a single set of fencing regulations for all pools, mandatory inspections and tougher rules for portable pools.

The recommendations, part of the most comprehensive review of Queensland's pool safety laws in nearly 20 years, are now open for public comment.

The panel included experts from Kidsafe, the Royal Life Saving Society, Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit and the Local Government Association of Queensland.

"In the last 3 years 18 children have drowned in private pools across Queensland, if we can save even one young life this review will be invaluable," Mr Wettenhall said.

"While the number of drownings has halved since Queensland introduced some of Australia's toughest rules in 1991, we can do better.

"Nothing is more important than parents watching their kids around water and teaching them to swim as early as possible, but pool laws save lives too.

"Queensland currently has 11 different, confusing sets of pool laws, and the expert panel has recommended this should be simplified so all pools meet the latest Australian Standard.

"The only variation will be for pools built before 1991, where child-resistant doors can still form part of the safety barrier.

"A grace period of 5 years is proposed, unless a property is sold or rented out before then.
"Many pools will already meet these standards, others might need some work which will vary depending on their age.

"The panel has also recommended mandatory safety inspections before a property is sold or leased, which are expected to cost between $90 to $130 per inspection.

"$100,000 was spent last summer on a pool safety education campaign featuring the Wiggles, the panel has recommended this funding should be increased.

"We want to hear what locals think about all of the committee's ideas, people might support the panel's views, think they go too far or aren't tough enough."

"The panel's full report is available on-line and I urge pool owners to have their say by June 5." Mr Wettenhall said.

Other recommendations include:
? Strengthened powers of entry to inspect outdoor pools, similar to existing fire safety inspection powers.
? Councils will establish a register of Queensland's swimming pools for the first time, currently no-one knows how many pools there are.
? Adopting the existing standard used in other states that portable pools must be fenced if they are deeper than 30 cm, instead of the current 45 cm in Queensland.
? Compliant temporary swimming pool fencing should be required while swimming pools are being constructed, until a permanent pool fence is installed.
? Pool safety laws to apply to hotels, motels and caretaker residences for the first time.

"The committee found children are at the greatest risk of drowning in the first six months of moving to a property with a pool, that's why it has recommended inspections at the point of sale or lease," said Mr Wettenhall.

"Vendors and lessors will be responsible for organising and paying for the inspections, but bodies corporate will do this in complexes with shared pools on behalf of all owners.

"The new Australian Standard is closely aligned to the most current Queensland rules, so many pools will require little if any work."

The most common work may include:

For all pools, any climbable objects within a 90 cm non-climbable zone on the outside of the fence will need to be removed. This zone is being changed from the current 1.2 m and extended to include the area above the pool fence.
For pre-2003 pools, a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) sign will be needed. Pools with an exemption from the pool safety laws will need to be upgraded to fully meet the laws, unless the exemption relates to people with disabilities.
For pre-1991 pools, fence heights may need to be raised to 1.2 m and gaps in the fence reduced down to 100 mm. Gates may also need to be changed to swing outwards. However, child resistant doors will still be allowed as an alternative to a fence between the building and pool for these older pools.

To view the report, visit www.dip.qld.gov.au

Pool safety contact number 1800 682 021