Pool shop owner Libby Rowbotham said she had seen a jump in sales of pool signage and residents seeking advice on fencing following law changes that require pool owners to register their pool with council.

“Fencing, gates, and resuss signs are the three big things,” she said.

“I’d imagine the fencers are having a field day out there.”

The Narellan Pools owner said fixing of pool gates was a common request from customers.

“This might run out at $150,” she said.

Troy Jones of Riverina Gates and Fencing Warehouse said he was in the process of learning about the new laws and was fielding a lot of calls from pool owners. 

“I’m actually going to Sydney on Wednesday to do a course on regulations,” he said.

“I’ve found I’m getting calls for either advice or council have told them they need something fixed after inspections.”

Mr Jones defended council’s position surrounding the changes.

“Council are just doing their job, it’s nothing personal,” he said.

Des Damme of Des Damme Fencing said he’d done a number of jobs following inspections and a lot of residents weren’t happy about the expense of about $1000 to $1500.

“We’ve done half a dozen at least,” he said.

“We’ve got three on the go at the moment and more to come.

“A lot of them aren’t real happy about it.

“There’s a lot of confusion over the regulations.”

Lake Albert resident Arthur Summons is required to put a fence between his back door (which is fitted with a lock and high handle) and his pool at a cost of between three and four thousand dollars following a council inspection, but it’s not the cost that concerns him.

“We comply with everything else except this latest development from state parliament to put a barrier between the door and steps of the pool,” he said.

Mr Summons has written to council asking for a special exemption because his wife has difficulty with shoulder movement which would affect her ability to open the pool gate.

“If we saw a kid fall in (from the house) it adds time,” he said.