The Editorial
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The state's ridiculous backyard swimming pool laws are about to get worse.
Infinity, or zero edge pools, are the latest to be targeted.
Under the new guidelines these pools will need to be fenced to stop children climbing up the invisible edge wall.
The law has been changed so now the wall of the pool where the water seems to disappear over, is no longer considered an effective barrier.
In other words the pool has become illegal.
Australia is the only place in the world where these pools have been outlawed.
And it's not only that.
Experts now believe that 80 percent of all backyard pools designed over the past 30 years will soon be illegal.
As well, planter boxes, trees, large toys, some sporting equipment - including trampolines, and tables and chairs - will have to be removed from some backyards, because a child could use them as leverage to access the pool area.
But just to top it all off, it's also been revealed there are too few inspectors to examine all the pools in the state anyway.
According to real estate agents the shortage will affect sales and rentals in NSW from next year.
So really the whole thing is just one great big mess.
Once again we see legislation being imposed with little thought given to the process or the consequences.
Obviously no one wants to see children drown but the new laws are simply a knee jerk reaction.
Again how can backyard pools be the target when there are so many unfenced beaches, rivers, dams, creeks, weirs and lagoons scattered around the state.
All the rules in the world can't beat parental vigilance and unfortunately you can't legislate for that.