What to do about a pool on a development site?

Am looking at a potential development site that currently has a pool. It doesn't have a fence around it and I plan to rent it out for 12 months while seeking planning approval. I've been told my options are to build a proper fence around it or fill it in now since I'm going to do it anyway.

Anyone know how much a pool fence costs per lineal metre? I'm talking cheapest option that still meets regulatory requirements.

Alternatively how much would it cost to demolish and fill in to the extent that it could be built over? And who would I even ask to take on such a job? A builder?

 

I am demolishing a site which has a fibreglass pool of medium size. To add removal of the pool, fill and compaction to standard was $3000 but that was in conjunction with demolition so quite a bit cheaper than doing by itself I expect.

Generally you can hire a temporary pool fence but they really aren't as good as proper pool fences. Depending on the location you might be able to fence it off quite cheaply if it's up against boundary fences but then you have maintenance and upkeep of it as well. So you'll have to weigh that up.

I kept the pool in our case for the 12mths and included it in the rental but then 1mth into it the pool filter broke and cost $1k to repair

Taking the pool out at the beginning has the added bonus of giving the compaction of the pool fill time to be even better.

Best people to talk to for quotes are demolition companies. If it's a fibreglass pool in good condition you might be able to have it removed for free by a company that removes them, refurbishes them and sells them

 

Its probably a good idea to see what sort of pool it is,fibreglass or concrete ,how old it is and who built it.
Many of the home built concrete pools from the 70s were seriously over engineered, Im talking double brick with reinforced concrete down between the 2 layers of bricks, and can cost a fortune to get removed, if the rubble is being used a backfill and then filled in with sand it needs to be left for a certain time for everything to settle.The local council should be able to tell you the requirements.

 

I had this exact dilemma last year on a site. Pool needed a new fence or fill it in. Unless you're gonna put a proper fence that 100% complies with legislation, I'd be filling it in. If someone drowns in the pool because of your negligence. .you'll lose alot more than a few dollars. Cost us around $2100 to fill .

On a separate note, on another one of my sites which has a pool , it's in the perfect area of the site to save me from putting a new pool. I'll just reshape it and make it new. Should save some good dollars there .

 

Is the pool serviceable/usable by the tenants? If not, just install standard paling fence 1500mm high, rails on the inside, solid spring loaded gate & signage on the fence.

Add $100 shipment of silver perch. Fish should be plate sized within a year.

Instant billabong with a meal when it comes to getting the place back and you've done something for the local environment in the meantime.

 

In most states you will need any pool fencing certified to ensure it meets leglislated standards before tenants move in.
Marg

 

Which state is it in? Fiberglass can run to about 4k with certification that the pool has been removed and docs submitted to council to get the pool off the swimming pool register, concrete can be about 10k+ to remove and fill/compact. If you plan on a development and want to build over where the pool currently is then you need an engineer to certify the compaction has been done to a standard that will satisfy council and what you want to build over where the pool was. Don't confuse removal certification and compaction certification, if a certifier certifies the pool has been removed and the soil compacted to a safe level this is different to an engineer certifying it satisfies what you want to build over it. If the pool is not on the swimming pool register in your state I'd be hesitant to fence it and get certification just so you can legally rent the property, I'd consider getting the pool removed before spending money on a fence. Alternatively look at leaving the pool but filling with clean soil, then it becomes safe (check with council on that). When you do the development you already have the soil onsite and any medium size excavator can remove the soil in less than an hour and then remove the shell. If you want to remove the pool contact a demolition company that specialises in swimming pool removal. If the property is in Brisbane contact me for who NOT to use.

 

The property is in Melbourne, VIC. Does anyone know if you need a permit or anything from Council to remove a pool in VIC?

Anyone have any recommendations for companies who can do this AND ensure that it meets requirements for building over later on? (Or can at least tell me who to avoid)

 

hi @jyeung80 how do you go with this? I am in the same boat as yours, thx

 

Ended up booking in Reverse Pools as they were recommended to me by a builder. They'll be doing the pool removal in November so can let u know how I went after that. I was told we don't need a permit or certificate or anything. The architect and builder will need to be told exactly where the pool was though. I suspect will probably need to excavate deeper during demolition and construction.