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This section provides information on the issuing of commercial licences for public swimming pools.

What does Council licence?

A licence is required for the site of a swimming pool where the pool is provided to customers as part of a commercial business.

A public swimming pool is a swimming pool that is made available to:

  • Members of the public or a section of the public who pay an entrance fee or any other charge
  • Participants in organised swimming or diving training or competitions
  • any person or organisation that undertakes commercial or business activities that involve the swimming pool

A public pool is a swimming pool that is made available to:

  • paying guests at a hotel or motel
  • customers or employees of the swimming pool owner

Prior to applying for a licence with Ipswich City Council, you must ensure you have the appropriate approvals in place for your business. For information on any approvals you might need, including development, planning and design approvals, and to apply for the licence, follow the stages below.

Stage One: Approvals needed prior to licencing

Before applying for a licence, you must ensure you obtain all relevant approvals. A licence does not constitute approval for any other aspects of your operation.
Prior to starting any business where your swimming pool is open to the public (including residential pools), you must check with Council's Planning and Regulatory Services to ensure that the land/property where the business is based is suitable for your intended use.

If your business involves new or altered structures, you may also require building and/or plumbing approval.

Visit Ipswich Planning, contact them by email or phone (07) 3810 6888.

Development Approval

Council’s Planning Scheme guides how land can be used and developed, including the suitability of a location for a business or different business types.

Public Swimming pools may need planning or development approval for these activities:

  • starting a business
  • re-establishing a business
  • changing the scale or intensity of an existing business
  • carrying out building work
  • carrying out plumbing or drainage work

To find out if you need to submit a development application for a public swimming pool, you can:

Building Approval

Building approval may be required for work that could include:

  • installing a new swimming pool
  • constructing a new building
  • fitting out a new building
  • installing new facilities
  • refurbishing of an existing building, facility or office

All building work is assessed against the building assessment provisions (including, but not limited to, the National Construction Code and the Queensland Development Code) which set the minimum requirements for building structure, fire safety, access and egress, health and amenity, and energy efficiency.

To find out if you need building approval, you can:

Plumbing Approval

A public swimming pool may need plumbing and drainage approval for the following activities:

  • installation of any plumbing work
  • water quality, reticulation and/or drainage systems to be installed or maintained
  • use of non-reticulated water supply (tank water).

Plumbing and drainage work should be conducted by a licensed plumber. Contact Council or Queensland Urban Utilities for more information.

Stage Two: Assessment and Building Fit-out

Once you have satisfied any development, building and plumbing approvals, you must seek design approval and commence building fit-out.

Step 1 – Design assessment

  • Plans will need to be drawn up and submitted with your assessment.
  • Complete the Design Assessment Application Form
  • Ensure you include with your assessment application:
    • a copy of the layout plan showing the location of the buildings, facilities, swimming pool and pool fencing
    • a copy of the site plan, drawn to scale not less than 1:100 and showing the premises location, waste storage, car parking, staff and public toilet facilities, internal boundaries of existing or proposed buildings, fixtures or facilities, and adjacent land uses
    • a copy of the floor plan, drawn to scale not less than 1:50, showing details of the layout of equipment, fixtures and fittings in a bird’s eye view (looking down on the property)
    • a copy of sectional elevations, drawn to scale not less than 1:50, showing a side on view of the walls of the premises and indicate the height of structures, benches, fixtures, fittings and equipment
  • An application fee applies. For details view Council’s Fees and Charges Schedule and search ‘Public Swimming Pool Licencing’.
  • Submit your application:
    • Email: plandev@ipswich.qld.gov.au (pdf format of form and plan/s only)
    • Post: PO Box 191, Ipswich Qld 4305
    • In person: Ground Floor, 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich

Step 2 – Building fit-out

  • Fit out your premises in accordance with the approval given by Council.
  • Please read both the approved plans and approval conditions carefully when you receive them and carry out your fit-out including any changes that may be required.
  • A final inspection will be conducted to ensure the premises has been constructed in accordance with the approval. The premises must pass this inspection for the licence to be issued. If additional inspections are required then further inspection fees apply. For details view Council’s Fees and Charges Schedule and search ‘Public Swimming Pool Licencing’.
  • About 10 days prior to completing the fit-out of the premises, start your application for a Public Swimming Pool Licence.

Stage Three: Applying for a Licence

  • Complete the General Licence Application Form.
  • Ensure you include with your licence application:
    • the proposed hours that the pool will be open to the public
    • details of the nature and extent of public use that is proposed, including any training programs intending to be conducted
    • details of the proposed management and supervision of the swimming pool (including the qualifications and experience of the manager/s and supervisor/s)
    • details of the disinfection, filtration and recirculation system to be used
    • details of fencing
    • details of facilities provided (including change rooms and toilets etc.)
  • An application fee applies. For details view Council’s Fees and Charges Schedule and search ‘Public Swimming Pool Licencing’.
  • Submit your application:
    • Email: plandev@ipswich.qld.gov.au (pdf format of form and qualifications only)
    • Post: See form for details
    • In person: Ground Floor, 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich

How is your application managed?

Council will assess and respond to your assessment and application within 30 business days from the date of submission. If you require development approval, this assessment will not commence until you have notified council of the development approval.

Once your application has been assessed and if approved, you will be issued a licence. It will be emailed or mailed to you and you must display the licence, or a copy of the licence, at each related business so that it is easily visible to a person as they enter the premises.

Licence renewal, amendment, replacement or transfer

Licence renewal

Licence must be renewed each financial year. Council will send out a renewal notice approximately 4 weeks prior to renewal each year. A new licence will be mailed to you and you will need to ensure this is displayed.

Amendment to current licence

If you wish to update your personal or contact details on your business licence, please complete the amendment to licence or permit section of the General Licence Application Form.

Replacement licence

If you require a copy of your licence, please contact the Customer Service Centre on (07) 3810 6666.

Transfer of Licence

If you wish to transfer the licence to a third party (e.g sale of business), please complete the transfer of existing licence section of the General Licence Application Form.