When you decide to remove your Southern Highlands pool, the next decision is which type of removal is right for your situation: a full removal (the entire pool structure comes out and the site is fully restored) or a partial fill-in (the pool is drained, drainage holes punched through the base, the top section demolished, and the void filled — with the lower portion of the pool shell remaining in the ground).
Both are legitimate approaches. The right choice depends on your plans for the site, your budget, and your timeline. This guide explains exactly what each involves and the factors that should drive your decision.
What Full Pool Removal Means
In a full removal, the entire pool structure — shell, base, plumbing, equipment and all rubble — is excavated and removed from site. The void is backfilled with imported fill and compacted in layers to a specified density. The finished site has no buried pool structure and can be used for virtually any purpose, including building construction.
Full removal is always the cleaner, more complete solution. It leaves you with a site that:
- Has no buried structures to declare on sale
- Has no restrictions on future building
- Has documented compaction records for any future structural work
- Has no risk of future settlement or drainage issues arising from a buried shell
The trade-off is cost: full removal costs $3,000–$6,000 more than a partial fill-in for an equivalent pool.
What Partial Pool Removal (Fill-In) Means
In a partial fill-in, the pool is drained and drainage holes are punched through the pool base. The pool walls are demolished down to a specified depth below ground level (typically 300mm+). The void is then filled with a combination of demolished wall material, rubble and imported fill, and compacted. The lower portion of the pool shell (base and lower walls) remains in the ground permanently.
A partial fill-in is a lower-cost approach that eliminates the maintenance liability of the pool but comes with restrictions:
- Future building over the site requires engineering assessment
- Property sale disclosure requirements apply in NSW
- Some risk of differential settlement between the filled area and surrounding soil over time
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Factor | Partial Fill-In | Full Removal |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost saving | $3,000 – $6,000 less | (baseline) |
| Time to complete | 1–2 days | 2–4 days |
| Future building restriction | Yes — engineer required | No restriction |
| Property sale disclosure | Typically required | Not required |
| Risk of settlement | Low–moderate (well done) | Very low |
| Legal buried structure | Yes | No |
| Pool register deregistration | Yes | Yes |
| Suitable for lawn/garden | Yes | Yes |
| Suitable for concrete slab | Not without engineer | Yes |
| Suitable for residential building | Not without engineer + potential extra work | Yes (with compaction records) |
When Should You Choose Full Removal?
You Plan to Build Over the Site
If there’s any chance — now or in the future — that you want to build over the site (a granny flat, extension, garage, covered entertainment area, carport, shed), full removal is the only sensible choice. Building over a filled-in pool requires engineering sign-off and may not be possible to the standard required without full excavation of the fill anyway.
You’re Selling the Property in the Next 5 Years
A filled-in pool is a material fact on a property that typically needs to be disclosed to buyers. In a market like the Southern Highlands where buyers are often sophisticated and commissioning building inspections, a disclosed filled pool can trigger buyer questions, requests for engineer reports, or price renegotiation. Full removal eliminates this complication.
The Pool Is in Poor Structural Condition
Where the pool shell is cracked, partially collapsed, or has significant root infiltration, full removal is often the more practical option. A damaged shell can’t be relied upon to support a fill properly and may create unstable conditions in a partial fill approach.
You Want the Definitive Answer
Some homeowners simply want the cleanest possible outcome — no buried structures, no future complications, no disclosure obligations. Full removal gives you a blank site with a clean history.
When Might a Partial Fill-In Be Acceptable?
Budget Is the Primary Constraint
The $3,000–$6,000 cost saving is meaningful. For some homeowners, particularly those who have recently purchased a property and are managing cash flow, a partial fill-in achieves the primary goal (eliminating the pool maintenance liability) at a lower cost. It’s not the ideal solution, but it’s a legitimate one when budget is the controlling factor.
The Land Will Definitely Only Ever Be Garden or Lawn
If the filled pool area is going to be a vegetable garden, lawn, garden bed, or other surface use with no future building planned — and you’re comfortable with that limitation — a partial fill-in is adequate for this purpose.
The Property Is a Rural Block With Abundant Space
On a 4-hectare rural lifestyle property in Moss Vale or Sutton Forest, a filled pool in the yard is a much smaller proportion of available land, and the likelihood of ever wanting to build exactly on that spot may be lower. The practical impact of the site restriction is less significant than on a suburban lot.
The Key Questions to Ask Yourself
Before deciding, answer these honestly:
- Will I ever want to build on this site? (Deck, extension, carport, granny flat, shed)
- Do I plan to sell this property in the next 5 years?
- Does the price difference of $3,000–$6,000 genuinely affect my decision?
- Is the pool structurally sound enough for a fill-in to be stable?
- Am I comfortable having a buried pool structure disclosed on any future sale?
If you answer yes to questions 1, 2 or 5 — choose full removal. If you answer yes to questions 3 and 4 and no to 1, 2 and 5 — a partial fill-in is worth considering.
The Partial Fill-In Done Properly
If you choose a partial fill-in, quality of execution matters enormously:
- Drainage holes must be adequate — multiple holes punched through the pool base are essential to prevent water ponding in the void
- Wall demolition depth must meet specification — walls demolished to the correct depth below surface level
- Fill material quality — well-graded imported fill compacted correctly in layers
- Surface drainage — the finished surface must drain away from the filled area
A poorly executed partial fill-in — inadequate drainage, poor compaction, cheap fill — will settle within 12 months and create visible depressions and wet spots. A well-executed partial fill-in is stable and indistinguishable from the surrounding yard.
Frequently Asked Questions — Partial vs Full Removal
Can a partial fill-in cause drainage problems? A poorly executed one can — if drainage holes are inadequate, the old pool shell acts as a bathtub collecting groundwater, which creates a wet area above it. A properly executed partial fill-in with adequate drainage holes and well-graded fill should not cause drainage problems.
Is a partial fill-in visible at the surface? With good compaction and proper topsoil treatment, the surface over a partial fill-in is indistinguishable from surrounding yard. Some initial slight settlement (10–15mm) in the first wet season is normal even with good compaction, but significant settlement indicates a problem.
Does a partial fill-in affect my property’s value? A filled pool is not a positive value feature. In the Southern Highlands market, it’s generally neutral to slightly negative compared to a pool-free yard. A full removal typically presents better on a property inspection report.
What happens to the buried pool structure over time? Concrete shell: remains stable indefinitely if drainage is adequate. Fibreglass shell: also remains stable, as fibreglass doesn’t corrode. The main risk in either case is ground movement affecting the shell if drainage is inadequate.
If I do a partial fill-in now, can I do a full removal later? Yes, but it costs more. The fill needs to be re-excavated to expose the remaining shell, which is then demolished and removed. The total cost of doing both operations sequentially is higher than doing full removal initially.
Not sure which approach is right for your situation? Book a free site inspection — we’ll assess your pool and property and recommend the right option.