Before pool removal work can start in the Southern Highlands, several things need to be in place. Some of these are your contractor’s responsibility; others are yours to initiate. This checklist covers everything that needs to happen in the right sequence, so there are no delays on removal day.
We walk through this checklist with every customer during the site inspection and pre-job preparation phase. Think of this as the reference document for your own records.
1. BYDA — Dial Before You Dig
Who does this: Your contractor (we handle this as standard)
What it is: Before any excavation in NSW, a BYDA (Dial Before You Dig) enquiry must be lodged with the national services locating service. This identifies underground service utilities — electricity, gas, water, telecommunications, sewer — that may be in the excavation path.
Why it matters: Striking an underground service during excavation can cause serious injury, significant cost, and delays. BYDA ensures we know what’s in the ground before the excavator starts work.
For pool removal specifically: Pool plumbing, electrical conduit and equipment connections run from the pool area to the house. These are not captured by BYDA (they’re on private property, not public infrastructure) but we assess them separately. BYDA is primarily concerned with public utility services that may run through your property.
Lead time: BYDA plans can take 2–5 business days to be returned from all relevant utilities. We lodge this as part of job preparation.
2. Council / Planning Approval Status
Who does this: Your contractor identifies; you may need to act if approval is required
What to check:
- Is your property within a Heritage Conservation Area under the Wingecarribee LEP 2010?
- Is your property an individually listed heritage item (State or local)?
- Are there environmental overlays (flood, biodiversity) that affect earthworks?
How to check:
- NSW Planning Portal (planningportal.nsw.gov.au) — enter your address and check heritage and environmental overlays
- Alternatively: we check this during the site inspection
If no approval is required (exempt development): No action needed — work can proceed.
If CDC required: Engage a private certifier and lodge a CDC application. Allow 2–3 weeks for approval.
If DA required: Lodge with Wingecarribee Shire Council. Allow 8–12 weeks (rare — only for significant heritage-listed properties).
See our Wingecarribee Council pool removal guide and NSW council approval guide for full detail.
3. Asbestos Assessment
Who does this: Your contractor arranges; licensed asbestos assessor performs
When required: Any pool area on a property where structures near the pool (pump sheds, surrounds, cladding) were built before 1985.
What it involves: A licensed asbestos assessor collects samples from suspect materials (fibro cement sheeting, old plumbing, adjacent structures). Samples are sent to a NATA-accredited laboratory for analysis.
Turnaround: 3–7 business days for standard testing; same-day available for urgent jobs.
If asbestos is found: Work on the asbestos-containing materials must be done by a licensed asbestos removalist before pool demolition proceeds.
Cost: $150–$400 for testing; $800–$2,500 for licensed removal of a typical pump shed.
Documentation: Retain the clearance certificate issued by the asbestos assessor after removal. This is your record of compliant asbestos management and is relevant for future property transactions.
See our asbestos and old pool surrounds guide for full detail.
4. Electrical Disconnection
Who does this: Licensed electrician; your energy distributor needs to be notified
What’s required:
- Pool electrical supply (filter pump, lighting, chlorinator, automated cover if fitted) needs to be formally terminated and the connection capped
- If there’s a dedicated pool circuit on your meter, the energy distributor (Endeavour Energy or AusNet in the Southern Highlands area) needs to be notified before the connection is removed
- A licensed electrician must carry out the disconnection work
Who arranges this: We coordinate the licensed electrician as part of the job. You may need to contact your energy retailer if there’s a specific account or billing arrangement for the pool circuit.
Lead time: Typically 1–5 business days to arrange the electrician; notification to the energy distributor may take a few days.
5. Gas Disconnection (If Gas Heating Installed)
Who does this: Licensed gasfitter; gas network operator may need to be involved
What’s required: If your pool has gas heating (a common feature on older Southern Highlands pools that were designed for heated year-round use), the gas line must be properly capped by a licensed gasfitter before demolition.
Lead time: Typically 2–5 business days.
6. Pool Drain-Down
Who does this: Your contractor or you can initiate this before the job
What’s required:
- Pool must be drained before demolition can start — you can’t break up a concrete pool with water in it
- For above-ground pools: typically drained to a suitable outdoor area (lawn, garden) in small volumes, checking chemical levels first
- For inground pools: drained via submersible pump to an appropriate drainage point. Pool water should be de-chlorinated (let the chlorine dissipate for 24–72 hours, or use a neutraliser) before discharging to garden or stormwater
NSW guidelines on pool water discharge:
- Pool water should not be discharged to stormwater if it contains elevated chemical levels
- Discharge to a vegetated area (lawn, garden bed) is generally acceptable once chemicals are within safe levels
- Discharge to sewer is acceptable with appropriate approval from Sydney Water or the relevant authority
Lead time: Large inground pool drain-down typically takes 24–48 hours by pump. We start this 24 hours before the main crew arrives.
7. NSW Swimming Pool Register Deregistration
Who does this: Property owner (or we handle it on your behalf)
When: After pool removal is complete.
How:
- Visit swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au
- Log in with your register credentials (or create an account)
- Submit a pool removal notification with documentation (completion photos, job certificate)
- Council is automatically notified via the register
Why it matters: The Pool Register links to your property title. An underegistered pool on a sold property can cause complications for the new owner and requires the previous owner to resolve. Better to handle it promptly after removal.
8. Property Owner Actions Checklist
Before removal day:
- Clear pool furniture, equipment, covers and decorative items from pool surround
- Remove any potted plants or garden items along the access path
- Ensure gate widths are measured and confirm access for equipment (provide measurements to us)
- Confirm pets and children will be secured away from the work area
- Notify neighbours of upcoming construction work (professional courtesy)
- Ensure you or an authorised representative is contactable by phone on the day
Complete Pre-Removal Timeline
| Item | Lead Time | Who Initiates |
|---|---|---|
| BYDA enquiry | 2–5 business days | Contractor |
| Council/planning check | Immediate | Contractor at inspection |
| CDC application (if required) | 2–3 weeks | Certifier + contractor |
| Asbestos testing | 3–7 business days | Contractor |
| Asbestos removal (if found) | 3–10 business days after test results | Licensed removalist |
| Electrical disconnection | 1–5 business days | Licensed electrician + contractor |
| Gas disconnection (if applicable) | 2–5 business days | Licensed gasfitter |
| Pool drain-down | 24–48 hours before start | Contractor |
| Total minimum lead time (no complications) | 2–4 weeks from booking | — |
| Total lead time with asbestos management | 4–6 weeks from booking | — |
Frequently Asked Questions — Pool Removal Permits and Preparation
Do I need to do all of this before I get a quote? No — you just need to request a quote. We handle the BYDA, planning check and asbestos assessment as part of the pre-job process after the quote is accepted. This checklist is what happens between accepting the quote and the job starting.
What if asbestos is found and the job needs to be delayed? Asbestos discovery delays the removal by approximately 1–3 weeks (testing plus removal scheduling). We build some buffer into the schedule for properties where the age suggests asbestos may be present.
Does the pool water need to be fully drained before you arrive? It helps if the pool is partially drained before our first site visit, but we arrange the full drain-down as part of job preparation. We advise on the process when you book.
Who is responsible for electrical disconnection — me or you? We coordinate the licensed electrician as part of the job. You may need to contact your energy retailer if there’s a specific pool meter arrangement, but we’ll advise you on this specifically.
Ready to start the process? Book a site inspection and we’ll walk you through everything.