Poorly maintained gate latches, inadequate signage and items located too close to safety barriers were common reasons for pools flunking the tests.

Council’s inspection program began in October last year when the state government introduced mandatory registration for all pools and spas.

Offences under the legislation, which was introduced in a bid to reduce drownings in backyard pools, can incur fines of between $110 and $550.

Council’s manager of development and approvals David Lewis said no fines had been issued to any of the region’s 2626 swimming pool owners.

He said the majority of safety breaches identified during an initial inspection were easily rectified by moving pot plants or climbable vegetation away from barriers.

“Tamworth Regional Council prefers proactive and educational measures when dealing with non-compliant pool barriers, together with the co-operation of pool owners to ensure that compliance is achieved at the earliest opportunity,” he said.

Royal Life Saving chief executive officer Justin Scarr said 70 per cent of all drownings occurred in home swimming pools.

“Royal Life Saving is encouraged by a continual reduction in drowning deaths in children under five to the lowest number in 20 years,” he said.

“However, still too many families are grieving children lost in preventable drowning tragedies.”

Mr Lewis said the council had investigated 24 complaints in the past year, ranging from no barriers around inflatable pools to existing pools in need of maintenance work.

He said also said there had been 101 applications for swimming pool certificates of compliance submitted, with 19 needing rectification or additional information.