Spring Growth Alert: Are Your Trees Making Your Pool Fence Non-Compliant?

Spring is a lovely time to enjoy the backyard on the Gold Coast. It’s also when trees, shrubs and climbing plants can put on fresh growth, sometimes right beside your pool fence.

A fence that was clear a few months ago may now have branches reaching across it, or a garden bed and pot plants that make it easier for a child to climb. The change can be easy to miss when you see the same garden every day.



A quick check now can help you spot issues early and keep your pool area safer for your family. No stress, no jargon: we’ll explain what to look for.

🌿 What is the non-climbable zone?

The non-climbable zone, or NCZ, is the area around and above a pool barrier that needs to stay free of things a child could use to climb over the fence. Queensland’s pool safety standard requires a continuous 900 mm non-climbable zone.

It isn’t always just a simple 900 mm strip along the ground. The zone is measured in relation to the barrier, and where it applies depends on the type and height of the barrier and the way the pool area is laid out. For many fences under 1,800 mm high, the outside area needs to stay clear, along with a 300 mm area on the inside.

Trees, shrubs, overhanging branches, pots and raised garden beds are among the objects QBCC identifies as possible climbing aids. You can read more about the rules in the QBCC guide to nonclimbable zones.

Important: A plant isn’t automatically a problem just because it’s near the fence. What matters is whether it creates a foothold or handhold, or otherwise makes the barrier easier to climb. The exact assessment depends on your barrier and property layout.

🌴 Why trees can become a problem as they grow

Trees and plants change over time. A young tree that once sat well away from the fence can spread its branches, while new growth may fill a gap that used to be clear.

Keep an eye out for:

• Branches close to or overhanging the fence that could provide a foothold or handhold.
• Exposed horizontal branches or thick stems a child might be able to use to climb.
• Climbing plants growing up a fence, or a trellis that creates an easy ladder-like surface.
• Dense foliage that hides a sturdy branch or frame a child could reach and use.
• Pots, garden beds and garden edging that could act as a step near the barrier.

On the Gold Coast, it’s worth paying particular attention to palm fronds and fast-growing native plants. They’re popular in local gardens and can grow or spread quickly in warm weather. The plant itself may not be an issue, but a reachable branch, a woody frame or the way it interacts with the fence could be.

🔎 A simple spring check: look around, and look up

Take a slow walk around the pool barrier and check it from both sides. Then look up: overhanging branches can be easy to overlook when you’re focused on the fence line.



1.   Walk the full perimeter. Check for new branches, vines, thick stems and plants growing close to the barrier.

2.   Look above and around the fence. Notice branches that reach across the fence line or could provide a foothold or handhold.

3.   Check what’s at the base. Pots, raised beds, rocks and garden edging can change how easy it is to reach the barrier.

4.   Look for growth on the fence. Climbing plants and trellises may create a climbable surface.

5.   Check again after trimming. Plants grow back, so make a quick seasonal check part of your backyard routine.

This is a useful first look, not a formal compliance assessment. Avoid climbing ladders or cutting large branches yourself. For a mature tree or branches near powerlines, speak with a qualified arborist.

⯑ What can you do if a plant is too close?

Sometimes the fix is simple: trim back a branch or move a pot. Other situations need a little more planning, especially if a tree is large, a branch comes from a neighbour’s property, or removing growth could affect the garden.

You can start with these practical steps:

• Prune or manage reachable branches so they don’t create a climbing aid near the barrier.
• Move pots and garden features away from the fence if they could help a child climb.
• Avoid planting climbing plants on the pool fence. Choose a spot where future growth won’t interfere with the barrier.
• Ask an arborist about large trees. They can advise on safe pruning and ongoing maintenance.
• Talk with your neighbour if branches overhang from their property. QBCC notes that you may need to negotiate with your neighbour about removing them.

Don’t assume that a quick trim will solve every case. The shape of the barrier, the direction of the branches and the surrounding ground level can all matter. When you’re unsure, getting advice before making bigger changes can save time and help you choose the right next step.

👀 Why a professional assessment can help

A homeowner’s walk-around is helpful for catching obvious changes, but it can be hard to judge whether a particular tree or garden feature affects the NCZ. Pool barriers don’t all have the same layout, and the rules can apply differently depending on the barrier type and the property.



A licensed pool safety inspector can assess the barrier and surrounding area, explain any concerns in plain English and let you know what needs attention. We check the whole pool barrier, not just the fence, including gates, latches, boundary barriers and nearby features.

🏡 Selling or leasing a property with a pool?

A pool safety certificate is known as a Form 23. Queensland’s requirements differ depending on whether the pool is shared or non-shared and whether you’re selling or leasing.

For a non-shared pool, landlords generally need a current certificate before entering into a new accommodation agreement. When selling, a current certificate must be provided to the buyer before settlement; if there isn’t one, specific notice requirements may apply. Check the QBCC guidance for buying, selling or leasing a property with a pool or ask your property professional what applies to your situation.

If a tree or plant has grown into the NCZ, it’s better to find out early, especially when you’re preparing a property for sale or a new tenancy. A timely inspection gives you clear information and room to organise any work.

💬 What if the inspection finds an issue?

It doesn’t mean you’ve failed or that the problem can’t be fixed. We’ll explain what we find and what your options are, so you can decide what to do next without being left guessing.



If the pool is compliant, we can issue your Form 23 the same day. If work is needed first, you can arrange a re-inspection after the issue has been addressed..

💲 Clear pricing for Gold Coast pool inspections

• Pool safety inspection: from $130 inc GST
• Form 23 certificate: $60 inc GST
• Total for a compliant pool: $190 inc GST
• Re-inspection: from $88 inc GST
• CPR sign: $40 inc GST, if required

Prices are based on the services listed; contact us if you’d like to confirm what’s needed for your pool.

⯑ Book a spring pool safety inspection

Whether you’re a homeowner checking the backyard for your family, a landlord preparing for a new tenancy, or a real estate agent helping a customer get organised, we’re here to make pool safety simple.

We’re a local Gold Coast business, fully licensed and insured, with QBCC Licence PS62455. Learn more about our pool inspection service or get in touch to book.

A quick look at the trees today can help you catch a small change before it becomes a bigger headache. No stress. No jargon. Just clear, practical advice to help keep your pool area safer for the people you love.

For more tips and tricks on keeping your pool compliant, check out our full blog here.