design info

DESIGN INFO

WEB HOME

working plans

MAY 2025 UPDATE:


this is a 10 metre x 5 metre swimming section pool. Earth excavated from the interior of the pool will be repositioned to bank up the exposed parts of the pool to support consistency of temperature. Moving further south will mean less excavation, but more backfill neeed.

UPDATE:

Please note:

  • the pool will be parallel to the house.  there has been some discrepancy between data sources on exactly what angle your house lies, but the pool will be parallel when built!  There is an aerial image to show roughly how the plan is sitting on your site (note the maroon arrows are the extent of the swimming section)

  • The planted area will be approx 800mm deep, therefore not a hugely deep build next to the house, though it will still start 1400mm from the house.  The ledge of the planted area will be tucked underneath the edge of the boardwalk so that the water is immediately visible.  The fence will be 30mm into the planted area so little hands can play in the water from the boardwalk.

  • I have put a larger deck area on the northern end of the pool.  The edge of the pool and planted area is tucked just beneath the edge of that deck.  The non-pool side has unevenly ending timbers.  The entry to the pool will be at the far north.  It means people could lounge in there, hopping in and out of the pool without having to 1) open and close the gate 2) have overhanging timber which someone could swim under and have a problem.  What do you think of this idea?  

  • I have reeds growing for you at my house.

QUERIES:

If you are happy to go with the new layout, please let me know.  Currently, we have the start of the reed bed 3 metres in from the edge of the house.  The full extent of the planted area, swimming area and board walk is 13.7 metres.  Can you please measure where you would like the planted area/pool to begin - is it at the 3 metre mark where we roughly have it now, or?

Please respond here

site documentation

Adelaide Hills Council. Climate zone 6. Planning zone RuN. Neighbourhood and Corridor sub zone: Adelaide Hills

Title: CT5413/853 valuation no. 3304423356 plan parcel F10856AL6

Property and Development Policies

Overlays:

  • Native vegetation, regulated and significant tree, Mount Lofty Ranges water suply (area 2), Prescribed water resources area,

  • right next to Water Resources

  • Hazards (Flooding) and Hazards (Flooding - Evidence Required) are close-by) near-by

Rural Neighbourhood. Accepted development “does not require planning consent (planning approval)”: Swimming pool or spa pool and associated swimming pool safety features.

Prescribed Water Resources Area Overlay. Requires “Development that comprises the erection, construction, modification, enlargement or removal of a dam, wall or other structure that will collect or divert, or collects or diverts surface water flowing over land.” to be referred to “Relevant authority under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019 that would, if it were not for the operation of section 106(1)(e) of that Act, have the authority under that Act to grant or refuse a permit to undertake the subject development. To provide expert assessment and direction to the relevant authority on potential impacts from development on the health, sustainability and/or natural flow paths of water resources in accordance with the provisions of the relevant water allocation plan or regional landscape plan or equivalent.”

Regulated and Significant Tree Overlay

Water Resources Overlay - PO 1.5 Development that increases surface water run-off includes a suitably sized strip of vegetated land on each side of a watercourse to filter runoff to:

  1. reduce the impacts on native aquatic ecosystems

  2. minimise soil loss eroding into the watercourse.

DTS/DPF 1.5 A strip of land 20m or more wide measured from the top of existing banks on each side of the watercourse is free from development, livestock use and revegetated with locally indigenous vegetation.

Fences and Walls - PO 9.2 - Landscaping incorporated on the low side of retaining walls is visible from public roads and public open space to minimise visual impacts.
DTS/DPF 9.2 - A vegetated landscaped strip 1m wide or more is provided against the low side of a retaining wall.

Design - Earthworks and sloping land - PO 8.1 Development, including any associated driveways and access tracks, minimises the need for earthworks to limit disturbance to natural topography.
DTS/DPF 8.1 Development does not involve any of the following:

  1. excavation exceeding a vertical height of 1m

  2. filling exceeding a vertical height of 1m

  3. a total combined excavation and filling vertical height of 2m or more.

brief by client

However, I would LOVE to avoid salt or chlorine.  My dream would be a natural pool (https://natur.bio.top/en/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuuP32OXT9QIVKJNmAh2R5AP3EAAYASAAEgKJ8vD_BwE) but the only SA installer I can find said $100k+ (????!!).  a) I am sure it can’t really cost that much.  And b) I am sure there are other good options such as https://rainwaterpools.com.au/

We have a 2500 sqm block but as Zac knows it’s sloped. We were thinking about putting a pool at the bottom of the block between the house and the boundary fence, and maybe going with an above ground deeper ‘swim/play area’ and using the slope to work with that for a shallower pool/water plant/feature area closer to the house. In my mind we would then join the component parts and make the above ground section work but tying it together with decking accessible from the lawn by the house.  We would need to lose at least one tree. There would still be lots of shade but I’m not going to sacrifice trees for a swim. Honestly I don’t think it would be for lap swimming but for muck about swim for the kids. They are 3,5 and 7. Toddler area is great. All would adore to sit in water on a hot day and create worlds. For the swim section I don’t know about size - I was thinking maybe 10m2 but I just don’t know yet!

We are trying to work out what a realistic budget for this is. I think I could do above ground chlorine for $15k and am happy to spend more than that for something that is both visually and environmentally better but with 3 small kids the $100k (!) budget we got from the one SA company specialist in this area was NOT an option.