INFLATABLE backyard pool users looking to escape the heat are being urged to comply with regulations or risk being fined up to $18,150.
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According to Mount Isa City Council regulations, if residents have a portable pool or spa, they cannot be filled deeper than 300 millimetres, cannot have a volume of more than 2000 litres and must not have a filtration system.
If the pool does not comply with those regulations it must be fenced.
Mount Isa resident Greg Donaldson said he had to pack up his inflatable pool because of the regulations.
"We used to have a paddling pool on the front veranda and it was great - we have no kids running around and you couldn't see it from the front of the building," he said.
"I knew there were regulations but I didn't realise the fine was so big so we had to get rid of it. We're renting so it would have been a big drama to put up a fence that abides by all the regulations."
Kmart Mount Isa store manager Rodney Weller said they had been inundated with people seeking some cool relief in the past month, with paddling pools selling out faster than they're ordered.
"We are selling heaps and heaps of inflatable pools," he said.
"We have been selling nine full-size pools a day in the last four weeks. We have sold around 400 paddling pools, they have sold out before we even get them in the store. In addition, the clam shell pools have been selling out in half an hour whenever we get new stock."
However, Mr Weller wasn't sure people knew the regulations around inflatable pools.
"We do just let them grab and take the pools to the counter," he said.
"There is a small thing written on the package but it is not up to us to implement the rules."
The pool fence must be at least 1.2 metres high and the pool gate must latch by itself. There must also be a non climbable zone, 900mm outside and 300mm inside the pool fence.
On the spot fines of $770 can be issued, with the maximum fine being $18,150.