A Victorian coroner has called for regulatory changes after a toddler drowned in an unfenced fish pond at his grandmother's home. The 23-month-old boy died in November 2022 after accessing the pond, which was not required to have a safety barrier under current Victorian building laws.
Deputy State Coroner Paresa Antoniadis Spanos found that unlike swimming pools and spas, ornamental ponds and water features do not require a building permit or safety barrier in Victoria. She noted that fish ponds are 'undoubtedly attractive to a young child' and pose a significant drowning risk, as a child can drown in just a few centimetres of water.
The boy's parents were at work on the day of the incident, and his grandmother was showering from 11.50am to 12.20pm. The rear sliding door was left unlocked, allowing the toddler to open it and reach the pond, which was about 61cm deep, lined with plastic, and surrounded by pot plants. The grandmother found the boy face down and unresponsive at about 12.20pm; despite CPR efforts, he was pronounced dead at 1.32pm.
Four children under the age of four have drowned in residential ponds in Victoria since 2010. The coroner has directed that her findings be provided to the Victorian Building Authority for consideration of regulating the building and design of fish ponds to improve child safety.
