AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

PUBLIC BATHS AND PUBLIC BATHING ORDINANCE 1956

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

No. 12 of 1956

	This Ordinance consolidates the Public Baths Ordinance 1931-1953, the Public Bathing By-Laws and some of the regulations in the Public Baths Regulations.

	Due to the fact that the Manuka Pool is now operated under a lease, the Ordinance provisions relating to public baths have been divided into two parts, one part dealing only with baths actually managed by the Department of the Interior, the other part dealing with all public baths, including leased public baths.

	Some changes have been made in the actual extent of the law.  Listed below are some of the more important changes:-
(a)	There will be no specified “swimming season” subject to variation by the Minister.  The baths will be open at such times as the Minister determines.
(b)	Instead of an advertisement that an exclusive use of the baths has been granted being inserted in the newspaper at least seven days before the date of the exclusive use, a notice will be posted at the baths for the seven days preceding the exclusive use.
(c)	It will be possible to grant an exclusive use of the baths on a Sunday.
(d)	For the old requirement of a neck to knee bathing costume a simple provision has been substituted requiring a person to be clad so as to secure the observance of decency.
(e)	At present a child under the age of ten years is not entitled to be admitted to the baths unless in the care of a responsible person.  The age has been reduced to eight years.
(f)	New offences have been provided by section 14 and paragraphs (k) and (r) of section 17.