Thread: Timber pool surround problem

Hi All
I need to ( would prefer to ) put in some merbau decking around a pool instead of pavers but its in ground now and from top of coping pavers to ground is around 150 mm.
The pool is 8000 by 4000 and I would like 1500 of merbau around all sides.

I am thinking of making a "floating deck" or timber panels like a "timber walkway".
If I make them like deck "panels" say 3000 by 1500 and butt them against each other when is a walkway a "deck"?

I don't want to try and dig out the ground for a proper deck as its been put in over rubble from the pool dig and then the sand cement mixture the pool people used to level it out ( which has set ).

My question is essentially what method is used to make timber walkways / paths in gardens and timber surrounds for pools "on ground" rather than full decks. I can use 45 by 90 H3 treated pine for "joists" and some large concrete pavers as bearers / pads even bolting them on with countersunk gal bolts. When does a "walkway" become a "deck" from a BCA point of view?

I realise I don't want water to pool but any rain can flow freely out all sides and I can even dig a shallow trench say 50 mm between pads and put down membrane to help drainage if need be.

I am planning on extensive landscaping and a pergola and privacy screens in Merbau so I am hoping to continue the timber look to the pool surround itself.
The coping has granite pavers 400 by 400 at the pool edge.

Hope to hear from someone who knows what is acheivable.

Regards Spiff