Building Issues Minister Clayton Cosgrove today released a consultation document on proposed dam safety regulations.
Legislation introduced with the Building Act 2004 covers dam construction and safety management for large dams. This will ensure that dams are well built, that large dams are regularly monitored, and the risk to people and property is minimised. Submissions can be made on the proposed regulations until 31 August 2006.
Many dams already have safety management programmes, and these are still relevant. Until now, there has been no formal system of dam monitoring, inspection and maintenance. The proposals recognise that risk factors for a dam can change over time due to factors such as site conditions, hazards such as flood events or earthquakes, and effectiveness of maintenance.
The proposals set out clear responsibilities for dam owners. Under the Act, owners of large dams must classify and register any large dam (see below) on their property within three months of either the regulations starting or the dam being commissioned. Classifications – low, medium or high – refer to the potential impact to the surrounding area and people if the dam were to fail or break.
Once confirmed by a recognised engineer, the dam can be registered with the regional authority. Regional authorities will administer dam safety regulations, taking over responsibilities previously held by territorial authorities.
Additional certification and engineering advice is likely to be needed to prepare dam safety assurance programmes for large dams assessed as having a medium or high potential impact.
Regional authorities will compile and maintain a register of dams and will take action on any that are dangerous or unsafe, in a similar way that territorial authorities can act when encountering a dangerous building.
Smaller dams are not affected by the dam safety scheme. The regulations will apply to reservoirs of any fluid under constant pressure that has a depth of at least three metres and a volume of at least 20,000 cubic metres (about the capacity of 5 to 6 Olympic sized swimming pools). This will include dams, flood control dams, significantly modified natural features and canals, but exclude stopbanks designed to control floodwaters. New dams being constructed, including smaller dams, are likely to require building consents.
Submissions
The Department encourages dam owners and those with an interest in dam safety to provide feedback on the proposals, which can be viewed on the Department's website. To receive a hard copy, call 0800 242 243 or contact info@dbh.govt.nz stating 'Dam Safety Consultation' in the subject line. Submissions close 31 August 2006.
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