Submission to the Review of the Dams Safety Act 1978 and the Dams Safety Committee

Recently the Water Directorate encouraged all councils that own dams to prepare a submission to the Dams Safety Act 1978 and Dams Safety Committee. The purpose of the review was to examine the functions and governance of the Dams Safety Committee and the objects of the Act, which have not been reviewed since 1978. A full copy of  our submission to the Review is available in the members' area of the this website.

The Water Directorate membership supports the need for the NSW Dams Safety Review in the interests of improvements in safety, security, risk management and expert guidance. We believe the current regulatory arrangements are inconsistent in application, create confusion regarding roles and responsibilities, and limit the ability of local water utilities to deliver the best outcomes for the community.

• removal of regulatory duplication and inconsistencies across the dams safety sector
• a balance of representatives of NSW Government agencies and dams owners being on the Dams Safety Committee
• the opportunity for further discussion on the opportunities to regulate dams safety in NSW.

To read a full copy of our submission please go to the members' area and click on Water Directorate Submissions.