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Dam Safety

Tasmania Dams Safety Project
Hazard Rating
Further Information

Photo shows water pouring from side of failed dam.The Dam Safety Section of the Water Resources Division has responsibility for:
  • providing engineering information and review of new dam applications for the Assessment Committee for Dam Construction to ensure dams are constructed safely and in accordance with the Water Management Act 1999 ('the Act') and the Water Management (Safety of Dams) Regulations 2003 ('the Regulations')
  • ensuring owners of existing dams meet their dam safety responsibilities by providing ongoing structured programs of safety management as required by the Act and the Regulations incorporating the national guidelines developed by the Australian National Committee on Large Dams (ANCOLD).

Dam Construction

With the commencement of the Act in 2000, a new process for assessing dam permit applications was established. The Assessment Committee for Dam Construction was established as the body responsible for assessing applications for the construction of dams.

Committee members collectively have expertise in the management of water resources; the use and economic development of water resources; engineering and safety matters relating to dams; integrated natural resource management; and best practice environmental management.

The Dam Safety Unit provides the Assessment Committee for Dam Construction with specialist dam safety reviews of dam permit applications and engineering and construction requirements of dams. This assists the Assessment Committee to make decisions about dam safety and engineering requirements for permits for dam works.

Assessment Committee for Dam Construction

Dam Assessment Process

Guidelines for pre-construction reports

For dam works that pose a significant public safety risk, the Assessment Committee may require the preparation of a pre-construction report. These guidelines are to assist dam engineers to prepare pre-construction reports to meet the requirements of the Assessment Committee.
www.stors.tas.gov.au/au-7/0054-00381You are now leaving our site. DPIWE is not responsible for the content of the web site to which you are going. The link does not constitute any form of endorsement

Dam Works Code 2007

The purpose of the Dam Works Code 2007 is to provide a practical set of guidelines and standards for the construction of a dam and protection of environmental values during dam construction and operation.
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Guidelines for the Construction of Earth-fill dams

The Guidelines for the Construction of Earth-Fill Dams detail the specifications for the construction of earth-fill dams and outline the precautions and methods which should be employed in order to obtain the soundest possible structure.
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Guidelines for Work-as-Executed Reports for Completed Dam Works

These Guidelines for Work-as-Executed Reports have been produced to assist dam owners, contractors and consultants in the preparation of Work-as-Executed Reports for Completed Dam Works. There are two basic formats for the prepration of the Work-as-Executed Report. These are:
  • for Dams which have Very Low and Low hazard categories and are up to 10 metres in height; and for Dams which have Very Low hazard categories and are between 10 to 25 metres in height. Proforma Work-as-Executed FORM A should be used. Please note this is a Word 97 document.
  • for all other dams, a stand-alone report is required. Proforma Work-as-Executed FORM B is provided only to assist with the prepration with the higher standard of reporting required; but must not be used alone as the standard reporting format. Form B is provided only to assist with detailing the minimum requirements which will be acceptable by the Department.
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Tasmania Dams Safety Project

The Tasmania Dams Safety Project is being undertaken as part of the Government's SMART Farming Initiative to ensure Tasmanian dam owners safely maintain and operate their dams and implement best-practice dam safety improvements.

The main focus of the project is the safety of existing dams, including the implementation of post-construction activities such as dam surveillance and emergency response plans.

The Project also undertakes many other dam safety tasks identified by the Water Resources Division. These are detailed in the Tasmania Dam Safety Project – Business Plan.

Guidelines for 5 Year Dam Safety Surveillance Reports

These guidelines have been produced to assist dam owners and consultants in the preparation of 5 year comprehensive surveillance reports as required by the Water Management Act 1999 and the Water Management (Safety of Dams) Regulations 2003.
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Surveillance Report Form

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Guidelines for Dam Safety Emergency Management Plans

The purpose of the guidelines is to detail the key aspects that must be included as a minimum in a Dam Safety Emergency Management Plan (DSEMP).
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DSEMP Proforma for Consultants

www.stors.tas.gov.au/au-7-0054-00400You are now leaving our site. DPIWE is not responsible for the content of the web site to which you are going. The link does not constitute any form of endorsement

List of Consultants (Dam Safety Program)

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Hazard Rating

This spreadsheet allows to you to calculate the hazard rating of your dam.
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Further Information

The Water Management (Safety of Dams) Regulation 2003 and the Water Management Act 1999 are available at:www.thelaw.tas.gov.auYou are now leaving our site. DPIWE is not responsible for the content of the web site to which you are going. The link does not constitute any form of endorsement

Australian National Committee on Large Dams (ANCOLD): www.ancold.org.auYou are now leaving our site. DPIWE is not responsible for the content of the web site to which you are going. The link does not constitute any form of endorsement

Contact: Dam Safety Engineer
Sam Ditchfield
Dam Safety Engineer
1 Franklin Wharf HOBART TAS 7000
Phone: 03 6233 3347
Fax: 03 6224 4977
Email: sam.ditchfield@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Contact: Dam Safety Project Officer
David Krushka
Dam Safety Project Officer
167 Westbury Road PROSPECT TAS 7250
Phone: 03 6336 5450
Fax: 03 6336 5365
Email: David.Krushka@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

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Tasmania Online


Tasmania Online | Service Tasmania

This page - http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/JMUY-7N22DQ?open - was last published on 27 July 2009 by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. Questions concerning its content can be sent to Water Enquiries by using the feedback form, by mail to GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 7001, or by telephone to 03 6233 6753.

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