Regulations for the dam safety scheme Summary of submissions

Background

This document contains a summary of written submissions received during the public consultation period on proposed Regulations for the dam safety scheme.

The submissions were in response to a Department of Building and Housing discussion document released for public consultation in June 2006 (see Regulations for the Dam Safety Scheme: Discussion Document).

The deadline for submissions was 31 August 2006.

Fifty-eight submissions were received and will assist in the development of draft Dam Safety Regulations which are likely to be promulgated in early 2008. It is proposed that the Regulations not come into force for 24 months after being promulgated, to allow enough time for successful implementation.

The submissions summarised in this document do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Building and Housing or the Government. The submissions reflect a wide range of views from a broad cross-section of interest holders, including dam owners, regional authorities and engineers.

The Department of Building and Housing thanks all submitters for their contributions.

Executive summary of the submissions

The Department received 58 submissions. Below is brief summary of key issues raised. A more detailed summary of submissions follows.

• The proposed 3-month period for registration and classification of existing dams after the Regulations take effect was considered not long enough.
• Submitters identified a possible shortage of engineers with the skills to classify dams.
• There was strong support for a national register of recognised dam engineers.
• The process for classifying dams should be simpler, in order to restrict compliance costs.
• Professional discretion was seen as the key to effective dam safety assurance programmes.
• Checklists were considered useful but prescribed checklists and forms were opposed.
• The definition of a 'dangerous dam' needed reviewing, as noted in the May 2006 discussion document.
• Risk and probability factors for earthquakes and flooding needed further analysis.
• The proposed dam owner accreditation scheme was generally supported.
• Submitters considered there was a lack of incentives to become accredited.
• Submitters believed that regional authorities, rather than dam owners, should supply information to support classification and dam safety assurance plans.

Introduction

Responses to the 20 questions in the Regulations for the Dam Safety Scheme: Discussion Document are summarised on the following page.