The need for private dam safety assurance policy - demonstrative case studies 10 years later
Date
2005
Authors
Pisaniello, J.D.
McKay, J.M.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, 2005; 20(3):15-21
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
Farmers in Australia have often overlooked the common law obligation to review/design dams in line with current standards because of high engineering consulting costs. This leaves them vulnerable to litigation if their dam fails and the downstream community susceptible to unacceptable risk levels. The seriousness of this problem was demonstrated by a case study undertaken 10 years ago in the dam safety policy-absent State of South Australia. The paper presented here follows up previous research by testing whether giving more time, awareness and encouragement to farmers addresses the problem to any extent. This has been tested in the "still" policyabsent State of South Australia and the "now" policy-driven State of Victoria. In each of the two States, 10 hazardous private reservoirs have been investigated for spillway adequacy in line with stateof- the-art practice. The investigation follows the release of an innovative Australian developed costeffective spillway design/review procedure which was available and promoted in both States to minimise cost burdens to dam owners and encourage better dam safety management. The case studies clearly demonstrate that farmers require more than awareness and encouragement in order to ensure they properly look after their dams.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Access Status
Rights
Copyright status unknown