Your Dam Your Responsibility (PDF~1.2MB)

1 Introduction
It makes good business sense to build a farm dam properly. It is a business investment for
any landowner; an asset which can assure the health of the crops or livestock which the
property supports.
Victorian legislation highlights the seriousness of the owner’s responsibility to make sure
that each dam is safe.
Dams are deceptively simple structures in appearance. Despite outward appearances,
there is always the possibility that the dam might experience either partial or total failure
causing damage downstream. This could result in loss of life, injury to people or livestock,
damage to houses, buildings, railways and roads or interruption to public utility services
(eg. electricity) as well as environmental damage. If a dam fails, the additional loss of
income resulting from lack of water could result in substantial economic consequences.
The fact that dam failures in Australia are very seldom reported in the press can lead to
a false impression that failures of farm dams are both rare and of little consequence.
Statistics on dam failures are difficult to find, but a study of farm dams in New South
Wales shows a 23% failure rate.
This booklet is designed to assist both present and future dam owners to understand
their responsibilities and legal obligations.
It includes:
• guidance on good practice in design, construction and management of farm dams;
and
• an outline of the owner’s responsibilities for licensing for both new and existing dams.
Having a dam built by someone else or taking over ownership of an existing dam does
not necessarily clear you of your dam safety and operational responsibilities (‘let the buyer
beware’).
To meet the responsibility that comes with owning a dam, you need to carry out good
safety surveillance and maintenance practices. Surveillance is the routine and regular
inspection of the dam, looking for changes that may give an early warning that all is not
well and that a problem may be developing.
As a dam owner, you have an important role to play in the dam safety process. Frequent
visits to the dam are needed to enable you to observe any problems that may be
developing.
PHOTO COURTESY OF D PLANT
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A poorly built or maintained dam can cost
the owner more to repair than a dam that is
properly built and well looked after.
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