Dam owners urged to develop emergency action plans

Minister for Water Supply Mark McArdle is encouraging referable dam owners to attend a training session to help them prepare an emergency action plan.

Referable dams are those that have been assessed as posing a potential risk to two or more people if they were to fail, and Mr McArdle said the workshops strengthened the Government’s already robust dam safety program.

“The sessions are being held throughout Queensland during July and continue the Government’s implementation of Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry recommendations,” Mr McArdle said.

“The sessions will cover topics such as identifying hazards created by dams, understanding who and what is at risk,  identifying  involved parties,  understanding obligations during an emergency event and what reporting is required after an emergency event has ended.

“The sessions will also improve information sharing and working relationships between referable dam owners and the disaster management groups in their local areas.”

Mr McArdle said the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 required all referable dam owners to have an emergency action plan.

“These plans identify potential emergency conditions and outline the procedures that should be followed in the event of an emergency,” he said.

“While referable dam owners should already have an emergency action plan in place, new legislation which came in to effect on 8 November 2012 requires plans to be submitted to the Department of Energy and Water Supply by 1 October 2013 for approval.”

Dam safety emergency action plan training sessions will be held at:

• Brisbane – 80 George Street  – Thursday, 11 July  – 2pm to 4pm
• Cairns – William McCormack Place – Monday, 15 July  – 10.30am to 12.30pm
• Toowoomba – DAFF Conference and Training Centre, Tor Street – Monday, 15 July  – 12.30pm to 2.30pm
• Townsville – Tony Ireland Stadium – Tuesday, 16 July  –12pm to 2pm
• Bundaberg – Civic Centre – Tuesday, 16 July  – 12pm to 2pm
• Mount Isa – Civic Centre –  Wednesday, 17 July  – 9am to 10.30am
• Rockhampton – DAFF Conference Centre – Thursday, 18 July  – 11am to 1pm
• Mackay – DNRM office, Wood Street, –  Friday,  19 July – 11am to 1pm
• Emerald – Maraboon Tavern – Tuesday 23 July  – 1.30pm to 3.30pm

For more information about the provisional guidelines or the training and awareness sessions, or to register interest in attending a session, email damsafety@dews.qld.gov.au .

For more information about dam safety visit www.dews.qld.gov.au.

[ENDS] 11 July 2013

Media Contact: Natalie Wynne 3896 3690/0437 334 183