Dam Safety Management Policy

1. Objective

This Policy sets out how GMW manages dam safety risk.

 2. Scope

This Policy applies to all 16 large dams under the management and control of Goulburn-Murray Water.

3. Policy

GMW will, consistent with requirements of the Statement of Obligations (SoO) and where relevant the Dams Safety NSW (DSNSW) Regulations:

1. 1. Develop and implement processes to identify, assess, manage and prioritise improvements to, and periodically review the safety of its dams. These processes include:
      1. the routine and planned operation, maintenance and renewal of dams assets
      2. routine and special surveillance of dams
      3. emergency preparedness through the development, maintenance and exercising of dam safety emergency plans and flood incident management plans
      4. periodic review of dam safety related risks
      5. periodic reviews of dam design and condition
      6. where necessary, major upgrade works or other measures to reduce excessive dam safety risks.
   2. In developing processes under clause 1 above, GMW will have regard to the ANCOLD (and where relevant DSNSW) Guidelines and have particular regard to:
      1. prioritising risks posed by GMW dams over all dams, components of dams and the types of failure;
      2. giving priority to reducing risks to life above other risks;
      3. basing the urgency of reducing the risk posed by a dam on the relativity of risks to the tolerability limits as defined in the ANCOLD Guidelines;
      4. basing programs for reducing risk on the concept "As Low As Reasonably Practicable" as defined in the ANCOLD Guidelines or where relevant the concept “So Far As Is Reasonably Practicable”; and
      5. where feasible, progressively implementing risk reduction measures to achieve the best outcomes for the available resources.
   3. Develop and implement a dam safety monitoring and surveillance program for each dam operated by GMW, consistent with the ANCOLD Guidelines.
   4. Give to the Secretary of DELWP each year a report that contains a prioritised list of proposed dam safety works and the program for the completion of those works, together with a summary of the current and proposed risk profile for dams operated by the GMW. 

      
      GMW will use appropriate and accepted industry good practice to manage its overall dam safety program. Where ANCOLD, ICOLD, DSNSW or other similar guidelines or technical standards exist, and specify particular design requirements for new dams, they will be adopted where practicable, in accordance with contemporary practice, for the design of works to correct deficiencies in existing dams. These guidelines and standards will be used to inform progressive implementation of risk reduction actions on dams, including continued development of and improvements to a systematic and reliable, quality based approach to dam safety management.

      GMW will subject its approach to dam safety management to external review where appropriate.

4. Responsibilities

5. Definitions

GMW Goulburn-Murray Water

DELWP Department of Environment Land Water & Planning

ICOLD International Commission on Large Dams

ANCOLD Australian National Committee on Large Dams Incorporated

DSNSW Dams Safety NSW