Dangerous Dams Policy

The Waikato Regional Council (Environment Waikato) has adopted a Dangerous Dams Policy under section 161 of the Building Act 2004. The policy was adopted on 14 December 2006.

The Building Act creates a function for Environment Waikato in regard to dams that have been assessed as dangerous. The act requires Environment Waikato to develop a policy that enables dam owners and the wider community to understand the way in which Environment Waikato will undertake this new function. The policy provides background information that explains why the policy is being developed, defines ‘dams’ and ‘dangerous dams’ in this context, and outlines how Environment Waikato will undertake this new role.

Where a dam has been found to be dangerous, then it is essential that the potential risk to the wider community is removed or appropriately managed. The policy proposes that whilst Environment Waikato will not lose sight of that aim, it will at least initially try to achieve the outcome by way of a consultative approach with the owners of any dam that is considered to be dangerous. However, the legislation does provide a number of tools that Environment Waikato can turn to if the necessary action does not occur, and the policy is clear that if necessary, Environment Waikato will make use of those more regulatory tools.

The policy also addresses the particular case of dangerous dams that are also heritage dams.

Download a copy of the Dangerous Dams Policy in PDF format below:

Dangerous Dams Policy
(150 kb, 21 seconds to download, 56k modem)  

For further enquiries or copies of the policy, please email policy@ew.govt.nz.