Public consultation closed
Public consultation for the Dams Safety Act Review is now closed. It was open for public consultation from 30 June to 29 July 2025.
About the review
The department is reviewing the Dams Safety Act 2015 (the Act) on behalf of the Minister for Water to determine if its policy objectives remain valid and if its terms (words and phrases used in the Act) are appropriate for meeting its objectives, in line with section 55 of the Act.
The Minister is required to table a review report to both Houses of Parliament by 31 October 2025.
A webinar was held so declared dam owners and other interested stakeholders could learn more about the review and share their feedback via a survey.
Public consultation was open from 30 June to 29 July 2025.
Issues paper
A paper with questions for stakeholder feedback to help evaluate the Dams Safety Act policy objectives and terms for the Act’s statutory review.
Presentation
The presentation from the Dam Safety Act Review webinar is also available.
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Contact us
For more information call us on 1300 081 047 or email us at water.enquiries@dcceew.nsw.gov.au
Policy objectives
From an analysis of the second reading speech of the Dams Safety Bill 2015, the policy objectives are to:
- modernise the regulatory framework to ensure risks that may arise in relation to the structure, operation and management of declared dams are transparently managed by the regulator and by dam owners
- ensure safety standards are transparently set, implemented, monitored and enforced to manage risks posed by declared dams
- clarify and clearly establish the roles and responsibilities of Dam Safety NSW and declared dam owners
- ensure the regulator has appropriate independence, expertise and enforcement powers
- provide declared dam owners with the flexibility to choose the most cost-effective strategies to achieve compliance, guided by a risk management framework and cost-benefit analysis.
The Act has four objects:
- ensure that any risks that may arise in relation to dams (including any risks to public safety and to environmental and economic assets) are of a level that is acceptable to the community
- promote transparency in regulating dam safety
- encourage proper and efficient management in matters relating to dam safety
- encourage the application of risk management and the principles of cost benefit analysis in relation to dam safety.
Timeline
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November 2019
Dams Safety Act 2015 commences.
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January 2025
Act review scope development and approval.
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June 2025
Issues paper published.
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July 2025
Public consultation and submissions.
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October 2025
Report with review findings tabled in both Houses of Parliament.