Dams Safety NSW

Annual Dams Safety Standards Report

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The Annual Dams Safety Standards Report demonstrates the declared dam owner’s compliance with the dam safety standards set out in the Dams Safety Regulation 2019 (the Regulation).


Every year, declared dam owners must lodge a separate report for each of their declared dams with Dams Safety NSW by 31 March.


The report covers the period 1 January to 31 December of the previous calendar year.

How to submit your Annual Dams Safety Standards Report

Use the online form below to enter information into your Annual Dams Safety Standards Report. Note: you can save your progress and resume at a later time.


Once completed and submitted, you will receive an email with an unsigned pdf copy of your Annual Dams Safety Standards Report. The PDF report then needs to be signed by the dam owner's accountable office holder(s). A digital signature can be used.


Once the report is signed by the correct office holder(s), please email to info@damsafety.nsw.gov.au by 31 March.


Section 1 – Declared dam identification details













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Section 2 – Dams safety standards

Consequence category of dam – Regulation, Part 3

The dam consequence category is a rating of potential impacts resulting from a dam failure. It must be assessed:

  • within 6 months of the dam being declared
  • at least once every 15 years
  • after any significant change in the number of people likely to be affected by a dam failure
  • or if required by Dams Safety NSW.  Regulation, subclause 7 (2)










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Dam safety management system - Regulation, Part 5

The dam safety management system is a structured approach to manage all foreseeable risks relating to dam failure. It is designed to be used by the dam owner to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the safety of people, property and the environment is not put at risk from the dam. Regulation Part 5, clause 12This information will NOT be shown in final report. 





Documenting the dam safety management system





Implementing the dam safety management system




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Dam safety management system review



Assessment of societal and individual risk rating

The owner of a declared dam (other than a proposed dam) must use the risk management framework, Regulation Part 5, clause 14 to produce a written report on all foreseeable risks to the dam:

  • at least once every 5 years
  • when a major change to the dam is proposed, and
  • when required by Dams Safety NSW. Regulation, clause 15









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Other safety requirements - Regulation, Part 6

Incident reporting

The declared dam owner must report incidents that happen at or in relation to the dam to Dams Safety NSW. Regulation, clause 19




Safety review

The declared dam owner must ensure that a safety review to assess the overall safety of the dam is undertaken by:

  • for an extreme or high consequence dam, other than a high C consequence dam—a team of at least 2 competent persons, or
  • otherwise—a competent person.

The declared dam owner must ensure a safety review is carried out at least once every 15 years, and as soon as practicable after:

  • a deficiency or weakness in the dam is identified
  • there is a change in the accepted technology or methods used in one of the relevant specialties or design criteria for dams
  • the dam consequence category changes, or
  • it is required by Dams Safety NSW. Regulation, clause 20



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For extreme and high consequence dams only

If the dam's consequence category is extreme, high A or high B, the safety review must be reviewed by a panel of at least 2 independent competent persons. Regulation, subclause 20(6) 


If the dam's consequence category is high C, the safety review must be reviewed by an independent competent person. Regulation, subclause 20(6A)


Notification of significant changes to the dam

Before making any significant change to the configuration of the declared dam that may affect the safety of the dam, the dam owner must inform Dams Safety NSW of the proposed change in writing. Regulation, clause 21







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Emergency exercises

The declared dam owner must ensure that staff who are involved in the operation of the dam undertake emergency exercises at least once every 3 years. Regulation, clause 22




For extreme or high consequence dams only

The declared dam owner must ensure that staff who are involved in operating the dam undertake practical emergency exercises at least once every 5 years, where possible including relevant agencies identified in the emergency plan. Regulation, subclauses 22 (3) and 22 (4)




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Design and construction

Do not complete this section unless you are in the design, construction, commissioning, or decommissioning phase

Dam safety management system for design and construction



Certain work must be carried out by a person subject to a quality management system Regulation, subclause 23(1)


Independent competent persons must review work involving dam design Regulation, clause 24



Section 3 - Additional information for Dams Safety NSW





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Section 4 - Attestation

The Attestation of the information provided in the form must be completed by the dam owner office holder(s):



Dam owner

Attesting office holder(s)

 Local council

 General Manager

 Company

  • 2 directors, or
  • 1 director and 1 company secretary
  • The combined director and company secretary (Where there is only 1 director)

 Statutory state-   owned   corporation

 Chief Executive Officer or Managing Director responsible   for managing the   operation of the statutory state-owned   corporation in accordance with the   general policies and   specific directions of the board

 Statutory   corporation

 Corporation with 2 or more members:

  • President, chairperson or another principal officer of the corporation
  • Sole corporation
  • The person who constituted the constitution
  • The person managing the affairs of the corporation

 Government   department

 Secretary

 Individual

 Individual

Declared dam owner office holder(s) attesting to the accuracy of this report









Before submitting please note:
1. Review your response on the next page after pressing 'Submit'.
2. You MUST click the confirm button at the bottom of the next page to submit your report to Dams Safety NSW.
3. The 24A contact will receive an email with the PDF report from nintex@au.workflowcloud.com.
4. Names and contact details will not show in the PDF.