Legislative Council Tuesday 08 December, 2020

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

1. In response to my question on 28 October your answer noted that TasWater reduced the level of the Waratah Reservoir in accordance with the Water Management Act 1999 Section 165G because of an Emergency situation. Under the Act a “Consequence Category Assessment” is required.

a. Please provide the full details of this assessment that prompted TasWater to act.

ANSWER:
The Consequence Category Assessment for Waratah Reservoir is “Significant”. Details on how the Assessment was reached is a matter for TasWater.

TasWater discovered a leak (referred to as ‘piping’) in the dam wall at Waratah Reservoir. A significant rain event was underway with further rainfall expected.

TasWater acted to reduce the water level to below the piping event (by 1.2 metres) by widening the spillway. TasWater informed the Dam Safety Regulator (the Regulator) that works had been undertaken.

TasWater undertook works under Section 165G (Duty of safe operation of dam) of the Water Management Act (the Act), which provides: An owner of a dam must, so far as is reasonably practicable, maintain and operate the dam so as not to cause, or be likely to cause, material environmental harm or serious environmental harm or danger to any person or property.

At the completion of emergency works TasWater notified the Regulator that works had been undertaken.
The Regulator determined that the works did not need a permit in accordance with Section 143 of the Act, as the dam works were required to maintain the structural integrity of the dam and the works were limited to such works as were necessary for that purpose.

TasWater has and continues to liaise regularly with the Regulator in the management of the dam.