Building Act Dam Safety Scheme - Delay in implementation

The dam safety scheme has been delayed by government until 1 July 2012 as a result of a review they commissioned on the Building Act 2004.

The review of the dam safety scheme was undertaken by an independent reviewer to see if the scheme was ‘fit for purpose’.   For more information about the independent review into the dam safety scheme or to view the reviewer’s report visit http://www.dbh.govt.nz/buildingactreview-independent-reviews

What does this mean for dam owners?

From 1 July 2010 dam owners were required to classify the potential impact of their dam and then prepare a dam safety assurance programme and annual compliance certificate (if the dam was had a medium or high potential impact).  This requirement has now been delayed until 1 July 2012 so recommendations from the review can be discussed with the sector and amendments made to the legislation.
Once the recommendations are decided on by government, dam owners affected by the provisions will be contacted by the Authority responsible for administering the scheme, with further information.
The review recommendations relate only to the dam safety scheme;  there have been no changes to building consent requirements. Dam owners/builders are still required to apply for a building consent for the construction of a new dam or alterations to an existing dam if the dam retains a depth of three or more metres and 20,000 cubic meters of water or other fluid.