Dangerous dams policy

We’re reviewing our dangerous, earthquake-prone and flood-prone dams policy.

Under section 161 of the Building Act 2004, we’re required to review this policy at intervals of not more than five years. We also need to meet the requirements of the Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2022. Please note that we aren’t consulting on the regulations, but on a new policy.

The policy helps prevent catastrophic failure of a potentially dangerous dam, and ensures deficiencies in any earthquake-prone or flood-prone dams are addressed.

Background

The Building (Dam Safety) Regulations came into effect on 13 May 2024 and are Aotearoa New Zealand’s first nationally consistent approach to ensuring dams are and continue to be safe, and protect people, property and the environment.

The Building Act 2004 requires regional councils to adopt and implement a policy on dangerous dams, flood-prone dams and earthquake-prone dams. Our existing dangerous, earthquake-prone and flood-prone dams policy does not reflect the Government's new regulations. We have therefore reviewed and drafted a new proposed policy to align with the new regulations.

This policy supports our activities under the Environmental Regulation and Protection core service.

Policy purpose

The proposed policy outlines:

  • How we will perform our legislative functions in relation to dangerous, earthquake-prone and flood-prone dams
  • Our priorities when performing these functions
  • How the policy will apply to heritage dams.

The policy for Waitaha/Canterbury has been developed alongside those of other regional councils to ensure national consistency around what is expected of dam owners.

Opportunity to have your say

Before we adopt the new policy, we must consult with the public using a special consultative procedure under the Local Government Act.

The views of people who live, work and play in Waitaha/Canterbury are important. We would like your feedback on the proposed policy overall and some more specific points. Anyone can make a submission. Your submission can support or oppose the proposals.

Consultation opened on Monday 2 September 2024, and closed on Friday 4 October 2024.

Next steps

Now that submissions have closed, we will summarise them in a report and prepare for a hearing. Council will then deliberate based on the feedback received. Council may make changes to the draft policy and will then meet to formally adopt the new policy. This is likely to happen in November 2024.

We’re reviewing our dangerous, earthquake-prone and flood-prone dams policy.

Under section 161 of the Building Act 2004, we’re required to review this policy at intervals of not more than five years. We also need to meet the requirements of the Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2022. Please note that we aren’t consulting on the regulations, but on a new policy.

The policy helps prevent catastrophic failure of a potentially dangerous dam, and ensures deficiencies in any earthquake-prone or flood-prone dams are addressed.

Background

The Building (Dam Safety) Regulations came into effect on 13 May 2024 and are Aotearoa New Zealand’s first nationally consistent approach to ensuring dams are and continue to be safe, and protect people, property and the environment.

The Building Act 2004 requires regional councils to adopt and implement a policy on dangerous dams, flood-prone dams and earthquake-prone dams. Our existing dangerous, earthquake-prone and flood-prone dams policy does not reflect the Government's new regulations. We have therefore reviewed and drafted a new proposed policy to align with the new regulations.

This policy supports our activities under the Environmental Regulation and Protection core service.

Policy purpose

The proposed policy outlines:

  • How we will perform our legislative functions in relation to dangerous, earthquake-prone and flood-prone dams
  • Our priorities when performing these functions
  • How the policy will apply to heritage dams.

The policy for Waitaha/Canterbury has been developed alongside those of other regional councils to ensure national consistency around what is expected of dam owners.

Opportunity to have your say

Before we adopt the new policy, we must consult with the public using a special consultative procedure under the Local Government Act.

The views of people who live, work and play in Waitaha/Canterbury are important. We would like your feedback on the proposed policy overall and some more specific points. Anyone can make a submission. Your submission can support or oppose the proposals.

Consultation opened on Monday 2 September 2024, and closed on Friday 4 October 2024.

Next steps

Now that submissions have closed, we will summarise them in a report and prepare for a hearing. Council will then deliberate based on the feedback received. Council may make changes to the draft policy and will then meet to formally adopt the new policy. This is likely to happen in November 2024.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Submission form | Puka urupare

    Thank you for taking the time to make a submission on this policy.

    Submissions are public information. Your name and feedback will be published and available to elected members and the public.

    Contact details, such as your email address and phone number (if provided), will not be published. They may be given to councillors if they wish to contact you about your submission. Staff may use contact details to administer the consultation process.


    You can read our Privacy Statement on the Environment Canterbury website. This outlines how we will hold and protect the personal information you provide. If there are good reasons why your name and/or feedback should be kept confidential, contact us at haveyoursay@ecan.govt.nz and specify why that information should be withheld.


    Please note that you should not include any personal information in the open text fields of the submission if you do not wish it to be made public.

Page last updated: 07 Oct 2024, 08:38 AM