Media release
13 May 2009
Don’t be dammed
Southern Rural Water advises anyone thinking of constructing a new farm
dam or altering an existing one to obtain a licence first.
The water authority has prosecuted several dam owners across the state for
illegal construction in recent years, with a range of penalties which could
include dismantling the dam.
Landowners need a licence to construct or alter a dam if it is situated on a
waterway, which includes not only rivers and creeks, but also natural or manmade channels, lagoons, swamps and marshes.
Construction or alteration of large dams also requires a licence. A large dam
includes those with:
 A wall that is 5 metres or higher, and with a capacity of 50ML or more
 A wall 10 metres or higher, with a capacity of 20ML or more
 A wall 15 metres or higher, regardless of capacity
Large dams also require an Operating Licence, and any dam being used for
anything other than domestic and stock use must have a surface water take
and use licence.
SRW’s Manager Groundwater and Rivers, Craig Parker, advised any farmer
thinking about constructing or altering a dam to phone Southern Rural Water
to check if a licence is required.
“We also advise landowners to always consult with an engineer who
specialises in farm dams,” he said.
“A farm dam is a large investment; it pays to do it properly the first time round.
You don’t want to either dismantle it because you have no licence, or see it
fail because of improper construction.”
For more information, contact Southern Rural Water on 1300 139 510.
ENDS.
MEDIA PLEASE NOTE:
For media enquiries please contact Janet Granger-Wilcox on 0434 316 500 or 9259
5005.
Southern Rural Water
1300 139 510