Dam emergency plan summary information sheet: Frequently Asked Questions
Do all declared dam emergency plans need to include a summary information sheet at the front of the plan?
Yes, Dams Safety NSW expects that all declared dam owners will include the approved form of the summary information sheet at the front of their dam’s emergency plan.
Does the summary information sheet need to be in a particular format?
Yes, declared dam owners must use the summary information sheet form.
Why does the summary information need to be in a particular format and included at the front of the emergency plan?
In an emergency, the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) needs to find information about a dam quickly, including key contact details. Searching through an emergency plan wastes precious time.
The NSW SES developed the summary information sheet to provide the information in a consistent format, at the front of the dam emergency plan.
When does a declared dam owner need to update their emergency plan?
Dams Safety NSW expects declared dam owners to incorporate the new summary information sheet in their emergency plans as soon as possible.
The Dams Safety Regulation 2019 requires a declared dam owner to review their emergency plan’s contact details at least annually. The summary information sheet needs to be included in the emergency plan at this next annual review.
Where do dam owners send their updated emergency plans?
Once you have updated your dam’s emergency plan with the new summary information sheet, email the updated emergency plan to Dams Safety NSW at info@damsafety.nsw.gov.au AND to the NSW SES at nswses.communityplanning@ses.nsw.gov.au
What is the regulatory basis for making the summary information sheet mandatory?
The need for a summary information sheet is not new. The former Dams Safety Committee included a requirement for a summary information sheet in its ‘Emergency management for dams’ guidance sheet.
The need for a summary information sheet has also been included in Dams Safety NSW emergency plan guidance material since September 2020.
Clause 11 of Dams Safety Regulation 2019 requires that a declared dam owner is to have regard to any relevant guidance material issued by Dams Safety NSW when preparing an emergency plan. The summary information sheet is included in the emergency plan guideline.
More information on emergency plans
For more information on emergency plans, refer to the Dams Safety NSW Emergency Plan guideline.