Dams Safety Act 1978 No 96



An Act to constitute the Dams Safety Committee and to confer and impose on the Committee functions relating to the safety of certain dams.
Part 1 Preliminary
1   Name of Act
This Act may be cited as the Dams Safety Act 1978.
2   Commencement
(1)  This section and section 1 shall commence on the date of assent to this Act.
(2)  Except as provided in subsection (1), this Act shall commence on such day as may be appointed by the Governor in respect thereof and as may be notified by proclamation published in the Gazette.
3   (Repealed)
s 3: Rep GG No 120 of 18.7.1986, p 3490.
4   Definitions
(1)  In this Act, except in so far as the context or subject-matter otherwise indicates or requires:
chairperson means the chairperson of the Committee appointed under section 9.
Committee means the Dams Safety Committee constituted under section 7.
functions includes powers, authorities and duties.
member means a member of the Committee.
owner, in relation to a dam, means any person or public authority who, whether solely or with some other person or public authority, owns, controls, operates, manages or maintains the dam and includes any person or public authority who, whether solely or with some other person or public authority, proposes to build a dam.
prescribed dam means a dam, or proposed dam, for the time being specified or described in Schedule 1.
public authority means any public or local authority constituted by or under an Act other than this Act.
regulation means a regulation made under this Act.
(2)  A reference in this Act to the exercise of a function includes, where the function is a duty, the performance of that duty.
5   Act binds Crown
This Act, section 30 excepted, binds the Crown not only in right of New South Wales but also, so far as the legislative power of Parliament permits, the Crown in all its other capacities.
6   Liability of certain persons not affected
Nothing in this Act derogates from or affects the liability of any person arising from any act or omission of that person or the person’s servants or agents with respect to a prescribed dam.
Part 2 Constitution of the Committee
7   The Committee
(1)  There is hereby constituted a corporation under the corporate name of the “Dams Safety Committee”.
(2)  The Committee is, for the purposes of any Act, a statutory body representing the Crown.
(3)  In the exercise of its functions (except in relation to the contents of a report or recommendation made by it to the Minister or any other person), the Committee shall be subject in all respects to the control and direction of the Minister.
8   Members
(1)  The Committee shall consist of 9 part-time members appointed by the Minister.
(2)  The members shall be:
(a)  a person nominated by Snowy Hydro Limited,
(a1)  a person nominated by the portfolio Minister under the State Owned Corporations Act 1989 for the electricity generators that are State owned corporations under that Act,
(b)  a person nominated by the Sydney Catchment Authority constituted under the Sydney Water Catchment Management Act 1998,
(c)  a person nominated by the Water Administration Ministerial Corporation constituted by the Water Management Act 2000,
(d)  a person nominated by the Hunter Water Corporation referred to in the Hunter Water Board (Corporatisation) Act 1991,
(e)  a person nominated by the Minister administering the Public Works Act 1912,
(f)  2 persons nominated by the Federal Council of the Institution of Engineers, Australia, and
(g)  a person nominated by the Minister administering the Mining Act 1992.
(3)  A person shall not be nominated for appointment as a member unless the person is, in the opinion of the person making the nomination, experienced in dam engineering.
(4)  Where, for the purposes of subsection (2), a nomination of a person for appointment as a member is not made within the time or in the manner specified by the Minister in a notice in writing given to the body or person entitled to make the nomination, the Minister may appoint any person who, in the opinion of the Minister, is experienced in dam engineering to be a member instead of the person required to be appointed on that nomination.
(5)  Nothing in subsection (3) or (4) prevents the nomination or appointment of a person who is not, in the opinion of the person making the nomination or appointment, experienced in dam engineering as the member referred to in subsection (2) (g).
s 8: Am 1986 No 205, Sch 2; 1991 No 53, Sch 1; 1992 No 29, Sch 5; 1994 No 88, Sch 7; 1995 No 18, Sch 5.6; 1998 No 145, Sch 5.1 [1] [2]; 1999 No 85, Sch 1.10; 2000 No 92, Sch 8.7; 2003 No 17, Sch 3.3 [1] [2].
9   Chairperson
The Minister shall appoint one of the members as chairperson of the Committee.
10   Provisions relating to the constitution and procedure of the Committee
Schedule 2 has effect.
11   Committee may make use of facilities and employees of Crown etc
For the purpose of exercising its functions, the Committee may, with the approval of the Minister and of the Department or public authority concerned and on such terms as may be arranged, make use of the facilities, or the services of any officers, employees or servants, of any Department of the Government or of any public authority.
12   Sub-committees
(1)  The Committee may establish standing or special sub-committees for the purpose of advising the Committee in the exercise of its functions under this Act and may appoint as a member of any such sub-committee any person who, in its opinion, appears to be qualified to be a member of that sub-committee, whether or not the person is a member of the Committee.
(2)  The Committee shall appoint one of the members of a sub-committee established under subsection (1) to be chairperson of the sub-committee and any such sub-committee may, subject to subsection (3) and to any directions of the Committee, regulate its procedure in such manner as it thinks fit.
(3)  The Committee may specify the number of persons who shall constitute a quorum of a sub-committee established under this section.
13   Dams Safety Committee Account
(1)  There shall be established in the Special Deposits Account in the Treasury a Dams Safety Committee Account into which shall be deposited all money received by the Committee and from which shall be paid all amounts required to meet expenditure incurred in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
(2)  The Treasurer may, out of money provided by Parliament, from time to time make such contributions to the funds of the Committee as may be determined by the Treasurer.
Part 3 Functions of the Committee
14   Functions of Committee
The functions of the Committee are:
(a)  to maintain a surveillance of prescribed dams, the environs under, over and surrounding prescribed dams and the waters or other materials impounded by prescribed dams to ensure the safety of prescribed dams,
(b)  to examine and investigate the location, design, construction, reconstruction, extension, modification, operation and maintenance of prescribed dams, the environs under, over and surrounding prescribed dams and the waters or other materials impounded by prescribed dams,
(c)  to obtain information and keep records on matters relating to the safety of dams,
(d)  to formulate measures to ensure the safety of dams,
(e)  to make such reports or recommendations to the Minister or any other person in relation to the safety of prescribed dams as the Committee considers necessary or appropriate,
(f)  to make reports and recommendations with respect to the prescription of dams for the purposes of this Act,
(g)  to exercise such other functions as are conferred or imposed on the Committee by or under this or any other Act or the regulations, and
(h)  to do such supplemental, incidental and consequential acts as may be necessary or expedient for the exercise of its functions.
15   Keeping and furnishing information
(1)  The Committee may, by notice in writing, require the owner of a prescribed dam specified in the notice to do either or both of the following things:
(a)  make such observations, take such measurements and keep such records of or in respect of the prescribed dam, the environs over, under and surrounding the prescribed dam and the water or other material impounded by the prescribed dam as may be specified in the notice,
(b)  furnish to the Committee in respect of the prescribed dam such information and such books, plans, documents or other papers and such films, tapes or other records as may be specified or described in the notice,
and the owner shall comply with the requirement.
(2)  Where an owner of a prescribed dam fails to comply with the requirement of a notice under subsection (1), the Committee may exercise the functions referred to in subsection (1) (a) in respect of the prescribed dam and recover the costs and expenses thereof or incidental thereto from the owner as a debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.
16   Entry, inspection, testing etc
(1)  In this section, a reference to land comprising a dam includes a reference to the water or other material impounded by the dam.
(2)  The Committee may authorise a person, in writing, to carry out inspections, for the purposes of this Act, of any dam.
(3)  A person authorised under subsection (2) may enter any land or any place on any land comprising any dam or the environs over, under or surrounding any dam and may thereon or therein carry out such inspections, tests, investigations, surveys, experiments, boring, drilling and exploration, and take such samples and such photographs, as the person considers necessary in connection with the administration of this Act.
(4)  A person authorised under subsection (2) shall not, in relation to any land or any place on any land, exercise any of the functions conferred by subsection (3) unless reasonable notice has been given to the owner or occupier of the land or place of the intention to exercise those functions.
(5)  In addition to the requirements of subsection (4), a person authorised under subsection (2) shall not exercise any of the functions conferred by subsection (3):
(a)  in relation to any land or any place on any land which comprises a mine within the meaning of the Coal Mines Regulation Act 1982 or an open cut working within the meaning of that Act unless:
(i)  reasonable notice has been given to the Chief Inspector of Coal Mines appointed as referred to in that Act of the intention to exercise those functions, and
(ii)  the person is accompanied by the Chief Inspector of Coal Mines or a person nominated by that Chief Inspector in the exercise of those functions, or
(b)  in relation to any land or any place on any land which comprises a mine within the meaning of the Mining Act 1992 unless:
(i)  reasonable notice has been given to the Chief Inspector of Mines within the Department of Mineral Resources of the intention to exercise those functions, and
(ii)  the person is accompanied by the Chief Inspector of Mines or a person nominated by that Chief Inspector in the exercise of those functions.
(6)  In the exercise of a function conferred by subsection (3), the Committee shall ensure that no more damage than may be necessary in the circumstances is inflicted and shall fully compensate any person who sustains damage in the course of the exercise of that function.
(7)  A person authorised under subsection (2), in exercising a function conferred by subsection (3) in relation to any land or any place on any land, shall, if so required by a person apparently in charge of that land or place produce the instrument of his or her authority to that person.
s 16: Am GG No 120 of 18.7.1986, p 3490; 1992 No 29, Sch 5.
17   Obstruction of authorised person
A person shall not obstruct, hinder or interfere with a person authorised under section 16 (2) in the exercise of the person’s functions under section 16.
18   Giving of notices to ensure safety of prescribed dams
(1)  Where it appears to the Committee that a prescribed dam is unsafe or is in danger of becoming unsafe, the Committee may, by notice in writing, require the owner of the prescribed dam to do such things as are specified or described in the notice as may be reasonably necessary to ensure the safety of the prescribed dam.
(2)  Where it appears to the Committee that anything done or proposed to be done to or in relation to a prescribed dam or in the vicinity of a prescribed dam by the owner of the prescribed dam or any other person may endanger the safety of the prescribed dam, the Committee may, by notice in writing, require the owner or other person, as the case may be, to do such things as are specified or described in the notice as may be reasonably necessary to ensure the safety of the prescribed dam and the owner or other person shall comply with the requirement.
(3)  A notice under subsection (2) requiring the cessation of any work or activity being done or proposed to be done to or in relation to a prescribed dam or in the vicinity of a prescribed dam by a person other than the owner of the prescribed dam shall not be given without the approval of:
(a)  except as provided by paragraph (b), the Minister, or
(b)  where the work or activity relates to the operation of:
(i)  a mine within the meaning of the Coal Mines Regulation Act 1982 or an open cut working within the meaning of that Act, or
(ii)  a mine within the meaning of the Mining Act 1992,
the Premier.
s 18: Am GG No 120 of 18.7.1986, p 3490; 1992 No 29, Sch 5.
19   Inquiries
(1)  The Committee may, and if directed to do so by the Minister shall, conduct an inquiry into any matter relating to the safety of a prescribed dam.
(2)  The Committee may, by order in writing, authorise, on such terms and conditions as are specified in the order:
(a)  a sub-committee established under section 12, or
(b)  with the approval of the Minister, any other person,
to examine, and report to the Committee on, any matter in connection with an inquiry (including an inquiry that the Minister has directed to be conducted).
(3)  Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the power of the Committee to conduct an examination in connection with an inquiry under this section and the Committee may conduct such an examination notwithstanding that it has authorised another body or person to do so.
20   Evidence at inquiry
(1)  A body or person conducting an inquiry or examination under section 19 may require a person, by notice in writing:
(a)  within such reasonable time as may be specified in the notice, to furnish to that body or person such information and to produce to that body or person such books, plans, documents or other papers and such films, tapes or other records in the person’s possession or under the person’s control as may be required for the purpose of the inquiry or examination, as the case may be, and may be specified in the notice, whether generally or otherwise, or
(b)  to attend, at a time and place specified in the notice, before that body or person and thereafter from time to time as required by that body or person to give evidence concerning any matter the subject of the inquiry or examination, as the case may be, and to produce all such books, plans, documents or other papers and such films, tapes or other records in the person’s possession or under the person’s control as may be required for the purpose of that inquiry or examination, as the case may be, and as may be specified in the notice, whether generally or otherwise.
(2)  A body or person conducting an inquiry or examination under section 19 may, subject to section 13 of the Oaths Act 1900, require any evidence referred to in subsection (1) (b) to be given on oath, and either in writing or orally, and for that purpose:
(a)  where the inquiry or examination is being conducted by a body, the person presiding at the inquiry or examination, or
(b)  where the inquiry or examination is being conducted by a person, that person,
may administer an oath.
(3)  A person shall not neglect or refuse to comply with the requirements of a notice served on the person under this section.
(4)  A person shall not:
(a)  furnish any information referred to in subsection (1) (a) required of the person pursuant to a notice served on the person under subsection (1) that is false or misleading in a material particular, or
(b)  give any evidence referred to in subsection (1) (b) that is false or misleading in a material particular.
(5)  It is a sufficient defence to a prosecution arising under subsection (4) if the defendant proves that he or she believed the truth of the information or evidence given by him or her and that it was given in good faith.
21   State of emergency
(1)  Where:
(a)  a prescribed dam has collapsed or failed, in whole or in part, or
(b)  the Minister, whether or not any recommendation in that behalf has been made to the Minister by the Committee, is of the opinion that a prescribed dam is liable to collapse or failure, in whole or in part,
the Minister may, by order in writing, declare that a state of emergency exists in respect of the prescribed dam.
(2)  An order made under subsection (1) shall take effect from the making thereof or from a later date specified in the order and shall, unless sooner revoked, continue in force for such period as is specified in the order.
(3)  An order made under subsection (1) shall be published in the Gazette as soon as practicable.
22   Functions of Committee in state of emergency
Without limiting or restricting the functions conferred or imposed on the Committee under the other provisions of this Act, where an order made under section 21 (1) is in force, the Committee shall, at the direction or with the approval of the Minister, do any one or more of the following things in relation to the prescribed dam to which the order applies:
(a)  take full charge and control of the prescribed dam, the environs under, over and surrounding the prescribed dam and the water or other material impounded by the prescribed dam,
(b)  release or discharge the whole or such part as the Committee thinks fit of the water or other material impounded by the prescribed dam,
(c)  carry out all such works and do all such things as, in the opinion of the Committee, are necessary to render the prescribed dam safe,
(d)  demolish or remove the whole or any part of the prescribed dam or any work or structure on the prescribed dam, the water or other material impounded by the prescribed dam or the environs under, over or surrounding the prescribed dam,
(e)  take such other action as the Minister directs or approves.
23   Recovery of costs and expenses
The Committee may recover the costs and expenses incurred by it in the exercise of its functions under section 22 in respect of a prescribed dam from the owner of the prescribed dam as a debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.
24   Contracts
(1)  The Committee may make and enter into contracts with any person for the carrying out of works, the performance of services or the supply of goods or materials in connection with the exercise by the Committee of its functions.
(2)  A contract under this section shall be deemed for the purposes of the Constitution Act 1902 to be a contract for or on account of the Public Service of New South Wales.
25   Arrangements with public authorities
(1)  The Committee may enter into an arrangement or agreement with any public authority that:
(a)  the public authority shall act as agent of the Committee for the purposes of this Act, or
(b)  the Committee shall act as agent of the public authority for the purposes of this Act,
on such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between the Committee and the public authority.
(2)  Notwithstanding anything in any other Act, any public authority is hereby authorised and empowered to enter into arrangements or agreements referred to in subsection (1) and may do or suffer anything necessary or expedient for carrying out any such arrangements or agreements.
26   Arrangements for investigation and research
The Committee may enter into arrangements with:
(a)  a Minister of the Crown of any State, a Minister of State of the Commonwealth or a Department or instrumentality of the Commonwealth or of any State,
(b)  a university or another tertiary institution, or
(c)  any other body or person,
with respect to the conduct of any investigation, study or research that may be necessary or desirable for the purposes of this Act.
Part 4 General
27   Amendment etc of Schedule 1
(1)  The Governor may, by proclamation published in the Gazette, amend Schedule 1:
(a)  by omitting therefrom the name of a prescribed dam and any matter relating to the description or location of the prescribed dam,
(b)  by inserting therein the name of a dam and matter relating to the description or location of that dam, or
(c)  by altering the name of a prescribed dam or any other matter appearing in Schedule 1.
(2)  The Governor may, by proclamation published in the Gazette, amend this Act by omitting Schedule 1 and by inserting instead a Schedule containing the names and locations of dams.
28   Delegation
(1)  The Committee may, by resolution, delegate to:
(a)  a member, or
(b)  an officer, employee or servant of a Department of the Government or of a public authority,
the exercise of such of the Committee’s functions (other than this power of delegation) as may be specified in the resolution, and may, by resolution, revoke wholly or in part any such delegation.
(2)  A function, the exercise of which has been delegated under this section, may, while the delegation remains unrevoked, be exercised from time to time in accordance with the terms of the delegation.
(3)  A delegation under this section may be made subject to conditions or limitations as to the exercise of any functions delegated, or as to time or circumstance.
(4)  Notwithstanding any delegation under this section, the Committee may continue to exercise all or any of the functions delegated.
(5)  Any act or thing done or suffered by a delegate while acting in the exercise of a delegation under this section shall have the same force and effect as if the act or thing had been done or suffered by the Committee and shall be deemed to have been done or suffered by the Committee.
(6)  An instrument purporting to be signed by a delegate of the Committee in the person’s capacity as such a delegate shall in all courts and before all persons acting judicially be received in evidence as if it were an instrument executed by the Committee under seal and, until the contrary is proved, shall be deemed to be an instrument signed by a delegate of the Committee under this section.
29   Authentication of documents
A notice or other document requiring authentication by the Committee may be sufficiently authenticated without the seal of the Committee if signed by the chairperson.
30   Offences
A person who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of this Act or a notice given by the Committee under this Act shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a penalty not exceeding 10 penalty units.
s 30: Am 1993 No 47, Sch 1.
31   Proceedings for offences
Any penalty imposed by this Act or the regulations may be recovered in a summary manner before a Local Court.
s 31: Am GG No 120 of 18.7.1986, p 3490; 2001 No 121, Sch 2.81.
32   Regulations
(1)  The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act and, in particular, for or with respect to:
(a)  the procedure for the calling of, and for the conduct of business at, meetings of the Committee,
(b)  the travelling expenses and the compensation to be paid to persons attending or giving evidence at an inquiry or examination as referred to in section 20, and
(c)  the remuneration, travelling and subsistence allowances to be paid to members, not being members of the Committee, of a sub-committee established under section 12.
(2)  A regulation may authorise any matter or thing to be from time to time determined, applied or regulated by any person specified therein, either generally or for any class of cases or in a particular case.
(3)  A regulation may be made so as to apply differently according to such factors as may be specified in the regulation.
(4)  A regulation may impose a penalty not exceeding 5 penalty units for any offence against the regulation.
s 32: Am 1993 No 47, Sch 1.
Schedule 1 Prescribed dams
(Sections 4 (1), 27)
Column 1
Column 2
Name of dam
Location of dam
Aldridges Creek
Aldridges Creek near Ellerstone
Antienne Lease Tailings Dam
Off-stream, near Ravensworth
Avon
Avon River near Bargo
Bagnalls Beach Road Detention Basin
Off-stream, Corlette, Port Stephens
Bamarang
Off-stream storage near Nowra
Banks Road Retarding Basin
Banks Road, Liverpool
Baryulgil Mine Dam
Oaky Creek, Baryulgil
Bayswater Ash
Pikes Gully near Jerry’s Plains
Bayswater Brine Decant
Unnamed watercourse near Muswellbrook
Bayswater Cooling Make Up
Unnamed watercourse near Bayswater
Bayswater 2 Main Dam
Unnamed watercourse, Muswellbrook
Beardy Waters
Beardy Waters near Glen Innes
Beargamil
Beargamil Creek near Parkes
Ben Boyd
Off-stream storage near Eden
Bendeela Pondage
Off-stream storage near Nowra
Bengalla Stage Discharge
Unnamed creek, Bengalla, near Muswellbrook
Bethungra
Wandalybengle Creek near Bethungra
Blackbutt Reserve
Unnamed watercourse at Shellharbour
Blowering
Tumut River near Tumut
Bobs Dump Tailings Dam
Unnamed watercourse, Howick Coal Mine, Hunter Valley
Bogolong
Bogolong Creek near Grenfell
Bonalbo
Off-stream storage at Bonalbo
Boorowa Dam
Boorowa River, Boorowa
Bootawa
Off-stream storage near Taree
Borenore Creek
Borenore Creek near Molong
Brennan’s Creek
Brennan’s Creek near Appin
Brogo
Brogo River near Bega
Brokers Road Retarding Basin
Cabbage Tree Creek at Wollongong
Brooklyn Retarding Basin
Unnamed watercourse near Brooklyn
Broughtons Pass Weir
Cataract Weir near Wilton
Broula King Gold Mine Tailings
Tyagong Creek, Bumbaldry
Browns Creek Tailings No 4
Cowriga Creek near Blayney
Bucklands Retarding Basin
Kooloona Avenue, Figtree, Wollongong
Bundanoon
Bundanoon Creek near Moss Vale
Burrendong
Macquarie River near Wellington
Burrinjuck
Murrumbidgee River near Yass
Cadia North Waste Dump Detention Basin
Hoare’s Creek, Cadia, near Orange
Cadia Southern Tailings Dam
Rodds Creek, Cadia
Cadia Tailings Dam
Rodds Creek near Orange
Cadiangullong Dam
Cadiangullong Creek near Orange
Camberwell Coal D2
Station Creek near Camberwell
Camberwell Tailings 2
Station Creek, Singleton
Campbelltown Link Area Basin 1
Tributary of Bow Bowing Creek, Campbelltown
Campbelltown North Detention Basin
Off-stream, Campbelltown, Sydney
Captains Flat
Molonglo River at Captains Flat
Carcoar
Belubula River near Carcoar
Cascade No 1
Cascade Creek near Katoomba
Cascade No 2
Cascade Creek near Katoomba
Cascade No 3
Cascade Creek near Katoomba
Cataract
Cataract River near Bulli
Cecil Hills Retarding Basin
Hinchinbrook Creek, Cecil Hills
Cecil Park Basin 3A
Hinchinbrook Creek, Cecil Park
Centennial Park Reservoir No 1
Centennial Park, Sydney
Centennial Park Reservoir No 2
Centennial Park, Sydney
Chaffey
Peel River near Tamworth
Chain of Ponds 13B
Chain of Ponds Creek, Muswellbrook
Chichester
Chichester River near Dungog
Chifley
Campbells River near Bathurst
Clarrie Hall
Doon Doon Creek near Uki
Coalcliff
Stanwell Creek near Stanwell Park
Cochrane
Georges Creek near Bemboka
Coeypolly Creek No 1
Coeypolly Creek near Werris Creek
Coeypolly Creek No 2
Coeypolly Creek near Werris Creek
Colongra Creek Ash
Colongra Creek near Doyalson
Comberton Grange Retarding Basin
Off-stream storage near Nowra
Comin Place Detention Basin
Comin Place, Abbotsbury, Fairfield
Company
Grenfell
Copeton
Gwydir River near Inverell
Cordeaux
Cordeaux River near Wilton
Cowarra
King’s Creek Tributary, near Port Macquarie
Cowarra Creek Tailings
Cowarra Creek near Bredbo
Crookwell
Kentgrove Creek near Crookwell
CSA Tailings Dam
Off-stream, near Cobar
CSIRO Retarding Basin
Great Western Highway, Girraween
Danjerra
Danjerra Creek near Nowra
Dapto Heights Retarding Basin
Brooks Creek at Dapto
Dartbrook Mine Water Dam
Unnamed Creek, Muswellbrook
Dartbrook Tailings Dam
Unnamed watercourse, Aberdeen, Hunter Valley
Daruk Park Detention Basin
Daruk Park, Casula, Liverpool
Deep Creek
Off-stream storage near Batemans Bay
Deep Creek Snowy Dam
Deep Creek, Khancoban
Delegate Retarding Basin
Delegate
D.E.P. Retarding Basin
Quarry Road, Prospect
Donaldson Coal Dirty Water
Tributary of Weakley’s Flat Creek, Beresfield
Dover Heights Reservoir
Portland Street, Dover Heights
Drayton Coal 1690
Tributary of Bayswater Creek near Muswellbrook
Drayton Water Supply
Tributary of Bayswater Creek near Muswellbrook
Dumaresq
Dumaresq Creek near Armidale
Dungowan
Dungowan Creek near Nundle
Dunn Swamp
Cudgegong River near Kandos
Duralie Coal Mine Water
Cheer Up Gully, Muswellbrook
Duralie Coal Shaft Creek
Coal Shaft Creek, Muswellbrook
Edgewood Detention Basin
Hollymount Creek, Woonona
El Klaros
Tributary of Cedar Creek near Maitland
Elanora
Tributary of Bakers Creek, Hillgrove
Emigrant Creek
Emigrant Creek near Ballina
Eraring Ash
Crooked Creek near Wangi Wangi
Eucumbene Dam
Eucumbene River, Eucumbene
Fitzroy Falls
Yarrunga Creek near Moss Vale
Floraville Road Basin
Floraville Road, Belmont North
Foothills Estate 1
Tributary of Towradgi Creek at Wollongong
Foothills Estate Retarding Basin 3
Foothills Estate, Tarrawanna
Foothills Road Retarding Basin
Foothills Road, Mount Ousley
Fountaindale
Fountaindale Creek near Jamberoo
Fox Hills Retarding Basin
Fox Hill Golf Course, Prospect
Galambine
Near Mudgee
Gannet Place Retarding Basin
Gannet Avenue, Berkeley
Garden Suburb Detention Basin
Upper branch of Winding Creek, Garden Suburb, Lake Macquarie
Geehi Dam
Geehi River, Kosciusko National Park
George Bass Drive Detention Basin
Off-stream, Batemans Bay
Glenbawn
Hunter River near Scone
Glenlee Tailings
Near Menangle Park
Glenmore Park Retarding Basin
Surveyor Creek, Penrith
Glennies Creek
Glennies Creek near Singleton
Glenquarry Cut
Off-stream storage near Moss Vale
Gooden Reserve Retaining Basin
Model Farm Creek, Baulkham Hills
Googong
Queanbeyan River near Queanbeyan
Gosling Creek
Gosling Creek, Orange
Grahamstown
Off-stream storage near Raymond Terrace
Greaves Creek
Greaves Creek near Blackheath
Green Meadows Retarding Basin
Green Meadows Estate, Albion Park Rail
Greenway Drive Retarding Basin 10A–B
Tributary of Cabramatta Creek, Leppington
Gunyah Park Retarding Basin
Dempster Street, West Wollongong
Guthega Dam
Snowy River, Guthega
Hamilton Valley Retention Basin 5A
Hamilton Valley Creek near Albury (Lavington)
Hamilton Valley Retention Basin 5B
Hamilton Valley Creek near Albury
Hillgrove Tailings Dam No 1
Bakers Creek near Armidale
Hillgrove Tailings Dam No 2
Off-stream, Hillgrove
Honeysuckle Creek
Honeysuckle Creek at Killara
Hovell Weir
Mannus Creek near Mannus
Hume
Murray River near Albury-Wodonga
Humphreys Creek
Humphreys Creek near Drake
Humphreys Creek Tailings
Humphreys Creek near Drake
Hungerford Hill Vineyards
First Creek, Pokolbin
Hunter Valley North Pit Tailings
Singleton
Huntley Colliery Washery Refuse No 2
Unnamed Creek, Huntley Colliery, Avondale
Imperial Lake
Willa-Willyong Creek near Broken Hill
Inverell
Macintyre River near Inverell
Island Bend Dam
Snowy River, Island Bend
Jindabyne Dam
Snowy River, Jindabyne
Jounama Dam
Tumut River, Talbingo
Junction Reef
Belubula River near Mandurama
Kanahooka Retention Basin
Off Mullet Creek near Kanahooka, Wollongong
Kangaroo Pipeline Control Structure
Off-stream storage at Morton National Park near Fitzroy Falls
Karangi
Off-stream storage near Coffs Harbour
Keepit
Namoi River near Gunnedah
Kentucky Creek
Kentucky Creek near Uralla
Khancoban Dam
Swampy Plain River, Khancoban
Killara Reservoir
Pacific Highway, Killara
Lake Canobolas
Molong Creek near Orange
Lake Endeavour
Billabong Creek near Parkes
Lake Ettamogah Winter Storage Dam
Nine Mile Creek, Ettamogah, near Albury
Lake Medlow
Wall’s Creek near Medlow Bath
Lake Pambulong Detention Basin
Unnamed watercourse, West Wallsend
Lake Parramatta
Hunt’s Creek near Parramatta
Lake Rowlands
Coombing Rivulet near Carcoar
Lake Tullimba
Head Station Creek near Armidale
Lemington Mine Tailings
Off-stream Storage near Warkworth
Lemington Mine Tailings Dam No 5
Off-stream, Singleton
Lidcombe Basin No 6
Tributary of Haslams Creek, Lidcombe
Liddell Ash Disposal
Saltwater Creek near Muswellbrook
Liddell Ash Levee
Bayswater Creek, Muswellbrook
Liddell Cooling Water
Gardiners Creek near Muswellbrook
Liddell Water Supply
Tinkers Creek near Muswellbrook
Lithgow No 1
Farmer’s Creek near Lithgow
Lithgow No 2
Farmer’s Creek near Lithgow
Lostock
Paterson River near Gresford
Loyalty Road Retarding Basin
Darling Mills Creek near Parramatta
Lyell (Lilyvale)
Cox’s River near Hartley
Malpas
Gara River near Armidale
Mangrove Creek
Mangrove Creek near Gosford
Manly
Curl Curl Creek near Manly Vale
Mannering Creek Ash
Mannering Creek near Wyee
Mardi
Off-stream storage near Wyong
Maroubra Reservoir
Vanny Place, Maroubra
McCoy Park Retarding Basin
Mimosa Avenue, Toongabbie
McKinnon’s Gold Project Tailings
Burdekin Resources, Cobar
Medway
Medway River near Berrima
Menindee Storages
Darling River and adjacent lakes near Menindee
Minmi Road Retarding Basin
Minmi Road, Fletcher, Newcastle
Molong Creek
Molong Creek, Molong
Moolarben Creek
Moolarben Creek near Ulan
Mooney Lower Dam
Mooney Mooney Creek near Gosford
Mooney Upper Dam
Mooney Mooney Creek near Gosford
Moores Creek
Moores Creek near Tamworth
Mt Arthur North Environmental Dam
Unnamed watercourse, South Muswellbrook
Mt Owen North Void Tailings
Hebden
Mt Owen Rail Loop Tailings
Hebden
Mt Thorley Central Ramp Tailings Dam
Unnamed watercourse, Mt Thorley Mine, Hunter Valley
Muirfield Golf Club Dam
Barclay Road, North Rocks
Muirfield Golf Course Retarding Basin
Muirfield Golf Course at North Rocks
Murray 2 Dam
Khancoban Back Creek, Khancoban
Murrurundi
Off-stream storage at Murrurundi
Narranbulla
Narambulla Creek near Marulan
Nepean
Nepean River near Bargo
Nixon
Oakey Creek near Barraba
North Parkes Tailings
Cookopie Creek at North Parkes
North Parkes Tailings Dam No 2
Cookopie Creek, North Parkes
North Turramurra Golf Course Dam
Cowan Creek, North Turramurra
Northmead Reserve Retarding Basin
Darling Mills Creek at Northmead
Northparkes Project Tailings
Cookopie Creek near North Parkes
Nyrang Park Retention Basin
Fairy Creek at Keiraville near Wollongong
Oak Flats Reservoir
Off-stream storage near Oak Flats
Oaky River
Oaky River near Armidale
Oberon
Fish River near Oberon
Palmtree Grove Retention Basin
Unnamed watercourse, Palmtree Grove, Umina
Pasminco Broken Hill Site D Tailings
Pasminco Broken Hill Mine, Broken Hill
Peak Gold Mine Tailings Dam
Off-stream, near Cobar
Pecan Close Retarding Basin
Wingello Creek, Wyoming
Pejar
Wollondilly River near Goulburn
Pindari
Severn River near Ashford
Piper’s Flat
Piper’s Flat Creek near Wallerawang
Plashett
Saltwater Creek, Jerry’s Plains
Port Macquarie
Off-stream storage near Port Macquarie
Port Waratah Fines Disposal Dam
Off-stream, Newcastle
Porters Creek
Porters Creek near Milton
Potts Hill Reservoir No 1
Off-stream storage near Lidcombe
Potts Hill Reservoir No 2
Off-stream storage near Lidcombe
Prospect
Prospect Creek, Prospect
Puddledock Creek
Puddledock Creek near Armidale
Ravensworth Mine Inpit Storage
Off-stream storage at Ravensworth
Ravensworth Void 3 Tailings Dam
Unnamed watercourse, Ravensworth
Redbank Creek
Redbank Creek near Mudgee
Research Station
Rifle Range Creek at Orange
Rocky Creek
Rocky Creek near Lismore
Rouse Hill Detention Basin 9B
Smalls Creek, Kellyville
Rouse Hill Detention Basin 16
Smalls Creek, Rouse Hill, Sydney
Rouse Hill Infrastructure Retarding Basin No 5
Caddies Creek at Parklea
Rouse Hill Infrastructure Retarding Basin No 9
Smalls Creek at Kellyville
Rouse Hill Infrastructure Retarding Basin No 13
Caddies Creek at Parklea
Rydal
Off-stream storage near Rydal
Rylstone
Cudgegong River near Rylstone
Sawyers Swamp Creek Ash
Sawyers Swamp Creek near Wallerawang
School House Creek Basin
School House Creek near Regentville, Penrith
SE Tailings Dam
Unnamed watercourse, Lemington, Hunter Valley
Seladon Avenue Retention Basin
At Seladon Avenue—Wallsend near Newcastle
Shellcove Estate Dention Basin 1
Watercourse No 1, Shellharbour
Sierra Place Retarding Basin
Sierra Place, Toongabbie
Smiths Creek Retarding Basin 1
Smiths Creek near Campbelltown
Smiths Creek Retarding Basin 2
Smiths Creek near Campbelltown
Smiths Creek Retarding Basin 3
Smiths Creek near Campbelltown
Sooley
Sooley Creek near Goulburn
South Bulli Stormwater Dam
Tributary of Bellambi Creek, Russell Vale
Split Rock
Manilla River near Manilla
Spring Creek
Spring Creek near Orange
St Josephs School Retarding Basin
St Josephs School, Albion Park
Stephens Creek
Stephens Creek near Broken Hill
Steuart McIntyre Dam
Fattorini Creek, Kempsey
Stockton Colliery Tailings
Near Boolaroo
Stratford Coal
Stratford Coal Project near Gloucester
Suma Park
Summerhill Creek near Orange
Sunlight Gully Lower Dam
Sunlight Gully, Metz
Sunlight Gully Upper Dam
Sunlight Gully, Metz
Talbingo Dam
Tumut River, Talbingo
Tallong Railway
Barbers Creek, Tallong
Tallowa
Shoalhaven River near Nowra
Tantangra Dam
Murrumbidgee River, Tantangra
Tenterfield Creek
Tenterfield Creek near Tenterfield
The Cove
Old Sydney Town near Gosford
Thompsons Creek
Thompsons Creek near Wallerawang
Thornleigh Reservoir
Off-stream storage near Thornleigh
Tilba
Tilba Creek near Tilba Tilba
Timor
Castlereagh River near Coonabarabran
Tooma Dam
Tooma River, Kosciusko National Park
Toonumbar
Iron Pot Creek near Kyogle
Triako Tailings
Yarra Yarra Creek near Mineral Hill
Tumbarumba
Off-stream storage near Tumbarumba
Tumut 2 Dam
Tumut River, Cabramurra
Tumut 3 Inlet Structure
Tumut River, Talbingo
Tumut Paper Mill Fresh Water Dam
Off Sandy Creek, Tumut
Tumut Paper Mill Waste Water Dam
Off Sandy Creek, Tumut
Tumut Pond Dam
Tumut River, Cabramurra
Umberumberka
Umberumberka Creek near Silverton
Upper Cordeaux No 2
Cordeaux River near Wollongong
Upper Rodds Creek Dam
Rodds Creek, Cadia
Vales Point Ash No 2
Mannering Creek near Wyee
Wallerawang
Cox’s River near Wallerawang
Wambo Tailings Dam
Unnamed watercourse, Warkworth via Singleton
Warkworth Mine Tailings
Off-stream storage near Mount Thorley (Singleton)
Warragamba
Warragamba River near Warragamba
Warringah Reservoir
Mills Place, Beacon Hill
Waverley Reservoir—WS133
Waverley, Sydney
Wentworth Falls Lake
Jamieson Creek near Wentworth Falls
Whitford Road Retarding Basin
Whitford Road, Liverpool
Winburndale
Winburndale Rivulet near Bathurst
Windamere
Cudgegong River near Mudgee
Winding Creek Retention Basin No 5
Winding Creek at Charlestown near Newcastle
Wingecarribee
Wingecarribee River near Moss Vale
Wollondilly Washery Dam
Unnamed Creek near Nattai
Wollongong High School Detention Basin
Fairy Creek, Wollongong
Woodford
Woodford Creek near Woodford
Woodlawn Mine Evaporation
Off-stream near Tarago
Woodlawn Mine No 2 Evaporation
Off-stream near Tarago
Woodlawn North Tailings
Off-stream near Tarago
Woodlawn South Tailings
Off-stream near Tarago
Woodlawn West Tailings
Off-stream near Tarago
Woolgoolga
Off-stream storage near Woolgoolga
Woronora
Woronora River near Waterfall
Wyangala
Lachlan River near Cowra
Wyong Road Detention Basin
Tumbi Creek, Wyong Road, Killarney Vale
Yarrawonga Weir
Murray River near Yarrawonga
Yass
Yass River near Yass
Yellow Pinch
Yellow Pinch Creek near Wolumla
sch 1: Am GG No 59 of 11.4.1980, p 1703(1); GG No 152 of 17.10.1980, p 5395(2); GG No 73 of 22.5.1981, p 2740(3); GG No 141 of 25.9.1981, p 5051(4); GG No 14 of 29.1.1982, p 343(5); GG No 92 of 2.7.1982, p 3013(6); GG No 154 of 12.11.1982, p 5164(7); GG No 103 of 22.7.1983, p 3366(8); GG No 93 of 15.6.1984, p 3088(9). Subst GG No 40 of 15.2.1985, p 705. Am GG No 166 of 6.12.1985, p 6403(10); GG No 175 of 7.11.1986, p 5390 (correction notice GG No 136 of 28.8.1987, p 4813); GG No 136 of 28.8.1987, p 4812(11); GG No 99 of 10.6.1988, p 3106(12); GG No 69 of 2.6.1989, p 3308(13); GG No 111 of 7.9.1990, p 8024(14). Subst GG No 89 of 17.7.1992, p 4962. Am GG No 162 of 2.12.1994, p 7064; GG No 46 of 12.4.1996, p 1663; GG No 119 of 7.11.1997, p 8952; GG No 46 of 6.3.1998, p 1160; GG No 22 of 19.2.1999, p 740; GG No 29 of 25.2.2000, p 1322; GG No 152 of 24.11.2000, p 11893; GG No 30 of 25.1.2002, p 259; GG No 186 of 28.11.2003, p 10752.
Schedule 2 Provisions relating to the constitution and procedure of the Committee
(Section 10)
1   (Repealed)
2   Term of office of member
(1)  A member shall, subject to this Act, be appointed for such term, not exceeding 4 years, as is specified in the instrument of the member’s appointment.
(2)  A member shall, if otherwise qualified, be eligible for re-appointment from time to time for such term, not exceeding 4 years, as is specified in the instrument of the member’s re-appointment.
3   Member holding office under other Acts
(1)  Where, by or under any Act, provision is made requiring the holder of an office specified therein to devote the whole of the person’s time to the duties of the person’s office, that provision shall not operate to disqualify the person from holding that office and also the office of a member or from accepting and retaining any remuneration, travelling or subsistence allowance payable to a member under clause 4.
(2)  The office of a member shall not, for the purposes of any Act, be deemed to be an office or place of profit under the Crown.
4   Remuneration of and allowances for members
Each member is entitled to be paid such remuneration (including travelling and subsistence allowances) as the Minister may from time to time determine in respect of him.
5   Appointment of substitutes to act during period of absence of member
(1)  The Minister may appoint any person to act in the office of a member while the member is absent from the member’s office through illness or any other cause, and that person while so acting:
(a)  shall have and may exercise the functions of the member in whose office the person is appointed to act, and
(b)  shall be deemed to be the member.
(2)  A member is, for the purposes of subclause (1) of this clause, deemed to be absent from the member’s office if there is a vacancy in that office which has not been filled in accordance with clause 8.
(3)  No person shall be concerned to inquire whether or not any occasion has arisen requiring or authorising a person to act in the office of a member, and all things done or omitted to be done by that person while so acting shall be as valid and effectual and shall have the same consequences as if they had been done or omitted to be done by that member.
6   Deputy chairperson
(1)  A deputy chairperson of the Committee shall be elected by the members at the first meeting held after 1 January in each year, or whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the deputy chairperson, and the deputy chairperson shall hold office until the first meeting in the year following that in which the deputy chairperson was elected.
(2)  A deputy chairperson is eligible for re-election from time to time.
(3)  Where the chairperson is absent from office through illness or any other cause the deputy chairperson shall act as the chairperson.
(4)  Where a member who is deputy chairperson is absent from office through illness or any other cause the Minister may appoint some other member to act as deputy chairperson during that absence.
7   Vacation of office
(1)  A member shall be deemed to have vacated the office of member:
(a)  if the member dies,
(b)  if the member becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors, compounds with the member’s creditors or makes an assignment of the member’s remuneration, allowances or estate for their benefit,
(c)  if the member is absent from 4 consecutive ordinary meetings of the Committee of which reasonable notice has been given to him, either personally or in the ordinary course of post, unless on leave granted by the Minister or, unless before the expiration of 4 weeks after the last of those meetings, the member is excused by the Minister for the member’s absence from those meetings,
(d)  if the member becomes a temporary patient, a continued treatment patient, a protected person or an incapable person within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1958 or a person under detention under Part 7 of that Act,
(e)  if he or she is convicted in New South Wales of an indictable offence that is punishable by imprisonment for 12 months or more or is convicted elsewhere than in New South Wales of an offence that, if committed in New South Wales, would be an offence so punishable,
(f)  if the member resigns the member’s office by writing under the member’s hand addressed to the Minister,
(g)  if the member declines office, or
(h)  if the member is removed from office by the Minister.
(i)    (Repealed)
(2)  The Minister may, for any cause which to him seems sufficient, remove any member from office.
8   Filling of casual vacancies
(1)  On the occurrence of a vacancy in the office of a member, the Minister may appoint a person to the vacant office for the balance of the member’s predecessor’s term of office.
(2)  A person appointed under subclause (1) of this clause shall be a person who holds the same qualifications, and is nominated in the same manner, if any, as the member whose office has become vacant was qualified and nominated.
9   Quorum
The number of members which shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Committee is 4, of whom one shall be the chairperson or the deputy chairperson.
10   Meetings
(1)  Any duly convened meeting of the Committee at which a quorum is present shall be competent to transact any business of the Committee.
(2)  Questions arising at a meeting of the Committee shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present and voting.
(3)  The chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Committee at which the chairperson is present.
(4)  If the chairperson is not present at a meeting of the Committee, the deputy chairperson shall preside.
(5)  The person presiding at a meeting of the Committee has a deliberative vote and, in the event of an equality of votes, also has a casting vote.
11   Minutes
The Committee shall cause full and accurate minutes to be kept of its proceedings at meetings, and submit to the Minister a copy of the minutes of each meeting within 14 days after the date on which the meeting is held.
12   General procedure
The procedure for the calling of, and for the conduct of business at, meetings of the Committee shall, subject to any procedure that is specified in this Act or is prescribed, be as determined by the Committee.
13   Protection from liability
(1)  No matter or thing done, and no contract entered into, by the Committee, and no matter or thing done by a member or by any other person acting under the direction or as delegate of the Committee shall, if the matter or thing was done, or the contract was entered into, in good faith for the purposes of executing this Act, subject the member or person personally to any action, liability, claim or demand.
(2)  Nothing in subclause (1) of this clause exempts any member or other person from liability to be surcharged with the amount of any payment which is disallowed by the Auditor-General in the accounts of or relating to the Committee and which the member or other person authorised or joined in authorising.
14   Presumptions
In proceedings by or against the Committee no proof shall be required (until evidence is given to the contrary) of:
(a)  the constitution of the Committee,
(b)  any resolution of the Committee,
(c)  the appointment of any member, or
(d)  the presence of a quorum at any meeting of the Committee.
sch 2: Am 1990 No 46, Sch 1; 1999 No 94, sec 7 (1) and Sch 5, Part 1.