The future of the historic Dumaresq Dam is under a cloud, with the NSW State Government’s Dam Safety Committee advising Armidale Dumaresq Council that it has 12 months to address safety issues concerning the dam wall.
The Dam Safety Committee undertook a review of ADC’s dams to look at meeting increased safety standards in events such as extreme floods. Three options were discussed with the council to address the issue; the complete removal of the dam, with preliminary estimated costs to be $1.5 million; a partial reduction in the level of the dam, estimated to cost $3 million, and securing the dam with additional structural work, roughly estimated to cost $5 million. These options, says Chairman of the Dumaresq Progress Association Maria Hitchcock, are not acceptable and are totally unnecessary.
“I think it is quite stupid really, because the government is treating the whole issue of dam walls as a one size fits all, so that every single dam wall has to fit to the same modern standards, regardless of when they were built,” said Maria Hitchcock.
“You wouldn’t pull down every heritage building in NSW just because they are not built to modern standards.
“I think the government needs to take into account the history of this wall, how extremely well it was built, with very large rocks. It has never leaked and has had quite a lot of water running over it at various times, and the wall has withstood all of that.”
Construction of the dam began in 1895; and in 1972, after Malpas Dam was built, it was gazetted as a recreational area and continues to be a popular area for Armidale residents and visitors to the region.
“On a number of levels the dam is significant for the environment as a bird habitat and then as a recreational area,” said Maria.
“There are not many towns that have such a beautiful expanse of water where you can go canoeing and fishing. International students love this place for picnics and, over the last five to ten years, we have seen a lot of campers use the dam area, which brings economic benefits to the town.”
Maria is calling on the residents of Armidale to band together and speak with one voice.
“I know the council is not happy with the decision and I think if the council and the residents get together and mount a huge protest, perhaps with the assistance of our local member Richard Torbay, we may even be able to make them see a bit of sense.”
Armidale Dumaresq Council is preparing a brief for consultants so that they can look at these options and any other options that may be considered practical.
Once reports on the expected costs and options for Dumaresq Dam are finalised, ADC will seek community views to determine the council’s course of action.
