Tasmanian Bills Fact Sheets Tasmanian Bills Fact Sheets[Index] [Search] [Download] [Bill] [Help]
FACT SHEET
Water Management Amendment (Dam Works) Bill 2015
Part 8 of the Water Management Act 1999 provides for the authorisation of dam works, and
the establishment, membership and operation of the Assessment Committee for Dam
Construction. The role and functions of the Assessment Committee focus on consideration
and determination of applications for dam works permits.
Amendments to Part 8 of the Act over time, notably in 2007, have aimed to make the dam
works approval process simpler and more effective. Whilst the current dam works approval
process has been streamlined over time, it is still reported to be too complex and potentially
acting as barrier to further dam development.
The purpose of the Water Management Amendment (Dam Works) Bill 2015 is to simplify and
further streamline the dam works approval process.
The Bill is relatively simple in structure, repealing Part 8 of the Water Management Act 1999
and replacing it with a new Part 8. The Assessment Committee for Dam Construction is
abolished through the repeal of Part 8, with the new Part 8 providing that the Minister, or
Minister’s delegate, will make decisions on dam works permit applications.
In addition to abolishing the Assessment Committee, the Bill focusses on a range of other
measures designed to improve the dam works approval process, which includes:
(i) providing a pathway for obtaining dam works permits without need of making an
application;
(ii) better defining the nature and scope of dam works permits;
(iii) specifying criteria under which dam works permit applications must be approved;
(iv) specifying the matters to be considered by the decision-maker in relation to dam works
permit applications;
(v) simplifying the provisions regarding the timeframe for decision on dam works permit
applications;
(vi) providing for conditional approval of dam works permit applications in some
circumstances; and, lastly
(vii) the requirement for the Minister to prepare an annual report on the implementation of
Part 8 of the Water Management Act 1999 and conduct an annual review of the
implementation of the dam works approval process.
A number of other matters are dealt with in the Bill which relate to the operation of Part 8 of
the Water Management Act 1999 generally, and the operation of the measures set out above.
The Bill does not include savings and transitional measures or consequential amendments to
other Acts. These provisions are to be included in a related amendment bill.
Page 1 of 1