RISK to lives and property from dam failure and flooding in the Dungowan Valley are the focus of a new study from the Tamworth Regional Council.
The Dungowan Dam Break Study involves one-on-one meetings with a number of residents plus two community information sessions for other local residents.
The NSW Dams Safety Committee required the council to undertake the study which aims to determine the consequences of unexpected dam failure and/or extreme flood events on property in the downstream valley between the dam site and the confluence with the Peel River.
The study identified that should one of these events occur, there is a high risk of loss of life at 11 properties in the valley because of the proximity of homes to the dam and the predicted depth and velocity of water through the residence.
"Council has developed a detailed response to the study outcomes and the first step in that is talking to the residents of the Dungowan Valley," said Tamworth Regional Council director water enterprises, Bruce Logan.
Mr Logan said the residents need to hear the ways the council is proposing to mitigate the risks to them.
Two options are being offered – the first is for the council to buy the property and demolish the residence at risk and the second is for the council to pay an agreed amount of money to allow the property owner to perhaps build a new residence on the same property above the flood height or elsewhere.
Community information sessions are being held on Thursday August 21, and next week on August 28 at the Dungowan Hall between 2.30pm and 7pm.
The community consultation about the Dungowan Dam Break Study and mitigation works is expected to continue over the coming year.
