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Building Act 2004

Building - Safety of dams - Policy on dangerous dams

161: Regional authority must adopt policy on dangerous dams, earthquake-prone dams, and flood-prone dams

You could also call this:

“Local authorities must create rules for unsafe dams in their area”

You need to know about a rule for regional authorities in New Zealand. A regional authority is a group that looks after a specific area. They must make a plan about dams that might be dangerous. This includes dams that could be damaged by earthquakes or floods.

The regional authority has to create this plan within 18 months after this part of the law starts. The plan must say three important things:

  1. How the regional authority will do its job when it comes to these dams.
  2. What the regional authority thinks is most important to do first.
  3. How they will handle dams that are part of New Zealand’s history (heritage dams).

This rule helps make sure that regional authorities have a clear way to deal with dams that might cause problems. It’s part of keeping people and places safe from dam-related dangers.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM307346.

Topics:
Housing and property > Home safety and repairs
Environment and resources > Town planning
Government and voting > Local councils
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160: Power of regional authority not limited, or

“Regional authorities can use extra powers besides the ones listed for dealing with dangerous dams.”

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162: Adoption and review of policy, or

“The rules explain how to make, change, and check the rules about dangerous dams every few years.”

Part 2 Building
Safety of dams: Policy on dangerous dams

161Regional authority must adopt policy on dangerous dams, earthquake-prone dams, and flood-prone dams

  1. A regional authority must, within 18 months after the commencement of this Part, adopt a policy on dangerous dams, earthquake-prone dams, and flood-prone dams within its region.

  2. The policy must state—

  3. the approach that the regional authority will take in performing its functions under this Part; and
    1. the regional authority's priorities in performing those functions; and
      1. how the policy will apply to heritage dams.

        Notes
        • Section 161 heading: amended, on , by section 33(1) of the Building Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 4).
        • Section 161(1): amended, on , by section 33(2) of the Building Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 4).