THE public will have its chance to have its say about the future of Armidale’s “equivalent to a local beach”.
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The community will be asked to make submissions into three main options relating to the future of Dumaresq Dam, including draining it entirely, half draining it or leaving it as it is.
It comes after Armidale Dumaresq Council received a report into how best to proceed with the dam.
A small number of people on the floodplain could die if the dam was to break, with fears it could fail during a major storm.
After the dam was deemed unsafe, Council appointed consultancy company Arup in February last year to investigate and design an upgrade adhering to safety standards to satisfy the NSW Dam Safety Committee.
Six main options were put to the Council at Monday night’s meeting with an additional five considerations available.
A council report recommended adding concrete to the full height of the downstream wall, which would maintain the look of the dam and improve its durability.
This option is expected to cost about $3.4 million.
Lowering the dam to a safe level, giving a 2.5 metre leeway between the current height, is another option considered by Council which would cost just shy of $1 million.
Decommissioning the dam would cost more than $1.2 million.
Councillors agreed to extend the public consultation period to 60 days to allow the community more opportunity to voice its opinion on the dam’s future.
“[Dumaresq Dam] is important to all who grew up here,” Cr Colin Gadd told the meeting.
“It’s the equivalent to a local beach in Armidale, where people go swimming and boating and run through the bush.
“It means a lot to the community.”
Further community consultation about Dumaresq Dam will follow the exhibition period.
The documents can be viewed at the Council Building in Rusden Street or via the Council’s website.