Commentary on Sections Part 1 – Controlled Reservoirs, Registration and Reservoir Designation Section 17 – Giving a reservoir designation
The Act introduces a consequence-based approach to the management of controlled reservoirs with different regulatory requirements for reservoirs with different consequence categories. Section 17 requires the Department to give a reservoir designation as soon as reasonably practicable after the registration of a controlled reservoir.
Subsection (2) establishes the reservoir designation categories for a controlled reservoir as high, medium or low consequence. Subsection (3) requires the Department to take into account the matters mentioned in section 22 when giving a reservoir designation. The matters are the potential consequences of an uncontrolled release of water from the reservoir and the probability of such a release.
Subsection (4) provides for the Department to give notice of the reservoir designation to a reservoir manager and details the information to be provided in the notice.