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We recognise that Lake Pedder holds significance for many Tasmanians. This project is about delivering immediate safety benefits and will not impact decisions about the future of Lake Pedder.
As an avid camper, I have stayed at Edgar Campground many times in the past, it is a great place to stay due to its solitude and serenity. It is unfortunate that these works result in the closure of the campground. Once the Edgar Dam works are completed in 2026, will the campground be re-opened for public use?
Hi Mark,
Thanks for your message - we think it's a wonderful spot to relax too!
The campground will definitely reopen once works have finished. We're hoping we might even add some improvements. We'd love to hear ideas about what we could do and as a regular visitor, I am sure you've got some. You can share them directly to jane.alpine@hydro.com.au.
Cheers,
Jane
Thanks for your message - we think it's a wonderful spot to relax too!
The campground will definitely reopen once works have finished. We're hoping we might even add some improvements. We'd love to hear ideas about what we could do and as a regular visitor, I am sure you've got some. You can share them directly to jane.alpine@hydro.com.au.
Cheers,
Jane
Would blasting the dolerite hills/escarpment at Mt Nelson have any effect on the Edgar Dam Fault?
Hi Anne,
Thanks for visiting the page and posting a question.
While we can’t provide specific comment on a particular operation, shock waves from quarry scale blasting operations are typically considered to be short, sharp and low in intensity, as compared with an earthquake scale ground movement. This means they impart significantly less energy to ground mass.
For a more comprehensive answer, you’d need to contact the relevant contractor(s) directly. Modern blasting projects will have a blast management plan that should include consideration of any infrastructure (residential or public) impacts.
Many thanks,
Jane
Thanks for visiting the page and posting a question.
While we can’t provide specific comment on a particular operation, shock waves from quarry scale blasting operations are typically considered to be short, sharp and low in intensity, as compared with an earthquake scale ground movement. This means they impart significantly less energy to ground mass.
For a more comprehensive answer, you’d need to contact the relevant contractor(s) directly. Modern blasting projects will have a blast management plan that should include consideration of any infrastructure (residential or public) impacts.
Many thanks,
Jane
Ugh, I get tired of all the moaners on this page. I would like to acknowledge the Hydro and say thanks for access to these grounds, lakes and ramps and this country. (Theres an overload of the others acknowledging blah blah blah) Good to hear ramps will be open, other campgrounds available to use. Will the lake be lowered much for the dam strengthening project?? Thanks
Morning Phil,
Thanks for popping by and posting a question. The water levels of Lake Pedder or Edgar Pond won't be affected by the upgrade works.
Cheers,
Jane
Thanks for popping by and posting a question. The water levels of Lake Pedder or Edgar Pond won't be affected by the upgrade works.
Cheers,
Jane
My question is, Why is it that you have not provided any proper updates on this proposal, since May 2023, significantly more than a year ago? All that has been provided in that time is 2 lines, in February 2024: "The project referral (2023/09714) is now open for public comment. For more information, visit Edgar Dam Strengthening Project. Comments close 13 March." In fact, the comment period was extended because of overwhelming interest and demand, but you provided no advice to the public about this at the time. You also have not advised on progress since. Given that (1) both the Edgar and Scotts Peak Dams are vulnerable to seismic events (tremors and earthquakes) affecting the active Edgar Fault Line, and (2) both these dams sit astride or immediately adjacent to the active Edgar Fault LIne, and (3) any failure of the dams as a result of a seismic event would present a grave and immediate threat to the safety of the people of Huonville and other settlements downstream of Lake Pedder, and (4) Huonville itself has recently experienced a seismic event (an earth tremor), and (5) you have not publicly released the (apparently comprehensive) risk analysis you conducted into the likelihood and likely effects of a dam-failure catastrophe on these communities, and (6) such a catastrophe would happen so quickly that an adequate response in the time available would be impossible, and (7) your "strengthening" proposal to the Commonwealth EPBC Unit stated that no viable alternatives were available, when the obvious (and obviously far safer) alternative is the decommissioning of the 2 dams (coincidentally as intended and requested by both UNESCO and the IUCN for reasons of conservation and restoration), which would entirely remove the risk Hydro Tasmania created in building the dams on an active Fault Line in the late 1960s and early 1970s, ... I would have thought it prudent that you keep the public well informed and updated.
Dear Richard,
Thank you for visiting the project page and posting your questions.
One of the main purposes of this page is to share key updates, as that information becomes available. There has been little to report until last week, when a decision on the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 referral was announced. I shared an update on this outcome, along with news on the quarry investigation and upcoming tender process. You suggested that the public comment period for this referral was extended but this is not the case - the standard 10 business day period was applied.
While Lake Edgar Fault does influence dam risk, it is important to highlight that this risk is associated with a major earthquake, not minor or moderate earth tremors, and such a scenario is extremely unlikely to occur. Remote 24/7 monitoring, weekly in-person inspections and routine safety review processes are all important components of the monitoring program that applies to all Hydro Tasmania’s large dams (including Edgar and Scotts Peak dams) and help mitigate a range of risks. Regular dam maintenance and upgrades also play a critical role in reducing risk – in the case of Edgar Dam, the upcoming works will deliver a significant risk reduction. Relevant safety information is shared with the Department of Natural Resources and Envirornment Tasmania (the regulator) and key emergency agencies who would lead any response in the unlikely event it was needed, and we also conduct emergency response training with key organisations.
Together, these measures ensure that the Gordon Scheme (with Tasmania's highest capacity power station) can continue to operate safely and efficiently, contributing vital renewable energy for our state, especially through extended dry periods. It is in this role, as dam owners and operators, that we complete any approval documentation. The EPBC referral for the Edgar project reflects the comprehensive detailed design that was undertaken. Through this process, a range of solutions were considered before determining a downstream filter buttress design would deliver the most desirable outcomes. Decommissioning any asset is a decision for the Tasmanian Government.
Thank you again for sharing your views and we welcome your ongoing engagement in this important project.
Jane
Thank you for visiting the project page and posting your questions.
One of the main purposes of this page is to share key updates, as that information becomes available. There has been little to report until last week, when a decision on the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 referral was announced. I shared an update on this outcome, along with news on the quarry investigation and upcoming tender process. You suggested that the public comment period for this referral was extended but this is not the case - the standard 10 business day period was applied.
While Lake Edgar Fault does influence dam risk, it is important to highlight that this risk is associated with a major earthquake, not minor or moderate earth tremors, and such a scenario is extremely unlikely to occur. Remote 24/7 monitoring, weekly in-person inspections and routine safety review processes are all important components of the monitoring program that applies to all Hydro Tasmania’s large dams (including Edgar and Scotts Peak dams) and help mitigate a range of risks. Regular dam maintenance and upgrades also play a critical role in reducing risk – in the case of Edgar Dam, the upcoming works will deliver a significant risk reduction. Relevant safety information is shared with the Department of Natural Resources and Envirornment Tasmania (the regulator) and key emergency agencies who would lead any response in the unlikely event it was needed, and we also conduct emergency response training with key organisations.
Together, these measures ensure that the Gordon Scheme (with Tasmania's highest capacity power station) can continue to operate safely and efficiently, contributing vital renewable energy for our state, especially through extended dry periods. It is in this role, as dam owners and operators, that we complete any approval documentation. The EPBC referral for the Edgar project reflects the comprehensive detailed design that was undertaken. Through this process, a range of solutions were considered before determining a downstream filter buttress design would deliver the most desirable outcomes. Decommissioning any asset is a decision for the Tasmanian Government.
Thank you again for sharing your views and we welcome your ongoing engagement in this important project.
Jane
Is there an Evacuation Plan in place for the Huon Valley in case of dam failure, and some details would be appreciated?
Hi Andrew,
Thank you for visiting the project page and posting a question.
First and foremost, I would like to reassure you that the risk of Edgar Dam failing is assessed as being extremely low. Nonetheless, in our role as dam managers, we complete extensive risk assessments and manage all identified risks accordingly. In this case, that includes a Dam Safety Emergency Plan and comprehensive monitoring system.
The monitoring system is similar to those installed at our other dams and ensures Hydro Tasmania is notified as soon as any potential issues arise. For Huon Valley residents, this early-warning system would trigger an immediate notification of any seismic movement, providing a maximum response time for emergency personnel.
The Dam Safety Emergency Plan sets out how we would respond if something unusual was detected via our early warning system. This plan is managed in accordance with the requirements of the Emergency Management Act 2006 and State Special Emergency Management Plan (Dam Safety Emergencies) June 2022. Both the Act and State plan emphasise the hierarchy of incident management – and our role is to ensure appropriate state and regional organisations at every management level are fully briefed, so they may in turn plan most effectively for such unlikely events.
For the Huon Valley, the Huon Valley Emergency Management Committee plays this role, and includes representation from the Tasmanian Fire Service, Tasmania Police, Tasmanian State Emergency Service and Council. We undertake emergency preparedness scenario planning with members of this committee. In addition, all incident management documentation, including flood inundation maps, are provided to the State Control Centre and held securely on the Tasmanian Government’s Common Operating Platform which is accessible to all emergency services personnel.
Cheers,
Jane
Thank you for visiting the project page and posting a question.
First and foremost, I would like to reassure you that the risk of Edgar Dam failing is assessed as being extremely low. Nonetheless, in our role as dam managers, we complete extensive risk assessments and manage all identified risks accordingly. In this case, that includes a Dam Safety Emergency Plan and comprehensive monitoring system.
The monitoring system is similar to those installed at our other dams and ensures Hydro Tasmania is notified as soon as any potential issues arise. For Huon Valley residents, this early-warning system would trigger an immediate notification of any seismic movement, providing a maximum response time for emergency personnel.
The Dam Safety Emergency Plan sets out how we would respond if something unusual was detected via our early warning system. This plan is managed in accordance with the requirements of the Emergency Management Act 2006 and State Special Emergency Management Plan (Dam Safety Emergencies) June 2022. Both the Act and State plan emphasise the hierarchy of incident management – and our role is to ensure appropriate state and regional organisations at every management level are fully briefed, so they may in turn plan most effectively for such unlikely events.
For the Huon Valley, the Huon Valley Emergency Management Committee plays this role, and includes representation from the Tasmanian Fire Service, Tasmania Police, Tasmanian State Emergency Service and Council. We undertake emergency preparedness scenario planning with members of this committee. In addition, all incident management documentation, including flood inundation maps, are provided to the State Control Centre and held securely on the Tasmanian Government’s Common Operating Platform which is accessible to all emergency services personnel.
Cheers,
Jane
What is in the lake?
Water