Emergency Action Plans (EAP)
Seqwater monitors the safety of all its dams regularly, with increased monitoring during flood events and other situations that could affect dam operations.
For each of Seqwater's 25 referable dams, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is in place to help manage potential dam safety incidents and support a coordinated emergency response. A dam is considered referable if an assessment shows that two or more people could be at risk should the dam fail.
EAPs are a requirement under Queensland's Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 and are approved by the Queensland Government. They support coordinated planning and response activities between Seqwater, local councils, and Local and District Disaster Management Groups (LDMGs and DDMGs).
Community safety is always the highest priority. By working closely with emergency management partners, Seqwater helps ensure a timely and coordinated response to any dam-related emergency.
What is an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
An Emergency Action Plan is a dam-specific emergency management plan that outlines how risks associated with a dam will be identified, assessed and managed during a dam emergency.
EAPs consider a range of potential hazards, including:
- Extreme rainfall and flooding
- Dam safety incidents
- Structural issues
- Earthquakes and other external events
The plans include notification procedures for the public and disaster management agencies, defined roles and responsibilities, and emergency response actions for dam hazard events.
What do the plans do
Emergency Action Plans help ensure emergency agencies have the information they need to make timely decisions and protect communities during dam-related hazards and emergency scenarios.
The plans:
- Identify potential dam-related hazards and emergency scenarios
- Define notification and communication procedures
- Outline the roles and responsibilities of Seqwater and emergency agencies
- Support disaster management planning and emergency response activities
- Assist emergency services in developing evacuation and public safety messaging where required
How emergency responses are managed
If Seqwater identifies a dam-related risk or hazard, the relevant Local and District Disaster Management Groups are notified.
While Seqwater is responsible for monitoring dams and implementing its Emergency Action Plans, disaster management groups lead the broader community response. This may include:
- Public warnings and alerts
- Evacuation decisions
- Deployment of emergency resources
- Community recovery activities
This coordinated approach ensures dam operators and emergency services work together to support community safety during emergencies.