Summer dam safety campaign

Seqwater is responsible for 24 dams and 49 weirs as well as 46 operational water treatment plants across South East Queensland.

 

As part of the summer safety campaign, Seqwater Rangers and Queensland Police will be conducting patrols around our major dams. These patrols will involve random breath-testing of boat operators and drivers, as well as monitoring dangerous or anti-social behaviour.

 

Seqwater Chief Executive Officer, Mr Peter Borrows, said the organisation was expecting record numbers this Christmas with the region’s major recreational dams at their highest level in more than eight years.

 

“With the current combined capacity of our three major dams at over 71 per cent, more than 150,000 people are expected to visit and vacation at recreation areas across Seqwater dams over the Christmas and New Year period,” Mr Borrows said.

 

“Our campaign using the slogan “Don’t be DAM stupid” is designed to educate people to ‘rethink’ their behaviour both on and around our dams to provide a safe environment for everyone. The majority of our visitors are very well behaved and make the most of our facilities, but in previous years there have been a small number whose behaviour has had the potential to put others at risk – dangerous and anti-social behaviour affects everyone.

 

“We are urging people to be ‘DAM smart’ - for example, boats and jet skiers keeping their distance from swimmers and paddlers; being courteous to other people whether it be on boat ramps, campsites and on the road; not littering and importantly, supervising children at all times. Our facilities are for the entire community to enjoy.”

 

Mr Borrows added: “It is important to remind the community that as well as recreational activities, Seqwater’s dams and surrounding catchments provide our drinking water supply for present needs and future generations.”

 

Ipswich District Queensland Police Inspector, Merv Adamson said police would be based at Somerset Dam during the school holidays and would be targeting anti-social behaviour across all the recreational areas, including drink driving both on land and water over the Christmas-New Year period.

  

“This is not about stopping people enjoying themselves and having fun, it is about ensuring people act responsibly and consider the safety and comfort of others,” Inspector Adamson said.

  

As part of the campaign, Seqwater Rangers and Queensland Police will be monitoring:

 

Seqwater would like to remind visitors: