news, latest-news, jerrara dam, kiama, mayor, not failing

Kiama mayor Brian Petschler has stressed to the community that the Jerrara Dam is not in danger of failing. Cr Petschler said water was flowing through a large cut in the wall that had been created as part of the decommissioning process. ‘‘I stress the dam is not failing or in danger of failing,’’ Cr Petschler said. ‘‘The dam was largely empty and water is flowing through the gap cut through the wall. ‘‘There is a lot of water now flowing through, but no more than what would be flowing through the spillway if the dam was full. ‘‘As of last check around midday the water level was still six to eight metres below what would be the top of the dam and below the spillway. ‘‘Our officers spoke to the State Emergency Service this morning and recommended an amber alert, but the SES decided to issue a red alert,’’ Cr Petschler said. ‘‘People saw the cut and stories were circulating that the dam was breaking, but it isn’t. ‘‘It is still a matter of concern there could be flooding down stream given the heavy rain and we are keeping a watch on that. ‘‘We understand the Riding for Disabled facility is okay,’’ he said. ‘‘We have built a temporary wall to protect their assets and as I understand it everything is holding well and they are currently safe.’’ The SES evacuation alert has since downgraded to homes in the immediate downstream area. Only those in the immediate downstream area need to evacuate - including Jerrara Road and Jamberoo Road. Communities downstream from Jerrara Dam are not expected to be impacted at this time, the SES said. Cr Petschler said the Kiama Municipality had a number of road closures including Jamberoo Road, Fountaindale Road, Mount Brandon Road, Dido Street and Swamp Road. ‘‘There had been some slippage on the Kiama bends and some trees down, but without the big winds that normally accompany a south coast low, things have not been too not too bad, but we are keeping an eye on the situation.’’ Decomissioning work on Jerrara Dam began in June and was expected to take up to three months to complete, weather permitting.

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