Department of Conservation Public Notice
Notification of Partial Closure of the Greys Dam Amenity Area – Gabriels Gully Historic Reserve
Notice of Closure: The Department of Conservation is formally closing part of the Greys Dam Amenity Area within Gabriels Gully Historic Reserve under the Reserves Act 1977 [section 58(d)].
Purpose of closure: to reduce the risk to visitor safety if Otago Dam failed.
Period for closure: a minimum of 1 year, likely to be longer due to the complexity of the site.
Context
Otago Dam is a heritage dam on public conservation land built in approximately 1875 to supply water during the gold mining activity in the area.
It is situated at the top of Otago Dam Track and feeds into Greys Dam. Due to its size and holding capacity it is a classifiable dam under the Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2022 and it has been assigned a Medium Potential Impact Classification (PIC).
The Department has been undertaking work to understand the condition of the dam and how we should manage it to meet the Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2022.
Based on indicative flood mapping and a recent condition assessment undertaken by engineers, the Department has decided to close the foreshore of the Greys Dam Amenity Area to reduce the safety risk to visitors using this area. See map below.
The Department is in the planning and design phase to reduce the holding capacity of the Dam. The amenity area will remain closed until the physical work has been completed.
The Department will be undertaking regular monitoring of the Dam. If the condition of the Dam changes, the decision to keep the rest of the amenity area open will be reviewed.
Onsite Actions:
- Rangers will install a fence across the Reserve which will block vehicle access to the foreshore area – as soon as work can be scheduled.
- Immediate closure signs will be installed.
- Rangers will mow a new area of the amenity area to encourage people to camp in that location.
- Improved closure signs will be designed and installed to provide better visitor information on the closure.
- Condition monitoring of the Dam and the amenity area will be programmed into a monthly work schedule.
Otago Dam Track
Otago Dam Track will remain open. If the condition of the Dam deteriorates this decision will be reassessed and closure will be considered.
The Department will improve the hazard warning sign at the start of the track and information on the website to advise walkers of Otago Dam.
If you have any questions, contact the Coastal Otago DOC Office via: dunedinoffice@doc.govt.nz.
Map of Indicative Fenceline
Onsite conditions will determine final placement of the fence.
Yellow Line: Approximate fence line
Red Lines: Closed area of Reserve
