Residents of Pioneer, a small community on Tasmania’s north-east coast, are raising the alarm. They just don’t want the structural integrity of a disused dam put in unnecessary jeopardy, which would put their community in harm’s way. Alana Keygan, a passionate community member and local mother, has been at the forefront of advocating for an emergency response plan should the dam fail its integrity. She’s calling on all of us to get serious about safety this year!
Keygan and her family have been proud residents of Pioneer for many years. She’s especially concerned over a July report that said the dam’s structural integrity was “in full crisis.” The report found that the dam exhibited “signs of imminent collapse,” further raising alarm among affected residents. If a breach were to occur, floodwaters could inundate nearby roads with depths reaching 2.3 to 3 meters within an hour.
Urgent Calls for Action
In light of these findings, Keygan is preparing to attend an event aimed at advocating for an emergency response plan. She says that only taking these steps in advance will protect the community as a whole.
“And what systems are in place for the community to get the word out quickly to each other?” – Alana Keygan
Keygan’s worries go beyond the structural safety of the dam. Without her kids able to go to Pioneer Lake this summer, they’ve had to swim in the river. This change has made things more dangerous for Keygan. Her concern, as with many, is that children won’t grasp the potential hazards posed by unexpectedly increasing water levels.
“The kids in the town swim in the river because they couldn’t go to the lake this year. Are kids going to notice that the water is rising quickly? I don’t know. We need probably a siren there to let everyone know if the dam wall does break,” – Jenny Bellinger, another local advocate.
Advocacy for Warning Systems
Keygan is pushing for floodwater warning signs to be installed on the roads into Pioneer. She maintains that a better, clearer and more visible warning notification system would greatly improve community safety during life-threatening weather events.
The need for these actions is highlighted by resident Jenny Bellinger, who, like Keygan, is very passionate about the dam and its removal. Bellinger’s overarching point is that flood modeling needs to be updated to reflect the changes brought on by extreme weather events.
“I think it needs to be updated to what would happen in a one-in-20-year event or a one-in-50-year event,” – Jenny Bellinger
Both Bellinger and Keygan stress the value of collaborative comprehensive planning. It is critical both to address immediate safety needs and to establish long-term community resilience. TTFCC members agree and call on local decision-makers to act as quickly as possible seeking a remedy to the disturbing Treadway dam inspection report findings.
Community Support and Next Steps
While Keygan and Bellinger work to continue advocating for positive change, they have gained the support of other residents who feel just as passionately about their community. Parks and Wildlife Service Spokesperson The spokesperson thanked everyone who provided feedback, assuring that the department would announce a final decision on the long-term management of Pioneer Dam. This decision will follow more detailed planning and other necessary work to lower the dam level.
“A final decision on the long-term management of Pioneer Dam will be made following the next stage of planning, advice and completion of works to lower the dam level,” – PWS spokesperson.
The need for immediate action feels urgent across the community. Residents are hopeful that their advocacy will lead to essential safety measures and improved emergency preparedness as they navigate these uncertain times.
