NZSOLD ANCOLD 2025 CONFERENCEHost Organisations
New Zealand Society on Large Dams (NZSOLD)
NZSOLD was founded to advance the technology of dam engineering and support socially and environmentally responsible development and management of water resources. NZSOLD is actively involved with technical, environmental, social, economic, regulatory, and administrative aspects of dams and their safety.
NZSOLD Mission
Our aim is to protect people, property and the environment, present and future, from the harmful effects of a dam failure or an uncontrolled release of the reservoir contents.
We promote cooperation between stakeholders with and interest in dams. This includes technical, regulatory, and owner representative as well as the general public. NZSOLD develops and provides information to members and represents the industry at government level. We actively review and share information on an international stage to best represent dam practice in New Zealand.
NZSOLD represents New Zealand at the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD). An important activity of ICOLD is the development and publication of technical bulletins that provide international best practice which member countries can apply to their own situations. Members of NZSOLD enjoy the ability to access the wealth of technical information available through ICOLD.
The New Zealand Society on Large Dams is a technical interest group of Engineering New Zealand.
Australian National Committee on Large Dams (ANCOLD)
ANCOLD formed in 1937, is an Australian based apolitical industry body that focuses on disseminating knowledge, developing capability and providing guidance in achieving excellence for all aspects of dam engineering, management and associated issues.
As a non-government, not-for-profit and voluntary association of organisations and individual professionals with a common technical interest in dams ANCOLD currently has over 80 member organisations and around 300 individual associate members, covering all aspects of the dams industry.
ANCOLD is an active member of the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD). ANCOLD prepares and issues guidelines which represent current engineering practice. These guidelines have been developed to share most recent Australian practice for large and small water and tailings dams that could present a risk to life for those downstream, are widely used across Australia and also form the basis of local guidance in some other countries.
Although prepared for dams which would normally be at least 10 to 15m high ANCOLD guidelines can also be used to assist with decisions on smaller dams, particularly where a dam or series or dams creates the potential for loss of life or significant damage.
ANCOLD does not comment on any specific dam project or development. It is considered that the final decision for the development of dams is the responsibility of the community, which must weigh up the positives and negatives of any particular proposal. In the course of their business activities many ANCOLD members are involved in developing business cases and ANCOLD strives to ensure they are well informed in national and international practice to provide the best outcomes for the Australian community.
ANCOLD Mission
As the industry body, we support our members, disseminate knowledge and provide guidance in achieving excellence for all aspects of dams technical practice and management and to support industry to develop capability. We recognise that it is the skills of the people involved in these activities, their sharing of knowledge and collaboration that will sustain this mission.
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