Safety warning at Pioneer Lake

Pioneer Lake

December 19, 2024

The dam wall at Pioneer Lake may be compromised and people have been urged to avoid the area.

A Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service spokesman said PWS had recently
become aware of “potential safety risks” with the dam wall, located above Pioneer Lake.

PWS has had engaged engineers
to undertake a site assessment and review.

“Engineers attended the site on December 14 to undertake an initial evaluation, as well as provide immediate safety measures and recommendations to PWS for further assessment,” the spokesman said.

“While further assessment is underway and given the potential public safety risks, warning signs are being installed with public access to the dam embankment and lake now closed. 

“The public is recommended to avoid the area while investigations progress.”

The urgent safety message comes
after PWS confirmed someone had “illegally” removed boulders and
fencing that the government body had recently installed to prevent access to the road, which is used as an access for campers.

PWS initially acted to close the area in October after complaints from local residents about rowdy behaviour.

The decision without consultation led to an outcry of anger from families who use the site annually over summer.

It is understood many families were planning to camp at the site over Christmas as they have always done, ignoring PWS messaging that it was for day use only.

The new safety message will curtail that plan.

A meeting was held last week at Pioneer Lake with representatives from Dorset Council and local camp users, with PWS committing to be part of a working group that will be established by Council in a bid to find a compromise solution.

Mr Wardlaw said local residents would be included.

“We made it really clear how important it is to engage with residents of Pioneer
as we work through the challenges,”
he said.