Maurice Williamson

Wellington, June 11 NZPA - The Government was looking at proposed amendments to the dam safety scheme because it was too costly and complex, Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson says.

The scheme was due to come into force on July 1. That has been delayed until amendments were made.

Under the proposals, owners of small farm dams may have had to follow the same procedures as for big hydro-electric dams, he said.

Dam owners and interested groups would get "plenty of notice" before changes were implemented, Mr Williamson said.

"I want to make sure we get the right level of risk management without imposing unnecessary costs," he said.