It came after what Colleen Worthy described as string of trespasses and unapproved uses of the structure, including accessing the dam for swimming and even walking along the edge.

"That dam wall has a 12-metre drop," Mrs Worthy said.

"And we have pictures of some teenagers walking along the prohibited walkway or the dam wall with water flowing over the edge. It's a wet surface, with a sheer drop down the other side. Just not smart. If you fell, it could easily kill you."

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She flagged a ban on public access if it continued.

Despite the gate being locked and a fence and a sign at the walkway advising the area is prohibited, people are climbing around the fence. It is prohibited because it is unsafe. Under the current regulations, people are allowed access to the dam for fishing, but not for boating or swimming.

Access to the walkway is only permitted by authorised individuals and no access is allowed to the dam wall at any time.

"The council recently ran a media release about drowning and safety dangers which revealed that 84 people drowned last year in dams, rivers, lakes and creeks," Mrs Worthy said.

"At any water way, you have to follow the rules about permitted activities and permissible areas or use. Gates, fences and signs are there to protect you and your children.

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"The council would prefer to continue to allow fishing at the Dam but we need it to be safe. Trespass in prohibited areas already carries fines and penalties which we will enforce if there are future breaches of the safety rules.

"Hopefully this safety message will be complied with so the council can continue to allow the public to fish in the dam. This is the council's preference but it must be safe."

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