Development Application part 2 Application Forms REC11/0145

            Step 5: Field verification

    A3.2o Preliminary bushfire hazard maps should be prepared based on the results of Step 4 above
           by a^_gregating all sub-units with similar levels of bushtire hazard severity into High and
            Medium severity classifications. 16 Field verification or 'ground truthing' of these
            preliminary results should then he undertaken. A number of sample areas should be
            evaluated to test the accuracy of the preliminary bushfire hazard findings.


             Step 6: Qualitative assessment

    A3.22    Known bushfire behaviour complements the quantitative assessment and should be
             considered as part of the qualitative review.

    A3.22   Known bushtire behaviour is extremely difficult to use as a quantitative planning tool.
            This is because the absence of bushtire, even for an extended period of time, does not
            mean that an area will not buns and may lead to massive fuel accumulation with dangerous
            bushfire behaviour if it does ignite. Known bushfire behaviour may identify sites where
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             combinations of slope and wind have led to severe bushtire behaviour in the past, and
             where extra precautions to protect assets might be required. The reliability of known
             hushtire behaviour may be difficult to assess and QFRS should he consulted if problems
             dl-r inLliLated.


             Step 7v Safety buffers

    A3.23 The final step in identifying bushtire hazard areas is to add a safety buffer. as land
          adjacent to bushtire hazard areas is vulnerable to bushtire attack from these areas.

    A3.24 Any land within 100 metres of an area identified as having a High bushfire severity
          classification should be included in the 1-nigh bushtire hazard area and any land within 50
          metres of an area identified as having a Medium bushfire severity classification should be
          included in the Medium bushfire hazard area.47 The safety buffers should be integrated
          into the preparation of maps identifying bushfire hazard areas. Table A3.5 shows the
          width of the safety buffers that apply to the various bushfire hazard severity
          classifications.

             Table A3.5: Total hazard score and severity of bushfire hazard with safety buffers
0




                          6 to 12.5                                                                 50 metres
                           1 to 5.5                             Low                            Not applicable




         Areas of Low bushfire hazard severity may also be mapped, but the natural hazard management area (bushtire) for the
         purposes of the SPP comprises only areas identified as being of High or Medium severity.
         Safely buffer areas on the boundary between High and Medium bushtire severity areas should be included in the High
         bushtire severity area.




    SPP Guideline l,"03