Bushfire Hazard Statement

                                                            [5]


         With respect to the areas mapped as potential bushfire hazard in the Noosa Plan Natural Hazards
          Overlay Mapping we make the following comments: -
           We confirm the vegetation of the Tewantin National Park is correctly mapped as Very High potential
                bushfire intensity based on the mapped Vegetation hazard class (8.1 – Wet eucalypt tall open
                forest) and the FFDI over the area (FFDI – 47). However, we do note the bushfire hazards within
                this section of the Tewantin National Park are managed by way of controlled burns and as such the
                actual bushfire hazard presented by the understorey is significantly lees than the Potential bushfire
                hazard level derived from the State based bushfire hazard data.
         The subject site is separated from the Tewantin National Park by a distance of approximately 50+
          metres due to the Cooroy Noosa Road and area on the road shoulder, and a bikeway which are also
          maintained in a relatively clear state (see Photographic Plate 1).
         Lomandra Place Bushland Reserve is less than 100 metres in width and can be deemed to be
          considered the same bushfire hazard as the surrounding properties, as per State Planning Policy –
          Natural hazards, Risk and Resilience – Technical manual. The Lomandra Place Bushland Reserve is
          surrounded by areas of Low bushfire hazard.
         Access into and away from the proposed facility will be provided by the Cooroy Noosa Road which has
          two-way access allowing staff, residents and emergency services to approach the site from the direction
          of Tewantin or Cooroy.
         Additionally, the proposed dementia facility will also utilise the existing internal vehicle access routes
          which will provide vehicle and Emergency Service access to the northern boundary as well as the
          southern boundary. In additional Emergency vehicle access will also be available to each residential
          villa via the proposed internal pedestrian tracks. It is acknowledged however that should the facility be
          involved in a structural fire, Emergency Service may park close to a hydrant stand pipe and undertaken
          fire suppression operations via extend hoses.
         With regard to a vegetation fire, again the internal roadways and access tracks will facilitate rapid access
          throughout the facility to protect buildings and if required, directly attack the fire when it is in proximity to
          the facility.
         With respect to potential evacuation, there are ample resident community space available within the
          existing facility that can be used as a temporary evacuation area and where residents can be care for
          until they are able to return to their respective rooms once emergency service give the all clear to do so.

Discussion

Bushfire hazard mapping

Further to our findings above and based on the vegetation types and therefore the Vegetation hazard classes as
described by Leonard et al (2014)1 we have come to the view that: -

         With respect to the vegetation of Tewantin National Park to the south of the site it presents as a bushfire
          hazard:
              o We acknowledge the State Government’s Regulated Vegetation Management Mapping maps
                   the National Park as Regional ecosystem 12.5.6c - Eucalyptus pilularis open forest +/- E.
                   siderophloia, E. propinqua, Corymbia intermedia, E. microcorys, E. acmenoides, E.
                   tereticornis, E. biturbinata, Lophostemon confertus with E. saligna, E. montivaga at higher
                   altitudes. Occurs on remnant Tertiary surfaces. Usually deep red soils. (BVG1M: 8b).
              o We generally agree with the State’s mapping with regard to the regional ecosystem throughout
                   this section of Tewantin National Park, however the area adjacent to the subject site is more
                   open and contains a relatively depauperata understorey and groundcover, and as such, is
                   better described as a moist to dry eucalypt forest on coastal lowlands and ranges i.e. VHC 9.1.
                   This area contains largely low to moderately flammable vegetation (see Photographic Plate 6)




1 Ibid.