06/1354 - Formally suspend appeals period and submit following for consideration [As Published] · 132006.1354

2.0 SITE CONDITIONS

There have been some changes in site conditions since the February 2006 report
which have some ramifications for bushfire hazard.

2.1 Laguna St Vegetation Covenants

These nine metre wide discontinuous covenants adjacent to Laguna St had previously
been assessed as having a theoretical hazard of Medium according to the Guidelines
of State Planning Policy 1/03 Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Flood, Fire and
Landslide. However a qualitative assessment showed that the hazard was in fact quite
minimal.

Since the development of the original land parcel these strips of vegetation have
undergone some modifications in order to present a more tidy fagade to the estate.
This has involved the removal of some weeds and undergrowth and the placement of
mulch for approximately half of their width.

Apart from the fact that the mulch utilised was straw — a fairly flammable material —
the consequent overall reduction in fuel has meant that these covenants now have very
little fire hazard. At the time of inspection this straw had rotted down considerably
compared with its volume at first application and could be expected to be completely
deteriorated within a few months. Further applications of mulch such as pinebark or
material which is inorganic eg gravel, would reduce the fire hazard even further.

It can be expected that a similar tidy-up will take place around the perimeter of the
latest development due to the proliferation of exotic weeds and grasses such as
Umbrella trees and Green Panic. It would appear that the local authority already
undertakes the spraying of grass around the verges.

2.2 Southern Boundary Vegetation Covenants

Subsequent to the 2006 hazard assessment a 4 metre wide vegetation covenant has
been incorporated along the southern boundary of the development — apparently a
Council condition. This covenant will also apply to the newly created lot 8.

The original assessment emphasised the importance of setbacks of houses from the
Tewah Rd vegetation for safety purposes despite the fact that a qualitative assessment
of the hazard did not support the theoretical finding of a High hazard for this
vegetation. The addition of a 4 metre covenant has reduced this setback significantly.
It can only be assumed that the authorities view this vegetation as having insignificant
hazard or else that it is intended to substantially remove the Tewah Rd vegetation to
faciltate road construction.

 

Taylor Ecology Laguna St Aug 2007