2015-02-03 Infrastructure & Services Committee Agenda

INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                            3 FEBRUARY 2015


Civil Operations
2                        BUSHLAND RESERVE FIRE MANAGEMENT PLANNING
OCUMENT IN FOR MATI ON




Author                              Manager Civil Operations, Allan Hull
                                    Planning & Infrastructure Department
                                    Principal Environment Officer, Peter Milne
                                    Planning & Infrastructure Department

Index                               ECM/Fire Management Plan

Attachments                         Nil


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Manager, Civil Operations and Principal Environment
Officer to the Infrastructure and Services Committee Meeting dated 3 February 2015 and:
A.                       Note that a review of fire management of Noosa’s Bushland Reserve Network has
                         been completed;
B.                       Endorse the commencement of bushfire risk assessments, as per industry standard,
                         by Planning and Environment Branch and Natural Areas staff for priority bushland
                         reserves; and
C.                       Endorse the development of a new Noosa Bushland Reserve Network Fire
                         Management Plan by Planning and Environment Branch staff, in consultation with Civil
                         Operations.



REPORT
Council manages 159 bushland reserves covering an area of approximately 2,633ha. Fire is
an important consideration in the management of these reserves. Depending on fire
frequency and intensity, fire may support, or impact upon, the biodiversity values of the
reserve. Vegetation can also represent a fire hazard to neighbouring properties.

Senior Strategic Planner, Anne Wilson, recently undertook a review of Council’s fire
management current planning documents and operations. The Senior Strategic Planner’s
internal review highlighted:

•                        A Noosa Bushland Reserve Network Fire Management Plan was developed in 2006
                         and 23 Fire Management Plans have been completed for specific reserves. Some of
                         the actions of these plans, such as the establishment of fire trails and prescription
                         burning programs, have been implemented, but further work needs to be done;
•                        The 2006 Bushland Reserve Network Fire Management Plan and reserve specific Fire
                         Management Plans are now out dated, with new additions of reserves to the network
                         and changes in legislation;
•                        The State has developed new fire hazard mapping which identifies that out of the 159
                         bushland reserves, 122 are within the mapped medium, high or very high bushfire
                         intensity overlay;



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