2021-10-12 Planning & Environment Committee Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                      12 OCTOBER 2021


The applicant’s bushfire consultant contends the following-
     ‘I don’t see it as critically necessary that the 3m wide working area is cleared of all trees the
     entire length of the driveway. The extent of clearing should ideally strike a balance between
     operational practicality and ecological conservation. A visually obvious ‘working area’ to 3m
     width along the sides of the driveway should comprise the dominant conditions however the
     presence of some scattered trees along the route within the 3m working area is not deemed
     an operational constraint so long as QFES can rapidly identify a suitable area/s to park and
     easily move about their vehicle. Given the existing trees within the riparian zone are at low
     density, there is ample opportunity for QFES to effectively operate along the driveway and not
     be impacted by a tree with respect to having a 3m cleared zone either side of the driveway for
     fire vehicle doors to open etc. As long as future regrowth is managed in this zone there is no
     real need to clear isolated/scattered individual trees within the 3m wide working area either
     side of the driveway. Common sense should prevail in this regard.’
It is not agreed with the applicant’s consultant, that ‘the presence of scattered trees is not deemed
an operational constraint’ as the provisions clearly state that the area is cleared of all flammable
vegetation greater than 0.1m in height.
The above relevant provisions of the Planning Scheme seek that, clearing of vegetation is avoided
in the riparian buffer and that ecological areas are regenerated and that suitable access for
firefighting is provided. Without the clearing of riparian vegetation within the 20m wide easement,
access for firefighting is hampered and places people and property at unacceptable risk of bushfire.
However, the code is clear that development in the riparian buffer is avoided, and the proposal seeks
to clear and undertake development in the riparian buffer.
Further while it is noted that the area within the riparian buffer where the 20m access easement is
proposed is not heavily vegetated, the 20m wide easement renders around 2,100m² of the riparian
buffer unable to be regenerated. Noting the applicant has only shown on plan the trees required to
be removed for the 4m wide driveway not the extent of clearing required for the additional 3m wide
working area to each side of the driveway.
The codes also seek that vegetation is not adversely impacted upon by earthworks or changes to
the hydrological regime. The driveway requires 2 culvert crossings, one to replace existing minor
infrastructure, and a new crossing for a low lying area. In addition up to 0.65m of fill is required
(approx. 400m³ of material). See Figure 6 for cut and fill plan




                       Figure 6 – Cut and fill plan. Green is fill and pink is cut
Furthermore, the battering from the fill is required to be of a slope which does not compromise
firefighting appliance from accessing the ‘working area’. This means that a greater quantity of fill

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