Houghton env. report Dec 2014

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          As indicated, there are two key components of this fuel control area adjacent to the building footprints.
          The intent of these areas is presented for clarification:

          1. The 3.0m wide landscaped strip between the building structure and the lot boundary fence. This
             area was to be cleared for the development and then landscaped with non-combustible material
             including fire retardant plants where appropriate. Such plants were listed in Appendix C of the
             FMP.
          2. The 2.5m wide strip on the river-side of the lot boundary fence and within the Private Open Space
             for Conservation and Waterways Protection (POSCWP) area. It was the understanding of all
             involved that this area would be cleared of species that may present a significant fire risk in the
             future (primarily tall-growing sclerophyll species) with under-plantings of fire retardant species
             where appropriate. The retention of tall-growing species that could exacerbate any fire risk to the
             development area in the future (such as Eucalyptus tereticornis - blue gum) was not an intended
             outcome of this area in regard to fire management. In liaison conducted at the time of preparation
             of the FMP, officers from the QFRS stressed the need to avoid retaining species that promoted
             the vertical distribution of fuel in this strip (as would be the case with tall-growing eucalypt species).
             While this was not specifically stated in the FMP, it was thus an expected and logical
             consequential requirement that such species would be removed from this area. To retain such
             species within this area would thus be in conflict with intent advised and agreed to by the QFRS.

          Assessment of fire risk – outcome of site inspection

          An inspection of the lot was undertaken on the 4th December 2014. The purpose of the inspection
          was to assess the fire risk presented by the existing vegetation adjacent to the developed area in
          light of the requirements and implementation of the FMP and whether action needed to be taken to
          reduce this risk. This assessment is essentially a follow-up to the assessment undertaken by Taylor
          Ecology as reported in their letter dated 18th August 2014. The findings of the Taylor Ecology report
          are agreed with, including the recommendations presented.

          The following comments are also made:

               •    The fuel load in that section of the POSCWP in front of this lot was generally acceptable and
                    likely to be below the 10t/ha criterion designated in the FMP. It was noted that the POSCWP
                    to the immediate south east of the subject lot had a fuel load that would be likely to be
                    substantially higher than 10t/ha, due in part to the disposal of woody debris in this area,
                    possibly derived from maintenance of the adjacent property. A coordinated control burn
                    covering the POSCWP area (undertaken with the approval and supervision of the QFRS) is
                    recommended to be undertaken in the near future. On-going monitoring (as a joint
                    responsibility for all high density lot bodies corporate) is necessary to evaluate the need for
                    further control burns in the longer term
               •    The 3.0 m landscaped strip on the building side of the fence has been well-established with
                    the exception of one tall eucalypt sapling (see Plate 1 attached). While this specimen
                    presents a minimal existing fire risk, its removal is strongly recommended before it grows to
                    a size that will present a significant future risk to the adjacent building. This tree is of
                    negligible ecological value.
               •    The 10 immature blue gums (some dual trunked) in the POSCWP immediately adjacent to
                    the perimeter fence (refer Plate 2) should be removed as soon as is practical. These trees
                    currently present a low fire risk. However, it is highly likely that these trees and their
                    associated canopy spread will grow to mature specimens to the extent that they pose an
                    unacceptable fire risk to the adjacent building. These trees are currently of minimal
                    ecological value and future structural control and thinning to reduce the fire hazard would
                    continue to reduce their ecological value. There is thus no ecological benefit associated with
C:/PT216-L2-Letter to Cape Bouvard re FMP 29th December 2014

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the retention of these trees but, conversely, there is a strong community safety benefit in
reducing the fire risk through their removal. Such removal would accord with the intent of the
FMP. Council approval would nevertheless be required to remove these trees.

e Much of the other native woody vegetation that has been retained within this 2.5m strip in
the POSCWP would not be considered to comprise fire retardant species per se, eg Bribie
Island cypress and Acacia species. Nevertheless, such species are of some ecological value
and, in my view, do not present a significant existing or future fire accelerant risk, given
appropriate management of fuel load. .For this reason, these species should be retained
intact. On-going monitoring of these species will nevertheless be necessary to ensure the
fire hazard in this strip is maintained at acceptable levels.

Summary

Based on the site assessment and a review of existing information relevant to the site and
clarification of the intent of the FMP:

e The retention of the existing fire-accelerant trees (notably blue gums) within the 5.5m wide
fuel control area is inconsistent with the intent of the FMP. It is a matter of common sense for
reducing fire risk that such trees be removed from this area. This accords with the advice of
representatives of the QFRS at the time of preparation of the FMP.

e The fire risk to the building complex in Lot 5 is considered to be low at present, reflecting the
existing management measures employed by the developer. This risk has the potential to
increase significantly in the future should trees identified as being in need of removal be
retained and allowed to grow to mature specimens. It is strongly recommended that these
trees be removed to reduce this future risk.

Should you require further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours faithfully,

 

David Houghton BSc, GDURP, CEnvP

Houghton Environmental Management

C:/PT216-L2-Letter to Cape Bouvard re FMP 29" December 2014

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Plate 1 Eucalypt requiring removal                             Plate 2 Eucalypts in POSCWP fire control zone
                                                               requiring removal




C:/PT216-L2-Letter to Cape Bouvard re FMP 29th December 2014