292 Illoura Place Cooroibah - Bushfire Management Plan · MCU20/0022

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Proviso
This report has been prepared for the sole use of Amelia Hexton for the purposes for which it
is provided. No part of this report, its attachments or appendices may be reproduced or
distributed to third parties, not connected with the delivery of the purpose, by or on behalf
of the client, without the express written consent of Wollemi Eco-Logical.
It should be noted that the recommendations within this BMP have been formulated based
on site conditions at the time of writing and utilising current best-practise hazard and impact
assessment methodologies, and have been developed to reduce the potential severity of
impacts on the proposed development in the event of a bushfire emergency rather than
prevent impacts altogether. No guarantee is provided or assumed that the area will not be
affected by bushfire at some time.




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Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION............................................................................. 4
   1.1      Subject Site ............................................................................. 5
   1.2      Proposed Development .......................................................... 6
2.0 Bushfire Hazard Assessment ........................................................ 7
   2.1      Current Bushfire Hazard Mapping .......................................... 7
   2.2      On-Site Hazard Assessment .................................................... 8
       2.2.1 Site Inspection & Findings ................................................. 9
       2.2.2 Vegetation Classification ................................................. 10
       2.2.3 Potentially Hazardous Vegetation ................................... 12
3.0 Bushfire Risk Mitigation Measures ............................................. 13
   3.1      Asset Protection Zones ......................................................... 13
       3.1.1 Performance Outcomes .................................................. 13
   3.2      Bushfire Attack Level Assessment ........................................ 14
   3.3      Landscaping and Vegetation Management .......................... 18
   3.4      Emergency Access & Egress .................................................. 18
   3.5      Water Availability for Fire-Fighting Purposes ....................... 19
4.0 Recommendations and Conclusions .......................................... 19




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1.0 INTRODUCTION
Wollemi Eco-Logical has been commissioned to undertake a Site-Specific Bushfire Hazard
Assessment and to prepare a Bushfire Management Plan for a proposed development on the
subject site (Figure 1).

This report aims to assess the Bushfire Hazard and risk to the proposed development with
regard to the Queensland State Government Single State Planning Policy - Part E (SPP 2017),
& the Bushfire Resilient Communities Technical Reference Guide (QFES, 2019) and the Noosa
Plan 2017, Division 9 – Natural Hazards Overlays Code, and the Australian Standard –
Construction in Bushfire Prone Areas (AS3959-2018). These documents detail both the State
and Council interest in Bushfire Hazard with regard to determining suitability of development
applications.

Subsequently, this report references currently available best-practice Bushfire Hazard
Assessment and Risk Mitigation Methodologies, from the following sources: Vegetation
Hazard Classification & Potential Fire-line Intensity for Queensland sourced from ‘A new
methodology for state-wide mapping of bushfire prone areas in Queensland’. CSIRO,
Australia. (2014); Bushfire Attack Level (BAL), Building setback requirements and Construction
Standards as per the Australian Standard AS 3959-2018 - Construction of buildings in bushfire
prone areas. These methodologies are used in conjunction with Noosa Shire Council (NSC)
Planning Scheme requirements to ensure appropriate assessment and mitigation of potential
bushfire hazard is undertaken.
Vegetation composition and extent, slope and industry standard Fuel Load calculations will
be used to determine the Potential Bushfire Hazard acting on the proposed development.
Once determined, Bushfire Risk Mitigation Measures are detailed in order to demonstrate
compliance with Councils Planning Scheme performance outcome to ensure the safety of
people and property in the event of a bushfire emergency.
This BMP has been prepared by a suitably qualified Bushfire Consultant with 20 years relevant
experience in Environmental Management & Bushfire Planning and Design experience
specific to South East Queensland.




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1.1 Subject Site
Address:            292 Illoura Place, Cooroibah

Titles:             Lot 7 on RP858525

Local Government:   Noosa Shire Council

Total Area:         37,770 sqm

Topography:         The site is predominantly flat, with a mild downslope to the
                    north at <1 degree and to the west through south at <2 degrees,
                    as associated with mapped waterway corridors.




                             Figure 1: Subject Site




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1.2 Proposed Development
It is Material Change of Use for a new residential dwelling and 3 cabins (short term
accommodation) is proposed to be constructed is proposed on the subject site. The proposed
development layout is represented in Figure 2.




                                                                  Proposed Extension




                           Figure 2: Proposed Development Layout
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2.0 Bushfire Hazard Assessment
The prevalence of Bushfire in the landscape is dependent on vegetation type and fuel load
available to sustain a bushfire. Bushfire intensity and rate of spread are influenced by fuel
load, (including type and extent of vegetation), topography and to a lesser extent aspect. Land
uses surrounding potentially hazardous vegetation, and consequently the connectivity of
vegetation communities, all influence the potential for a bushfire to develop and be
sustained.

2.1 Current Bushfire Hazard Mapping
A review of State Bushfire Hazard Overlay Mapping, as maintained by the Department of State
Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning (DSDMIP), revealed the site is
within a potential bushfire hazard area (Figure 3).




                          Figure 3: State Bushfire Hazard Overlay Mapping

To verify Bushfire Hazard mapping, a Site-Specific Bushfire Hazard Assessment is triggered,
and is addressed below.


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2.2 On-Site Hazard Assessment
This Site-Specific Bushfire Hazard Assessment references: Vegetation Hazard Classification &
Potential Fire-line Intensity for Queensland sourced from A new methodology for state-wide
mapping of bushfire prone areas in Queensland. CSIRO, Australia. (2014)1; the Bushfire
Resilient Communities Technical Reference Guide (QFES, 2019)2; and the Bushfire Attack
Level (BAL), Building setback requirements and Construction Standards as per the Australian
Standard AS 3959- 2018 - Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas3; and Bushfire Risk
Mitigation Measures in compliance with current industry best-practice assessment
methodologies and Councils Planning Scheme. Vegetation composition and extent, slope and
industry standard Fuel Load calculations will be used to determine the Potential Bushfire
Hazard acting on the proposed development.
Additionally, this BMP will address the requirements of the proposed development against
Noosa Plan 2017, Division 9 – Natural Hazards Overlays Code with regard to the proposed
development.
Two key features of the landscape strongly contribute towards the behaviour of bushfires:

      1. Vegetation community structure/composition
         The structure and composition of vegetation communities determine the rate at
         which dry fuel accumulates. Some vegetation communities protect fuel from drying
         out in all but extreme bushfire seasons, making the vegetation susceptible to very
         destructive bushfires, whilst other vegetation communities may expose fuels to drying
         and therefore be frequently available for burning.
      2. Slope
         As a general rule, bushfire intensity and the rate of spread of bushfires rises in
         proportion to slope, with bushfires burning faster uphill and slower downhill. Studies
         have shown that the speed and intensity of fires moving up slopes generally doubles
         every 10 degrees of slope. Steeper slopes also increase the difficulty of constructing
         ring roads and firebreaks and limit the access for emergency crews.

Several investigative tools were utilised to determine the site-specific bushfire hazard risk
including:

       ▪   A review of local aerial photography;




1 This methodology updates the calculations apparent in the Australian Standard AS3959: 2018 based on current fire weather modelling and

includes 43 detailed Vegetation Hazard Classes, in addition to the 20 broad Hazard categories used to update State-wide Mapping.
2
  The Bushfire Resilient Communities Technical Reference Guide (QFES, 2019), supports the SPP 2017 by providing technical guidance for
bushfire hazard assessment and bushfire management Planning.
3 The Australian Standard AS3959: 2018 defines Fire Danger Index as the chance of a fire starting, its rate of spread, its intensity and the

difficulty of its suppression, according to various combinations of air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and both the long- and
short-term drought effects.

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    ▪   A review of site and local topography;
    ▪   Review of site development plan;
    ▪   A review of DERM Regional Ecosystem Mapping; and
    ▪   An inspection of the site.
The risk assessment comprised an analysis of the site and the surrounding lands (i.e. within
100m) to determine characteristic bushfire risk based on Vegetation Hazard Classifications
for vegetation within 100m of the site.

2.2.1 Site Inspection & Findings
A site inspection was completed on the 12th March 2020 to verify the bushfire hazard mapping
over the site and surrounds. All vegetated areas of the site and within 100m of the proposed
development site were assessed during the site investigations.

A summary of the findings of the site inspection is provided:
    1. Site access is via Illoura Place, a predominantly bitumen public roadway, from the
       north of the site. Site access is via an internal gravel driveway adjacent the eastern
       site boundary.
   2. The subject site currently contains a number of built structures, understood to be
      removed for the purpose of the proposed development.
   3. The site is predominantly flat, with a mild downslope to the north at <1 degree and to
        the west through south at <2 degrees, as associated with mapped waterway corridors.
   4. Regulated Vegetation as maintained by Qld Department of Natural Resources & Mines
      (DNRM), maps a small patch to the southwest of the site as containing Regional
      Ecosystem (RE) 12.3.4 (dominant), described as ‘Melaleuca quinquenervia, Eucalyptus
      robusta woodland on coastal alluvium’. (Refer Figure 4),
        Site assessment confirmed that vegetation adjacent the site to the northwest through
        west to southwest contained site contained melaleuca woodland communities
        associated with mapped watercourses and low land alluvium.
   5. Site vegetation consists of a small patch of melaleuca woodland toward the northern
        extent of the site, associated with a mapped waterway that traverses the site from
        east to west. Other site vegetation consists of predominantly managed grassland, with
        patches of Eucalypt species to toward the southwest of the site, and woodland
        vegetation toward the southern extent.
   6. Adjacent vegetation to the south through southeast and northeast consists of
        disturbed Eucalypt woodland assemblage, fragmented by grazing land and rural
        residential land uses. These vegetation communities are predominantly regrowth,
        with some mature trees present, and with a similar composition to RE 12.5.3,
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        described as ‘Eucalyptus racemosa subsp. racemosa woodland on remnant Tertiary
        surfaces’.
   7. Adjacent vegetation to the north contained predominantly managed landscapes
        associated with established rural residential land uses.




                               Figure 4: Regional Ecosystem Mapping

2.2.2 Vegetation Classification
The structure and composition of vegetation communities determine the rate at which dry
fuel accumulates. Some vegetation communities protect fuel from drying out in all but
extreme bushfire seasons, making the vegetation susceptible to very destructive bushfires,
whilst other vegetation communities may expose fuels to drying and therefore be frequently
available for burning.

Vegetation communities surrounding the proposed development were referenced against
mapped RE’s in the general vicinity, and Vegetation Hazard Classifications and Potential Fire-
line Intensity calculations as detailed in the CSIRO (2014) report. Potential Fuel Load
calculations were undertaken on site to validate vegetation classifications and subsequently
potential bushfire hazard to the proposed development.



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Vegetation ecotones result in varying fuel load availability. Subsequently, vegetation
communities have been referenced against predominant vegetation with highest fuel loads.
Observed vegetation communities are described in Table 1.
                                   Table 1 Vegetation Hazard Classifications
 Direction of       Vegetation           DNRM          Vegetation        Potential           Potential   Potential
  Bushfire       Description (Sub-      Regional      Hazard Class       Fuel Load           Fire-line   Bushfire
   Hazard        Unit – if relevant)   Ecosystem (CSIRO, 2014)             (t/ha)            Intensity    Hazard
                                                                                              (kw/m)
northwest        Melaleuca            RE:12.3.4      Class      22.1    28.4t/ha            26,790         High
through west     Woodland to forest                  Melaleuca
to southwest                                         open forests
                                                     on seasonally
                                                     inundated
                                                     lowland
                                                     coastal
                                                     swamps
North (site) &   Melaleuca            NA             Class      22.1    19.7t/ha            12,890       Medium
Adjacent to      Woodland                            Melaleuca
the northeast                                        woodlands on
                                                     seasonally
                                                     inundated
                                                     lowland
                                                     coastal
                                                     swamps
South            Eucalypt woodland    NA             Class 9.2 Moist    17.2t/ha            9,826        Medium
through                                              to dry eucalypt
southeast &                                          woodland on
Northeast                                            coastal
                                                     lowlands and
                                                     ranges
North            Managed              NA             Class       12:    5t/ha               830            Low
(adjacent        Landscapes                          Mixture      of
site)                                                Rural Classes,
                                                     mainly grasses
East (central)   Managed              NA             Class       12:    5t/ha               830            Low
                 Landscapes                          Mixture      of
                                                     Rural Classes,
                                                     mainly grasses
Site (balance)   Managed          &   NA             Class       12:    5t/ha               830            Low
                 unmanaged                           Mixture      of
                 grasslands                          Rural Classes,
                                                     mainly grasses


Vegetation Hazard classification as described in Table 1, are visually represented in Figure 5.




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                                                                              Potentially Hazardous Vegetation

                                                                                        High Hazard

                                                                                        Medium Hazard

                                                                                        Potential Impact Buffer

                                                                                        Low Hazard




                             Figure 4: Vegetation Hazard Classification

2.2.3 Potentially Hazardous Vegetation
Based on the above assessment, vegetation posing a High Potential Bushfire Hazard to the
proposed development is present to the northwest through west to southwest, and a medium
potential hazard is present to the north (site) & adjacent site to the northeast, and to the
south through southeast & northeast. These vegetation communities have the potential to
carry high to moderate fuel loads and subsequently present a potential Bushfire Hazard to
the proposed development.
Vegetation to the north and east (central) of the site have been classified as having a Low
Potential Bushfire Hazard. Subsequently, the proposed development location is considered
to be within a potential impact buffer area as represented in Figure 5.

The following section details Bushfire Risk Mitigation measures to be implemented on the site
to address the Bushfire Hazard and compliance requirements acting on the proposed
development.
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3.0 Bushfire Risk Mitigation Measures
The following section describes Bushfire Risk Mitigation measures, recommended to be
utilised at the subject site to reduce the risk of Bushfire impacting on people and property.
The scope of proposed Bushfire Risk Mitigation Measures have been drawn from the
following sources:
    ▪   the Queensland State Government Single State Planning Policy - Part E (SPP 2017);
    ▪   the Bushfire Resilient Communities Technical Reference Guide (QFES,2019);
    ▪   the Noosa Plan 2017, Division 9 – Natural Hazards Overlays Code; and
    ▪   the Australian Standard (AS 3959- 2018) - Construction of buildings in bushfire prone
        areas.
The intent of the above legislation is to protect people and premises in the event of a bushfire
emergency, through achieving acceptable Performance Outcomes for the development given
the identified bushfire hazard. Performance Outcomes are generally achieved by appropriate
separation of a development from bushfire hazard, appropriate access for fire-fighting
vehicles, and appropriate construction standards of buildings. Additional factors are detailed
where considered appropriate.

3.1 Asset Protection Zones
Asset protection zones (APZ’s) provide a defensive tool to assist in the reduction of potential
bushfire impact to people and property situated in bushfire prone areas. APZ’s are the most
strategically valuable defence against radiant heat and flame, and to a lesser extent, embers.
Whilst APZ’s should prevent buildings from being subjected to direct contact from flames, and
reduced levels of radiant heat in the event of a bushfire, building construction standards will
also be key to ensuring the performance of buildings subjected to ember attack. Bushfire
Attack Level for the proposed development is determined in Section 3.2.
Based on the above Bushfire Hazard Assessment, APZ’s may be required adjacent the
proposed development. These are detailed in the following section.

3.1.1 Performance Outcomes
APZ and setback distances have not been prescribed in the SPP 2017. The SPP refers to
‘provision of appropriate defendable space between dwellings and medium or above Bushfire
Hazard’. The Bushfire Resilient Communities Technical Reference Guide (QFES, 2019), refers
to determining APZ’s based on achieving a 29kW/m2 fireline intensity. This is achieved by
using either the Method 2 Bushfire Attack Level Assessment as per the AS3959,2018 for
Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas or Bushfire Asset Protection Zone Width
Calculator (QFES, 2019), which uses the calculations underpinned by the AS3959, 2018
calculation.
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The ‘Noosa Plan 2017, Division 9 – Natural Hazards Overlays Code’ (O7) requires ‘building
works to be sited, designed and constructed to minimise the number of people and property
subject to a bushfire risk; and maximise the protection of people and property during the
passage of a fire front’. Councils Probable Solution (S7.1) of ‘1.5 times the predominant
mature canopy tree height or 10m whichever is the greater; and 10m from any retained
vegetation strips or small areas of vegetation’ is detailed.

Consequently, and as per the Bushfire Resilient Communities Technical Reference Guide
(QFES, 2019), the required setbacks (APZ’s) detailed in the AS3959-2018, with regard to
building construction standards, are considered appropriate to inform the identified bushfire
hazard to the proposed development and consequently meeting the intent of the
Performance Outcomes of Councils Planning Scheme and State Methodologies.

Subsequently, the following section details the Bushfire Attack Level requirements for the
proposed development. These calculations are subsequently used to inform required APZ
distances adjacent the proposed development, in order to comply with the performance
outcomes of the Australian Standard (AS3959-2018) and the intent of the Noosa Hazard
Overlay Code. It is noted that the proposed location of each structure has been assessed to
exceed 1.5 times the mature canopy height and >10m from adjacent assessable vegetation,
relative to each structure, as detailed below

3.2 Bushfire Attack Level Assessment
Australian Standard 3959 (2018) Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas provides
minimum construction standards for new dwellings in designated Bushfire Prone Areas. The
construction standards are intended to improve the performance of buildings subjected to
burning debris, radiant heat or flame contact. The AS3959- 2018 methodology prescribes
Bushfire Attack Levels (BAL’s) to the facades of proposed buildings to which corresponding
construction safety standards are applied. AS3959-2018 defines Bushfire Attack Levels as:

        ‘A means of measuring the severity of a building’s potential exposure to ember
        attack, radiant heat and direct flame contact, using increments of radiant heat
        expressed in kilowatts per metre squared, which is the basis for establishing the
        requirements for construction to improve protection of building elements from attack
        by bushfire.’

In accordance with the Australian Standard – Construction of Buildings in Bushfire-prone
Areas (AS 3959, 2018), the required construction standards for the proposed development
has been undertaken based on the potential Bushfire Hazard adjacent the proposed
development location as detailed above (Table 2).

This assessment has been based on the following assumptions:

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   ▪   A Fire Danger Index (FDI) of 50 (AS 3959- 2018);
   ▪   Proposed development will be located in the layout as represented in Figure 2.
   ▪   Adjacent assessable vegetation communities have been classified as detailed in Table
       1 for each relevant elevation, as per the AS 3959 – 2018;
   ▪   Fuel load calculations (Method 2 BAL) for potentially hazardous vegetation adjacent
       the proposed development have been classified as detailed in Table 1 for each
       relevant elevation for the proposed development.
   ▪   Slope is predominantly flat, with a mild downslope to the northwest through west to
       south.
   ▪   Setbacks for each structure to adjacent assessable vegetation have been detailed for
       the highest potential hazard posed to each structure, as follows: Cabin 1 – 15m to the
       east; Cabin 2 - 20m to the west; Cabin 3 – 20m to the east; Primary Dwelling – 25m to
       the west.
       N.B. vegetation present within the above identified setbacks has been classified as
       low threat/managed vegetation.
   Additional parameters used to determine relative BAL ratings are detailed in the
   following Table/s.
                Table 2: BAL Requirements - Potentially Hazardous Vegetation- Proposed Cabin 1




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                Table 3: BAL Requirements - Potentially Hazardous Vegetation- Proposed Cabin 2




                Table 4: BAL Requirements - Potentially Hazardous Vegetation- Proposed Cabin 3




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         Table 4: BAL Requirements - Potentially Hazardous Vegetation- Proposed Primary Residence




In accordance with AS 3959 (2018), the required Bushfire Attack Level for the proposed
development on the subject site has been determined. Based on this assessment, the
proposed development is potentially subject to the following, relative to each structure:

   •    Cabin 1 – BAL 19 (Refer to Sections 3 & 6 in the Australian Standard – Construction of
        Buildings in Bushfire-prone Areas - AS 3959, 2018).
   •    Cabin 2 – BAL-12.5 (Refer to Sections 3 & 5 in the Australian Standard – Construction
        of Buildings in Bushfire-prone Areas - AS 3959, 2018).
   •    Cabin 3 BAL-12.5 (Refer to Sections 3 & 5 in the Australian Standard – Construction of
        Buildings in Bushfire-prone Areas - AS 3959, 2018).
   •    Primary Residence – BAL-12.5 (Refer to Sections 3 & 5 in the Australian Standard –
        Construction of Buildings in Bushfire-prone Areas - AS 3959, 2018).

The nominated construction standards should be reviewed by an experienced
consultant/designer at the time of detailed building design. Should the proposed site layout
or vegetation setbacks identified above change, this may alter the determination of the
required BAL.

It is also noted that APZ setbacks are measured from the edge of the dwelling to the drip line
(i.e. edge of canopy) of adjacent, assessable vegetation communities.

It is noted that the proposed location of each structure has been assessed to exceed 1.5 times
the mature canopy height and >10m from adjacent assessable vegetation, relative to each
structure, as detailed. These setbacks are considered appropriate to function as Asset
Protection Zones adjacent each structure, in compliance with the performance outcomes and
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the intent of the Noosa Hazard Overlay Code, and the Bushfire Resilient Communities
Technical Reference Guide. Maintenance of these setbacks in a managed state is required
adjacent each structure, including maintaining grassland to avoid fuel load accumulation
adjacent the proposed development.

3.3 Landscaping and Vegetation Management
The landscaping and ongoing management of vegetation in areas susceptible to Bushfire
Hazard is an important tool to mitigate bushfire risk. Previously detailed APZ’s should prevent
buildings from being subjected to direct contact from flames, and reduced levels of radiant
heat in the event of a bushfire.

Landscaping and vegetation retention within the APZ should consider the following
guidelines:
    ▪   Immediately adjacent proposed buildings should either be fully cleared and regularly
        maintained (i.e. lawn) or retain trees as clumps or islands and provide a tree canopy
        cover of less than 15% and tree canopies should be located greater than 2 metres from
        any part of the roofline of a building. Any trees should have lower limbs removed up
        to a height of 2 metres above the ground.
    ▪   Any landscaping performed on site shall maintain the APZ effectively free of available
        fuel. Landscaping plants may be used in this area so long as they are selected for their
        low combustibility, by virtue of high moisture content, low volatile oil content, high
        leaf mineral levels, large fleshy leaves, and absence of shedding bark. They should be
        placed so as to not provide either vertical or horizontal connectedness of plant
        material, and avoid overhanging rooflines or contact with flammable parts of
        buildings. Any planted trees should be of species which grow to over 2m, to maintain
        separation between lower canopy and the ground.
    ▪   Turf is to be maintained regularly to reduce the potential for long grass to fuel an
        advancing fire toward buildings.

3.4 Emergency Access & Egress
New developments in bushfire prone areas should be serviced by safe access/exit points for
both residents and emergency services personnel in the event of an emergency. The
development is to avoid entrapment potential, provide safe and effective access for
emergency services vehicles and safe evacuation routes for occupants.

The Noosa Plan 2017, Division 9 – Natural Hazards Overlays Code (O9) prescribes ‘fire access
tracks to provide adequate access for fire-fighting and other emergency vehicles and adequate
width to minimise the risk of fire crossover’. 012 prescribes that ‘Roads provide for the safe
and effective evacuation of users of premises and access by Emergency Services’.

Site access is via Illoura Place, a predominantly bitumen public roadway, from the north of
the site. Site access is via an internal gravel driveway adjacent the eastern site boundary. This
driveway is ~3m in width throughout. It is recommended this driveway be widened to a
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minimum formed width of 3.5m, and cleared width of 6m throughout, and wide enough to
enable passing of vehicles at a maximum of 200m intervals. All accesses are to be all-weather
access and constructed to a standard able to carry a medium rigid emergency vehicle, and
with turn around areas at each cabin and the residence, and able to accommodate a turning
area for fire-fighting appliances, in accordance with Qld Fire & Emergency Services (QFES) Fire
Hydrant and Vehicle Access Guideline.

With the above recommendations being met, the proposed development will be considered
to be in compliance with the requirements and intent of the Natural Hazards Overlay Code.

3.5 Water Availability for Fire-Fighting Purposes
The Noosa Plan 2017, Division 9 – Natural Hazards Overlays Code (O8) prescribes the
proposed development is to provide ‘an adequate and accessible water supply for fire-
fighting purposes’.

The proposed development will not be on reticulated water, and is consequently deemed
appropriate that each structure be serviced by a minimum 5,000L water tank, with male
50mm cam lock fittings (standard fire-fighting fittings). Tanks are to be located within 10m of
each structure and with all-weather access within 6m of each tank. Consequently, with these
recommendations being met, the proposed development is considered to be in compliance
with the requirements and intent of the Natural Hazards Overlay Code.


4.0 Recommendations and Conclusions
This report details the assessment of Bushfire Hazard and risk mitigation measures acting on
the proposed development, with consideration to the requirements of: the Queensland State
Government Single State Planning Policy - Part E (SPP 2017); the Bushfire Resilient
Communities Technical Reference Guide (QFES,2019); the Australian Standard (AS 3959- 2018)
- Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas; and the Noosa Plan 2017, Division 9 –
Natural Hazards Overlays Code.
This assessment has confirmed vegetation posing a High Potential Bushfire Hazard to the
proposed development is present to the northwest through west to southwest, and a medium
potential hazard is present to the north (site) & adjacent site to the northeast, and to the
south through southeast & northeast (Refer Section 2.2). These vegetation communities have
the potential to carry high to moderate fuel loads and subsequently present a potential
Bushfire Hazard to the proposed development.
Vegetation to the north and east (central) of the site have been classified as having a Low
Potential Bushfire Hazard. Subsequently, the proposed development location is considered
to be within a potential impact buffer area.



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The following Bushfire Risk Mitigation Measures, as detailed above, are considered
appropriate to substantially mitigate the Bushfire Hazard acting on the proposed
development:
    ▪   Asset Protection Zone (APZ) widths have been determined for areas of the proposed
        development, adjacent each structure and are considered to be compliant with the
        requirements in Councils Natural Hazards Overlay Code and State requirements (refer
        Section 3.1).
    ▪   BAL determination and Construction Standard requirements have been determined
        for the proposed development, with a maximum BAL rating of BAL-19 applicable (refer
        Section 3.2).
    ▪   Vegetation management within the APZ has been detailed to ensure low fuel
        availability and reduced connectivity to buildings (refer Section 3.3).
    ▪   Vehicular Access and Egress of the proposed development has been detailed. It is
        recommended this driveway be widened to a minimum formed width of 3.5m, and
        cleared width of 6m throughout, and wide enough to enable passing of vehicles at a
        maximum of 200m intervals. All accesses are to be all-weather access and constructed
        to a standard able to carry a medium rigid emergency vehicle, and with turn around
        areas at each cabin and the residence, and able to accommodate a turning area for
        fire-fighting appliances, in accordance with Qld Fire & Emergency Services (QFES) Fire
        Hydrant and Vehicle Access Guideline (refer Section 3.4).
    ▪   Water Availability for Fire-fighting Purposes as per Councils Planning Scheme has been
        detailed with a minimum 5,000L water tank required for each structure for fire-
        fighting purposes (refer Section 3.5).
This assessment has been undertaken based on vegetative condition and bushfire hazards
identified on and adjacent the subject site in March 2020.
It should be noted that the recommendations within this BMP have been formulated based
on site conditions at the time of writing and utilising current best-practise hazard and impact
assessment methodologies, and have been developed to reduce the potential severity of
impacts on the proposed development in the event of a bushfire emergency rather than
prevent impacts altogether. No guarantee is provided or assumed that the area will not be
affected by bushfire at some time.
Site occupants should seek advice from the local fire authority every 5 years (as a minimum)
to ensure the subject recommendations remain appropriate as site conditions and hazard
assessment methodologies may change over time.
Bushfires are an intrinsic part of Australia's environment, are often unpredictable, and have
potentially extremely serious consequences. All Queenslanders should be familiar with the
official Bushfire Warnings system and have a completed Bushfire Survival Plan. Print ready
guides for preparing a Bushfire Survival Plan and to assist in the interpretation of the official
Bushfire Warnings system are available for download from the Rural Fire Service Queensland
website – https://ruralfire.qld.gov.au/bushfires/.

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Page 21

There are three formal Bushfire Warning levels:
         Advice
         Monitor conditions and review your bushfire survival plan.
         Watch and act
        Conditions are changing. Start taking action and follow your bushfire survival plan.
         Emergency Warnings
        You are in danger. Act on your bushfire survival plan now.




 13 March 2020                292 Illoura Place, Cooroibah - Bushfire Management Plan     Page 21
                                              www.wollemi-eco.com.au