Compiled Plans & Documents OPW18-0342 02

                                                                Retirement Living & Aged Care Facility
                                                                       Grasstree Court, Sunrise Beach

each facility, upon their preparation by a suitably qualified WH&S professional. Refer to Appendix F
and G for further detail.

7.7         Landscaping
A landscape concept plan has been prepared for the site by Urbis. This concept plan, read in
conjunction with the ecological assessments, outlines the conceptual nature of tree retention and
general landscaping across the development site.

Based upon the above, the landscaping approaches for the development site are subject to the
following rationale:

     •    limiting potential for fuel accumulation on the site via ongoing grounds keeping and
          landscape management;

     •    breaking opportunities for propagation of fire;

     •    implementing fuel / fire breaks;

     •    ensuring asset protection and defensible space zones are implemented and maintained in
          perpetuity; and

     •    landscape design which does not inadvertently increase bushfire attack risk.

It is noted the development site will be cleared to facilitate construction. Importantly, the
development site maintains some habitat trees which are essential to the endangered Glossy Black
Cockatoo, habitat trees for koala and selected grass trees. The retention of isolated specimens,
even in asset protection and defensible space areas can be achieved where tree canopies are
separated (not touching), tree branches do not over-hang buildings, and the understorey is
completely cleared. It is generally understorey vegetation which drives bushfire behaviour. Thus,
provided the understorey is managed in a low fuel condition across the development site, the
retention of these important feeding trees can be facilitated in a bushfire-responsive manner.

The landscaping intent within the asset protection zones, defensible space, open space and private
open space areas must not inadvertently allow for fire propagation. Landscaping of these areas is
to be undertaken in accordance with the following:

     •    any tree planting is to be undertaken as isolated specimens and not in groups, and must not
          result in branches over-hanging buildings at maturity. Where this is not possible (i.e. for
          building screening), the trees selected must be a fire-wise species with a managed
          understorey);

     •    shrub planting is undertaken as isolated specimens and are not located within the drip zone
          of any tree canopy (only excepted where the shrub species is fire-resistant) and may only
          form small groupings where entirely isolated from tree species;

     •    any ground cover plantings must not exceed 1m in height;

     •    avoid the use of organic garden mulch where possible and instead replace with alternatives
          such as stones, gravel, scoria, pebbles, shells or the like with a low level of flammability;

     •    all plantings are selected in accordance with the CFA’s ‘Landscaping for Bushfire’ Plant
          Selection Key which identifies essential characteristics for ‘fire-wise’ species – being those
          species which are less likely to propagate flame (available online).

     •    garden beds do not immediately adjoin a building, but instead provide a gravel or concrete
          path at least 500mm in width between the two; and

     •    consider the type of plants located near any windows or doors which may apply heat to
          glazing if they ignite.




Status: Final                                                                                  March 2019
Project No.: 18-030                                                                               Page 37