Appendix E Bushfire Hazard Assessment Report · RAL24/0003

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;
     ▪   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 16th June 2023 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 Tallowwood Place, a formed bitumen public roadway, from the south
       of the site.
    2. The subject site currently contains an established residential dwelling.
    3. The site has an effective downslope to the north east at up to 9 degrees.

    4. Regulated Vegetation as maintained by Qld Department of Natural Resources & Mines
       (DNRM), maps areas to the northern and western extents of the site as containing
 19 June 2023               41 Tallowwood Place, Black Mountain - Bushfire Management Plan   Page 8
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