Attachment 3 - Advice for Rob Friend · 132006.1395.05

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Discussion
The subject site has been inspected on two occasion and an assessment of the potential bushfire
hazards within and around the site were undertaken.
With regard to our findings: -
       The patch of vegetation within Leslie Park is mapped as the Regional Ecosystem 12.2.7 -
        Melaleuca quinquenervia or rarely M. dealbata open forest on sand plains. This patch
        contains serve pieces of infrastructure such as powerline and recreation bikeways and a
        piolet block.
       The patch covers an area of approximately 1.8 hectares and is bounded by roadways on
        three sides and Weyba Creek on the other side.
       Our site inspection indicated this is a disturbed patch of vegetation and that the
        understorey consists of a range of environmental weed species and regenerating riparian
        species.
       This patch is not connected to any other larger patch of vegetation.
       Based on its lack of connectivity, it being bounded by roads and a waterway and the
        dominance of the understorey with species which are not highly flammable, we have
        concluded that this patch can effectively be described as an area of low bushfire hazard.
       With regard to the vegetation within and around the subject site we fund: -
            o   As a natural consequence of the approved development the development footprint
                will require the removal of all potential hazardous vegetation. We note that some
                canopy trees may be retained.
            o   The subject site abuts an area of Council reserve which backs onto Weyba Creek
                and this consists of an area of mangrove. The resulting width of the council
                reserve between mangrove and the western boundary of the subject site is
                approximately 43 metres at its widest point.
            o   To the north are permanent sedge lands with narrow corridors of Paperbark and
                Wattle regrowth. We note that these are not mapped as being hazardous
                vegetation.
Conclusions
Based on our site assessment of the bushfire hazard relevant to this Minor Change Application we
have concluded: -
    1. The subject site and adjacent vegetation can effectively be described as an area of low
       bushfire hazard due to the dominant vegetation types, the status of the hydrology i.e.
       permanent wetland and the lack of connectivity with any area of significant bushfire
       hazard.
    2. We note however that while the vegetation remaining outside of the development footprint
       is an area of low bushfire hazard, it may become involved in a low intensity vegetation fire
       and as such some measures should be implemented to ensure that a low intensity
       vegetation fire does not impact on the property.
    3. We, therefore, respectfully suggest the measures specified below be considered as
       conditions for bushfire management as part of this minor change application: -
            a. An area of the understorey and groundcover of a width of no less than 20 metres
               from any class 1 or 2 structure be maintained around all structures. All canopy or
               sub-canopy tree over 5 metre in height or non-juvenile Koala habitat tree is be
               retained within this 20 metre assert protection area, if it is deemed to be a healthy
               specimen by a suitably qualified and experienced Arboricultureist.