PR18082_BIK_Settlers Cove Stage 4_RevA_07082018 · OPW18/0155

                                                         Green Tape Solutions
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3. Bushfire Assessment
An assessment of the site was performed on 17th July 2018 by a qualified ecologist/bushfire officer.
Site observations included:
•     vegetation characteristics;
•     slope;
•     evidence of previous fires; and
•     forest fuel hazard.
Vegetation characteristics and slope were assessed in consideration of the Australian Standard for the
Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas (AS 3959-2009). Indicative forest fuel loads (tonnes
(t)/hectare (ha)) were assessed using the Overall fuel hazard assessment guide (DSE 2010).

3.1     Hazardous Materials and Vegetation
The covenant area is mapped as medium and high potential bushfire intensityand potential impact
buffer under the Natural Hazards Overlay map under the Noosa planning scheme (accessed August
2018). The likely direction of bushfire attack on the building is from the north to the west and through
the covenant area. Given the building is used for residential purposes, storage and handling of hazard
materials at the site will be consistent with typical household patterns and is not likely to contribute to
bushfire risk in the covenant area.

If a barbecue is installed in the swimming pool area, the gas bottle will not be stored in a position which
is exposed to the bushfire hazard in the covenant area and will be at located at least 3 m from the
covenant area boundary.

A fence will be installed on the boundary of the covenant area and the building area and is likely to
consist of timber posts and braided wire.

Restoration work will be undertaken in the covenant area along the proposed pathway. Restoration work
includes planting groundcover vegetation, generally in accordance with the ERP and details outlined in
this bushfire report.

3.2     Fire History
Observations were made for signs of previous fires in the covenant area. Charring was observed on
fallen timber found in the lower slope of the covenant area, but there was no evidence of charring on
standing trees which indicates it has been a long time since the area was subject to fire. The observation
is consistent with the FMP which states that the Settler’s Cove area has not been burnt for at least 25
years.

While the observations should not be interpreted to mean that the site will not be subject to a fire incident
in the future, it does suggest a fire incident would be a rare event.

The fire danger season in South-east Queensland starts in August, peaks in September and begins to
decline in November, but will remain elevated until consistent summer rainfall occurs. Typically, the
worst fire weather conditions will be experienced during the fire danger season when the wind direction
is from the north.




PR18082_BIK_Settlers Cove Stage 4                                                               Page 7