Attachment 4 - Response to Further Advice Rob Friend and Associates

[13]


       The risk associated with bushfire is mostly from outside the proposed development
        area i.e. Girraween Nature Reserve to the north and east. The vegetation within the
        site is located around the perimeter of the site and any fires which may involve this
        vegetation will initially be of low intensity and burn up the dominant slope and as such
        away from any of the existing infrastructure.
       Resort Drive forms a firebreak that would be sufficient for most ground fires, however,
        would a significant bushfire involve the Girraween Nature Reserve on a high fire
        danger day with an easterly wind it is likely that a fire would involve the understorey
        and depending on connectivity between the understorey and canopy, it may also
        involve the canopy and such a fire has the potential to cross Resort Drive and involve
        the vegetation within the subject site.




DISCUSSION
Further to our findings above and based on the vegetation types, and consequently the
Vegetation Hazard Classes, as described by Leonard et al (2014),1 we have formed the view
that: -

1. With respect to the vegetation in the northern portion and north-eastern boundary of the
   subject site, based on the Standard Bushfire Hazard mapping methodology2, the area
   presents as a High potential bushfire intensity:
   a. The site inspection confirmed the area’s proximity to the significant patch of
      vegetation to the north and east (Girraween Nature Refuge). The area has similar
      vegetation to that observed in the Girraween Nature Refuge although is more
      disturbed, having a presence of weeds and lack of a prominent shrub layer/wallum
      understorey.
   b. The area is separated from vegetation to the north and east by Resort Drive.
   c. We understand some of this vegetation will be cleared for the construction of the new
      tennis courts and parking facilities.
   d. We note this is analogous to both the SPP mapping and Noosa Plan mapping.
   e. Table 1 below provides the derived Potential bushfire intensity level using the
      methodology after Leonard et al (2014) and as contained in the State Planning Policy
      – Natural Hazards, Risks and Resilience – Technical Manual – A fit for Purpose
      approach in undertaking natural hazard studies and risk assessment (April 2016).




1 Leonard, J., Newnham, G., Opie, K., and Blanchi, R. (2014) A new methodology for state-wide mapping of

bushfire prone areas in Queensland. CSIRO, Australia.

2 DILGP, 2016. State Planning Policy – Technical Manual- A ‘fit for purpose’ approach in undertaking

natural hazard studies and risk assessments, DILGP.


RFA17-040 - Bushfire Hazard Assessment & Mitigation Plan | 61 Noosa Springs Dr. Noosa Heads 30 April 2022

                                 Rob Friend & Associates Pty Ltd