Bushfire Report · MCU26/0104

Bushfire Report


   ▪   Raking or manual removal of fine fuels
   ▪   Mowing or grazing of grass
   ▪   Removal or pruning of trees, shrubs and understorey
   ▪   Slashing and trittering

It is important to note that reducing fuel does not always require removal of all
vegetation, which would cause environmental damage. Trees and plants also
provide protection against bushfires by mitigating the impact of strong winds, intense
heat and flying embers (by filtering embers) and changing wind patterns. Some
ground cover vegetation is also needed to prevent soil erosion.

   (2) Ongoing management for APZ

The creation of an Asset Protection Zone (APZ) establishes a controlled fuel-
managed area that serves to reduce the potential impact of direct flame contact and
radiant heat on property development, effectively acting as a defensible space. It is
crucial to emphasize that the management of vegetation and landscaping within the
APZ is of paramount importance and should maintain a minimal fuel load.

An APZ should be maintained in perpetuity to ensure ongoing protection from the
impact of bushfires, and maintenance of the APZ should be regularly undertaken,
especially in advance of the bushfire season. The requirements are set out as
follows.

       (i) Inner Protection Area

The Inner Protection Area is the area closest to the building and creates a fuel-
managed area which can minimise the impact of direct flame contact and radiant
heat on the proposed development and act as an important space. Vegetation within
this area should be kept below 100 mm in height and be discontinuous.

In practical terms the Inner Protection Area is typically the curtilage around the
building, consisting of a mown lawn and well-maintained gardens.

When establishing and maintaining the inner protection zone, the following
requirements apply:

   ▪   General
         • Recommend a 1m wide area, suitable for pedestrian traffic, to be
            provided around the immediate curtilage of the building
         • Planting is limited in the immediate vicinity of the building
         • All leaves and vegetation debris must be removed at regular intervals
            during the declared fire danger period
         • Planting should not provide continuous connection to the building
         • Plants greater than 10 cm in height are not recommended to be located
            within 3 m of glazed element of the building
         • Low flammability vegetation species are used


Max Bushfire Protection Consulting                                                   36