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Bushfire Hazard Assessment & Management Plan v2 - 30 Pottery St Pomona 2021
J000864
BUSHFIRE HAZARD ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT
PLAN v2
LOT 496 ON MCH591
30 POTTERY STREET, POMONA
FOR
ELLEN LEAPE
JUNE 2021
PO Box 9566 Pacific Paradise QLD 4564 / Email: [email protected]
ABN 60 625 108 625
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Bushfire Hazard Assessment & Management Plan v2 NCES REF: J000864
Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona
DOCUMENT CONTROL
Document: Bushfire Hazard Assessment & Management Plan
Client: Ellen Leape
Project Number: J000864
Project: Reconfiguration of a Lot
Site: Lot 496 on MCH591
30 Pottery Street, Pomona
File Ref: C:\CLIENTS\LEAPE ELLEN\2019 RoL\04_REPORTING\Bushfire Hazard
Assessment & Management Plan v2 – 30 Pottery Street Pomona.docx
Version Date Distribution Author/s Approved
1 11/06/2020 Brian Naismith N. Willis (B. Sc., Dip. Joshua Lee
CLM., mAABR) – (B. Sc. AES, mEIANZ)
Principal Ecologist - Director
2 11/06/2021
DISCLAIMER
To the extent permitted by law, North Coast Environmental Services (including its employees, partners and consultants) excludes
all liability to any person for any consequences, including but not limited to all losses, damages, costs, expenses, and any other
compensation, arising directly or indirectly, from using this publication (in part or whole) and any information or material contained
in it.
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Bushfire Hazard Assessment & Management Plan v2 NCES REF: J000864 Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona Contents 1 INTRODUCTION 4 1.1 BACKGROUND 4 1.2 STATE PLANNING POLICY BUSHFIRE INTENSITY OVERLAY MAP 4 1.3 DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL 4 2 SITE DESCRIPTION 5 2.1 GENERAL 5 2.2 TOPOGRAPHY 5 2.3 VEGETATION 6 2.3.1 VEGETATION HAZARD CLASS 9.1 – MOIST TO DRY EUCALYPT OPEN FORESTS ON COASTAL LOWLANDS OR RANGES 8 2.3.2 VEGETATION HAZARD CLASS 39.2 – LOW TO MODERATE TREE COVER IN BUILT UP AREAS 8 2.3.3 VEGETATION HAZARD CLASS 41.4 – DISCONTINUOUS LOW GRASS OR TREE COVER IN BUILT UP AREAS 9 2.4 VEGETATION EXTERNAL OF THE 150M ASSESSMENT BUFFER 9 3 HAZARD ASSESSMENT 11 3.1 HAZARD ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY 11 3.2 LOCAL HAZARD AREA MAP 11 3.3 QUANTITATIVE MODELLING 15 4 BUSHFIRE RISK ASSESSMENT 19 4.1 GENERAL 19 4.2 RISK FROM IDENTIFIED HAZARDOUS VEGETATION 20 5 BUSHFIRE IMPACT REDUCTION MEASURES 21 5.1 GENERAL 21 5.2 ASSET PROTECTION ZONES 21 5.2.1 GENERAL 21 5.2.2 STATE PLANNING POLICY – STATE INTEREST GUIDANCE MATERIAL (NATURAL HAZARDS, RISKS AND RESILIENCE – BUSHFIRE) DECEMBER 2019 22 5.2.3 RADIANT HEAT FLUX SETBACKS 22 5.3 WATER SUPPLY 22 5.4 FIRE BREAKS 22 5.5 VEHICULAR ACCESS 24 5.6 LANDSCAPING AND REGROWTH 24 5.7 GENERAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE 25 6 AUSTRALIAN STANDARD 3959:2018 CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS IN BUSHFIRE PRONE AREAS (AS 3959:2018) SETBACKS 26 7 LEGISLATION AND OVERLAYS 27 7.1 NOOSA PLAN 2006 – NATURAL HAZARDS OVERLAY CODE 27 7.2 STATE PLANNING POLICY – NATURAL HAZARDS, RISK AND RESILIENCE 30 8 CONCLUSIONS 32 © 2021 ii
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Bushfire Hazard Assessment & Management Plan v2 NCES REF: J000864 Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona 8.1 CERTIFICATION MATTERS 32 9 REFERENCES 33 APPENDIX 1 – SITE LAYOUT 34 APPENDIX 2 – LOT 8 BUSHFIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN 35 © 2021 iii
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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
This Bushfire Hazard Assessment and Management Plan has been prepared to assess and
manage the degree of potential bushfire hazard and associated risk acting on Lot 496 on
MCH591, located at 30 Pottery Street, Pomona (referenced hereafter as ‘the site’). The site is
the subject of a Reconfiguration of a Lot development application which has been submitted to
Noosa Council under the superseded Noosa Plan (Council Reference RAL19/0014). This
assessment has been prepared to respond to Item 6 of the Information Request issued by Council
on 13 March 2020, and this version has been updated to include recommendations by Councils
Bushfire Specialist.
1.2 State Planning Policy Bushfire Intensity Overlay Map
The site is mapped under the State Planning Policy (SPP) (refer to Plate 1) as containing the
following Potential Bushfire Intensity area:
• High Potential Bushfire Intensity area in the north-west corner;
• Medium Potential Bushfire Intensity area across the majority of the site; and
• Potential Impact Buffer in the north-east and south-east corners.
Plate 1 – SPP Bushfire Intensity Mapping Overlay
Under Chapter 2, Part 1, Section 8, Item 4(a) of the Planning Act 2016, where there is an
inconsistency between a State planning policy and local government planning instrument, a State
planning policy applies instead of a regional plan or local planning instrument. Therefore, in this
instance, the SPP Bushfire Prone Areas mapping prevails with respect to the currency of the
assigned risk classes and the trigger for assessment under Council’s Natural Hazards Overlay
Code.
1.3 Development Proposal
The applicant is seeking to subdivide the existing allotment into eight new allotments (Stage 1),
with a future additional two allotments also proposed (Stage 2). The majority of the new allotments
will be approximately 0.1ha, with Lot 8 significantly larger due to the proposed retention of native
bushland within a conservation covenant. The eastern site extent will be cleared to accommodate
the proposed residential allotments. The Plan of Development is included as Appendix 1.
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2 Site Description
2.1 General
The site covers 2.022ha and is flanked by Pottery Street along the eastern boundary. The majority
of the site is characterised by native vegetation dominated by open forest species. One existing
dwelling is present within the centre of the site near the northern boundary.
The site is zoned as Detached Housing within the Noosa Plan 2006.
Plate 2 depicts the site’s position in the landscape and the extent of existing development.
Plate 2 – Site Context (Source: NC Interactive Maps)
2.2 Topography
The slope of the land is a major determinant of fire behaviour, particularly the slope of the land
under vegetation that contributes to bushfire hazard. Fire burns faster as it travels up slope, via
preheating of unburnt fuels ahead of the fire, increasing the rate of spread and fireline intensity.
Conversely, fires move more slowly as they travel downslope. Fireline intensity (kW/m) is a
function of the rate of spread (QFES 2019).
A low ridgeline traverses the northern site extent, with the majority of the site exhibiting a southerly
aspect. The ridgeline reaches a topographic high of approximately 117m AHD in the north and a
topographic low of approximately 110m AHD on the southern boundary. Slopes decline from the
ridge in the north to the southern boundary at approximately 6.5 degrees.
Plate 3 depicts topography conditions within and adjacent to the site.
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Plate 3 – Site Topography (Source: NC Interactive Maps)
2.3 Vegetation
The following vegetation hazard classes (classified in accordance with QFES (2019)) were
identified within the assessment area which includes a 150m buffer surrounding the site:
• Vegetation Hazard Class 9.1 – Moist to dry eucalypt open forests on coastal lowlands
and ranges;
• Vegetation Hazard Class 39.2 - Low to moderate tree cover in built-up areas; and
• Vegetation Hazard Class 41.4 – Discontinuous low grass or tree cover.
The characteristics of each observed vegetation hazard class are described in the following
sections. Plan No. BF01 – Vegetation Hazard Classes depicts their distribution across the
assessment area.
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EGEND THE SITE .— OM BUFFER TO ASSESSMENT AREA Vegetation Hazard Class 9.1 ist to dry Eucalypt open forests on coastal lowlands and ranges Veuatation Hazard Class 1.4 Discontinuous low grass or tree cover in built-up areas UNITS OF VEGETATION REMOVED 1} VEGETATION <SOM WIDE HAVE BEEN REMOVED 4 As PER THE PATCH AND CORRIDOR FILTERING PROCESS (Leonard et. al (2017) = Vegetation Hazard Class 39.2 Low to moderate tree cover in built-up areas TITLE te ay REV NORTH: North Coast a _—— Environmental Penne ELLEN LEAP| [|S VEGETATION HAZARD CLASSES Jo00601 BFOl A ra ervices [A PREUMNARY —=SCSC~C~*~*~«OI SCALE 1:1500 @ A1 Js oocue hy or conn ogee A Font ORY Environmental yment Consultants: x Manage iS: Bae TNT GRD] Semen DOF oko enmaut Te Nan
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2.3.1 Vegetation Hazard Class 9.1 – Moist to dry Eucalypt open forests on coastal lowlands
or ranges
Vegetation Hazard Class 9.1 (VHC 9.1) is present within most the site and the landscape to the west
of the site. The canopy has attained an average height of 30m and is dominated by a mix of
Eucalypts including Eucalyptus acmenoides (white mahogany) and E. pilularis (blackbutt). Corymbia
intermedia (pink bloodwood) and Eucalyptus propinqua (small-fruited grey gum) were also observed
as a sub-dominant presence within the canopy. Projective Foliage Canopy Cover (PFCC) is
approximately 35% with average diameter at breast height (DBH) of the canopy trees at
approximately 300-500mm, with some mature E. pilularis individuals attaining a DBH of >1000mm.
The mid-storey within VHC 9.1 is sparse and dominated by common open forest species such as
Petalostigma triloculare (quinine) and Lophostemon confertus (brush box). The understorey is
dominated by a range of native grass and sedge species, with areas of localised native shrub
species.
VHC 9.1 is attributed a potential combined surface fuel load of 21 t/ha and a potential total fuel load
of 24.2 t/ha (QFES, 2019). Plate 4 depicts typical conditions within VHC 9.1.
Plate 4 – Characteristic vegetation within VHC 9.1
2.3.2 Vegetation Hazard Class 39.2 – Low to moderate tree cover in built up areas
Vegetation Hazard Class 39.2 (VHC 39.2) is the dominant Vegetation Hazard Class within the
assessment area and is characterised by the larger rural-residential allotments characterised by
periodically slashed or grazed grassland with low density woody vegetation. VHC 39.2 is attributed
a potential total fuel load of 8 t/ha and is assigned a Low Potential Bushfire Intensity class on flat
ground (QFES, 2019). Plate 5 depicts typical conditions within VHC 39.2.
Plate 5 – Characteristic vegetation within VHC 39.2
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2.3.3 Vegetation Hazard Class 41.4 – Discontinuous low grass or tree cover in built up areas
Vegetation Hazard Class 41.4 (VHC 41.4) is located to the east of Pottery Street and is characterised
by the smaller built residential allotments containing sparse vegetation which primarily consists of
landscaped gardens with low density trees and regularly mown grass areas. VHC 41.4 is attributed
a potential total fuel load of 3 t/ha and is assigned a Low Potential Bushfire Intensity class on flat
ground (QFES, 2019). Plate 6 depicts typical conditions within VHC 41.4.
Plate 6 – Characteristic vegetation within VHC 41.4
2.4 Vegetation external of the 150m assessment buffer
The site is located on the eastern edge of a large expanse of native bushland, including vegetation.
contained within Tuchekoi National Park. The vegetation corridor encompasses over 150ha and
includes the steep escarpment and foothills of Mt Cooroora. Semi-vegetated rural-residential
allotments border the site to the north and south. The built residential area of the Pomona township
is located to the east of the site.
Available direct forest fire runs are present predominantly upslope of the site to the west, with a
smaller potential fire run available across slope to downslope to the north and south-west.
Plate 7 depicts the general extent of bushland habitat hence available fire zones surrounding the
site.
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SITE
Tuchekoi National Park
Plate 7 – Dominant forest fire runs (Source: Queensland Globe)
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3 HAZARD ASSESSMENT
3.1 Hazard Assessment Methodology
The Noosa Planning Scheme requires that a site-specific bushfire hazard assessment be prepared
to assess the degree of bushfire hazard on a site captured within a mapped Designated Bushfire
Hazard Area. The SPP Bushfire Prone Area mapping prevails over the Noosa Bushfire Hazard Area
mapping with respect to the currency of the methodology adopted to prepare the mapping.
Accordingly, the site-specific hazard mapping required is to be prepared consistent with the
methodology adopted to prepare the SPP mapping.
The methodology used to prepare the SPP mapping is described in:
• Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning’s Natural Hazards, Risk and
Resilience –– Bushfire (December 2019) State Planning Policy – state interest guidance
material; and
• Queensland Fire and Emergency Services - (2019) Planning for Bushfire Resilient
Communities.
Site-specific hazard maps are referred to as Local Hazard Area Maps in the SPP documents. The
preparation of Local Hazard Area Maps has been undertaken for the site in accordance with the
methodology described in the above referenced documents.
3.2 Local Hazard Area Map
A Local Hazard Area Map was prepared by adopting the following methodology:
• Categorizing the vegetation within the site in accordance with the vegetation hazard classes
derived from QFES (2019);
• Using the patch and corridor filtering process to remove narrow corridors and small patches
of VHC’s1;
• Subdividing the identified vegetation hazard classes into bushfire hazard sub-units based on
slope differences and vegetation hazard classes. All upslope and across slope vegetation
units are allocated an underlying slope of 1 degree as per methodology prescribed within
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services - (2019) Planning for Bushfire Resilient
Communities. The maximal slope recorded within a 3 x 3 grid comprised of 25m x 25m
individual grids within the VHC’s is adopted as the effective slope underlying the VHC. A
conservative approach is adopted where multiple slopes persist within VHC’s;
• Assigning SPP Potential Bushfire Intensity classes to the sub-units;
• Application of 150m Potential Impact Buffers to the amended sub-units to derive an overall
Local Hazard Area Map.
1 The patch and corridor filtering process to remove or downgrade hazard levels of small patches and narrow corridors involves the
following three stages:
• Merging small patches of a single Vegetation Hazard Class less than 0.5 ha;
• Merging small Vegetation Hazard Class patches between 0.5 and 1 ha with higher or moderate fuel loads (greater than 8
tonnes/ha); and
• Removing narrow corridors of vegetation less than 50m wide through a process of patch erosion and dilation. These small
patches are merged with surrounding vegetation by allocating a patch to the Vegetation Hazard Class that is most common to
the patch boundary (Leonard et al., 2017).
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Bushfire Hazard Assessment & Management Plan v2 NCES REF: J000864 Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona Table 1 details the Potential Bushfire Intensity classes and their corresponding potential fire-line intensity (KW/m) values as prescribed within Leonard et. al. 2017. Table 1: Potential Bushfire Intensity classes The sub-unit level Local Hazard Area Map is presented as Plan No. BF02 – Sub-Units and identifies the site is host to a Medium Potential Bushfire Intensity area flanked by Low hazard areas to the north, south and east and High Potential Bushfire Intensity areas to the north-west and south-west. The overall Local Hazard Map is presented as Plan No. BF03 – Local Hazard Map and identifies the site is host to a Medium Potential Bushfire Intensity area flanked by a Potential Impact Buffer to the north, south and east and High Potential Bushfire Intensity areas to the north-west and south-west. The Local Hazard Map presented in Plan No. BF03 is to supersede the SPP broadscale mapping attributed to the site and should be used to guide the formulation of appropriate site-based bushfire management measures for the proposal. © 2021 12
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Ly" - fy SOM BUFFER TO SITE LOW POTENTIAL BUSHFIRE INTENSITY MEDIUM POTENTIAL BUSHFIRE INTENSITY [| HIGH POTENTIAL BUSHFIRE INTENSITY Sub Unit 1 (slope set to 1° due to vegetation generally being located upslope from the development area) SS ; = Potentic moderate tree cover in built up areas Vegetation Hazard Class # VHC 41.4 - Discontinuous low grass or tree cover in built up areas # From: Leonard, J., & Opie, K., (2017) Estimating the potential bushfire hazard of vegetation patches and corridors — an enhancement of Queensiand’s methodology for State-wide mapping of bushfire prone areas. CSIRO, Australia. * From: 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. North Coast - . eee — Environmental PO Box 9566 Pacife Paradise aid 4554 | BUSHFIRE HAZARD ASSESSMENT ELLEN LEAPE [SUB UNITS J000601 BFO2 po Wf Services ABN: 60625 108625 | 30 POTTERY STREET, POMONA ‘A___ PRELIMINARY 2795-2020 _NW_IL SCALE 1:1500 @ A1 COPYRIGHT® 2000NCES. TH DOCUMENT WAY NOT BE COPIED OR TRANGUITTED LAMY FORM ORBY AY SUE DENS aE TNT CHD] MeANSer Parr oniniwrots witHoUT THe vouTTEN CONSENT OF NES
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Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona
3.3 Quantitative Modelling
Quantitative modelling of the potential bushfire conditions that may be experienced within the
VHC 9.1 Eucalypt forest to be retained within the west of the site, and present to the south-
west and north-west of the site has been undertaken to assist in determining the suitability of
the development and any asset setback requirements.
The models used comprise industry standard bushfire equations which have been built into
the FPAA endorsed FLAMESOL computer model. FLAMESOL allows numerous input
variables to be adjusted including fuel loads, fire danger index, site slope and distance to
vegetation. FLAMESOL uses the following algorithms:
• Rate of Spread – McArthur (1973) and Nobel et al. (1980)
• Flame Length – NSW Rural Fire Service (2001) and Nobel et al. (1980)
• Elevation of Receiver – Douglas and Tan (2005)
• Flame Angle – Douglas and Tan (2005)
• Radian Heat Flux – Drysdale (1999), Sullivan et al. (2003) and Douglas and Tan (2005)
The FLAMESOL Minimum Distance calculator has been used and comprises an AS
3959:2018 Method 2 (Appendix B) based calculator which will determine standard bushfire
behaviour variables as well as the minimum distances required to achieve a range of different
radiant heat levels (represented by BAL's).
Fuel load inputs have been drawn from Planning for Bushfire Resilient Communities (QFES
2019) based on the calculated potential fuel loads for VHC 9.1 (21 t/ha surface and near
surface fuels and 24.2 t/ha total fuels). 1º effective slope was adopted for the slope underlying
the VHC 9.1 Eucalypt Forest given across slope to upslope conditions to the west. 6.5º
effective slope was adopted for the slope underlying the VHC 9.1 Eucalypt Forest to the north-
west, and 8.3º effective slope was adopted for the slope underlying the VHC 9.1 Eucalypt
Forest to the south-west.
A Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) of 47 has been adopted for the site consistent with the
assignment by QFES (Catalyst 2020) (refer Plate 8).
SITE
Plate 8 – FFDI (Source: QFES redi Map)
The Flamesol output results are shown in Plate 9 - 11.
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Plate 9 – VHC 9.1 (Eucalypt Forest) – West – 1 degree
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Plate 10 – VHC 9.1 (Eucalypt Forest) – North-west – 6.5 degrees
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Plate 11 – VHC 9.1 (Eucalypt Forest) – South-west – 8.3 degrees
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4 BUSHFIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
4.1 General
A bushfire risk assessment for the proposed building areas has been prepared generally in
accordance with State Planning Policy – State Interest Guideline – Natural Hazards, Risk and
Resilience (DILGP, 2016) and AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 – Risk Management Methodology.
The bushfire risk assessment details the likelihood that the proposed development will be
exposed to bushfire smoke, ember, radiant heat and/or flame attack considering the proximity
to bushfire prone vegetation and likely bushfire behaviour. Plate 12 illustrates the main
bushfire attack mechanisms acting on buildings.
Plate 12 – Figure A 5.1 Bushfire attack mechanisms (Planning for Bush Fire Protection, 2006)
According to AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018, a ‘hazard’ is defined as a source of potential harm or
a situation with a potential to cause loss, whereas a ‘risk’ is the chance of something
happening that will have an impact on objectives measured in terms of consequences and
likelihood. The State Planning Policy – State Interest Guideline – Natural Hazards, Risk and
Resilience (DILGP, April 2016) refers to ‘acceptable risk’, ‘tolerable risk’, and ‘intolerable risk’
which are defined below.
• Acceptable risk
o A risk that, following an understanding of the likelihood and consequences, is
sufficiently low to require no new treatments or actions to reduce risk further.
Individuals and society can live with this risk without feeling the necessity to
reduce the risks any further.
• Tolerable risk
o A risk that, following an understanding of the likelihood and consequences, is
low enough to allow the exposure to continue, and at the same time high
enough to require new treatments or actions to reduce risk. Society can live
with this risk but believe that as much as is reasonably practical should be done
to reduce the risks further.
• Intolerable risk
o A risk that, following an understanding of the likelihood and consequences, is
so high that it requires actions to avoid or reduce the risk. Individuals and
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society will not accept this risk and measures are to be put in place to reduce
risks to at least a tolerable level.
Assessment Benchmark 4 of the SPP Bushfire 2019 references radiant heat flux exposure of
<29kW/m² on any part of the building as generating an Acceptable to Tolerable level of risk.
AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 defines ‘Likelihood’ as the chance that something might happen.
Likelihood can be defined, determined, or measured objectively or subjectively and can be
expressed either qualitatively or quantitatively (using mathematics ). The following ‘likelihood’
categories for the probability of the assessed bushfire attack mechanisms impacting the
assessment area have been adopted within this assessment:
• Likely - Will probably occur
• Unlikely - Could occur but doubtful
The determination of whether a bushfire event is likely or unlikely to occur (i.e. impact the site)
has been based on the relative position of hazardous vegetation to the site. Hazardous
vegetation located upwind of the site under typical south-east Queensland (SEQ) seasonal
fire winds from the north to north-west to west to south-west are deemed to be exposed to a
‘likely’ probability of impact. Hazardous vegetation located downwind of the site under typical
SEQ seasonal fire winds are deemed to be exposed to an ‘unlikely’ probability of impact.
4.2 Risk from Identified Hazardous Vegetation
The Plan of Development depicts the building envelope within proposed Lot 8 (Stage 1) and
Lots 9 and 10 (Stage 2) as immediately flanking the identified hazardous vegetation to be
retained within the west of the site. The likelihood of a fire approaching from the west is
considered likely, given dominant regional fire weather winds are derived from the north-west
to south-west.
The degree of separation offered to the adjoining vegetation is the primary driver of the
assigned level of risk and was determined with consideration to the Flamesol modelling output
presented in Section 3.3. In the absence of an appropriate separation buffer to the adjacent
vegetation, and implementation of relevant AS3959-2018 construction standards, the future
dwellings on the site could be exposed to direct flame, severe radiant heat and ember attack
during the modelled bushfire conditions resulting in total structure loss.
The Plan of Development provides a dedicated Asset Protection Zone setback of 19m to VHC
9.1 open Eucalypt forest to the west of the Lot 8 - 10 building envelopes and includes a
trafficable firebreak. >17.2m separation is the maximum separation required to ensure the
proposed building envelopes on Lots 8-10 are exposed to <29kW/m² radiant heat flux as per
the Flamesol modelling presented herein. The extent of proposed separation therefore
facilitates an acceptable risk of radiant heat impact.
Lots 1 – 6 are separated from the western VHC 9.1 by a minimum of approximately 50m
including partial shielding offered by the future dwellings on Lots 8 -10. The likely risk of a fire
front approach from the west would therefore expose the buildings within Lots 1 – 6 to an
acceptable risk of radiant heat impact as they too are separated by >17.2m from the forest
hazard.
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5 BUSHFIRE IMPACT REDUCTION MEASURES
5.1 General
The following section describes bushfire impact reduction measures to be incorporated into
the proposed development to reduce the risk of bushfire impacts to people and property.
Implementation of the identified measures is not implied nor intended to advocate that building
occupants remain on the site during a bushfire event, nor that people and property will be
protected from bushfire impacts. The measures are intended to reduce the potential severity
of bushfire impact to the development and not prevent bushfire impact. The bushfire mitigation
measures have been derived from:
• Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning’s State
Planning Policy – State interest guidance material – Natural hazards, risk and
resilience – Bushfire (December 2019) (referenced herein as SPP (Bushfire) 2019);
and
• Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. (2019). Planning for Bushfire Resilient
Communities.
5.2 Asset Protection Zones
5.2.1 General
Asset Protection Zones (APZ) provide a defensive tool to assist in the reduction of potential
bushfire impact to people and property situated in bushfire prone areas. For illustrative
purposes, Plate 13 depicts the concept of an APZ surrounding a dwelling in a bushfire prone
areas.
Plate 13 – Asset Protection Zones
The development has been confirmed to be located within a bushfire hazard area hence
provision of adequate separation between the building envelopes nominated immediately
flanking the western hazardous vegetation (i.e. Lot 8 in Stage 1 and Lots 8 and 9 in Stage 2)
is required to provide a reasonable level of safety to site occupants and emergency services
staff.
The configuration of APZ’s is typically determined based on the results of the site-specific
hazard assessment including risk of bushfire impact, flame length analysis, applicable
AS3959-2018 Bushfire Attack Levels and SPP Assessment Benchmark setback
requirements. In this instance, the assessed plan of development offers a minimum of 19m
separation between the Lot 8-10 building envelopes and the VHC 9.1 open eucalypt forest,
which is proposed to be protected within the conservation covenant.
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5.2.2 State Planning Policy – State Interest Guidance Material (Natural Hazards, Risks
and Resilience – Bushfire) December 2019
Assessment Benchmark 4 of the State Planning Policy – state interest guidance material
states:
Development supports, and does not hinder, disaster management response or recovery
capacity or capabilities. Where reconfiguring a lot creating lots of greater than 2000 square
metres:
To ensure emergency access and operational space for firefighters the subdivision layout
results in lots that are sited so that they are separated from the closest edge to the adjacent
medium, high or very high potential bushfire intensity area by a distance that achieves a
radiant heat flux level of 29 kilowatt per square metre or less at:
1. The building envelope, if identified at RaL stage, or
2. Where a building envelope is not identified, at all the lot boundaries.
Compliance with Assessment Benchmark 4 can be attained where all allotments are
sufficiently separated from the nearby forest hazard so that a radiant heat flux level at any
point on the building envelope, or the lot boundaries where no building envelope is identified,
does not exceed 29 kW/m².
5.2.3 Radiant Heat Flux Setbacks
Determination of the setbacks required to satisfy Assessment Benchmark 4 can be identified
from the quantitative modelling output presented in Section 3.3 herein. The output results from
Plate 11 can be used to identify the setback requirements to achieve the <29 kW/m² radiant
heat flux SPP requirement. The required setbacks are shown in Table 4.
Table 4 – Radiant Heat Flux Minimum Setbacks to secure <29kW/m²
VHC Direction <29 kW/m² Setback*
(m)
and slope (º)
9.1 West (1) 12.4
9.1 North-west (6.5) 16.4
9.1 South-west (8.3) 17.2
* Source – Flamesol Minimum Distance calculator
Table 4 identifies a minimum setback of 17.2m is required to expose the building envelopes
flanking hazardous VHC 9.1 vegetation to achieve <29 kW/m² radiant heat exposure.
The Lot 8-10 building envelopes have been provided with a minimum 19m setback to the VHC
9.1 vegetation located in the Lot 8 covenant area to the west, hence satisfies the Assessment
Benchmark 4 <29 kW/m² criteria and achieves an acceptable risk under the SPP.
The APZ’s should be maintained as described in Section 5.6 herein. A specific Bushfire
Management Plan has been prepared for Lot 8 which sets out the management
responsibilities for the future owner/landholder of Lot 8 with regards to bushfire management
(refer to Appendix 2).
5.3 Water Supply
The availability of a reliable water supply for firefighting purposes is a vital tool in the defence
of bushfire impact. Reticulated water supply is currently available to the site and Lots 1-10 are
proposed to be connected to the pressurised town water supply. No specific recommendations
concerning water supply are therefore deemed necessary.
5.4 Fire Breaks
The provision of fire breaks and fire trails within a site located in a bushfire prone area offers
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an important bushfire defence measure to assist in reducing the risk and severity of bushfire
ingress onto and through a site. A risk of fire impact has been identified from the west of the
Lot 8-10 building envelopes.
A specific fire break trail has been provided between the VHC 9.1 to the west of the Lot 8-10
building envelopes which is accessed through a dedicated access easement within Lot 8 (refer
Plate 14 and approved Plan of Development).
Plate 14 – Lot 8 Fire break trail
The fire break trail can be accessed by Queensland Fire and Emergency Service for the
purpose of responding to a bushfire event within and adjacent to Covenanted area. To ensure
QFES can utilise the fire breaking trail, a trafficable route of 3.5m width and 4.8m vertical
height is to be maintained unencumbered by vegetation. The fire break will also require turn-
around facilities at either end to enable rapid turnaround for rural fire brigade vehicles and to
negate the exit in reverse gear.
Section 5 of the QLD Fire Hydrant and Vehicle Access Guidelines for Residential Commercial
and Industrial Lots 2019 (Fire Hydrant Guidelines 2019) provides specifications for
accessibility and manoeuvring for firefighting and emergency services. The Performance
Outcome in Section 5.4 seeks that Provision is made for fire trucks to turn at the end of dead-
end roads.
The nominated acceptable outcome is that Constructed roads more than 60m in length from
the nearest intersection must have a turning circle with a minimum radius of 8m (including roll-
over kerbs if they are provided). Other solutions using T or Y heads of specified dimensions
are also appropriate. See figure 2 in the “Road Planning and Design Manual”.
The Rationale for Turning bays is stated as: It is dangerous for emergency vehicles to be
required to reverse along roads for excessive distances in urban areas. Turning is normally
carried out after the incident is under control when emergency movement is not required. Even
then, large trucks reversing in residential areas create safety concerns. Fire trucks
occasionally need to seek an alternative route necessitating a 180 degree turn in emergency
conditions. Using a three-point turn, fire trucks require a turning circle radius of 8m to turn
safely. Alternative designs using specified T or Y heads are also appropriate. This area needs
to be clear of obstructions.
Turning Examples
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The firebreak trail in Lot 8 is to be constructed and maintained to satisfy the above vehicle
turning requirements at the northern and southern terminus of the fire break trail as well as
the western terminus on the western boundary of the covenant area.
No other specific formalised fire break trails are considered necessary to assist in reducing
the risk and severity of bushfire ingress onto and through the site.
5.5 Vehicular Access
Development in bushfire prone areas should be serviced by safe access/exit points for both
occupants and emergency services personnel. The development is to be serviced by a new
dual lane road with access directly from Pottery Street adjacent to the eastern site boundary.
The total length of the proposed road is approximately 90m and will generally be constructed
across the contour hence shall be relatively level. The proposed new road will be located
within the centre of a low threat area bordered by the proposed residential development,
therefore the risk of access/egress becoming constrained during a bushfire event is deemed
low. No specific additional road design recommendations are deemed warranted.
5.6 Landscaping and Regrowth
Existing and future landscaping within the site should avoid increasing the potential for
bushfire hazard. Assessment benchmark 5 of the SPP Bushfire 2019 seeks that the site layout
places the landscape and open spaces within the site between premises and adjacent mapped
medium, high or very high potential bushfire intensity areas. This landscaping and open space
comprises protective landscape treatments that:
1. Comprise only low threat vegetation (for example grassland managed in a minimal fuel
condition, maintained lawns, golf courses and cultivated gardens); or
2. Are designed to ensure a potential available fuel load is maintained at less than 8
tonnes/hectare in aggregate and with a fuel structure that remains discontinuous.
To reduce the potential for bushfire impact to buildings, structures and occupants as a result
of future regrowth and landscaping works within the site, it is recommended:
• Any landscaping within the nominated APZ satisfies Assessment Benchmark 5 of the
SPP Bushfire 2019, including the low threat vegetation criteria prescribed in section
2.2.3.2 of AS 3959:2018 or later iterations thereof;
• No woody mulch is used within 2m of buildings;
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• No trees or shrubs are retained within 6m of the buildings;
• Beyond 6m, any trees desired to be retained are to be continuously defoliated below
< 4m height above ground level and no limbs are to extend to within 6m of the roof line
of the buildings. All pruning should be undertaken in accordance with AS 4373 Pruning
of amenity trees;
• Future landscaping works/plantings maximise the use of locally indigenous, low
flammability species and or low-density plantings of suitable open forest /woodland
species with low bark shedding characteristics. Landholders should consult their local
native plant nursery for suitable species selection.
The APZ within Lot 8 is required to be maintained by the individual landholder/s and or
occupants and are to consist of low threat understorey vegetation conditions (e.g. mown
grass) in perpetuity. A specific Bushfire Management Plan has been prepared for Lot 8 which
sets out the management responsibilities for the future owner/landholder of Lot 8 with regards
to bushfire management (refer to Appendix 2).
5.7 General Property Maintenance
The undertaking of an appropriate level of property maintenance throughout the year, and in
particular prior to the fire season, can significantly reduce the severity of fire impact upon a
site. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services recommend the following general actions be
undertaken to prepare for the fire season:
Structure
• Clear leaves, twigs, bark and other debris from the roof and gutters.
• Purchase and test the effectiveness of gutter plugs.
• Enclose open areas under decks and floors.
• Install fine steel wire mesh screens on all windows, doors, vents and weep holes.
• Point LPG cylinder relief valves away from the house.
• Conduct maintenance checks on pumps, generators and water systems.
• Seal all gaps in external roof and wall cladding.
Access
• Display a prominent house or lot number, in case it is required in an emergency.
• Ensure there is adequate access to your property for fire trucks - 4 metres wide by 4
metres high, with a turn-around area.
Vegetation
• Reduce vegetation loads along the access path.
• Mow your grass regularly.
• Remove excess ground fuels and combustible material (long dry grass, dead leaves
and branches).
• Trim low-lying branches two metres from the ground surrounding your home.
Note the above recommendations are that of QFES and are offered herein for advisory
purposes. They have not been set as recommendations for certification purposes.
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6 AUSTRALIAN STANDARD 3959:2018 CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS IN
BUSHFIRE PRONE AREAS (AS 3959:2018) SETBACKS
The site is mapped within the Natural Hazards Overlay in the Noosa Plan 2006 (refer to Plate
15)
Plate 15 – Asset Protection Zones
Building works within Designated Bushfire Prone Areas identified on a Local Government
Bushfire Hazard Overlay Map triggers building design assessment under AS 3959:2018. The
Standard provides minimum construction requirements for new habitable dwellings and
habitable building alterations in designated Bushfire Prone Areas. The construction
requirements are intended to improve the performance of buildings subjected to burning
debris, radiant heat or flame contact. Building works in Designated Bushfire Prone Areas must
be built to the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) construction standard relevant to the building site
as identified by the AS 3959:2018 methodology.
A specific BAL assessment will be required once building plans have been progressed given
the BAL relies on an accurate understanding of the final footprint of the building within the
individual building envelopes and is required to be assessed against the active iteration of the
Standard at the time of assessment.
The setbacks provided as depicted in the Plan of Development can currently achieve a
minimum BAL 29 Construction Standard for Lots 8-10, with the remainder of the allotments
anticipated to achieve a BAL 19 to BAL 12.5.
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Bushfire Hazard Assessment & Management Plan v2 NCES REF: J000864 Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona 7 LEGISLATION AND OVERLAYS 7.1 Noosa Plan 2006 – Natural Hazards Overlay Code The proposed development is considered assessable development and therefore is assessable against Table 13.9 Bushfire Hazard Area of Council’s Natural Hazards Overlay Code which has been reproduced as Table 5. © 2021 27
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Table 5 – Table 13.9 Bushfire Hazard Areas – Natural Hazards Overlay Code Noosa Plan 2006
SPECIFIC OUTCOMES PROBABLE SOLUTIONS PROPOSED SOLUTION
13.39 Reconfiguration of a Lot
General
O10 The safety of people and property are maintained S10.1 The proposed lots are not located on land that is subject to This Bushfire Hazard Assessment and Management Plan has been prepared to
by: Medium or High Bushfire Hazard on overlay maps OM1.4-OM9.4; maintain the safety of people and property from the adverse impacts of bushfire.
a) Locating house site areas and other sensitive uses on OR
that part of the land least affected by the bushfire hazard;
and S10.2 The proposed lots are sited on land determined as low bushfire
risk by a site-specific bushfire hazard assessment.
b) fire mitigation methods are used that are adequate for
the Potential Bushfire Hazard rating of the individual site, AND
having regard to –
S10.3 Additional lots are not created where their only vehicular access Post development, the new road and individual allotment access routes are
i. vegetation type;
route is through a Medium or High Bushfire Hazard area shown on proposed to be flanked by cleared residential allotments hence the access routes
ii. slope; overlay maps OM1.4-OM9.4 will exhibit limited risk of being constrained during a bushfire.
iii. aspect;
iv. on-site and off-site fire hazard implications of the
development;
v. bushfire history;
vi. conservation values of the site; and
vii. ongoing maintenance.
Firebreaks and fire access tracks
O11 Firebreaks or fire access tracks provide— S11.1 Firebreaks are provided by— The provision of fire breaks and fire trails within a site located in a bushfire prone
area offers an important bushfire defence measure to assist in reducing the risk
a) adequate access for fire fighting and other emergency a) a cleared road reserve not less than 20m wide located around the
and severity of bushfire ingress onto and through a site. A risk of fire impact has
vehicles; and perimeter of the subdivision, between the created lots and surrounding
been identified from the west of the Lot 8-10 building envelopes.
vegetated lands;
b) adequate width to minimise the risk of fire crossover.
A dedicated north south aligned fire break trail has been provided between the
OR b) fire access tracks (may be in the form of an access easement)
VHC 9.1 and the Lot 8-10 building envelopes and the existing east west aligned
between the created lots and surrounding vegetated lands that—
access trail (which leads from the existing clearing though to the western
i. are a minimum cleared width of 6m; boundary) is proposed to be retained as a fire break trail. Both trails shall be
ii. have a formed pavement; accessed through a dedicated access easement within Lot 8. The fire break trail
can be accessed by Queensland Fire and Emergency Service for the purpose
iii. have access at each end and in other locations where necessary; of responding to a bushfire event within and around that Covenanted area. To
iv. have passing areas and turning areas; ensure QFES can utilise the fire breaking trail, it is required to be constructed to
a minimum cleared width of 3.5m and be unobstructed and maintained to allow
v. have clearly identified access points for emergency vehicles; and vehicular access.
vi. are located on public land or within access easements that are No other specific formalised fire break trails are considered necessary to assist
granted in favour of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council and the in reducing the risk and severity of bushfire ingress onto and through the site.
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service.
Road network
O12 Roads provide for the safe and effective evacuation S12.1 Cul-de-sacs or no-through roads are not used in the street A cul-de-sac is proposed as part of the development. The cul-de-sac is
supported in this instance as the road will be flanked by low threat cleared
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SPECIFIC OUTCOMES PROBABLE SOLUTIONS PROPOSED SOLUTION
of users of premises and access by Emergency services. network unless— conditions associated with the front yards of the proposed lots and the closest
vegetation to the cul-de-sac head is situated approximately 50-60m to the west.
a) a perimeter road reserve with a minimum reserve width of 20m and
Additionally, the cul-de-sac will have direct connectivity to Pottery Street which
a formed width of not less than 6m is provided; or
provides for easy and safe evacuation of residents and access by emergency
b) cul-de-sacs or no-through roads are provided with fire trails or access services.
easements, capable of being navigated by conventional vehicles, that
The proposed new road complies with a grade of less than 12.5%.
link to through roads (see Figures 13.3 and 13.4);
AND
S12.2 Roads have a maximum grade of 1 in 8
(12:5%).
Lot design
O13 Lot design and building siting minimises bushfire S13.1 Each residential lot— (a) House site areas (building envelopes) have been nominated for all proposed
hazard to people and property having regard to slope, allotments.
a) includes a house site area, identified on the plan of subdivision;
aspect, existing vegetation and adequate separation
(b) All allotments are of sufficient size and shape to allow for efficient emergency
from hazardous vegetation b) is of sufficient size and dimensions to accommodate a dwelling and
access to buildings for fire fighting appliances. No battle-axe allotments are
ancillary buildings and use areas;
proposed.
c) for lots more than 2,500m —
(c) N/A for all proposed Lots precluding Lot 8.
i. conform with the principles for house site numbers 1, 2 or 3 shown in
i. The nominated house site area within Lot 8 is positioned across slope to the
Figure 13.5; and
east of the retained hazardous vegetation which is consistent with house site 1
ii. are separated from hazardous vegetation for a distance the minimum shown in Figure 13.5.
of 1.5 times the predominant mature canopy height or 10m, whichever
ii. Lot 8 is provided with a 19m wide dedicated Asset protection Zone which
is the greater; and
exposes the building envelope to <29Kw/m² radiant heat flux which is consistent
d) for lots less than 2,500m2, maximise separation of buildings from with Assessment benchmark 4 of the Bushfire State Planning Policy – state
hazardous vegetation. interest guidance material.
(d) The balance of the allotments are all located a distance greater than 17.2m
from the retained vegetation which exposes the building envelopes to <29Kw/m²
radiant heat flux as per Assessment benchmark 4 of the Bushfire State Planning
Policy – state interest guidance material.
S13.2 Residential lots are designed so that their size and shape allow The house sites are provided with short length driveway access to the proposed
for efficient emergency access to buildings for fire fighting appliances new internal road.
(e.g. by avoiding long narrow lots with long access driveways).
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Bushfire Hazard Assessment & Management Plan v2 NCES REF: J000601 Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona 7.2 State Planning Policy – Natural Hazards, Risk and Resilience The Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning’s State Planning Policy – State interest guidance material – Natural hazards, risk and resilience – Bushfire (December 2019) contains the development assessment benchmarks for natural hazards, risk and resilience - bushfire. The SPP assessment benchmarks prevail over those prescribed in the Noosa Plan Natural Hazards Overlay Code where they involve the same design elements. An assessment of the proposed development’s compliance with each of the assessment benchmarks has been provided below. Assessment Benchmark 4 Where reconfiguring a lot creating lots of greater than 2000 square metres (Note - applicable to Lot 8 only) To ensure emergency access and operational space for firefighters, include a development footprint plan that is separated from the closest edge of the adjacent mapped medium, high or very high potential bushfire intensity area by a distance that achieves a radiant heat flux level of 29 kilowatt per square metre or less. To facilitate safe evacuation during a bushfire event, include a development footprint plan that is located within 60 metres of the street frontage and sited to enable a route between the development footprint plan and the street frontage with a gradient that does not exceed of 12.5 per cent. The Lot 8 building envelope has been provided with a dedicated 19m Asset Protection Zone to separate it from the adjacent hazardous VHC 9.1 contained within the covenant which is sufficient to achieve <29 kW/m² radiant heat flux acting on the building envelope. The proposed driveway is less than 60m in length over gentle slopes which are less than 12.5 per cent hence satisfies the Assessment Benchmark 4 <29 kW/m² criteria. Where reconfiguring a lot creating lots of 2000 square metres or less (Note – applicable to all other allotments) To ensure emergency access and operational space for firefighters, the subdivision layout results in lots that are sited so that they are separated from the closest edge to the adjacent medium, high or very high potential bushfire intensity area by a distance that achieves a radiant heat flux level of 29 kilowatt per square metre or less at: 1. The building envelope, if identified at RaL stage, or 2. Where a building envelope is not identified, at all the lot boundaries. All other building envelopes have been located sufficient distance (i.e., >17.2m) to achieve <29 kW/m² radiant heat flux exposure thereby satisfying the Assessment Benchmark 4 <29 kW/m² criteria. Assessment Benchmark 5 Where reconfiguring a lot: Subdivision design avoids locating lots (or for lots greater than 2000 square metres, avoids locating the development footprint plan) that are within bushfire prone areas and on ridgelines, saddles and crests where slopes exceed 15 per cent. The development is positioned on the crest and upper slope of a southerly declining hillside, with minimal hazardous vegetation located downslope of the development. The dominant slope to the south declines at approximately 12% (7 degrees) and therefore complies with Assessment benchmark 5. Assessment Benchmark 7 Where a requirement for an asset protection zone (or similar) exists: Landscaping treatments comprise only low threat vegetation, including grassland managed in a minimal fuel condition, maintained lawns, golf courses, maintained public reserves and parklands, vineyards, orchards, cultivated gardens, commercial nurseries, nature strips and windbreaks. OR © 2021 30
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Bushfire Hazard Assessment & Management Plan v2 NCES REF: J000601 Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona Landscaping management maintains a potential available fuel load which is less than eight tonnes/hectare in aggregate, and fuel structure which is discontinuous. OR Development includes a bushfire management plan for the maintenance of any identified asset protection zone, including landscape design and ongoing vegetation management. This Bushfire Management Plan has prescribed management measures to be undertaken within the Lot 8 APZ which complies with Assessment Benchmark 7. © 2021 31
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8 CONCLUSIONS
This Bushfire Hazard Assessment and Management Plan has been prepared to assess and
manage the degree of potential bushfire risk acting on the proposed Reconfiguration of a Lot
development application for Lot 496 on MCH591, located at 30 Pottery Street, Pomona.
A Local Hazard Map has been prepared for the site consistent with the State Planning Policy
– Natural Hazards, Risk and Resilience – Technical Manual – A ‘fit for purpose’ approach in
undertaking natural hazard studies and risk assessments. The Local Hazard Map has
identified that the development is located within a Medium Potential Bushfire Intensity Area.
A bushfire risk assessment has been undertaken in general accordance with AS/NZS ISO
31000:2018 – Risk Management Methodology. The risk assessment identified that the
vegetation to be retained within the west of the site exposes the immediately adjoining
allotments to a risk of ember, radiant heat and direct flame impact in the absence of additional
mitigation measures being employed. The identified risk has been reduced to an acceptable
level where all recommendations set herein are adopted.
Overall, the development proposed for the site, in combination with recommendations
referenced herein, is deemed suitable with respect to providing a reasonable level of
protection for people and property within the site.
Bushfire is an extremely serious and often unpredictable phenomenon that requires serious
preparatory planning and decision making to avoid potential damage to infrastructure and or
loss of life. All recommendations made herein have been formulated based on site conditions
at the time of writing and therefore may not be appropriate in the event site conditions change
over time.
Implementation of the bushfire mitigation measures referenced herein is not implied nor
intended to advocate that residents remain on the site during a bushfire event nor that people
and property will be protected from bushfire impact. The measures are intended to reduce
the potential severity of bushfire impact to persons and property and not prevent actual
bushfire impact.
The landowners and site managers are to be responsible for ensuring the measures
prescribed herein are applied and stay up to date with site conditions and industry standards.
Landholders/managers should therefore liaise with Queensland Fire and Rescue Services at
regular intervals (e.g. recommended at least every 5 years).
The first call in the event of a bushfire emergency should always be ‘000’.
8.1 Certification Matters
The following bushfire mitigation measures are to be certified as satisfactorily completed by
the project Bushfire Consultant prior to commencement of the proposed/approved uses on the
site:
• All actionable recommendations set in Section 5 of this report have been implemented
(i.e. establishment of APZs, landscaping etc.) where practical at the time of
certification.
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Bushfire Hazard Assessment & Management Plan v2 NCES REF: J000601 Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona 9 REFERENCES Cruz M.G., Gould J.S., Alexander M.E., Sullivan A.L., McCaw W.L., Matthews S. (2015) A Guide to Rate of Fire Spread Models for Australian Vegetation. CSIRO Land and Water Flagship, Canberra, ACT, and AFAC, Melbourne, Vic, 123pp. Gould, McCaw, Cheney, Ellis & Matthews. (2007). Field Guide – Fuel assessment and fire behaviour in dry eucalypt open forest. Ensis-CSIRO, Canberra, ACT and Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth, WA. Leonard, J., Opie, K. (2017). Estimating the potential bushfire hazard of vegetation patches and corridors. An enhancement of Queensland’s methodology for State-wide mapping of bushfire prone areas. CSIRO Land & Water, Australia. Noosa Planning Scheme (2006). Bushfire Hazard Overlay Code. Noosa Council. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. (2019). Bushfire Resilient Communities - Technical Reference Guide for the State Planning Policy - State Interest Guideline - Natural Hazards, Risk and Resilience 2- Bushfire. Southeast Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium – Operational Manual. The State of Queensland, Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning (2019). Natural hazards, risk and resilience - Bushfire State Planning Policy – state interest guidance material. Webster. (2002). The Complete Bushfire Safety Book. Random House (Aust) Pty Ltd. © 2021 33
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Bushfire Hazard Assessment & Management Plan v2 NCES REF: J000601 Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona APPENDIX 1 – SITE LAYOUT © 2021 34
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BRIAN NAISMITH Development Consultant E-MAIL [email protected] MOBILE 0477 925 871
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Bushfire Hazard Assessment & Management Plan v2 NCES REF: J000601 Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona APPENDIX 2 – LOT 8 BUSHFIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN © 2021 35
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J000864
LOT 8 BUSHFIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN v1
CREATED FROM SUBDIVISION OF LOT 496 ON MCH591
30 POTTERY STREET, POMONA
PO Box 9566 Pacific Paradise QLD 4564 / Email: [email protected]
ABN 60 625 108 625
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Lot 8 Bushfire Management Plan v1 NCES REF: J000864
Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona
DOCUMENT CONTROL
Document: Lot 8 Bushfire Management Plan
Client: Ellen Leape
Project Number: J000864
Project: Reconfiguration of a Lot
Site: Lot 496 on MCH591
30 Pottery Street, Pomona
File Ref: C:\CLIENTS\LEAPE ELLEN\2019 RoL\04_REPORTING\Lot 8 Bushfire Management
Plan v1 – 30 Pottery Street Pomona.docx
Version Date Distribution Author/s Approved
1 11/06/2020 Brian Naismith N. Willis (B. Sc., Dip. Joshua Lee
CLM., mAABR) – (B. Sc. AES, mEIANZ)
Principal Ecologist - Director
DISCLAIMER
To the extent permitted by law, North Coast Environmental Services (including its employees, partners and consultants) excludes
all liability to any person for any consequences, including but not limited to all losses, damages, costs, expenses, and any other
compensation, arising directly or indirectly, from using this publication (in part or whole) and any information or material contained
in it.
© 2021 i
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Lot 8 Bushfire Management Plan v1 NCES REF: J000864 Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona Contents 1 INTRODUCTION 3 1.1 BACKGROUND 3 1.2 VEGETATION 3 2 BUSHFIRE RISK SUMMARY 5 2.1 GENERAL 5 2.2 RISK FROM IDENTIFIED HAZARDOUS VEGETATION 5 3 BUSHFIRE IMPACT REDUCTION MEASURES 6 3.1 GENERAL 6 3.2 ASSET PROTECTION ZONE 6 3.2.1 GENERAL 6 3.3 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE APZ 6 3.4 FIRE BREAKING TRAIL 7 3.5 GENERAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE 8 3.6 FUEL REDUCTION BURNING 9 4 CONCLUSION 10 5 REFERENCES 11 6 QFES PREPARE ACT SURVIVE 12 © 2021 ii
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Lot 8 Bushfire Management Plan v1 NCES REF: J000864
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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
This Bushfire Management Plan has been prepared to manage the degree of potential bushfire
hazard and associated risk acting on Lot 8 created from the subdivision of Lot 496 on MCH591,
located at 30 Pottery Street, Pomona. A comprehensive Bushfire Hazard Assessment and
Management Plan has been prepared to accompany the development application and which
assesses bushfire matters pertaining to the development as a whole. Noosa Council have
specifically required Lot 8 to contain an Asset Protection Zone and Fire Management Trail which are
to be placed under an easement/legally binding covenant for fire management purposes. Lot 8 will
also contain the retained hazardous vegetation within the site which is to be protected under a
vegetation protection covenant. This Plan has been developed to direct the management of the
covenant areas and to instruct future landowners on their responsibilities in relation to bushfire
management.
1.2 Vegetation
The vegetation within the Lot 8 vegetation protection covenant and immediately adjoining properties
to the west contains Vegetation Hazard Class 9.1 – Moist to dry eucalypt open forests on coastal
lowlands and ranges (classified in accordance with QFES (2019)).
The canopy within VHC 9.1 has attained an average height of 30m and is dominated by a mix of
Eucalypts including Eucalyptus acmenoides (white mahogany) and E. pilularis (blackbutt). Corymbia
intermedia (pink bloodwood) and Eucalyptus propinqua (small-fruited grey gum) were also observed
as a sub-dominant presence within the canopy. Crown cover is approximately 60% with average
diameter at breast height (DBH) of the canopy trees at approximately 300-500mm, with some mature
E. pilularis individuals attaining a DBH of >1000mm.
The mid-storey within VHC 9.1 is sparse and dominated by common open forest species such as
Petalostigma triloculare (quinine) and Lophostemon confertus (brush box). The understorey is
dominated by a range of native grass and sedge species, with areas of localised native shrub
species.
VHC 9.1 is attributed a potential combined surface fuel load of 21 t/ha and a potential total fuel load
of 24.2 t/ha (QFES, 2019). Plate 1 depicts typical conditions within VHC 9.1.
Plate 1 – Characteristic vegetation within VHC 9.1
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Lot 8 is located on the eastern edge of a large expanse of native bushland, including vegetation.
contained within Tuchekoi National Park. The vegetation corridor encompasses over 150ha and
includes the steep escarpment and foothills of Mt Cooroora. Semi-vegetated rural-residential
allotments border the site to the north and south. The built residential area of the Pomona township
is located to the east of the site.
Available direct forest fire runs are present predominantly upslope of the site to the west, with a
smaller potential fire run available across slope to downslope to the north and south-west.
Plate 2 depicts the general extent of bushland habitat hence available fire zones surrounding the
site.
Lot 8
Tuchekoi National Park
Plate 2 – Dominant forest fire runs (Source: Queensland Globe)
© 2021 4
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Lot 8 Bushfire Management Plan v1 NCES REF: J000864
Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona
2 BUSHFIRE RISK SUMMARY
2.1 General
The bushfire risk assessment details the likelihood that the Lot 8 dwelling will be exposed to bushfire
smoke, ember, radiant heat and/or flame attack considering the proximity to bushfire prone
vegetation and likely bushfire behaviour. Plate 3 illustrates the main bushfire attack mechanisms
acting on buildings.
Plate 3 – Figure A 5.1 Bushfire attack mechanisms (Planning for Bush Fire Protection, 2006)
2.2 Risk from Identified Hazardous Vegetation
The Plan of Development depicts the building envelope within proposed Lot 8 immediately flanking
the identified hazardous vegetation to be retained within the west of the site. The likelihood of a fire
approaching from the west is considered likely, given dominant regional fire weather winds are
derived from the north-west to south-west.
The degree of separation offered to the adjoining vegetation is the primary driver of the assigned
level of risk and was determined with consideration to bushfire modelling undertaken during the
development assessment process. In the absence of an appropriate separation buffer to the adjacent
vegetation, the dwelling within Lot 8 and the immediately adjoining allotments could be exposed to
direct flame, severe radiant heat and ember attack during the modelled bushfire conditions resulting
in total structure loss.
The Plan of Development provides a dedicated Asset Protection Zone of 19m width which separates
the Lot 8 building envelope from the VHC 9.1 open Eucalypt forest to the west and includes a
trafficable firebreak. Should a fire run eventuate from the west then the separation would, based on
the modelling undertaken, expose the dwelling to an acceptable risk of radiant heat impact as per
the current radiant heat benchmark of <29kW/m² set by the Department of State Development,
Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning’s State Planning Policy – State interest guidance material
– Natural hazards, risk and resilience – Bushfire (December 2019) (referenced herein as SPP
(Bushfire) 2019).
© 2021 5
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Lot 8 Bushfire Management Plan v1 NCES REF: J000864
Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona
3 BUSHFIRE IMPACT REDUCTION MEASURES
3.1 General
The following section describes bushfire impact reduction measures to be implemented to reduce
the risk of bushfire impacts to people and property. Implementation of the identified measures is not
implied nor intended to advocate that building occupants remain on the site during a bushfire event,
nor that people and property will be protected from bushfire impacts. The measures are intended to
reduce the potential severity of bushfire impact and not prevent bushfire impact. The bushfire
mitigation measures have been derived from:
• Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning’s State
Planning Policy – State interest guidance material – Natural hazards, risk and resilience –
Bushfire (December 2019) (referenced herein as SPP (Bushfire) 2019); and
• Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. (2019). Planning for Bushfire Resilient
Communities.
3.2 Asset Protection Zone
3.2.1 General
Asset Protection Zones (APZ) provide a defensive tool to assist in the reduction of potential bushfire
impact to people and property situated in bushfire prone areas. For illustrative purposes, Plate 4
depicts the concept of an APZ surrounding a dwelling in a bushfire prone areas.
Plate 4 – Asset Protection Zones
Lot 8 has been confirmed to be located within a bushfire hazard area hence provision of adequate
separation between the building envelope flanking the western hazardous vegetation is required to
provide a reasonable level of safety to site occupants and emergency services staff.
Lot 8 has been provided with a minimum of 19m separation between the building envelope and the
VHC 9.1 open eucalypt forest, which is proposed to be protected within the conservation covenant
and contain a trafficable fire break for use by emergency services if required.
3.3 Vegetation management within the APZ
The prescribed APZ is required to be maintained as a low fuel zone that comprises only low threat
vegetation with minimal fuel conditions. Minimal fuel condition means there is insufficient fuel
available to significantly increase the severity of the bushfire attack, for example short-cropped grass
to a nominal height of 10 centimetres (i.e., regularly maintained lawns), dirt, gravel or discretely
arranged non- continuous cultivated gardens (e.g., vegetable/flower gardens - does not include
ornamental trees or shrubs).
The APZ within Lot 8 is to be maintained by the individual landholder/s and or occupants and is to
consist of low threat vegetation conditions in perpetuity. Responsibilities include the removal of
regrowth vegetation that naturally establishes within the APZ from adjoining seed sources and or
vegetative fallout (i.e., leaves, sticks, twigs and branches) that accumulates on the ground from
nearby trees and shrubs.
© 2021 6
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Lot 8 Bushfire Management Plan v1 NCES REF: J000864
Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona
3.4 Fire Breaking Trail
A specific fire break trail has been provided between the VHC 9.1 to the west of the Lot 8-10 building
envelopes which is accessed through a dedicated access easement within Lot 8 (refer Plate 5 and
approved Plan of Development).
Plate 5 – Lot 8 Fire break trail
The fire break trail can be accessed by Queensland Fire and Emergency Service for the purpose of
responding to a bushfire event within and adjacent to Covenanted area. To ensure QFES can utilise
the fire breaking trail, a trafficable route of 3.5m width and 4.8m vertical height is to be maintained
unencumbered by vegetation. The fire break will also require turn-around facilities at either end to
enable rapid turnaround for rural fire brigade vehicles and to negate the exit in reverse gear.
Section 5 of the QLD Fire Hydrant and Vehicle Access Guidelines for Residential Commercial and
Industrial Lots 2019 (Fire Hydrant Guidelines 2019) provides specifications for accessibility and
manoeuvring for firefighting and emergency services. The Performance Outcome in Section 5.4
seeks that Provision is made for fire trucks to turn at the end of dead-end roads.
The nominated acceptable outcome is that Constructed roads more than 60m in length from the
nearest intersection must have a turning circle with a minimum radius of 8m (including roll-over kerbs
if they are provided). Other solutions using T or Y heads of specified dimensions are also
appropriate. See figure 2 in the “Road Planning and Design Manual”.
The Rationale for Turning bays is stated as: It is dangerous for emergency vehicles to be required
to reverse along roads for excessive distances in urban areas. Turning is normally carried out after
the incident is under control when emergency movement is not required. Even then, large trucks
reversing in residential areas create safety concerns. Fire trucks occasionally need to seek an
alternative route necessitating a 180 degree turn in emergency conditions. Using a three-point turn,
fire trucks require a turning circle radius of 8m to turn safely. Alternative designs using specified T
or Y heads are also appropriate. This area needs to be clear of obstructions.
Turning Examples
© 2021 7
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Lot 8 Bushfire Management Plan v1 NCES REF: J000864
Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona
The firebreak trail in Lot 8 is to be constructed and maintained to satisfy the above vehicle turning
requirements at the northern and southern terminus of the fire break trail as well as the western
terminus on the western boundary of the covenant area.
3.5 General Property Maintenance
The undertaking of an appropriate level of property maintenance throughout the year, and in
particular prior to the fire season, can significantly reduce the severity of fire impact upon a site.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services recommend the following general actions be undertaken
to prepare for the fire season:
Structure
• Clear leaves, twigs, bark and other debris from the roof and gutters.
• Purchase and test the effectiveness of gutter plugs.
• Enclose open areas under decks and floors.
• Install fine steel wire mesh screens on all windows, doors, vents and weep holes.
• Point LPG cylinder relief valves away from the house.
• Conduct maintenance checks on pumps, generators and water systems.
• Seal all gaps in external roof and wall cladding.
Access
• Display a prominent house or lot number, in case it is required in an emergency.
• Ensure there is adequate access to your property for fire trucks - 4 metres wide by 4 metres
high, with a turn-around area.
Vegetation
• Reduce vegetation loads along the access path.
• Mow your grass regularly.
• Remove excess ground fuels and combustible material (long dry grass, dead leaves and
branches).
• Trim low-lying branches two metres from the ground surrounding your home.
Note the above recommendations are that of QFES and are offered herein for advisory purposes.
© 2021 8
Page 47
Lot 8 Bushfire Management Plan v1 NCES REF: J000864 Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona The current version of the QFES Prepare Act Survive document (relevant to bushfire) has been provided as Appendix 1 to further advise landholders on the suite of land management actions that can be undertaken to further alleviate bushfire risk on a site. 3.6 Fuel Reduction Burning The vegetation contained within the Vegetation Covenant Area consists of a tall open Eucalypt forest analogous with Vegetation Hazard Class 9.1 – Moist to dry eucalypt open forests on coastal lowlands and ranges (classified in accordance with QFES (2019)). Landowners should liaise with the Rural Fire Service regarding prescribed fuel load/hazard reduction burning. The vegetation is mapped by the Queensland herbarium as containing Regional Ecosystem (RE) 12.11.3 which is described as ‘Eucalyptus siderophloia, E. propinqua +/- E. microcorys, Lophostemon confertus, Corymbia intermedia, E. acmenoides open forest. The Regional Ecosystem Description Database published for RE 12.11.3 contains the following advice regarding prescribed burning to maintain ecological function of the vegetation. Note that hazard reduction burning may be required more frequently than that prescribed for ecological burning. Fire Management Guidelines SEASON: Summer to winter. INTENSITY: Plan for low to moderate. Unplanned occasional high intensity wildfire will occur. INTERVAL: 4-8 years maintains a healthy grassy system. 8-20 years for shrubby elements of understorey. STRATEGY: Aim for 40-60% mosaic burn. Needs disturbance to maintain RE structure (eucalypt overstorey with open understorey of predominantly non-rainforest species). Any moist sclerophyll that is relatively open with a mixture of grasses and shrubs should be a priority for fire management to retain RE structure. ISSUES: Frequent fire is needed to maintain understorey integrity, keeping more mesic species low in the profile of the understorey so that other species can compete. A grassy system is especially important for species such as the eastern bristlebird and its habitat. It is essential that wildfires are not the sole source of fire in this ecosystem. High intensity fires occur periodically through time, however frequent low to moderate intensity fires will create the disturbance required to keep the understorey diverse. A follow-up burn soon after a high intensity wildfire can be considered to reduce germinating mesic species. © 2021 9
Page 48
Lot 8 Bushfire Management Plan v1 NCES REF: J000864 Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona 4 CONCLUSION This Bushfire Management Plan has been prepared to manage the degree of potential bushfire risk acting on Lot 8 created from the Reconfiguration of a Lot development application for Lot 496 on MCH591, located at 30 Pottery Street, Pomona. Implementation of the bushfire mitigation measures referenced herein is not implied nor intended to advocate that residents remain on the site during a bushfire event nor that people and property will be protected from bushfire impact. The measures are intended to reduce the potential severity of bushfire impact to persons and property and not prevent actual bushfire impact. The landowners and site managers are to be responsible for ensuring the measures prescribed herein are applied and stay up to date with site conditions and industry standards. Landholders/managers should therefore liaise with Queensland Fire and Rescue Services at regular intervals (e.g., recommended at least every 5 years). The first call in the event of a bushfire emergency should always be ‘000’. © 2021 10
Page 49
Lot 8 Bushfire Management Plan v1 NCES REF: J000864 Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona 5 REFERENCES Cruz M.G., Gould J.S., Alexander M.E., Sullivan A.L., McCaw W.L., Matthews S. (2015) A Guide to Rate of Fire Spread Models for Australian Vegetation. CSIRO Land and Water Flagship, Canberra, ACT, and AFAC, Melbourne, Vic, 123pp. Gould, McCaw, Cheney, Ellis & Matthews. (2007). Field Guide – Fuel assessment and fire behaviour in dry eucalypt open forest. Ensis-CSIRO, Canberra, ACT and Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth, WA. Leonard, J., Opie, K. (2017). Estimating the potential bushfire hazard of vegetation patches and corridors. An enhancement of Queensland’s methodology for State-wide mapping of bushfire prone areas. CSIRO Land & Water, Australia. Noosa Planning Scheme (2006). Bushfire Hazard Overlay Code. Noosa Council. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. (2019). Bushfire Resilient Communities - Technical Reference Guide for the State Planning Policy - State Interest Guideline - Natural Hazards, Risk and Resilience 2- Bushfire. Southeast Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium – Operational Manual. The State of Queensland, Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning (2019). Natural hazards, risk and resilience - Bushfire State Planning Policy – state interest guidance material. Webster. (2002). The Complete Bushfire Safety Book. Random House (Aust) Pty Ltd. © 2021 11
Page 50
Lot 8 Bushfire Management Plan v1 NCES REF: J000864 Lot 496 on MCH591 – 30 Pottery St, Pomona 6 QFES PREPARE ACT SURVIVE © 2021 12
Page 51
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services get readyGUIDE [OCR of page images] Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Queensland Government
Page 52
Contents
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services................................................. 3
4–Step Plan............................................................................................. 4
Step 1 - Prepare Your Emergency Plan...................................................... 5
Step 2A - Emergency Kit........................................................................... 6
Step 2B - Evacuation Kit........................................................................... 7
Step 3 - Prepare Your Home...................................................................... 8
Step 4 - Tune Into Warnings...................................................................... 9
Severe Storm......................................................................................... 10
Flood..................................................................................................... 11
Cyclone.................................................................................................. 12
Bushfire................................................................................................. 13
Other Events.......................................................................................... 14
Advice From SES.................................................................................... 15
Household Emergency Plan.................................................................... 16
Recovering After a Disaster..................................................................... 18
© State of Queensland (Queensland Fire and Emergency Services) 2019
The Queensland Government, acting through the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of publicly
funded information and endorses the use of the Australian Governments Open Access and Licensing Framework (AusGOAL).
All Queensland Fire and Emergency Services material in this document – except the QFES logo, any material protected by a trademark, and unless otherwise noted – is
licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence.
The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has undertaken reasonable enquiries to identify material owned by third parties and secure permission for its
reproduction. Permission may need to be obtained from third parties to re-use their material.
Written requests relating to the copyright in this document should be addressed to:
Intellectual Property Coordinator
Information Management, Ministerial and Executive Services
Public Safety Business Agency
GPO Box 9879, Brisbane 4001
EM: [email protected]
2
Page 53
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
The purpose of this booklet is to assist all Queenslanders to understand the types of disasters
that may affect their area and what they need to do in order to prepare for these events.
Queenslanders each year face a range of hazards, including bushfires, cyclones, floods
and severe storms. All Queenslanders share responsibility for not just being prepared for
disasters, but also building a community that is resilient to nature’s ongoing challenges.
That’s why Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) work closely with residents,
councils, other government agencies, community groups and business, to encourage and
help everyone to Get Ready.
QFES’ operational arms are also on standby around the clock to respond to incidents such
as structure fires, chemical spills and a wide range of rescues from swift flowing water, road
crashes, or in remote or dangerous situations.
Alongside the paid emergency services workforce, close to 40,000 trained QFES volunteers
give their time to local communities across the state as part of the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and
the State Emergency Service (SES).
RFS volunteers help landowners manage fire risk on properties through hazard reduction
burns and turn out around the clock to fight bushfires wherever they start.
SES volunteers are best known for their work helping communities respond to severe weather
events and assisting police and other agencies with searches.
3
Page 54
4–step
plan
4–Step Plan
Don’t wait for a disaster to happen before you think about how you and your
family are going to survive…
In a major disaster, high winds, fire, or rising floodwaters can prevent emergency services
from reaching you. Debris and damage can cut road access. Your community and your family
could become isolated for up to three days or more.
Even if you live just around the corner from a shopping centre, you may not be able to get
there. And even if you could, the shops may be closed due to damage, lack of electricity, staff
not being able to get there or being out of stock.
After a disaster has passed, roads can be closed and essential services disrupted, such
as power, gas and water supply, and phone communications. Emergency Services will be
focused on assisting the most vulnerable in the community during an event where a large
number of people are affected.
Depending on your circumstances, you may not have immediate access to the support
provided and will need to rely on the supplies and equipment you have on hand at home.
If you were isolated by a disaster right now, are you prepared? Do you have enough food,
water and equipment to sustain your family for three days or more?
The following four simple steps will ensure you and your family are as prepared as possible.
S tep 1 n
e y o u r e m ergency pla
Prepar
ki ts
S tep 2
n c y a n d e vacuation
r emerge
Prepare you
S tep 3
r home
Prepare you
S tep 4
warnings
Tune in to
4
Page 55
PREPARE
PLAN
Step 1 - Prepare Your Emergency Plan
Take the time now to prepare an Emergency Plan.
Develop your Emergency Plan with the entire household. It is an
important step to prepare for what can happen and to stay safe.
»» Research hazards and disaster management arrangements in
your community:
»»Check with council if your area is prone to bushfire, cyclone, storm,
flood or tsunami.
»»Ask about local emergency plans, evacuation zones and nominated
evacuation routes for where you live and work.
»»Ask about evacuation centres and Neighbourhood Safer Places.
»»Ask about details in emergency and evacuation plans at your workplace, school and childcare
provider. Provide them with your household emergency contact details.
»»Find out what sort of support is available to your household via council and local support agencies
(if required).
»» Discuss possible scenarios and responses with your household:
»»What might happen in a bushfire, cyclone, storm, flood or tsunami?
»»What would you all do in the event of each emergency?
»»Where might you be when an emergency occurs? (Home, school, work etc.)
»»How will you stay in contact?
»»Where would you go if you need to evacuate?
»»Are there medical conditions or special needs of household members that require specific
consideration?
»»What preparations are required for your pets?
»» Record details on your Emergency Plan:
»»Two out of town emergency contacts in case you and your family become separated.
»»Two emergency meeting places in case you cannot return home or you need to evacuate. One in
your neighbourhood and another further inland and on higher ground that everyone can easily get
to.
»»Information on the council evacuation zone you live in and nominated evacuation routes for your
area.
»»All householder contact phone numbers.
»»Specific medical conditions, essential medications and dosage.
»»Details for your pets – description, veterinarian contact details and medications.
»»All tasks required prior to evacuating (storing electrical items off the ground, switching off main
supplies, sandbagging drains etc.)
»» Ensure everyone is prepared:
»»Teach children how and when to call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.
»»Queensland Ambulance Service advises householders to have a sound knowledge of first aid.
»»Ensure everyone knows where, how and when to turn off the main power, water and gas supply in
case of emergency and evacuation.
»»Share your emergency plan with family and friends.
5
Page 56
emergency kit
Step 2A - Emergency Kit
Your Emergency Kit contains the
provisions for your essential needs in j
i
the event of an emergency. k
Include items you’d need for several days in e
f
case of disruption to essential services (i.e.
power and water supplies). Also, include the c d
m
equipment you’ll need to prepare meals with
no power. Keep your kit in a waterproof storage h
a
container and store in an easy to access l
b
location. Check your kit every season to stock g
up and rotate supplies to ensure provisions are
fresh and safe to use.
»» Food and water for at least three days: »» Communications:
»»10 litres of water per person as 3 days »»Battery powered or wind-up radio
supply (extra batteries)
»»Non-perishable food »»Fully charged mobile phone and charger
»»Can opener, cutlery and cooking equipment »»Prepaid phone cards and coins for phone
»» Medical and sanitation supplies: booth calls
»»First Aid Kit and manual »» Clothing and footwear:
»»Essential medications, prescriptions and »»Change of warm protective clothes and
dosage shoes for everyone
»»Toilet paper and personal hygiene items »» Important documents:
»»Toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, »»Keep original or certified copies
shampoo etc. »»Scan copies to USB or online storage
»» Light:
»»Battery or wind-up torch/lantern (extra
batteries)
checklist
a - fresh water for three days k - baby formula + nappies
b - three days worth of non-perishable food l - waterproof bags
and can opener m - toiletries
c - first aid kit
d - portable radio
e - torch IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
f - sturdy gloves insurance (house, contents, vehicles, life)
g - spare batteries for radio, torch and wills
mobile phone property deeds
h - essential medication bank documents
i - mobile phone and charger passports, birth + marriage certificates
j - important documents in sealed bags + medicare, pension, immunisation records
cash emergency plan + contact numbers
6
Page 57
Other emergency supplies to have ready at home
evacuation kit
basic toolkit extra supplies portable cooker
Step 2B - Evacuation Kit
The potential need to evacuate where you live
might happen at short notice. Preparing an j
Evacuation Kit now will save you time and be
one less thing to stress about in the event of i
g d
a disaster. k
Note - you may not be able to take your h
emergency kit into a shelter or evacuation
a c
centre. Contact your local council for more
information.
b e
f
When you evacuate, ensure that you take
your Emergency Kit, Evacuation Kit and
Emergency Plan with you. To help you
prepare, download a copy of the Prepare
for Evacuation fact sheet from
getready.qld.gov.au/be-prepared
checklist
a -blanket
b - sleeping bag
c - kids toys/entertainment
d - pillows
e - warm clothes
f - valuables + mementos
g - essential medication, scripts & eye glasses
h - mobile phone + charger
i - important documents in sealed bags + cash
j - baby formula + nappies
k - toiletries
7
[OCR of page images]
Other emergency supplies to have ready at home
aCe Nei
PEeaeroas { extra supplies ] portable cooker
Ss ZU
The potential need to evacuate where you live
might happen at short notice. Preparing an
Evacuation Kit now will save you time and be
one less thing to stress about in the event of
a disaster.
Note - you may not be able to take your
emergency kit into a shelter or evacuation
centre. Contact your local council for more
information.
When you evacuate, ensure that you take
your Emergency Kit, Evacuation Kit and
Emergency Plan with you. To help you
prepare, download a copy of the Prepare
for Evacuation fact sheet from
etready.qld.gov.au/be-prepared
M CHECKLIST
ma -blanket
red iat-aa eret4
mc-kids toys/entertainm
Ney}
me- warm clothes
Rim rele) (cermin can toys)
ssential medication, scripts & eye glasses
wh- mobile phone + charger
important documents in sealed bags + ca
baby formula + nappies
PW) (atiretsy
Page 58
Step 3 - Prepare Your Home
prepare your home
General home maintenance:
Be careful
»» Keep your roof in good condition and check it regularly. using portable
»» Keep gutters and downpipes clear so water can drain away quickly. generators.
Do not use
»» Trim trees and overhanging branches (be aware of any overhead powerlines). them indoors
»» Check and fix any corrosion, rotten timber, termite infestations and loose or in enclosed
fittings. places such
as garages
General home preparations: or carports.
»» Ensure your home, contents and car insurance is current and adequate. This can lead
Check your policy includes debris clean up and removal. to a build-up
of carbon
»» Identify the strongest room to shelter in place during severe storm or cyclone. monoxide — a
»» Identify where and how to turn off the main supply for water, power and gas. colourless
»» Consider what arrangements need to be made if you have pets. and odourless
gas that can
»» Check with your neighbours in case they need assistance. make you pass
If you live in a flood-prone area: out or cause
death.
»» Store all poisons and garden chemicals well above ground level.
»» Identify indoor items you will need to raise or empty if flood threatens.
»» Consider alternatives to carpet and relocate power-points to well above previous flood
levels (using a licensed contractor).
If you live in a cyclone / severe storm-prone area:
»» Arrange for a professional builder to check your building and identify ways you can
increase the structural security of your home to withstand high winds.
»» Fit windows with shutters or metal screens for added protection during high winds.
If you live in a bushfire-prone area:
»» Understand your risk - speak to your local Rural Fire Brigade or Volunteer Community
Educator.
»» Prepare your Bushfire Survival Plan
»»ensure access to your property is easy for fire vehicles.
»»remove materials that can help fuel a fire (e.g. long dry grass, dead leaves, branches or debris
around your home).
»»check that pumps, generators and water systems are working correctly.
Final home preparations:
»» For when warnings are issued for cyclone or severe storm
»»disconnect electrical appliances and external television / radio aerials and turn off electricity and
gas main supplies if instructed to do so.
»»Secure or put away items (e.g. garden furniture) that can be blown around.
»»fill buckets and bath with clean water in case of interruptions to water supply.
»»close windows with shutters or tape windows with strong tape and draw curtains.
»» For when warnings are issued for flood:
»»disconnect electrical appliances.
»»move outdoor equipment, garbage, chemicals and poisons to a higher location.
»»empty and raise freezers / refrigerators and stack or move furniture, valuables and electrical items
off-site.
»»sandbag internal drains and toilets to prevent sewage backflow.
»»move livestock, plant and feed to higher ground.
8
Page 59
Step 4 - Tune Into Warnings
on’t happen
Ensure everyone knows how to hin
k it w to y
n ’t
t TU N E I N -
- o u.
Tune In, Log On, Listen Out and Act: do ..
tune into warnings
Tune in:
»» To your local radio and TV station to listen
- LIST
- LOG ON -
for warnings and weather updates and local 10°S
15°S
135°E
!
! Elcho Island
!
! Cape Wessel
!
! Alyangula
Groote Eylandt
! Numbulwar
Port Roper
!
Nhulunbuy
Cape Shield
Port McArthur
GULF OF
140°E
C A R P E N TA R I A
!
!
! Thursday Is
Mapoon
! Weipa
! Aurukun
Cape Keerweer
! Pormpuraaw
! Kowanyama
! Orford Ness
! Cape Grenville
! Lockhart River
! Coen
145°E
! Cape Melville
! Cape Flattery
! Cooktown
! Cape Tribulation
150°E
CORAL SEA
! Willis Is
155°E 160°E
10°S
15°S
community safety announcements.
! Gilbert River Mouth
! Port Douglas ! Holmes Reef
5
! Mornington Is ! Green Is
Mareeba ! Cairns
!
! Chillagoe
EN OUT -
! Atherton
! Karumba ! Innisfail
! Normanton
! Burketown ! Flinders Reef
! Doomadgee
! Croydon
! Georgetown ! Cardwell
! Lucinda
!
Ingham
! Townsville
! Ayr
Bowen
! Charters Towers ! ! Hayman Is
20°S 20°S
! Proserpine
! Mount Isa
! Mackay
! Sarina
! Moranbah
St Lawrence
! ! Shoalwater Bay
! Clermont
!
Yeppoon
! Longreach ! Rockhampton
! Heron Is
! Emerald
! Gladstone
! Town of 1770
! Biloela
! Sandy Cape
! Monto ! Bundaberg
25°S 25°S
! Hervey Bay
! Gayndah
! Maryborough
0 0.5 1 Decimal Degrees
! Double Is Pt
0
! Gympie
! Charleville ! Tewantin
0.5
! Roma ! Kingaroy
!!Cape Moreton
1 Decimal Degrees
! Dalby
Point Lookout
Toowoomba ! !
! Brisbane
Ipswich
! Southport
! St George
Warwick ! Coolangatta
! Goondiwindi
0 50 100 200 300 400 !! Stanthorpe ! Cape Byron
Kilometres (Approximate)
! Ballina
135°E 140°E 145°E 150°E 155°E 160°E
Log on:
»» To the Bureau of Meteorology (www.bom.gov.au)
for weather warnings.
»» To www.qld.gov.au/alerts for information on current
disasters. - an d ACT -
»» To your council website (www.lgaq.asn.au) for:
»»local information on the emergency
»»information on evacuation centres and evacuation routes
»»information on assistance after a disaster event.
Listen out:
»» For the Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS) - the siren sound used at the beginning
of serious warnings on radio and
television. Pay careful attention to the
When warnings are issued you may be directed to:
message that follows SEWS and act
immediately on the advice given. »» finalise preparations and secure items around your home
»» For Emergency Alert voice messages »» activate your Emergency Plan and shelter in place, or
to your landline and text messages to »» evacuate to your predetermined safer location.
your mobile telephone.
»» For sirens and loud-hailer
announcements that Emergency Services may use.
»» For Emergency Services personnel who may door-knock your local area to pass on warnings.
Act:
»» Act quickly on the advice provided.
»» Ensure all householders are aware of the warning and advice provided.
»» Check on neighbours and friends who may need special assistance.
»» Activate your Emergency Plan and locate your Emergency Kit.
»» Activate your evacuation arrangements if required.
facebook.com/QldFireandEmergencyServices
facebook.com/QueenslandPolice
twitter.com/QldFES or @QldFES
twitter.com/qpsmedia
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Bushfire
You don’t have to live in the bush to be threatened by bushfire,
just close enough to be affected by burning material, embers,
VE
RE
and smoke.
VE
RY
SE
H IG H
HIG E
H EM
TR
EX
PREPARE LOW-MODERATE CATASTROPHIC
Planning and preparing for bushfire is essential to your survival
The Fire Danger Rating (FDR) is
in a bushfire – people who plan and prepare for bushfires are an assessment of the potential
more likely to survive than those that do not. fire behaviour, the difficulty of
suppressing a fire, and the potential
»» Prepare your Bushfire Survival Plan (BSP) impact on the community. It is an
»»contact your local fire station for a copy or download one at early indicator of potential danger,
www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au. and should act as your first trigger
BUSHFIRE
»» Decide NOW if you will prepare to stay or prepare to leave. for action. The higher the rating, the
»» Share your Bushfire Survival Plan with your family and greater the need for you to act.
friends.
»» Practise your Bushfire Survival Plan regularly.
ACT ADVICE
Monitor conditions and review
Take Action to save your life.
Bushfire Warnings
your Bushfire Survival Plan.
»» Refer to your prepared Bushfire Survival Plan.
WATCH AND ACT
»» If you are going to prepare to leave. Conditions are changing. Start
»»Notify your family and friends that you are taking action and follow your
leaving.
Bushfire Survival Plan.
»»Tell them where you are going.
»» If you are going to prepare to stay. EMERGENCY WARNING
»»Follow the plans you have made in your Bushfire You are in danger. Act on your
Survival Plan to prepare your home. Bushfire Survival Plan now.
»»Notify your family and friends that you are
staying.
»» Tune in to bushfire warnings via your local radio station, QFES websites and social media.
SURVIVE
Follow your plan (or BSP) to stay alive. If you have stayed
»» As the fire passes.
If you have left early »»Stay inside your home until the fire has
»» Don’t return to your home until you are passed.
advised it is safe to do so. »»Keep hydrated.
»» Remember to look out for dangers as you »»Check around your home for possible
return home including: embers.
»»Emergency Crews working around the area. »»Check on everyone in your home and make
»»Animals not behaving normally. sure they are ok.
»»Trees that may have been weakened by the »» Once it has passed.
fire and can fall at any time. »»Check around the outside of your house for
»»Power lines that have come down or may fall. spot fires.
»»Water and other infrastructure that may not »»Drink plenty of water.
be working. »»Stay at your home until it is safe.
For more information, visit »» Stay tuned in for bushfire warnings and
www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au or read other messages.
PREPARE.ACT.SURVIVE. resources.
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Household Emergency Plan
Circle the hazards in our area:
BUSHFIRE storm cyclone Coastal flood
Inundation
Evacuation destination
our household emergency plan
Place to meet:
Address:
Phone number:
Email address:
Out of town emergency contact
Name:
Address:
Phone number:
Email address:
Main service supplies Location/switch off
Electricity:
Gas:
Water:
Vehicle registration Vehicle description
Our strongest room is
Medical conditions Essential medication /dosage
Pets Pet requirements (including vet details)
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Householder Special needs
Householder contact details
Emergency contacts
our household emergency plan
Triple Zero (000) Life threatening emergencies: Police - Fire - Ambulance
132 500 Storm damage and rising flood water - SES
Local Council
Doctor/hospital
Chemist
Insurance supplier
Emergency / Bushfire Survival Plan activation
Contact all householders Make final preparations
Check on our neighbours Tune into Warnings
Locate Emergency Kit S
helter in our strongest room
(unless instructed to evacuate)
Evacuation checklist
Prior to evacuation:
Ensure vehicle is full of fuel Check on our neighbours
K
now the location of evacuation Know the preferred evacuation routes
meeting place
When evacuating:
P
ack Emergency Kit, Evacuation Kit, a Contact our out of town emergency
copy of our Emergency Plan, important contact before we leave and once we
documents and valuables, medications arrive at our evacuation destination
and water supplies
T urn off mains supply for power, gas S
ecure and lock our home and proceed
and water to our predetermined evacuation
destination
If flooding or storm surge is imminent:
S
andbag internal drains and toilets to S
tore electrical items
prevent backwash off the ground
Display your Emergency Plan on the fridge. provide copies to household
members, relevant friends, family and neighbours and keep a copy in your
Emergency Kit.
17
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LOT Cmca cGy
EAE ACY
Triple Zero (000) Life threatening emergencies: Police - Fire - Ambulance
132 500 Storm damage and rising flood water - SES
Local Council
Doctor/hospital
Chemist
Insurance supplier
Ue MARAT Ga CHET)
O Contact all householders O Make final preparations
QO Check on our neighbours O June into Warnings
O Locate Emergency Kit O Shelter in our strongest room
(unless instructed to evacuate)
ETE acd
Prior to evacuation:
O Ensure vehicle is full of fuel O1 Check on our neighbours
QO Know the location of evacuation O Know the preferred evacuation routes
meeting place
When evacuating:
QO Pack Emergency Kit, Evacuation Kit, a O Contact our out of town emergency
copy of our Emergency Plan, important contact before we leave and once we
documents and valuables, medications arrive at our evacuation destination
and water supplies
O Turn off mains supply for power, gas QO Secure and lock our home and proceed
and water to our predetermined evacuation
destination
If flooding or storm surge is imminent:
O Sandbag internal drains and toiletsto © Store electrical items
prevent backwash off the ground
DISPLAY YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN ON THE FRIDGE. PROVIDE COPIES TO HOUSEHOLD
MEMBERS, RELEVANT FRIENDS, FAMILY AND NEIGHBOURS AND KEEP A COPY IN YOUR
EMERGENCY KIT.
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