MCU11/0254 Response to information request

Construction                                   nominated 10 be constructed    destroyed in bushfire have
                                               10 Flame Zone and BAL 12.5     been the result of ember
                                               in accordance with AS3959:     attack. Appropriate building
                                               2009 Bu ding Construction      construction is one of the
                                               in Bushfire Prone Areas.       most important elements to
                                                                              be considered to prevent
                                                                              the buildings themselves
                                                                              being destroyed in
                                                                              bushfires. The nominated
                                                                              BAL’s are approp ate to the
                                                                              site and meet the
                                                                              requirements of
                                                                              AS3959:2009 method A.
Landscaping        No requirement nominated    Detailed landscaping
                                               provisions for bushfire
                                               management have been
                                               nominated. Irrigation system
                                               nominated.
Maintenance        No requirement nominated    Maintenance mandated and
                                               prescriptions for landscape
                                               maintenance outlined.




It is considered that the proposal provides bushfire management solutions which when used
in combination are superior to the measures required in the previously endorsed fire

management plan by James Warren Associates. The proposal also adopts several
measures besides building construction measures to achieve suitable outcomes as outlined

in the table above.


Although the proposed fire control line is not trafficable by rural fire appliances being 1-2m
wide as opposed to 4-5m wide, the control line is accessible to fire appliances (hose lines &

personnel) and still ensures the following functional requirements as per the purpose of the
trail:


         Access for direct suppression of low intensity fires;

     .   Access for implementation of controlled burning;
     .   Access for undertaking back burning where designated safe to light fires by the
         incident controller; and
    .    Access for maintenance of the adjoining radiant heat shield fencing and retaining
         wall.


The control line is finished close to ’at grade’ with the adjoining bush land surface fuels and
near surface fuels being practical for the performance of fire fighting activities. Please refer
to the sections provided by Reitsma.


Suitable appliance deployment locations have been nominated which will be free of
obstacles such as landscaping, fencing etc. The appliance deployment areas are located

directly at the top of the entry points to the fire control lines. The deployment locations
enable QFRS to back up appliances and run hose lines directly along the fire control lines.
The appliances are then positioned in a forward direction for rapid deployment elsewhere.

Many QFRS appliances have been and will continue to be fitted with automatic hose reels
with Archimedes Screws which enable ’make up’ to be undertaken very quickly.


The stationary location of the appliance also free up the driver to assist in the fire fighting

operations such as manning the pump as opposed to needing to return to the vehicle to