Appendix I - Bushfire

                                                            [6]


              o    We generally agree with the State’s mapping with regard to the regional ecosystem throughout
                   this section of Tewantin National Park, however the area adjacent to the subject site is more
                   open and contains a relatively depauperata understorey and groundcover, and as such, is
                   better described as a moist to dry eucalypt forest on coastal lowlands and ranges i.e. VHC 9.1.
                   This area contains largely low to moderately flammable vegetation (see Photographic Plate 6)
              o Table 1 below provides the derived Potential bushfire intensity level using the methodology
                   after Leonard et al (2014)2 and as contained in the State Planning Policy – Natural Hazards,
                   Risks and Resilience – Technical Manual – A fit for Purpose approach in undertaking natural
                   hazard studies and risk assessment (April 2016)
         With respect to the vegetation of the subject site and waterway corridor to the west of the site, it is
          evident that it presents as a Low Bushfire Prone Area largely because of its width:
              o The site inspection revealed there was an extensive invasion Sphagneticola trilobata in the
                   north eastern portion and a dam in the centre of the waterway corridor
              o We note that a large amount of vegetation within the subject site will be cleared as a natural
                   consequence of the development
              o Table 2 below provides an assessment of the status of the bushfire hazard without any
                   management input and as if the area was a melaleuca open forest with all the structural
                   elements and characteristics of that forest. However, in accordance with Leonard et al (2014)
                   section 2.2.1 – Patch and Corridors,3 the waterway corridor and retained portion of vegetation
                   in the south of the subject site will be less than 100 metres in width and as such using the
                   State Planning Policy methodology this can be effectively described as low bushfire hazard like
                   the surrounding properties.

Table 1 – Fireline Intensity Model data for adjacent area of the Tewantin National Park

Characteristic                                                    Input/output value
Vegetation hazard class                                           9.1 Moist to dry eucalypt open forests on coastal
                                                                  lowlands and ranges1
Potential fuel load (t/ha)                                        24.12
FFDI                                                              473
Slope (degrees)                                                   2
Potential fireline intensity (kW/m)                               19,429
Potential Bushfire Hazard Class                                   Medium
1 – the VHC 9.1-Moist to dry eucalypt open forests on coastal lowlands and ranges was used as it is representative of RE
12.5.6c and what we observed.
2 – the Potential fuel load is attributed with a potential fuel load by the State Government as part of the Leonard et. al.
(2014) methodology.
3 – the FFDI for the area is determined by the State Government as part of the Leonard et. al. (2014) methodology.

Table 2 – Fireline Intensity Model data for Subject Site and Waterway Corridor

Characteristic                               Input/output value
Vegetation hazard class                      22.1 Melaleuca open forests on seasonally inundated lowland coastal
                                             swamps1
Potential fuel load (t/ha)                   28.42
FFDI                                         473
Slope (degrees)                              2
Potential fireline intensity (kW/m)          26,981



2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.