Taylor ecology report

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[OCR of page images]
Findings — Bushfire Hazard

The residential building at Iluka is intended to be separated from the bulk of the covenant
area by a low fuel zone of some 5.5 metres per the Fire Management Plan of WBM
Oceanics. The maintenance of this buffer is critical in providing a safety zone between the
building and flammable vegetation within the covenant which contains very steep slopes on
north and west facing aspects.

Such slopes and aspects — in combination with eucalypt fuels - are potentially serious
contributors to bushfire hazard. Although there are important site factors which mitigate
against the bushfire hazard in this locality e.g. proximity and extent of the Noosa River and
its riparian vegetation; and the relatively small width of approximately 40 metres, the
covenant area in question is also continuous with similar adjoining areas to the north-east
and south-west. It is relevant to note that bushfires need some distance to develop their full
intensity and rate of spread, and this is generally accepted as being at least 100 metres.

In essence the potential exists for a medium intensity fire within the covenant area but the
behaviour of fire in this locality is mainly governed by the steep slope which is narrow and
consequently the hazard affecting the adjoining buildings is only moderate.

While the WBM Fire Management Plan considers that a majority of the Settlers Cove
development should be considered as low hazard (apparently arrived at subjectively) it is
imperative to the understanding bushfire behaviour that there is no such thing as a zero
hazard. Therefore it is critical that the fuel load of the buffer zone be minimised and that the
fuel state of the balance of the vegetation covenant be monitored and managed to
acceptable levels.

The aforementioned low fuel zone consists of mulched gardens of approximately 5 metres
width from the building up to the fenced boundary and a similar width of low slope within
the covenant area which consists of existing, planted and maintained vegetation which has
also been mulched. At the time of inspection this mulch was quite damp from recent
substantial rain and/or irrigation.

The mulch consisted of hoop pine bark. This material contributes to the fuel load due to its
porous nature which allows access by oxygen during burning. Conversely a mulch such as
slash pine bark or wood chips are considered to be acceptable for bushfire purposes
because they tend to pack down and exclude oxygen. Inorganic mulches such as rocks and
stones are also acceptable.

The outstanding feature of the area in bushfire terms is the sheer quantity of fuel due to the
eucalypt leaf litter in the vicinity of those species. Around the property fence — and within
the fuel control zones — there are several eucalypts growing in close proximity to each other.
Most of these appear to be regrowth of less than 15 metres height and diameters up to 25
cm although there is a much larger specimen with a dual trunk at the north-eastern end.

 

Taylor Ecology Covenant Area Management — August 2014 Iluka, Serenity Close Noosa

Page 3

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This litter is up to 5 cm deep near the tree bases yet elsewhere within the vegetation
covenant where the canopy is sparse or non-eucalypts predominate, the litter layer is
almost non-existent.

The canopies of these particular trees are also reaching roof height and in close proximity to
the building. The collection of leaf litter in gutters also contributes to the bushfire hazard.

Note that the volatile oils in eucalypt leaves renders this type of litter much more flammable
than leaf litter from other existing species such as Wattles, Bribie Island Cypress and
rainforest specimens.

A further positive aspect in achieving a low fuel zone was the evidence of some low level
pruning of eucalypts. Conversely some prunings have been disposed of within the covenant
area. Although the latter forms part of the recommendations for slope stability and general
environmental restoration, such disposal adds to the fuel load within the covenant area
which is not desirable.

Note that it is an accepted principle of bushfire behaviour that the fuel of concern for a
bushfire is that which is contained in the ground and mid-level strata and not the trees
themselves.

It was also noticeable that some standing dead vegetation — much of it in the lower strata —
remains near the low fuel zone. It is unlikely that such material will contribute to faunal
habitat due to its size but conversely this material adds substantially to the fuel load. Any
fire whose intensity is increased by such material has the propensity to be detrimental to
faunal values.

Apart from the aforementioned eucalypts there are no other plant species within the
property’s gardens or in the low fuel zone within the covenant area that would require
immediate management to control the fuel load.

A single occurrence of Asparagus Fern near the low fuel zone was the only obvious weed
noticeable in the inspection and it should be removed.

Findings — Arboriculture

The aforementioned eucalypts growing near the boundary fence as well as another
specimen inside the fence are relatively young and vigorously growing. Their canopies even
at this stage swing close to the building and even without pruning these canopies are only
going to get much larger.

Another centrally located eucalypt about 5 metres from the boundary fence is growing close
to other eucalypt trunks and as a consequence is severely unbalanced due to the crown
growing towards the building. The stability of such a specimen is always compromised.

 

Taylor Ecology Covenant Area Management — August 2014 Iluka, Serenity Close Noosa

Page 4

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4

The aforementioned dual trunk Queensland Blue Gum appears to be reasonably healthy and
its location does not pose any immediate threat to the building. As an isolated eucalypt its
contribution to leaf litter for bushfire purposes is acceptable but concurrently its size would
add substantially to the local vista.

Recommendations

The safety of people and their residences must always take priority over other
environmental outcomes. In this regard the maintenance of the low fuel zone between the
building and the covenant is critical.

Note also that if a substantial fire occurred within the covenant area then all other
environmental values — which are intended to be fostered - such as fauna, slope stability
and water quality may be affected detrimentally.

Hence the benefits of avoiding a major fire are many fold.

To achieve the management aim of a low fuel zone — and to avoid physical conflict between
vegetation and the building - the following actions should be implemented —

1. Removal of all regrowth eucalypts situated adjacent to the fence.

2. Removal of an unbalanced eucalypt situated approximately 3 metres from the
fence.

3. Removal of hoop pine bark mulch from within the covenant area.

4. Where the hoop pine bark mulch within the property is contiguous with the
covenant area, replace with inorganic mulch, slash pine bark or wood chips.

5. Keep the low fuel zone irrigated if sufficient water supplies are available.

6. Physically remove leaf litter in the low fuel zone every 1-2 months and dispose on
the steeper slopes in the covenant area.

7. Physically remove any dead standing material within 10 metres of the boundary
fence.

Although disposed prunings and other dead material with a nominal diameter of, say, over
15 cm would not contribute to the bushfire hazard in this locality - and would be beneficial
to erosion control — it is recommended that any smaller diameter material and its foliage be
removed from the site for disposal elsewhere.

However any interference with native vegetation within the covenant area always requires
the prior written approval of the Council (Covenantee).

Based on the author’s 40 years’ experience it is subjectively considered that the fuel load
within the overall covenant area at this time does not exceed 10 tonnes/ha as nominated in
the Fire Management Plan. However in the narrow low fuel zone this figure is compromised
by the presence of several eucalypts which should be removed.

 

Taylor Ecology Covenant Area Management — August 2014 Iluka, Serenity Close Noosa

Page 5

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Due to the sensitive nature of the covenant area it is suggested that a licenced spotter
catcher be present during any tree felling.

Please contact the undersigned if any clarification is required.

Mark Taylor

 

 

Taylor Ecology Covenant Area Management — August 2014 Iluka, Serenity Close Noosa