Ripley Valley PDA Secondary Urban Centre East

Transcription

1 Ripley Valley PDA Secondary Urban Centre East Bushfire Hazard Hazard and Risk and Risk Assessment Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd 30 August 2016

2 Document Information Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Project Name File Reference I:\ Bushfire\wp\Bushfire\RV SUCE BFA 2016 V1.docx Job Reference Date 30 August 2016 Contact Information Cardno (Qld) Pty Ltd ABN Level 11 Green Square North Tower 515 St Paul s Terrace Locked Bag 4006 Fortitude Valley Qld 4006 Telephone: Facsimile: International: Document Control Version Date Description of Revision Author Initials Author Signature Reviewer Initials Reviewed Signature A 16 August 2016 Draft for internal project team review JD DW 1 30 August 2016 Issued for Client use JD DW Version Reason for Issue / Stage of Deliverable Approver Initials Approved Signature Approved Release Date A Internal Review JD 16 August Issued for Client use JD 30 August 2016 Cardno Copyright in the whole and every part of this document belongs to Cardno and may not be used, sold, transferred, copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner or form or in or on any media to any person other than by agreement with Cardno. This document is produced by Cardno solely for the benefit and use by the client in accordance with the terms of the engagement. Cardno does not and shall not assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever to any third party arising out of any use or reliance by any third party on the content of this document. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page ii

3 Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations APZ AHD AS3959 BAL PDA PFLI SUCE VHC Asset Protection Zone (APZ) - A fuel reduced area surrounding a built asset or structure. Australian Height Datum (AHD) - A common national plane of level corresponding approximately to mean sea level. Australian Standard 3959 Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) as defined in AS3959 Priority Development Area Potential Fire-line Intensity (PFLI) a measure of the intensity of heat energy generated by a fire under a particular combination of weather conditions (e.g. temperature, wind speed, relative humidity) and taking into account the influences of vegetation type and slope. Secondary Urban Centre East, a development precinct within the Ripley Valley PDA Vegetation Hazard Class (VHC) - based on the available bushfire fuel load typically associated with a particular vegetation type. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page iii

4 Executive Summary This Bushfire Hazard Assessment and Management Plan (BHAMP) has been prepared on behalf of Amex Corporation Pty Ltd (Amex) in accordance with Condition 18 Environmental Management of PDA Development Permit for Reconfiguring a Lot (with Plan of Development) for 1787 lots (consisting of 1773 residential lots, 14 super lots [subject to separate approval], open space, land for drainage and roads) over multiple stages at land located at Barrams, Abrahams and Bayliss Roads, South Ripley. The land the subject of the Priority Development Area (PDA) Development Permit forms part of the Ripley Valley PDA Secondary Urban Centre East (SUCE). Since early 2014 the physical development of the Providence Estate has proceeded in general accordance with the approved development plans. Various assessments of the bushfire hazards that exist within and adjacent to the Providence Estate have been completed and the findings of those assessments are summarised in Section 3. These assessments have confirmed that: > Stages 27, 30 31, and of the Providence Estate which have frontage to Bayliss Road are partially within a Bushfire Prone Area due to the presence of areas of hazardous vegetation located within adjacent land located within the Urban Living Zone and land located within the Environmental Protection Zone; and > Stages 8B, 15, 19, 38 and 39 of the Providence Estate are partially within a Bushfire Prone Area due to the presence of areas of hazardous vegetation located within Area C, which encompasses Urban Living Zone land to the north and east. Urban development within the above defined stages of the Providence Estate will need to be carried out in a manner that is consistent with the bushfire management plan specifications presented in Section 4.2 and Section 5.2. In summary, the proposed Providence Estate development: > is consistent with the pattern of land use and development set out in the Ripley Valley PDA Development Scheme; > will create residential lots that are located within 100m of areas of vegetation that have a Medium to High bushfire intensity potential and which are therefore subject to the building design and construction requirements of AS3959 (2009) Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas (AS3959); > can substantially reduce the number of residential lots subject to AS3959 requirements by establishing and maintaining managed vegetation zones within adjacent areas of bushfire prone vegetation growing on land located within the Urban Living Zone; > will need to be implemented in general accordance with the bushfire management plan specifications presented in Section 4.2 and 5.2 herein; and > is consistent with the bushfire hazard and risk management outcomes embedded within: - the Ripley Valley PDA Development Scheme; - the SUCE Natural Environmental Overarching Site Strategy; and - the interim development assessment requirements of Part E of the State Planning Policy, April Subject to implementation of the bushfire management plan specifications presented in Section 4.2 and 5.2 herein, development of the Providence Estate will not expose future residents to an unacceptable level of risk of harm in the event of a bushfire. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page iv

5 Table of Contents Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations iii Executive Summary iv 1 Introduction 1 2 Description of the SUCE (Providence) Development 2 3 Bushfire Hazard Assessments PDA Development Scheme Assessment State Planning Policy Natural Hazard Assessment Site Specific SUCE Assessment 7 4 Bushfire Hazard Mitigation Area B Bushfire Prone Area Mapping Bushfire Management Plan 10 5 Bushfire Hazard Mitigation Area C Bushfire Prone Area Mapping Bushfire Management Plan 17 6 Compliance Assessments Ripley Valley PDA Development Scheme SUCE Natural Environmental Overarching Site Strategy State Planning Policy (SPP) 26 7 Conclusions 27 8 References 28 Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page v

6 Tables Table 2-1 Extracts from Map 4 Zones of the UDA Development Scheme 2 Table 3-1 Extracts from Map 3a Development Constraints of the PDA Development Scheme 5 Table 3-2 Extracts from the SPP Natural Hazards (Bushfire) Mapping 6 Table 4-1 Bushfire Attack Level Assessment Area B 11 Table 5-1 Bushfire Attack Level Assessment Area C 18 Table 6-1 Compliance Assessment against the SUCE NEOSS 24 Table 6-2 SPP Part E Interim Development Assessment Requirements compliance assessment 26 Figures Figure 2-1 May 2016 Aerial Photograph of the Providence Estate (source NearMap) Figure 3-1 SUCE Bushfire Hazard Assessment Plan and Master Plan Layout [Source Cardno (2013)] Appendices Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Appendix E Cardno (2013) Figure 3 SUCE Bushfire Hazard Assessment Plan and Master Plan Layout Drawing Ref: BFA-SK-001 V1 and BFA-SK-002 V1 QFES Bushfire Survival Plan Guideline Bushfire Hazard Area C Vegetation Management Plan Curriculum Vitae John Delaney Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page vi

7 1 Introduction This Bushfire Hazard Assessment and Management Plan (BHAMP) has been prepared on behalf of Amex Corporation Pty Ltd (Amex) in accordance with Condition 18 Environmental Management of PDA Development Permit for Reconfiguring a Lot (with Plan of Development) for 1787 lots (consisting of 1773 residential lots, 14 super lots [subject to separate approval], open space, land for drainage and roads) over multiple stages at land located at Barrams, Abrahams and Bayliss Roads, South Ripley. The land the subject of the Priority Development Area (PDA) Development Permit forms part of the Ripley Valley PDA Secondary Urban Centre East (SUCE). Condition 18 requires the submission of a Detailed Staged Bushfire Risk Assessment prepared to address the requirements of the endorsed Natural Environmental Overarching Site Strategy (NEOSS) (Ref: Version 2, dated August 2013). Section 3.5 Bushfire Management Strategy of the NEOSS states the following. The SUCE encompasses and adjoins vegetated land that has a Medium bushfire hazard rating when assessed in accordance with the bushfire hazard assessment methodology detailed in the State Planning Policy 1/03 Guideline Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Flood, Bushfire and Landslide (SPP 1/03 Guideline). Development of land within the SUCE is to be carried out in a manner that: > appropriately responds to the presence of hazardous vegetation so that human health and property is not placed an unacceptable risk in the event of a bushfire; > areas of ecological significance within and adjacent to the SUCE are not adversely affected by and measures taken to reduce bushfire hazard levels within adjacent urban development areas; and > the role that bushfire plays in the maintenance of natural ecosystems is recognised and catered for in the management of natural areas within and adjacent to the SUCE. In response to the above issues, the bushfire management strategy detailed in Table 1-5 is to guide future development within the SUCE. This BHAMP has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Condition 18 and also recognises that: > State Planning Policy 1/03 has been repealed and replaced by the single State Planning Policy which initially came into effect in December 2013 and has been subsequently amended in July 2014 and April 2016; and > a new methodology for State-wide mapping of bushfire prone areas in Queensland (Leonard et al., 2014) that was developed to support the bushfire hazard provisions of Queensland s State Planning Policy. This BHAMP is also based on the SUCE BHAMP (6 August 2013) prepared by Cardno on behalf of Amex Corporation Pty Ltd and submitted in support of the application for a PDA Development Permit for Reconfiguring a Lot. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 1

8 2 Description of the SUCE (Providence) Development The Providence Estate is located within the Ripley Valley PDA Secondary Urban Centre East (SUCE). As illustrated in the extracts from Map 4 Zones of the Ripley Valley PDA Development Scheme presented in Table 2-1 below: 1. the entire Providence Estate and SUCE is located within the Urban Living Zone; and 2. parts of the SUCE and the Providence Estate adjoin land within the Environmental Protection Zone. Table 2-1 Extracts from Map 4 Zones of the UDA Development Scheme : SUCE : Providence Estate The Providence Estate is bounded by: > Bundamba Creek in the west; > the Centenary Highway and freehold land within the Urban Living Zone to the north; > freehold land within the Urban Living Zone to the east; > freehold land within the Environmental Protection Zone to the south-east; and > freehold land within the Urban Living Zone to the south. Since early 2014 the physical development of the Providence Estate has proceeded in general accordance with the approved plan of development for the Providence Estate (RPS Plan Ref Rev K, dated 27 November 2015), which is reproduced below. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 2

9 With reference to aerial photography presented in Figure 2-1, the majority of the Providence Estate has been recently cleared of native vegetation to facilitate urban development. Areas of the Providence Estate not yet cleared to facilitate urban development have previously been cleared to facilitate livestock grazing and currently support a sparse woodland vegetation. Land adjacent to the Providence Estate supports a mixture of vegetation types that reflect past and current land management practices. In this respect the following are noted. > To the west of the Providence Estate is the Bundamba Creek corridor which supports a narrow band of riparian vegetation, including areas to be the subject of riparian rehabilitation works. > To the immediate north-east of the Providence Estate is an area of regrowth eucalypt dominated forest located on land in the Urban Living Zone. > To the east of the Providence Estate is land in the Urban Living Zone that supports a sparse woodland vegetation. > To the south-east of the providence Estate, on the opposite side of Bayliss Road, is an area of land in the Environmental Protection Zone that supports a mixture of remnant and regrowth ironbark-spotted gum open forest. > To the south of the Providence Estate, on the opposite side of Bayliss Road, is land in the Urban Living Zone that supports a mixture of predominately cleared land and areas of eucalypt dominated regrowth. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 3

10 Figure 2-1 May 2016 Aerial Photograph of the Providence Estate (source NearMap) Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 4

11 3 Bushfire Hazard Assessments Various assessments of the bushfire hazards that exists within and adjacent to the Providence Estate have been completed and the findings of those assessments are summarised below. 3.1 PDA Development Scheme Assessment The presence of bushfire prone vegetation within the Ripley Valley PDA and the associated constraints to development of the PDA were given due consideration in the formulation of the PDA Development Scheme. The findings of that high level assessment are summarised in Map 3a Development Constraints of the PDA Development Scheme. With reference to the extracts from Map 3a presented in Table 2-2 below, the following points are noted. a) The SUCE encompasses land that was classified as being: - Bushfire Risk Areas, which are areas that are recognised as supporting a hazardous combination of vegetation and slopes located within the Environmental Protection Zone and which are to be retained as part of the development of the Ripley Valley PDA; and - Transitional Bushfire Risk Areas, which are areas that are recognised as supporting a hazardous combination of vegetation and slopes located within the Urban Living Zone and which will eventually be developed for urban purposes as part of the development of the Ripley Valley PDA. b) The Providence Estate does not encompass any bushfire risk areas but the south-eastern boundary of the Providence Estate is located close to identified bushfire risk areas situated to the south of Bayliss Road. Table 3-1 Extracts from Map 3a Development Constraints of the PDA Development Scheme : SUCE : Providence Estate 3.2 State Planning Policy Natural Hazard Assessment The State Planning Policy Natural Hazard (Bushfire) Mapping is based on the new methodology for State-wide mapping of bushfire prone areas in Queensland (Leonard et al., 2014). The new methodology: > scales bushfire hazard based on the Potential Fire-line Intensity (PFLI) of a severe bushfire and can be used to predict the radiation profile of areas adjacent to potentially hazardous vegetation and an associated Potential Impact Buffer; and > classifies land that may be subject to significant bushfire attack as areas of Medium, High or Very high Potential Bushfire Intensity. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 5

12 The PFLI is also a useful indicator of the level of safety afforded for resident egress and firefighter access. Land that could be subject to significant bushfire attack from embers, flames or radiant heat is included in a Potential Impact Buffer with a default width of 100m 1 from all areas classified as having a Medium, High or Very High Potential Bushfire Intensity. The classification of an area s Potential Bushfire Intensity takes into account three key variables being: > total fuel load (W), which is primarily a function of the vegetation type(s) in the subject area; > the McArthur Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI), which is an index that considers variability in fire intensity associated with a range of weather variables including recent precipitation, current wind speed, relative humidity and temperature; and > slope (Ɵ), which is an important variable controlling the rate of fire spread and fuel consumption. The SPP Natural Hazards (Bushfire) mapping for the SUCE locality is presented in Table 3-2. Table 3-2 Extracts from the SPP Natural Hazards (Bushfire) Mapping Legend : SUCE : Providence Site 1 Land located within a distance of 100m from areas of medium, high or very high bushfire severity potential is recognised in AS and the SPP Bushfire Hazard Mapping as being land on which specific consideration of bushfire hazard issues is required at both the design and construction phases of urban development due to the potential for significant exposure to flame, radiant heat and/or ember attack during a bushfire event. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 6

13 3.4 Site Specific SUCE Assessment A bushfire assessment for the SUCE was also completed by Cardno (2013) and provides a site specific assessment of the location and severity of bushfire hazards in the SUCE locality following development of the Providence Estate in general accordance with the approved plan of development. The Cardno (2013) bushfire hazard assessment was carried out in accordance with Section 3.5 Bushfire Management Strategy of the NEOSS. The findings of that assessment are presented in Figure 3 of the SUCE BHAMP (Cardno, 2013), which is reproduced below as Figure 3-1 and in Appendix A, and were summarised in Section 4 of the SUCE BHAMP (Cardno, 2013) as follows. 1. The staged Master Plan will: > effectively remove areas of potentially hazardous vegetation that currently exist within the Site boundaries and will create an urban landscape that has a negligible internal bushfire hazard potential; > establish a comprehensive road network that provides multiple routes of access/egress to urban allotments and adjacent areas of potentially hazardous vegetation to facilitate adequate road access for fire-fighting and other emergency vehicles and safe evacuation if required; and > establish a reticulated water supply which will provide a dependable and accessible supply of water for fire suppression purposes. 2. Some adjacent Urban Living zoned land to the north east (Area C) and south (Area B) of the Site encompasses areas with a Medium bushfire hazard potential. Whilst these areas are likely to be developed in the future for urban purposes resulting the removal of the associated bushfire hazard, in the interim period the Master Plan for the Site will need to be implemented in a manner that provides appropriate separation between dwellings constructed on the Site and adjacent areas of hazardous vegetation. Bayliss Road will initially be upgraded to have a 26.5m road reserve width and will ultimately have a 33.0 m wide reserve. The upgraded Bayliss Road will provide a substantial fire break between the potential hazardous vegetation in Area B and adjacent proposed residential allotments. Adjacent to Area C in the north-east of the Site, some residential allotments would be separated from potentially hazardous vegetation by proposed new roadways ( m in width), whilst other residential allotments maintain a direct frontage to potentially hazardous vegetation on adjoining land. Where no existing or new roadway provides separation between residential allotments and potentially hazardous vegetation it may be necessary to postpone the construction of dwellings on such allotments: a. unless sufficient space exists for any appropriate firebreak within the allotment; or b. until the adjoining Urban Living land is development and the hazardous vegetation is removed. 3. The Environmental Protection zoned land to the south-east of the Site will represent a permanent bushfire hazard area that needs to be appropriately responded to in the Master Plan. In this respect it is noted that this Environmental Protection area is: > separated from adjacent proposed residential allotments within the site by the m wide Bayliss Road reserve, which will be sealed and upgraded to an appropriate standard; and > located upslope of the adjacent residential allotments, substantially reducing the degree of hazard to which dwellings would be exposed in the event of a bushfire. 4. Whilst the Environmental Protection zoned land to the north-east of the Site will represent a permanent bushfire hazard area within the SUCE it is located over 300m from the nearest residential lot proposed on the Site. The land situated between the Environmental Protection zoned land and the proposed residential lots on the Site forms part of the Urban Living zoned land within Area C described in point 2 above. No specific bushfire hazard mitigation measures would be required as part of the Master Plan in respect of the hazardous vegetation contained in the Environmental Protection zoned land to the north-east of the Site. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 7

14 Figure 3-1 SUCE Bushfire Hazard Assessment Plan and Master Plan Layout [Source Cardno (2013)] The Cardno (2013) bushfire hazard area mapping and SPP Natural Hazard (Bushfire) Mapping for the SUCE locality are consistent and indicate that there are two areas of bushfire prone vegetation that will require management and/or development design responses. These two areas are Areas B and C as defined by Cardno (2013) and described above. Bushfire hazard mitigation and management requirements for these two areas are provided in Section 4 and Section 5. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 8

15 4 Bushfire Hazard Mitigation Area B 4.1 Bushfire Prone Area Mapping Stages 27, 30 31, and of the Providence Estate which have frontage to Bayliss Road are partially within a Bushfire Prone Area 2 due to the presence of areas of hazardous vegetation located within Area B, including: > Urban Living Zone land to the south of Bayliss Road which will eventually be developed for residential purposes resulting in the removal of the majority of potentially hazardous vegetation; and > Environmental Protection Zone land to the south of Bayliss Road (i.e. Lot 216 on S311037) that will be managed for conservation purposes and within which potentially hazardous vegetation will be retained and represent an ongoing potential bushfire hazard for adjacent stages of the Providence Estate. The SPP Bushfire hazard mapping in the vicinity of Area B is consistent with available information concerning the landform and vegetation of the locality that is available from various online sources and recent field based observations which confirm the following. (1) Vegetation - The bushfire prone vegetation (i.e. vegetation types with available fuel loads of 5 tonnes/ha or greater) to the south of Bayliss Road is comprised of regrowth eucalypt open forest to woodland derived from the following: - RE : Eucalyptus crebra +/- E. tereticornis, Corymbia tessellaris, Angophora spp., E. melanophloia woodland on sedimentary rocks. - RE Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata +/- Eucalyptus crebra open forest on sedimentary rocks. These mapped bushfire prone areas belong to a Vegetation Hazard Class 2 - Open forests / woodlands shrubby, after Leonard et al. (2014), which is a form of bushfire prone vegetation (i.e. vegetation types with available fuel loads of up to 30 tonnes/ha in the prolonged absence of fire, grazing or active management). Most areas of land to the south of Bayliss Road that are not currently classified as being bushfire prone on the SPP Bushfire hazard mapping support a woodland regrowth vegetation that is generally more open in nature, but which in the absence of active management will eventually develop a similar structure to that of the areas classified as being bushfire prone. If this was to occur the extent of that part of the Providence Estate that would be subject to AS3959 (2009) constraints would also increase. Some areas have a grassy understorey with the shrub layer generally being sparse to absent, apart from the presence of Lantana (Lantana camara) in some areas. The generally open nature of the ground layer and understorey vegetation is likely to be a function of grazing pressure and fire history (i.e. frequent low intensity fire events). (2) Slope - The land to the south of Bayliss Road is generally upslope of the adjacent sectors of the Providence Estate, being comprised of the slopes of a mahd ridgeline that extends through the EPZ land in a south-easterly direction. Surface elevations to the immediate south of Bayliss Road range from mahd, whilst the design finished surface levels for the adjacent Providence Estate range from mahd. Some sectors of the EPZ land are however situated down slope of the adjacent sectors of the Providence Estate due to the presence of two drainage lines that flow from the ridgeline in north-west and north-east directions. The slope gradients range from 5-10 degrees (8-18%). 2 Land located within a distance of 100m from areas of Medium to Very High bushfire severity potential is recognised in AS and the SPP Bushfire Hazard Mapping as being land on which specific consideration of bushfire hazard issues is required at both the design and construction phases of urban development due to the potential for exposure to flame, radiant heat and/or ember attack during a bushfire event. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 9

16 4.2 Bushfire Management Plan The appropriate mitigation and management of the interim bushfire hazards represented by Area B involves the integration of a combination of bushfire hazard mitigation measures during the design, construction and operational phases of urban development, including: a) ensuring development design, including the layout of roads and driveways, and the location, size and orientation of residential and commercial lots and buildings, is responsive to bushfire hazards; b) appropriate fire-fighting and management infrastructure is provided, including an adequate and accessible water supply, fire breaks and maintenance/access trails; c) specifications and materials for building design and construction are in accordance with AS3959 (2009) Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas and the Building Code of Australia; d) management of potentially hazardous vegetation taking into account the conservation values of that vegetation and the important role that fire plays in the functioning of many Australian ecosystems; e) landscape design and maintenance requirements; f) community awareness, education and training; and g) identification of parties to be responsible for specific bushfire management tasks and actions. The following sections detail the manner in which the proposed Providence Estate development adjacent to Area B seeks to ensure that an acceptable level of risk to human health and property is maintained in the event of a bushfire occurring in the general locality Building Design, Siting and Construction Any urban development of land located within 100m of areas of bushfire prone vegetation needs to provide appropriate responses to the risks to human health and property posed by adjacent areas of bushfire prone vegetation and the likely occurrence of bushfires. This will include a requirement for urban development to be of a built form that satisfies the relevant requirements of the Building Code of Australia and Australian Standard 3959 (2009) Construction of buildings in a bushfire prone area (AS3959). One means of quantifying and spatially representing variation in the level of risk that a future dwelling, and its residents, would be exposed to in the event of a bushfire is to consider the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) categories determined in accordance with AS3959 that would apply. The relevant minimum building setbacks 3 from bushfire prone vegetation in Area B that would be required to achieve a particular BAL category, determined using Table of AS3959, are presented in Table 4-1 and are spatially represented in Drawing Ref: BFA-SK-001 V1 presented in Appendix B. 3 The building setback is the distance between the potentially hazardous vegetation and the most exposed façade of the building and does not include eves, roof overhangs, steps, ramps or terraces. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 10

17 Table 4-1 AS3959 (2009) BAL Category Bushfire Attack Level Assessment Area B Risk description as per AS3959 (2009) Minimum setback required from potentially hazardous Open Forest vegetation to most exposed building façade - metres All Upslope and Flat Land (0 degrees) Downslope 5-10 degrees Low The risk is considered to be VERY LOW. There is insufficient risk to warrant any specific construction requirements under AS The risk is considered to be LOW. There is a risk of ember attack. Construction elements are expected to be exposed to a heat flux not greater than 12.5 kw/m The risk is considered to be MODERATE. There is a risk of ember attack and burning debris ignited by wind borne embers and a likelihood of exposure to radiant heat. Construction elements are expected to be exposed to a heat flux not greater than 19 kw/m The risk is considered to be HIGH. There is an increased risk of ember attack and burning debris ignited by wind borne embers and a likelihood of exposure to an increased level of radiant heat. The construction elements are expected to be exposed to a heat flux not greater than 29 kw/m The risk is considered to be VERY HIGH. There is a much increased risk of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers, a likelihood of exposure to a high level of radiant heat and some likelihood of direct exposure to flames from the fire front. The construction elements are expected to be exposed to a heat flux not greater than 40 kw/m Flame Zone - FZ The risk is considered to be EXTREME. There is an extremely high risk of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers, and a likelihood of exposure to an extreme level of radiant heat and direct exposure to flames from the fire front. The construction elements are expected to be exposed to a heat flux greater than 40 kw/m2. A building assessed as having a BAL-FZ shall have a minimum setback distance of 10 m from the classified vegetation The proposed Providence Estate development layout would result in the creation of residential lots setback from adjacent areas of bushfire prone vegetation to the south of Bayliss Road so that the highest level of construction required of any dwelling would be to a BAL-19 standard. It is noted that the BAL categories assigned to individual lots in Drawing Ref: BFA-SK-001 V1, presented in Appendix B, do not take into account any mandatory building setbacks from property boundaries. Once these mandatory internal lot boundary setbacks are accounted for a further reduction in BAL may be achievable on some of the individual lots. Similarly a property owner may be able to locate their building within a lot in a manner so as to minimise Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 11

18 the BAL requirements by maximising the distance between the most exposed building façade and adjacent areas of bushfire prone vegetation. Development layouts that enable dwelling construction to a BAL 29 or lower standard are generally recognised as providing an acceptable level of risk exposure for new residential developments. In that respect BAL 29 has been adopted as an urban design criteria for new developments by various planning authorities including: > Logan City Council, Planning Scheme Part 8 Overlays Bushfire hazard overlay code; > Redlands City Council, (Draft) Planning Scheme 2015, Part 8 Overlays Bushfire hazard overlay code; > New South Wales, State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008; > Victoria, Planning for Bushfire Guidelines for Meeting Victoria s Bushfire Planning Requirements (Country Fire Authority, 2012); and > Western Australia, State Planning policy Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (Western Australian Planning Commission, 2015) Water Storage and Supply The Providence Estate would be serviced by a reticulated water supply with sufficient capacity to meet firefighting requirements at intervals not greater than 120m in accordance with QFES (2014) Fire Hydrant and Vehicle Access Guidelines for Residential, Commercial and Industrial Lots Vehicular Access and Fire Trails The provision of an effective road and fire trail network to facilitate the safe deployment of fire response vehicles and/or the evacuation of residents is a key bushfire risk management requirement. The proposed Providence Estate layout is consistent with accepted best practice which typically involves: (a) avoiding the use of cul- de-sacs and no-through roads; (b) establishing roads with gradients generally no more than 12.5% (~ 8 degrees), or gradients that are from 12.5% to not more than 20% (or 11 degrees) over a maximum distance of 50 metres; (c) the establishment of a perimeter road: located between the boundary of the residential lots and adjacent vegetated lands; with a minimum cleared width of 20 metres; with a constructed road width of 6 metres; and constructed to an all-weather standard; (d) the establishment of a formal fire trail that is linked to and that complements the road network Vegetation Management The active management of vegetation on land to the south of Bayliss Road, that is located within the Urban Living Zone (ULZ), is not required to achieve an acceptable level of risk of harm to future residents and property, as indicated by the BAL rating for proposed lots, within adjacent sectors of the Providence Estate. Nevertheless the presence of bushfire prone vegetation within those sectors of the ULZ to the south of Bayliss Road will mean that any dwelling located within 100m of bushfire prone vegetation will need to be designed and constructed in accordance with AS3959. The requirement to design and construct to the relevant AS3959 standard will impose additional costs to the design and construction process to address a hazard that will in Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 12

19 the fullness of time no longer be present To avoid unnecessarily imposing additional cost to housing it is recommended that an Interim Vegetation Management Zone (IVMZ) be established that extends for a distance of 100m southward from the Providence Estate residential lot boundaries to the immediate north of Bayliss Road. The location of the IVMZ is illustrated on Drawing Ref: BFA-SK-001 V1 presented in Appendix B. Within the designated IVMZ it is recommended that selective clearance of existing vegetation be undertaken to create, and then subsequently maintain, a low bushfire fuel load. Effectively this will require: > selective clearance of the regrowth vegetation canopy to create an open woodland structure; > removal of the existing small tree and shrub layer vegetation; > periodic slashing and/or grazing of the ground layer so as to maintain ground layer vegetation to height < 0.5m; or > if preferred by the land owner, periodic hazard reduction burning in consultation and collaboration with the Ripley Rural Fire Brigade. If formal arrangements are entered into to ensure that the IVMZ is managed in the manner specified above adjacent sectors of the Providence Estate would no longer be classified as a bushfire prone area subject to the provisions of AS3959(2009). These formal arrangements would need to be maintained until urban development of the IVMZ occurs in general accord with the intent of the Ripley Valley PDA Planning Scheme. If it is not possible to secure formal arrangements for the management of bushfire fuel loads within the IVMZ, or parts thereof, then the BAL setbacks detailed in Section would apply Landscape Design Inappropriate landscape designs in bushfire prone areas (i.e. any land within100m of bushfire prone vegetation with a Medium to Very High hazard rating) may expose a dwelling to increased levels of ember attack, radiant heat and flame contact. However well-placed designed landscaping with appropriate plant species may actually help protect houses by: > reducing the amount of radiant heat received by a house; > reducing the chance of direct flame contact on a house; > reducing wind speed around a house; > deflecting and filtering embers; and > reducing flammable landscaping materials within the defendable space. All vegetative material can burn under the influence of a bushfire, as such landscape designs in bushfire prone areas should give careful consideration to: > species selection; > species planting proximity to assets and access paths relative to their flammability; and > avoidance of both horizontal and vertical continuity of vegetation. In general mesic plant species that have a higher leaf moisture content, less bark and a lower rate of leaf drop will assist with reducing available bushfire fuel loads thereby assisting in reducing the likelihood and severity of bushfire attack. The use of mesic plant species in combination with the following guidelines form the basis for a low risk landscape design in bushfire prone areas. > Establish and maintain lawn or paved areas such as paths and/or a pebble garden with herbs near to the house. > Maintain cleared areas around all driveways, pathways, fire-trails and roadways that may need to be used as an access/egress route in the event of a bushfire. > Plant trees at least 5 m from any dwelling house to allow clear access and minimise canopy overhang of roofs and associated accumulation of leaf litter. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 13

20 > Space trees and shrubs to avoid the creation of a continuous canopy that may carry fire. > Prune lower limbs of trees to a height of 2m above ground level. > Avoid using conifers, paperbarks (i.e. Melaleuca species), stringy-bark and ribbon-bark eucalypts in landscape plantings. > Avoid using organic mulch with preference given to non-flammable mulches such as scoria (light weight volcanic stone), pebbles, recycled crushed bricks. > Regularly water landscape plantings to maintain plant health and moisture levels. > Utilise non-combustible materials for fencing and retaining walls Property Maintenance Most cases of damage to property are caused by radiated heat, direct flame contact or most commonly by burning embers landing in, on, or around buildings and starting small spot fires which may destroy the property long after a fire front has passed. The following property maintenance works should be carried out within all properties (i.e. residential lots, parkland reserves, road reserves) located within 100m of bushfire prone vegetation out prior to the commencement of the bush fire season 4 : > mow grassy areas and maintain at a height < 300mm; > remove excess ground fuels and combustible material including long dry grass, dead leaves and branches; > remove leaf litter and any other combustible materials from the roof and gutters; > keeping areas under decks, fences, fence posts, gates and trees raked and cleared of potential fuels (i.e. dry grass, leaves, litter etc); > ensure all roof tiles, roof sheeting, screens and glass on windows and doors, and painted surfaces are in good condition giving particular attention to ensuring entry of embers through gaps; > ensure doors are fitted with draught seals and well maintained; > ensure any LPG cylinders are located to minimise exposure to direct flame and radiant heat and have their relief values pointing away from buildings; > ensure that door mats are of non-combustible material; > check water supplies, hydrants, taps and hoses are accessible and in good working order; and > check that vegetation is not interfering with safe access and use of driveways, pathways and roadways Community Awareness All prospective purchasers of land within the Providence Estate should be provided with clear advice, by the Developer, concerning the following. a) The location of any lots that are located within 100m of areas of bushfire prone vegetation and therefore subject to the requirements of AS3959, as detailed in Section 4.1. b) The indicative Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) that applies to each affected lot as detailed in Section c) The requirement for a lot specific BAL assessment to be carried out to confirm the particular BAL standards that would apply to each façade of a dwelling taking into account: - whether or not a managed vegetation zone has been established in accordance with the recommendations provided in Section 4.2.4; and 4 In south-east Queensland the bushfire season typically extends from spring (August-September) to mid-summer (January). The greatest danger occurs after the dry winter/spring period, before the onset of the rainy weather common in summer. The worst conditions occur when deep low-pressure systems near Tasmania bring strong, dry, westerly winds to the coast, as occurred in the major New South Wales fires in January (Source: Bureau of Meteorology) Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 14

21 - the position of the proposed building within the subject lot. The above advice should take into account whether or not necessary arrangements have been secured to establish and maintain managed vegetation zones within adjacent Urban Living Zoned land as detailed in Section Responsibilities The Developer of the Providence Estate is responsible for implementing all of the bushfire management measures specified in Sections to and herein. Property owners and occupiers are responsible for: > the design and construction of dwellings in accordance with AS3959; > the appropriate landscaping and maintenance of their properties in general accord with Sections and 4.2.6; and > ensuring that they have an appropriate level of bushfire awareness and preparation in general accord with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services guidelines such as the Bushfire Survival Plan Guideline presented in Appendix C. The relevant local government authority is responsible for the maintenance of public parklands and road reserves in general accord with Section Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 15

22 5 Bushfire Hazard Mitigation Area C 5.1 Bushfire Prone Area Mapping Stages 8B, 15, 19, 38 and 39 of the Providence Estate are partially within a Bushfire Prone Area 5 due to the presence of areas of hazardous vegetation located within Area C, which encompasses Urban Living Zone land (i.e. Lot 57 on SP200927) to the north and east. There is no Environmental Protection Zone land within 100m of this part of the Providence Estate. The SPP Bushfire hazard mapping is consistent with available information concerning the landform and vegetation of the locality that is available from various online sources and recent field based observations which confirm the following. (1) The vegetation adjacent sectors of Area C is comprised of approximately 16 hectares of regrowth Eucalypt Open Forest derived from RE : Eucalyptus crebra +/- E. tereticornis, Corymbia tessellaris, Angophora spp., E. melanophloia woodland on sedimentary rocks. (2) The forest canopy is dominated by Forest red-gum (E. tereticornis) dominant or co-dominant with Moreton Bay Ash (C. tessellaris) and/or Spotted gum (C. citriodora). (3) Patches of open grassland are present but do not dominate. (4) A patchy small tree and shrub layer dominated by Acacia spp. and juvenile canopy species is present. (5) The understorey is disturbed and dominated by Lantana (Lantana camara), forming large patches in places and extending into the tree canopy. (6) The ground layer is sparse and low, subject to grazing pressure. There is a substantial layer of leaf litter comprised of fallen leaves, bark, twigs and branches in areas with a well-developed canopy and small tree layer. (7) The vegetation in Area C belongs to a Vegetation Hazard Class 2 - Open forests / woodlands shrubby, after Leonard et al. (2014), which is a form of fire prone vegetation capable of generating fuel loads of up to 30 tonnes/ha. Whilst current fuel loads are less than this the potential fuel load is used for hazard and risk assessment purposes (8) Area C is currently characterised by a High fuel hazard rating, determined in general accordance with the Overall Fuel Hazard Assessment Guide (Hines et al., 2010), based on the following ratings: a. bark fuels from E. tereticornis and occasional Lophostemon suaveolens (Moderate); b. elevated fuels associated with Lantana infestations, acacias and juvenile canopy species (High); c. near surface fuel associated with Lantana, suspended leaves, bark, twigs (High); and d. surface fuels comprised of a mosaic of open grazed grass and herb layer and forested patches with a well-developed leaf litter bed (Moderate). (9) Whilst Area C is currently characterised by a fuel load in the order of t/ha, over time fuel loads will potentially increase in the absence of active management. 5 Land located within a distance of 100m from areas of Medium to Very High bushfire severity potential is recognised in AS and the SPP Bushfire Hazard Mapping as being land on which specific consideration of bushfire hazard issues is required at both the design and construction phases of urban development due to the potential for exposure to flame, radiant heat and/or ember attack during a bushfire event. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 16

23 (10) Area C is characterised by gentle slopes (5-10%), with the western part of Area C being generally upslope from the adjacent Providence development whilst the eastern part of Area C is generally downslope of the adjacent Providence development. 5.2 Bushfire Management Plan The appropriate mitigation and management of the interim bushfire hazards represented by Area C involves the integration of a combination of bushfire hazard mitigation measures during the design, construction and operational phases of any urban development, including: a) ensuring development design, including the layout of roads and driveways, and the location, size and orientation of residential and commercial lots and buildings, is responsive to bushfire hazards; b) appropriate fire-fighting and management infrastructure is provided, including an adequate and accessible water supply, fire breaks and maintenance/access trails; c) specifications and materials for building design and construction are in accordance with AS3959 (2009) Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas and the Building Code of Australia; d) management of potentially hazardous vegetation taking into account future land use intents, the conservation values of that vegetation and the important role that fire plays in the functioning of many Australian ecosystems; e) landscape design and maintenance requirements; f) community awareness, education and training; and g) identification of parties to be responsible for specific bushfire management tasks and actions. The following sections detail the manner in which the northern sector of the Providence Estate adjacent to Area C seeks to ensure that an acceptable level of risk to human health and property is maintained in the event of a bushfire occurring in the general locality Building Design, Siting and Construction Any urban development of land located within 100m of areas of bushfire prone vegetation needs to provide appropriate responses to the risks to human health and property posed by adjacent areas of bushfire prone vegetation and the likely occurrence of bushfires. This will include a requirement for urban development to be of a form that satisfies the relevant requirements of the Building Code of Australia AS3959. One means of quantifying and spatially representing variation in the level of risk that a future dwelling, and its residents, would be exposed to in the event of a bushfire is to consider the BAL categories, determined in accordance with AS3959 that would apply. The relevant minimum building setbacks 6 required to achieve a particular BAL category, determined using Table of AS3959, are presented in Table 5-1 and are spatially represented in Drawing Ref BFA-SK-002 V1 presented in Appendix B. 6 The building setback is the distance between the potentially hazardous vegetation and the most exposed façade of the building and does not include eves, roof overhangs, steps, ramps or terraces. Specific BAL setbacks for individual lots need to be confirmed as part of the building design and construction process. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 17

24 Table 5-1 AS3959 (2009) BAL Category Bushfire Attack Level Assessment Area C Risk description as per AS3959 (2009) Minimum setback required from potentially hazardous Open Forest vegetation to most exposed building façade - metres All Upslope and Flat Land (0 degrees) Downslope 5-10 degrees Low The risk is considered to be VERY LOW. There is insufficient risk to warrant any specific construction requirements under AS The risk is considered to be LOW. There is a risk of ember attack. Construction elements are expected to be exposed to a heat flux not greater than 12.5 kw/m The risk is considered to be MODERATE. There is a risk of ember attack and burning debris ignited by wind borne embers and a likelihood of exposure to radiant heat. Construction elements are expected to be exposed to a heat flux not greater than 19 kw/m The risk is considered to be HIGH. There is an increased risk of ember attack and burning debris ignited by wind borne embers and a likelihood of exposure to an increased level of radiant heat. The construction elements are expected to be exposed to a heat flux not greater than 29 kw/m The risk is considered to be VERY HIGH. There is a much increased risk of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers, a likelihood of exposure to a high level of radiant heat and some likelihood of direct exposure to flames from the fire front. The construction elements are expected to be exposed to a heat flux not greater than 40 kw/m Flame Zone - FZ The risk is considered to be EXTREME. There is an extremely high risk of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers, and a likelihood of exposure to an extreme level of radiant heat and direct exposure to flames from the fire front. The construction elements are expected to be exposed to a heat flux greater than 40 kw/m2. A building assessed as having a BAL-FZ shall have a minimum setback distance of 10 m from the classified vegetation Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 18

25 Under existing conditions the proposed Providence Estate development layout would result in the creation of residential lots located within 100m of areas of existing bushfire prone vegetation in Area C and therefore subject to AS3959. Based on the current distribution of bushfire prone vegetation, the highest level of construction required of any dwelling would be: > BAL-19 in respect of residential lots to the west of Abraham Road, and > BAL-FZ standard in respect of residential lots that share a common boundary with Area C (i.e. Lot 57 on SP200927). It is noted that the creation of new residential lots that require dwellings to be constructed to a BAL-FZ is not consistent with best practice bushfire hazard mitigation or urban design. Development layouts that enable dwelling construction to a BAL 29 or lower standard are generally recognised as providing an acceptable level of risk exposure for new residential developments. In that respect BAL 29 has been adopted as an urban design criteria for new developments by various planning authorities including: > Logan City Council, Planning Scheme Part 8 Overlays Bushfire hazard overlay code; > Redlands City Council, (Draft) Planning Scheme 2015, Part 8 Overlays Bushfire hazard overlay code; > New South Wales, State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008; > Victoria, Planning for Bushfire Guidelines for Meeting Victoria s Bushfire Planning Requirements (Country Fire Authority, 2012); and > Western Australia, State Planning policy Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (Western Australian Planning Commission, 2015). To achieve a BAL-29 standard, or lower, it would be necessary to establish and maintain a managed vegetation zone of at least 20m between areas of bushfire prone vegetation within Area C and any dwelling constructed within adjoining lots to the south. It is noted that all areas of bushfire prone vegetation within Area C that impact upon the adjacent Providence Estate are located within the Urban Living Zone and will eventually be developed for urban purposes resulting in the removal of bushfire prone vegetation. In this respect the requirement to design and construct dwellings to meet AS3959, and the associated additional costs that would be incurred, could be avoided if appropriate arrangements were put in place to establish and maintain a managed vegetation zone that extends into Area C for a distance of 100m from adjacent Providence Estate lot boundaries. Further details concerning the extent and nature of interim vegetation management works that would be required to avoid triggering AS3959 ae provided in Section Water Storage and Supply The Providence Estate would be serviced by a reticulated water supply with sufficient capacity to meet firefighting requirements, including fire hydrants positioned along the road network at intervals not greater than 120m in accordance with QFES (2014) Fire Hydrant and Vehicle Access Guidelines for Residential, Commercial and Industrial Lots Vehicular Access and Fire Trails The provision of an effective road and fire trail network to facilitate the safe deployment of fire response vehicles and/or the evacuation of residents is a key bushfire risk management requirement. The proposed Providence Estate layout adjacent to Area C is generally consistent with accepted best practice which typically involves: a) avoiding the use of cul- de-sacs and no-through roads; b) establishing roads with gradients generally no more than 12.5% (~ 8 degrees), or gradients that are from 12.5% to not more than 20% (or 11 degrees) over a maximum distance of 50 metres; Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 19

26 c) the establishment of a perimeter road: located between the boundary of the residential lots and adjacent vegetated lands; with a minimum cleared width of 20 metres; with a constructed road width of 6 metres; and constructed to an all-weather standard; d) the establishment of a formal fire trail that is linked to and that complements the road network. It is noted that if arrangements are not put in place to establish and maintain a managed vegetation zone within Area C (i.e. Lot 57 on SP200927), it will be necessary to establish and maintain a fire trail within Lot 57 on SP that connects to Abraham Road and the new road network to the east. That fire trail should meet the following standards: > minimum cleared width of 6 metres; > minimum formed width of 4 metres; > a maximum gradient of 15%; > constructed and maintained to prevent erosion and provide continuous access for firefighting vehicles; > provision for vehicular access at least every 200 metres; > vehicular access at each end linked to either existing fire trails or roads, or a turnaround area at the end of the trail for the turning of firefighting vehicles; > vehicle passing or turning areas with a maximum gradient of 5% (1 in 20) at intervals of at least every 400 metres; and > fenced and gated in a manner that does not restrict access by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services personnel Vegetation Management As noted in Section the active management of vegetation in Area C (i.e. Lot 57 on SP200927) is recommended to avoid imposing unnecessary constraints and costs on the design and construction of dwellings within the adjacent sectors of the Providence Estate. In this respect it is recommended that an Interim Vegetation Management Zone (IVMZ), be established that extends for a distance of 100m to the north and east of the Providence Estate residential lots, as illustrated in Drawing Ref BFA-SK-002 V1. Within the designated IVMZ it is recommended that selective clearance of existing vegetation be undertaken to create, and then subsequently maintain, a low bushfire fuel load. In this respect a Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) has been prepared that provides specifications for vegetation management within the IVMZ that are designed to achieve the required level of bushfire hazard reduction whilst minimising impacts to native fauna. A copy of the VMP is provided herewith as Appendix D. If formal arrangements are entered into to ensure that the IVMZ is managed in the manner specified above it would be possible to avoid adjacent sectors of the Providence Estate from being classified as a bushfire prone area subject to the provisions of AS3959(2009). These formal arrangements would need to be maintained until urban development of the IVMZ occurs in general accord with the intent of the Ripley Valley PDA Planning Scheme. If it is not possible to secure formal arrangements for the management of bushfire fuel loads within the IVMZ, or parts thereof, then the BAL setbacks detailed in Section would apply Landscape Design Inappropriate landscape designs in bushfire prone areas (i.e. any land within100m of bushfire prone vegetation with a Medium to Very High hazard rating) may expose a dwelling to increased levels of ember attack, radiant heat and flame contact. However well-placed designed landscaping with appropriate plant species may actually help protect houses by: > reducing the amount of radiant heat received by a house; Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 20

27 > reducing the chance of direct flame contact on a house; > reducing wind speed around a house; > deflecting and filtering embers; and > reducing flammable landscaping materials within the defendable space. All vegetative material can burn under the influence of a bushfire, as such landscape designs in bushfire prone areas should give careful consideration to: > species selection; > species planting proximity to assets and access paths relative to their flammability; and > avoidance of both horizontal and vertical continuity of vegetation. In general mesic plant species that have a higher leaf moisture content, less bark and a lower rate of leaf drop will assist with reducing available bushfire fuel loads thereby assisting in reducing the likelihood and severity of bushfire attack. The use of mesic plant species in combination with the following guidelines form the basis for a low risk landscape design in bushfire prone areas. > Establish and maintain lawn or paved areas such as paths and/or a pebble garden with herbs near to the house. > Maintain cleared areas around all driveways, pathways, fire-trails and roadways that may need to be used as an access/egress route in the event of a bushfire. > Plant trees at least 5 m from any dwelling house to allow clear access and minimise canopy overhang of roofs and associated accumulation of leaf litter. > Space trees and shrubs to avoid the creation of a continuous canopy that may carry fire. > Prune lower limbs of trees to a height of 2m above ground level. > Avoid using conifers, paperbarks (i.e. Melaleuca species), stringy-bark and ribbon-bark eucalypts in landscape plantings. > Avoid using organic mulch with preference given to non-flammable mulches such as scoria (light weight volcanic stone), pebbles, recycled crushed bricks. > Regularly water landscape plantings to maintain plant health and moisture levels. > Utilise non-combustible materials for fencing and retaining walls Property Maintenance Most cases of damage to property are caused by radiated heat, direct flame contact or most commonly by burning embers landing in, on, or around buildings and starting small spot fires which may destroy the property long after a fire front has passed. The following property maintenance works should be carried out within all properties (i.e. residential lots, parkland reserves, road reserves) located within 100m of bushfire prone vegetation out prior to the commencement of the bush fire season 7 : > mow grassy areas and maintain at a height < 300mm; > remove excess ground fuels and combustible material including long dry grass, dead leaves and branches; > remove leaf litter and any other combustible materials from the roof and gutters; 7 In south-east Queensland the bushfire season typically extends from spring (August-September) to mid-summer (January). The greatest danger occurs after the dry winter/spring period, before the onset of the rainy weather common in summer. The worst conditions occur when deep low-pressure systems near Tasmania bring strong, dry, westerly winds to the coast, as occurred in the major New South Wales fires in January (Source: Bureau of Meteorology) Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 21

28 > keeping areas under decks, fences, fence posts, gates and trees raked and cleared of potential fuels (i.e. dry grass, leaves, litter etc); > ensure all roof tiles, roof sheeting, screens and glass on windows and doors, and painted surfaces are in good condition giving particular attention to ensuring entry of embers through gaps; > ensure doors are fitted with draught seals and well maintained; > ensure any LPG cylinders are located to minimise exposure to direct flame and radiant heat and have their relief values pointing away from buildings; > ensure that door mats are of non combustible material; > check water supplies, hydrants, taps and hoses are accessible and in good working order; and > check that vegetation is not interfering with safe access and use of driveways, pathways and roadways Community Awareness All prospective purchasers of land within the Providence Estate should be provided with clear advice, by the Developer, concerning the following. a) The location of any lots that are located within 100m of areas of bushfire prone vegetation and therefore subject to the requirements of AS3959, as detailed in Section 5.1. b) The indicative BAL that applies to each affected lot as detailed in Section c) The requirement for a lot specific BAL assessment to be carried out to confirm the particular BAL standards that would apply to each façade of a dwelling taking into account: - whether or not a managed vegetation zone has been established in accordance with the recommendations provided in Section 5.2.4; and - the position of the proposed building within the subject lot. The above advice should take into account whether or not necessary arrangements have been secured to establish and maintain managed vegetation zones within adjacent Urban Living Zoned land as detailed in Section Responsibilities The Developer of the Providence Estate is responsible for implementing all of the bushfire management measures specified in Sections to and herein. Property owners and occupiers are responsible for: Property owners and occupiers are responsible for: > the design and construction of dwellings in accordance with AS3959; > the appropriate landscaping and maintenance of their properties in general accord with Sections and 5.2.6; and > ensuring that they have an appropriate level of bushfire awareness and preparation in general accord with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services guidelines such as the Bushfire Survival Plan Guideline presented in Appendix C. The relevant local government authority is responsible for the maintenance of public parklands and road reserves in general accord with Section Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 22

29 6 Compliance Assessments 6.1 Ripley Valley PDA Development Scheme The Ripley Valley PDA Development Scheme does not include a specific development assessment code relevant to bushfire hazards but does include the following provisions of relevance: > Section Community safety and development constraints Development ensures that people and property are safe from potential hazards including landslip, bushfire, flooding.. To ensure protection from bushfire hazard, development is designed to mitigate bushfire risk. In Transitional Bushfire Risk Areas the risk may diminish as development occurs. As detailed in Sections 4 and 5 the proposed Providence development makes appropriate arrangements to meet Section of the Development Scheme. 6.2 SUCE Natural Environmental Overarching Site Strategy The Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) endorsed NEOSS (Ref: Version 2, dated August 2013) includes, in Section 3.5, a Bushfire Management Strategy that is designed to ensure that development of land within the SUCE is to be carried out in a manner that: > appropriately responds to the presence of hazardous vegetation so that human health and property is not placed an unacceptable risk in the event of a bushfire; > areas of ecological significance within and adjacent to the SUCE are not adversely affected by and measures taken to reduce bushfire hazard levels within adjacent urban development areas; and > the role that bushfire plays in the maintenance of natural ecosystems is recognised and catered for in the management of natural areas within and adjacent to the SUCE. Table 5-1 of the NEOSS provides a bushfire management strategy designed to guide future development within the SUCE. An assessment of the proposed Providence development against these guidelines is provided in Table 6-1. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 23

30 Table 6-1 Compliance Assessment against the SUCE NEOSS Recognised Value Required Action Timing and Responsibility Compliance Assessment Medium bushfire hazard areas are present within and adjacent to the SUCE A bushfire hazard assessment and management plan is to be prepared in support of each proposed Plan of Development that encompasses or that is located within 100m of a medium bushfire hazard area. The bushfire hazard assessment and management plan is to be prepared: (i) by an appropriately qualified and experienced consultant; and The Developer, as part of the submission of a formal development application. (Note: A Bushfire Hazard Assessment and Management Plan (Cardno, 2013) was prepared for the entire AMEX SUCE holdings and submitted to EDQ.) This satisfies this requirement. The author of this is an appropriately qualified and experienced consultant as detailed in the Curriculum Vitae resented in Appendix E. (ii) in accordance with the SPP 1/03 Guideline. Some areas of ecological significance within and adjacent to the SUCE may represent a potential bushfire hazard. Urban development is to provide appropriate setbacks to areas of ecological significance that represent a potential bushfire hazard, including areas within which rehabilitation/revegetation works are undertaken. The dimensions and form of the required setbacks are to be determined during the preparation of the required bushfire hazard assessment and management plan. The Developer, as part of the submission of a formal development application. As detailed in Section the proposed plan of development makes appropriate provision for building setbacks from land located within the Environmental Protection Zone such that: > no management of vegetation within the Environmental Protection Zone will be required for bushfire hazard mitigation purposes; and > adjacent residential lots will be subjected to an acceptable level of risk of harm in the event of a bushfire, as reflect by a maximum BAL-19 dwelling design and construction standard. Bushfire has an important role to play in the maintenance of natural ecosystems. The bushfire management plan prepared to support each Plan of Development is to contain relevant information concerning: (i) the frequency and intensity of bushfire events that are desirable within retained areas of native vegetation to maintain ecosystem function; and (ii) any specific infrastructure elements (e.g. fire breaks) that may be required. The Developer, as part of the submission of a formal development application. In accordance with the EDQ endorsed Context Plan and Plan of Subdivision no areas of native vegetation are to be retained within the Providence Estate apart from a narrow band of riparian vegetation along Bundamba Creek. Fire should generally be excluded from this band of riparian vegetation and adjacent rehabilitation areas extending 50m from the high bank. Once the Bundamba Creek riparian rehabilitation works have been completed and plantings have matured (i.e. > 10 Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 24

31 Recognised Value Required Action Timing and Responsibility Compliance Assessment Where applicable, bushfire management prescriptions for natural areas are to be consistent with the specifications of the SUCE Remnant Endangered Vegetation, Wildlife Corridor, Pest and Weed, and Waterway Rehabilitation strategies. years) a further assessment should be carried out to determine whether any specific areas would benefit from an ecological burn. The Environmental Protection Zone land to the south-east of the Providence Estate supports vegetation derived from RE Eucalyptus crebra +/- E. tereticornis, Corymbia tessellaris, Angophora spp., E. melanophloia woodland on sedimentary rocks. The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP) fire management guidelines for this RE are as follows. SEASON: Summer to winter. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. INTERVAL: 4-25 years. STRATEGY: Aim for 40-60% mosaic burn. Burn with soil moisture and with a spot ignition strategy so that a patchwork of burnt/unburnt country is achieved. ISSUES: The fire regime should maintain a mosaic of grassy and shrubby understoreys. Control of weeds is a major focus of planned burning in most areas. Careful thought should be given to maintaining ground litter and fallen timber habitats by burning only with sufficient soil moisture. Burning should aim to produce fine scale mosaics of unburnt areas. Variability in season and fire intensity is important, as well as spot ignition in cooler or moister periods to encourage mosaics. Implementation of the approved bushfire management plan. The Developer, during the construction and onmaintenance phases of an approved development. As detailed in Section 4.2 and Section 5.2 herein. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 25

32 6.3 State Planning Policy (SPP) The proposed Providence Estate development site adjoins bushfire hazard areas and as such the proposed development requires assessment against the interim development assessment requirements of Part E of the SPP. Based on the previously presented information, an assessment of the levels of compliance that the proposed development achieves with the interim development assessment requirements of Part E of the SPP is presented in Table 6-2. Table 6-2 SPP Part E Interim Development Assessment Requirements compliance assessment Requirement Response Development: (1) avoids natural hazard areas or mitigates the risks of the natural hazard to an acceptable or tolerable level (2) supports, and does not unduly burden, disaster management response or recovery capacity and capabilities (3) directly, indirectly and cumulatively avoids an increase in the severity of the natural hazard and the potential for damage on the site or to other properties (4) avoids risks to public safety and the environment from the location of hazardous materials and the release of these materials as a result of a natural hazard (5) maintains or enhances natural processes and the protective function of landforms and vegetation that can mitigate risks associated with the natural hazard. As detailed in Section 4.1 and 5.1, parts of the Providence Estate development will constitute development within a bushfire hazard area. As detailed in Section 4.2 and 5.2, a range of bushfire hazard mitigation and management responses need to be implemented to ensure that the risk of harm to people and property is maintained at an acceptable level. Provided that appropriate bushfire hazard mitigation and management is implemented during the staged development of the Providence Estate and adjacent Urban Living areas within the Ripley Valley PDA SUCE, there would be no undue burden placed on bushfire management response or recovery capacity and capabilities. The Providence Estate development is consistent with this requirement in that it would: reduce the extent of potentially hazardous vegetation in the vicinity of the existing and planned urban development and the associated severity of local bushfires; and improve the capacity of bushfire management personnel to respond to a bushfire in the general locality via the extension of the formed road and reticulated water network. The Providence Estate development would not involve the manufacture or bulk storage of hazardous materials. Any hazardous materials stored and handled at the proposed Providence Estate development site would need to be stored and handled in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and the specifications of the applicable safety data sheet (SDS). As detailed in Section 5, the Providence Estate development will not require any active vegetation management for bushfire hazard mitigation purposes within adjacent land located within the Environmental Protection Zone. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 26

33 7 Conclusions The proposed Providence Estate development: > is consistent with the pattern of land use and development set out in the Ripley Valley PDA Development Scheme; > will create residential lots that are located within 100m of areas of vegetation that have a Medium to High bushfire intensity potential and which are therefore subject to the building design and construction requirements of AS3959; > can substantially reduce the number of residential lots subject to AS3959 requirements by establishing and maintaining managed vegetation zones within adjacent areas of bushfire prone vegetation growing on land located within the Urban Living Zone; > will need to be implemented in general accordance with the bushfire management plan specifications presented in Section 4.2 and 5.2 herein; and > is consistent with the bushfire hazard and risk management outcomes embedded within: - the Ripley Valley PDA Development Scheme; - the SUCE Natural Environmental Overarching Site Strategy; and - the interim development assessment requirements of Part E of the State Planning Policy, April Subject to implementation of the bushfire management plan specifications presented in Section 4.2 and 5.2 herein, development of the Providence Estate will not expose future residents to an unacceptable level of risk of harm in the event of a bushfire. Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 27

34 8 References Australian Standard AS Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas. BoM and CSIRO (2014) State of the Climate DSDIP (2014). State Planning Policy (SPP) Natural Hazards, Risk and Resilience -Technical Manual - A fit for purpose approach in undertaking natural hazard studies and risk assessments. Prepared by the Department of State Development Infrastructure and Planning, August, Draft State Planning Policy Guideline - State Interest - Guidance on flood, bushfire and landslide hazards (December 2013). DTMR (2013). Road Planning and Design Manual (2 nd Edition) - Queensland Practice. Prepared by the Queensland Department of Main Roads and Transport. Hines, F., Tolhurst, K.G., Wilson, A., and McCarthy, G.J. (2010) Overall fuel hazard assessment guide. 4th edition. Fire and adaptive management, report no. 82. QFES (2014). Fire Hydrant and Vehicle Access Guidelines for Residential, Commercial and Industrial Lots. Development design guidelines prepared by the Queensland Fire and Emergency (Rescue) Service. 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. NSW Rural Fire Service (2006). Planning for Bushfire Protection A Guide for Councils, Planners, Fire Authorities and Developers. NSW Rural Fire Service. State Planning Policy 1/03 Guideline Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Flood, Bushfire and Landslide (SPP 1/03 Guideline) Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 28

35 Bushfire Hazard and Risk Assessment APPENDIX A CARDNO (2013) FIGURE 3 SUCE BUSHFIRE HAZARD ASSESSMENT PLAN AND MASTER PLAN LAYOUT Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 29

36 AMEX SUCE BUSHFIRE HAZARD ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT PLAN E CENT ENAR C BUNDA E MBA CR EEK Y HW Y A D E E LEGEND The Site Secondary Urban Centre East (SUCE) boundary Bushfire assessment buffer Medium Hazard Area within Site Bushfire hazard - Medium E B Bushfire hazard - Low Environmental Protection Zone Aerial Photograph taken Cardno (Qld) Pty Ltd All Rights Reserved Copyright in the whole and every part of this drawing belongs to Cardno (Qld) Pty Ltd and may not be used, sold, transferred, copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner or form or on any media, to any person other than by agreement with Cardno (Qld) Pty Ltd. This document is produced by Cardno (Qld) Pty Ltd solely for the benefit of and use by the client in accordance with the terms of the retainer. Cardno (Qld) Pty Ltd does not and shall not assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever to any third party arising out of any use or reliance by third party on the content of this document. Amex Pty Ltd Scale 1:12,500 (A3) FIGURE 3 BUSHFIRE HAZARD ASSESSMENT PLAN AND MASTER PLAN LAYOUT

37 Bushfire Hazard and Risk Assessment APPENDIX B DRAWING REF: BFA-SK-001 V1 AND BFA-SK-002 V1 Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 30

38 XREF's: X LOTS; X SEA-DESIGN-OPT1; X SEA-Landscape; X SEA-CONTS-EXST; GRP-A1-HL; X SEA-DESIGN-OPT1-20m CHAINAGE CAD File: I:\ Bushfire\Acad\ SEA-SK-0010\ BFA-SK-001 v1.dwg DATE PLOTTED: 31 August :30 AM BY : JOHN DELANEY NORTH LEGEND Environmental Protection Zone - Permanent Bushfire Hazard Area including 100m Safety Buffer Urban Living Zone - Interim Bushfire Hazard Area including 100m Safety Buffer Interim Vegetation Management Zone - 100m in width (Recommended to minimise exposure to AS3959 requirements) Bushfire Prone Vegetation - Downslope of Residential Areas Bushfire Prone Vegetation - Upslope of Residential Areas Environmental Protection Zone - Permanent Bushfire Hazard Area FOR INFORMATION JD JD Rev. Date Description Des. Verif. Appd. In the absence of vegetation management any dwellings in these areas will be subject to AS3959 Construction of buildings in a bushfire prone area. Cardno Limited All Rights Reserved. This document is produced by Cardno Limited solely for the benefit of and use by the client in accordance with the terms of the retainer. Cardno Limited does not and shall not assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever to any third party arising out of any use or reliance by third party on the content of this document. AS BAL Setbacks in the Absence of Active Management of Adjacent Areas of Bushfire Prone Vegetation BAL Class BAL 40 BAL 29 BAL 19 BAL 12.5 Cardno (Qld) Pty Ltd ABN Level 11, 515 St Paul s Terrace Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006 Tel: Fax: Web: Minimum Building Setback Line AMEX CORPORATION PTY.LTD. Drawn Date Client KJD 30/06/2016 Checked Date Project RIPLEY VALLEY Designed Date PROVIDENCE ESTATE - SOUTHERN PRECINCT Verified Approved Date Title BUSHFIRE HAZARD AND RISK ASSESSMENT BUSHFIRE HAZARD AREA B m SCALE 1:2500 Status FOR NOT TO BE USED FOR CONSTRUCTION PURPOSES Datum GRID Scale Size AHD AS SHOWN A1 Drawing Number Revision BFA-SK-001 1

39 DATE PLOTTED: 30 August :57 PM BY : JOHN DELANEY Cente nary LEGEND Highw ay Lot 57 on SP APPROVED URBAN DEVELOPMENT AREA Abraham s Road Approved Residential Development Parkland BUSHFIRE PRONE VEGETATION Lot 57 on SP (AREA C) Downslope of Residential Areas Upslope of Residential Areas Bushfire Prone Area subject to AS AS BAL Setbacks in the Absence of Active Management of Adjacent Areas of Bushfire Prone Vegetation BAL Class BAL FZ BAL XREF's: X EWK-Depth-OPT2; Lots; X LOTS CAD File: I:\ Bushfire\Acad\ BFA-SK-002.dwg Cardno Limited All Rights Reserved. assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever to any third party arising out of any use or reliance by third party on the content of this document. Date Description Des. Verif. Appd Drawn JD Checked JD Designed This document is produced by Cardno Limited solely for the benefit of and use by the client in accordance with the Rev. Interim Vegetation Management Zone BAL BAL BAL Minimum Building Setback Line Cardno (Qld) Pty Ltd ABN Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006 Tel: Fax: Web: Verified 830 Date Client 31 MAY 2016 Date Project 31 MAY 2016 Date RIPLEY VALLEY PROVIDENCE ESTATE - NORTHERN PRECINCT Status BUSHFIRE HAZARD AND RISK ASSESSMENT BUSHFIRE HAZARD AREA C PRELIMINARY NOT TO BE USED FOR CONSTRUCTION PURPOSES DATUM Date Title Approved AMEX CORPORATION PTY. LTD. A.H.D. Scale AS SHOWN Drawing Number BFA-SK-002 Size A1 Revision 1

40 Bushfire Hazard and Risk Assessment APPENDIX C QFES BUSHFIRE SURVIVAL PLAN GUIDELINE Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 31

41 Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Bushfire Survival Plan

42 You must PREPARE ACT SURVIVE Your main priority is to ensure that you and your family are safe. During a bushfire, you and your family s survival and safety depend on your preparations, and the decisions you make. The lives of you and your family are more important than any building. Whether your plan is to leave early or stay, you must prepare your home and property to increase their levels of resilience and your chances of survival. Bushfires in Queensland Understand your risk PREP The fire season in Queensland normally commences in the far north of the state in July and progresses through to southern areas as spring approaches. The fire season can extend through to February in southern and far south-western Queensland. These time frames can vary significantly from year to year, depending on the fuel loads, long-term climate, and short-term weather conditions in each area. There are four key considerations for dealing with bushfire: The safety of you and your family. The resilience of your property. The protection of irreplaceable valuables and important documents. The maintenance of adequate levels of insurance. This document will provide you with information about the things you need to consider to prepare yourself and your home for the bushfire season, and how to make your own personal Bushfire Survival Plan. The first step in planning to survive a bushfire is to understand your own level of risk. By understanding your own level of risk, you will be able to make informed decisions that are right for you and your family. Included with this Bushfire Survival Plan is a self-assessment tool that will enable you to gauge the risk level associated with your property. If you are still unsure of your level of risk or require assistance, contact your local fire station for more information. To book a Bushfire Safety presentation, call 13 QGOV ( ). Fire danger ratings The increased frequency of extreme bushfires in Australia in the last 10 years and the recent experience of the Black Saturday fires in Victoria have encouraged fire services throughout Australia to introduce new levels of Fire Danger Rating (FDR). A lift-out chart of the FDR system is contained within this document. Display it in a prominent place in your home, or keep it with your Bushfire Survival Plan. It is your responsibility to prepare yourself, your family and your home for the threat of bushfire. 2 PREPARE ACT SURVIVE

43 Catastrophic fire danger rating The highest level is catastrophic. On a day of catastrophic FDR, leaving early is the only option to ensure your survival. You must relocate early to a safer location hours before a fire approaches, or even the day before. Under no circumstances will it be safe to stay with your property. Leaving late can be a deadly option. If you are in any doubt, make the decision to LEAVE EARLY. Extreme fire danger rating The second highest level is extreme. Should a fire occur in your area on a day of extreme FDR, leaving early will always be the only option. Staying can only be considered for homes that: Have been designed and constructed specifically to address the threat of bushfire. Have been maintained to those levels and are ARE. currently well prepared. Can be actively defended by people with the skills, knowledge and confidence to implement a well-rehearsed Bushfire Survival Plan. On days of catastrophic or extreme FDR: Fires are likely to be uncontrollable, unpredictable and very fast moving, with highly aggressive flames extending high above tree tops and buildings. Thousands of embers may be violently blown into and around homes causing other fires to start rapidly and spread quickly up to 20 kilometres ahead of the main fire. Fire can threaten suddenly, without warning, and the heat and wind will make it difficult to see, hear and breathe as the fire approaches. People in the path of such fires will almost certainly be injured or die, and a significant number of homes and businesses will be destroyed or damaged. Even well-prepared and constructed homes will not be safe. Expect power, water and phone networks to fail as severe winds well ahead of the fire will bring down trees and power lines, and blow roofs off buildings. It is vital that you understand that, on these days, your survival will depend solely on how well you have prepared and how decisively you act. What will you do? At all times you need to PREPARE ACT SURVIVE When the fire danger rating is catastrophic, leaving early is the safest option. When the fire danger rating is lower than catastrophic, one of the most important decisions you need to make is whether you will leave early or stay with a wellprepared property. This decision is the basis of your Bushfire Survival Plan. The following questions may help you make the right decision about whether you leave early or stay: Do you need to consider family members who are young, elderly or infirm? Are you physically and emotionally prepared to stay with your property? Do you have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to stay with your property? Is your home adequately constructed, maintained, and prepared to withstand the impact of a fire? In other words, is your home prepared to withstand the impact of a bushfire? Do you have well-maintained resources and equipment to fight fire, and do you know how to use them? Do you have appropriate protective clothing to fight a fire? What will you do if a rapid onset fire gives you no time to leave? Where will you shelter? PREPARE ACT SURVIVE 3

44 In making your decision to stay, there are a few things you need to consider: Is your property able to withstand the impact of a bushfire? Are you physically and emotionally prepared to stay with your property? Do you have well-maintained resources and equipment, and do you know how to use them? Do you have appropriate protective clothing? Leave early Will your bushfire survival plan need to be different for weekdays, weekends or if someone is sick at home? Do you have a contingency plan? If you plan to leave early, then you must leave your home well before a bushfire threatens and travelling by road becomes hazardous. Your leave-early preparations PREP include: Step 1: Preparation your property should be well prepared for bushfire, even if you intend to leave early. Step 2: What you will do? Make your Bushfire Survival Plan in accordance with your decision to leave early. Step 3: Make a contingency plan the FDR, the preparedness of your home, a change in household circumstances, a change in your physical preparedness or unexpected visitors are some things that may require you to reconsider your Bushfire Survival Plan. Planning to stay Preparing your Bushfire Survival Plan Preparation is the key to survival. Being involved in a fire will be one of the most traumatic experiences of your life. Prepare yourself you need to be both mentally and physically prepared to carry out your Bushfire Survival Plan. Prepare your Bushfire Survival Plan. Prepare your Bushfire Emergency Kit. Prepare your Bushfire Evacuation Kit. Prepare your property. When writing your plan, you need to consider: Planning is critical to successfully staying with your home, as it may involve the risk of psychological trauma, injury or death. Step 1: Preparation your property must be able to withstand the impact of bushfire and be prepared well enough to shelter you and your family. Step 2: What you will do? Make your Bushfire Survival Plan in accordance with your decision to stay. Step 3: Make a contingency plan the FDR, the preparedness of your home, a change in household circumstances, a change in your physical preparedness or unexpected visitors are some things that may require you to reconsider your Bushfire Survival Plan. Have you made the right choice to leave early or stay? Have you discussed your choice with your family, friends and neighbours? Who will take charge and lead other family members by carefully communicating the various tasks set out in the plan? If you have chosen to stay, what will you do to protect your property when the fire arrives? What will you put in your Bushfire Emergency Kit and where will you store it? Do your friends, family and neighbours know the details of your plan? 4 PREPARE ACT SURVIVE

45 What will you do if your Bushfire Survival Plan fails? Move any stock to fully grazed paddocks. Do you have an alternative option or contingency plan if your plan fails? Do you have a Neighbourhood Safer Place (NSP) you can go to as a last resort? For more information on NSPs, see Is it safe to travel there? If your decision is to leave early, you must include the following information or action items in your Bushfire Survival Plan: Monitor media outlets radio, TV, mobile phone and internet for bushfire alerts. When will you leave? What will be your trigger for action? ARE. Will your plan be different for weekdays, weekends, or if someone is at home sick or injured? What will you take with you (Evacuation Kit)? Where will you and your family go when you leave early? What route will you take to get there? What will you do with your pets? What will you do if there are consecutive or multiple catastrophic or extreme fire danger days? Will you go to work on days when the FDR is in the upper levels? Will you send your children to school when the FDR is in the upper levels? Will all members of your household leave early? What will you do to prepare your property? What is your contingency plan in the event that it is unsafe to leave? Move cars to a safe location. Remove garden furniture, doormats, and other items. Close windows and doors and shut blinds. Take down curtains and move furniture away from windows. Seal gaps under doors and window screens with wet towels. Place pets inside, restrain them, and provide water. Block downpipes and fill gutters with water. Wet down the sides of buildings facing the approaching fire front. Wet down decks and verandas. Wet down fine fuels close to buildings. Turn on garden sprinklers before the bushfire arrives. Fill containers with water bath, sinks, buckets, wheelie bins, etc. Have ladders ready to access inside roof spaces, and against the roof on the outside. Have a generator or petrol pump ready. Start patrolling outside to check for embers. When the fire front arrives: Take all fire-fighting equipment, such as hoses and pumps, inside these may melt during the fire. Go inside and shelter away from the fire front. Patrol the inside of your home, including the ceiling space, for embers or small fires that may start. Drinks lots of water. If your decision is to stay, you must include the following information or actions items in your Bushfire Survival Plan: Monitor media outlets radio, TV, mobile phone and internet. Locate your Bushfire Emergency Kit. Put on protective clothing. Remain hydrated by drinking lots of water. Check family and pets. After the fire front has passed: Wear protective equipment. Go outside once it is safe. Check for small spot fires and burning embers: inside roof space under floor boards under house space PREPARE ACT SURVIVE 5

46 on veranda and decks on window ledges and door sills in roof lines and gutters garden beds and mulch wood heaps outdoor furniture sheds and carports. Continue to drink lots of water. Stay at your property until the surrounding area is clear of fire. Monitor media outlets radio, TV, mobile phone and internet. Preparing your Bushfire Evacuation Kit It is equally important to have a Evacuation Kit if your choice is to leave early. This kit will ensure you and your family have important items and equipment required to relocate for the time needed. For a comprehensive list of items and equipment needed in a Bushfire Evacuation Kit see page 15. Making a contingency plan You need to be both mentally and physically prepared to carry out your Bushfire Survival Plan. PREPA There may be other actions to include, depending on your individual property and the level of bushfire risk you are exposed to. Include the whole family in creating your Bushfire Survival Plan. You and your family should be aware of the actions you will take at the various FDR levels. and it is important to ensure this is incorporated into your Bushfire Survival Plan. The FDR for your area can be found on roadside signs and by visiting qld.gov.au and following the FDR link. It is important that your Bushfire Survival Plan does not rely solely on receiving an alert. Once you have completed your Bushfire Survival Plan, practise it regularly to ensure everyone involved knows exactly what to do in the event of a fire. No matter whether your decision is to leave early, well before a bush fire threatens, or to stay, you should still have a contingency plan as part of your Bushfire Survival Plan. There are many scenarios to consider, such as: what you will do if a rapid onset fire starts in your local area, making roads impassable or travel particularly dangerous? You should have other options if road travel is not safe. Is your house well prepared? Can it provide you with protection from radiant heat? Have you identified a safer location, such as an NSP? Sheltering in a well-prepared property is far safer than being out in the open or in a vehicle. Preparing your property Preparing your Bushfire Emergency Kit It is essential that you have a Bushfire Emergency Kit if your choice is to stay with your property. This kit will ensure you and your family have the important equipment you need to stay. For a comprehensive list of equipment needed in a Bushfire Emergency Kit see page 14. An unprepared property is not only at risk itself, but may also present an increased danger for your neighbours and their homes. Planning is absolutely critical to safely staying with your home. Staying home involves the risk of psychological trauma, injury and death. 6 PREPARE ACT SURVIVE

47 There are a number of measures you can take to prepare your home and property for bushfire. These include annual preparations you must take before the bushfire season. Your pre-season property preparations should include: Displaying a prominent house number. Ensuring there is adequate access to your property for fire trucks 4 metres wide by 4 metres high with a turn-around area. Reduce vegetation loads along the access path. Bushfire Advice Message a fire has started general information to keep you up to date. Bushfire Watch and Act Message represents a heightened level of threat. Conditions are changing, a fire is approaching; lives may come under threat. Take appropriate action. Bushfire Emergency Warning is the highest level message advising of impending danger. It may be preceded with the Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS). Mowing your grass regularly. Removing excess ground fuels and combustible material (long dry grass, dead leaves and branches). An Emergency Warning means there is a threat to lives, and protective action is required immediately. RE. Enclosing open areas under your decks and floors. Clearing leaves, twigs, bark and other debris from the roof and gutters. Purchasing and testing the effectiveness of gutter plugs. Trimming low-lying branches 2 metres from the ground surrounding your home. Installing fine steel wire mesh screens on all windows, doors, vents and weep holes. Pointing LPG cylinder relief valves away from the house. Conducting maintenance checks on pumps, generators and water systems. Checking that you have sufficient personal protective clothing and equipment. Relocating flammable items away from your home, including woodpiles, paper, boxes, crates, hanging baskets and garden furniture. Sealing all gaps in external roof and wall cladding. Checking that the first-aid kit is fully stocked. Bushfire Alerts If you receive an emergency warning about a bushfire or other emergency, take notice it could save your life. There are three types of alert messages to help you make the right safety choices: PREPARE ACT SURVIVE 7

48 When a bushfire strikes You have made your decision to PREPARE ACT SURVIVE You have prepared your property before the fire season. You have made your Bushfire Survival Plan. You have practised your Bushfire Survival Plan. A bushfire is threatening. What do you do? Know the FDR for any given day. Cover your entire body with woollen or cotton blankets to protect you from radiant heat. Take shelter below the window level. Drink water frequently, and stay in the vehicle until the fire front has passed. Once the fire front has passed, exit the vehicle to inspect the damage and ensure other passengers are safe. Regularly check the FDR on the Rural Fire Services website at Monitor your media outlets for warnings on bushfire activity. Seek out information if you have to, and do not assume that you will receive a warning. ACT. Leave early or stay according to your Bushfire Survival Plan. Act decisively in accordance with your Bushfire Survival Plan. Do not adopt the wait-and-see option. Travelling in your vehicle near a bushfire Sheltering inside a vehicle is a high-risk strategy that can result in death. While sheltering inside a vehicle offers you a slightly higher chance of survival than being caught in the open, having a leave-early or stay strategy is a much safer option. You should never take a journey into areas where the fire danger is catastrophic or extreme. You should consider postponing or finding alternative routes if necessary. If you can smell or see smoke in the distance, it is best to U-turn and drive away from the danger. Neighbourhood Safer Places A Neighbourhood Safer Place (NSP) is a place of last resort for people during a bushfire. An NSP may form part of a back-up plan when: Your Bushfire Survival Plan has failed. Your plan was to stay, but the extent of the fire means that your home cannot withstand the impact of the fire and, therefore, your home is not a safe place to shelter. The fire has escalated to an extreme or catastrophic level and relocation is the safest option. An NSP is an identified building or open space within the community that can provide a level of protection from the immediate life-threatening effects of a bushfire. NSPs still entail some risk, both in moving to them and while sheltering in them; they cannot be considered completely safe. They are a place of last resort in bushfire emergencies only. The following limitations of NSPs need to be considered within your Bushfire Survival Plan: NSPs do not cater for pets. Firefighters may not be present, as they will be elsewhere fighting the main fire front. NSPs do not provide meals or amenities. If you are caught in smoke or flames while on the road: Turn on the vehicle s headlights and hazard warning lights. If you need to shelter in your vehicle, drive your car into a bare, clear area well away from surrounding trees, leaving lights on. Position the vehicle to prevent a side impact from an advancing fire front. Close all windows and vents. Leave the engine running and turn off the air conditioning system. They may not provide shelter from the elements, particularly flying embers. If you are a person with special needs, you should consider what assistance you may require at an NSP. Although QFES cannot guarantee an immediate presence during a bushfire, every effort will be made to provide support as soon as resources are available. If an NSP is part of your contingency plan, it should not require extended travel through fire-affected areas to get there. 8 PREPARE ACT SURVIVE

49 FIRE DANGER RATING CATASTROPHIC A fire with a rating of catastrophic may be uncontrollable, unpredictable and fast-moving. The flames will be higher than roof tops. Many people may be injured, and many homes and businesses may be destroyed. During a catastrophic fire, well-prepared and constructed homes will not be safe. Leaving is the only option for your survival. EXTREME The Fire Danger Rating (FDR) is an early indicator of potential danger, and should act as your first trigger for action. The higher the rating, the greater the need for you to act. The FDR is an assessment of the potential fire behaviour, the difficulty of suppressing a fire, and the potential impact on the community should a bushfire occur on a given day. A Fire Danger Index (FDI) of low moderate means that the fire will burn slowly and that it will be easily controlled, whereas a FDI in excess of catastrophic 100+ means that the fire will burn so fast and hot, it will be uncontrollable. A fire with an extreme rating may be uncontrollable, unpredictable and fast-moving. The flames may be higher than roof tops. During an extreme fire, people will be injured, and homes and businesses may be destroyed. During an extreme fire, well-prepared and wellconstructed homes may not be safe. Leaving is the only option for your survival. SEVERE A fire with a severe rating may be uncontrollable and move quickly, with flames that may be higher than roof tops. A severe fire may cause injuries, and some homes or businesses will be destroyed. During a fire with a severe rating, leaving is the safest option for your survival. Use your home as a place of safety only if it is well-prepared and well-constructed. VERY HIGH A fire with a very high danger rating is one that can be difficult to control with flames that may burn into the tree tops. During a fire of this type, some homes and businesses may be damaged or destroyed. During a fire with a very high danger rating, you should use your home as a place of safety only if it is wellprepared and well-constructed. HIGH A fire with a high danger rating is one that can be controlled, where loss of life is unlikely, and damage to property will be limited. During a fire with a high danger rating, you should know where to get more information and monitor the situation for any changes. LOW MODERATE A fire with a low to moderate rating can be easily controlled and poses little or no risk to life or property. During a fire with a low to moderate rating, you should know where to get more information and monitor the situation for any changes. PREPARE ACT SURVIVE 9

50 Complete your personalised Bushfire Survival Plan lift-out. Personal details: BUSHFIRE SURVIVAL PLAN Important phone numbers: 000 (Triple Zero) (Fire, Police and Ambulance) Family: Family: Family: Work: Friends: Friends: School: Important contact details name and phone number: SURV Insurer: Policy Number: Phone: Electricity: Water: Gas: Phone Company: Council: Leave early: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: List all names and contact phone numbers of household members who have decided to leave early then complete Section 1. Names: Phone: Stay: List all names and contact phone numbers of household members who have decided to stay then complete Section 2. Names: Phone: 10 PREPARE ACT SURVIVE

51 Leave early Section 1 Pull this Bushfire Survival Plan lift-out from this document and keep in a safe place. Leaving early will always be the safest option for you and your family. It is extremely important for you to prepare a detailed leave-early plan to ensure everyone understands what to do and when. Use the boxes below to list tasks to do. When to go Think of different triggers that will cause you and your family to leave early. Think about what y ou will do if you have sent the children to school that day. Think about whether or not you will have to travel from work into the fire zone. IVE. How to get there What roads will you take to your destination? Have an alternative route if your first choice is impassable. Where to go Identify one or more safer locations. Consider putting on personal protective clothing before you leave home. What to take Make a list of your most valuable items (e.g. insurance papers, electronic records, photo albums, passports, birth certificates and other important information). PREPARE ACT SURVIVE 11

52 Stay Section 2 Anyone who is not going to leave early must be involved in completing this stay-and-defend plan to ensure they know what to do. Every stay plan will be different depending on your circumstances. Use the boxes below to list tasks to do. Before the fire approaches Start getting yourself and your property ready for a bushfire. As the fire approaches Prepare for ember an attack on or near your home. Remember to put on personal protective clothing. SURV As the fire front arrives Stay safe by monitoring the fire from inside your home. After the fire passed Patrol your property and extinguish any spot fires or burning embers. You may need to keep this up for several hours. Everyone must have a contingency plan Have a contingency plan what will you do if you can t activate your Bushfire Survival Plan? Remember that leaving late can lead to loss of life. Know where your nearest NSP is and how to get there. 12 PREPARE ACT SURVIVE

53 ACTIVATING YOUR BUSHFIRE SURVIVAL PLAN Once you have prepared your Bushfire Survival Plan and completed your preparations, it is absolutely essential that you regularly practise and review your plan. This will make sure you and your family are well organised in the event of a bushfire. If a bushfire threatens the health and safety of you, your family, home or property, you should follow these steps: Step 1 Activate your Bushfire Survival Plan Someone must take charge and lead other family members through this emotional experience by carefully communicating the various tasks set out in the plan. Know who is going to leave early and who is going to stay. IVE. Step 2 Put on your personal protective clothing Every member of the family must change into their personal protective clothing, including long pants, long-sleeve-shirt and closed-in shoes. Step 3A Pack your vehicle and leave early If your plan is to leave early, pack all valuables in your vehicle (see Evacuation Kit) and relocate to your designated safer location. Give yourself enough time to get you and your family to safety. Don t return home until it is safe to do so. OR Step3B Implement your strategy to stay and defend If your plan is to stay, ensure you have all the items in the Bushfire Emergency Kit ready to go. This can be a dangerous option, and you should be physically and mentally prepared. Step 4 Keep informed of bushfire activity Listen to the radio, television, internet, firefighters and/or police for information on the fire in your local area. Bushfire is dynamic and unpredictable, so you need to be prepared for the unexpected. Warnings are not guaranteed, so do whatever is necessary to ensure you remain safe. PREPARE ACT SURVIVE 13

54 BUSHFIRE EMERGENCY KIT You need to have a Bushfire Emergency Kit stored in an area of the house that is safe and easy to access. It should contain: protective clothing mop gloves torch hoses shovel towels buckets SURV safety goggles ladder medications bottled drinking water fire extinguishers battery-operated radio spare batteries smoke mask woollen blankets first-aid kit knapsack sprayer protective clothing for the whole family. 14 PREPARE ACT SURVIVE

55 EVACUATION KIT Write a list of all items your family will need before, during, and after your relocation. The list below shows items that you might like to put in your evacuation kit: protective clothing for the whole family battery-operated radio and spare batteries safety goggles mobile phone and battery charger medications IVE. wallet or purse and money clothing (two sets of clothes for each family member) identity information (passports, birth certificates) bottled water (enough for each relocated family member) family and friends phone numbers items of high importance (e.g. family photos, valuables, important documents) blankets (natural fibres) children s toys. PREPARE ACT SURVIVE 15

56 BUSHFIRE RISK SELF-ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST This basic self-assessment checklist is designed to give you a greater understanding of the bushfire risk level relevant to your property. Information provided in this assessment will assist you when completing your Bushfire Survival Plan. Address: Postcode: Property Owner / Property Name: ACCESS/EGRESS Road/Street/Driveway PLEASE APPROPRIATE BOX Clear of overhanging vegetation Yes No Unrestricted gate access Yes No Clear of overhead power lines Yes No Able to reverse in Yes No Turning/passing areas Yes No Heavy vehicle access on cattle grid/bridge Yes No Alternative way out Yes No Two-wheel drive access Yes No STRUCTURE/S Exterior walls non-combustible Yes No Roof ridge capping sealed Yes No Eaves enclosed Yes No Roofing gutters and valleys clear of leaf litter and fine fuels Yes No Underfloor enclosed Yes No Vents screened Yes No Windows non-combustible finishing Yes No Deck/veranda non-combustible Yes No WATER SUPPLY Reticulated water supply Yes No Tank supply with QFES access 50 mm male camlock fitting Yes No so fire figthers can use water if needed QFES accessible external open water supply (dam/pool) Yes No Firefighting pump and hose connected to water supply Yes No 16

57 Other considerations There are a range of other things to be considered regardless of your decision to leave early or stay: Firefighting equipment (such as pumps, hoses and sprinkler systems) should be tested regularly and maintained in maximum operational working condition. Firefighters may need access to your property during a bushfire. So, it is in your best interests to allow enough space for fire trucks (4 metres wide by 4 metres high). Your pets, livestock, and other animals require proper care and attention during fires. Consider food, medication, transportation and sleeping arrangements for your animals. Will someone from an emergency service knock on my door when it is time to leave? Emergency services personnel are not always available to alert the community of potential risks by door knocking and encouraging you to leave. Monitor local radio stations, television networks and emergency service websites for information updates. Remember, the safest option is to leave early. Leaving too late can be fatal. Can I be made to leave my home during a bushfire? Will there always be a fire truck available to fight a bushfire threatening my home? No, not always. Fire trucks and firefighters are a limited resource, so it is important they are deployed in an appropriate manner to best manage the fire. The QFES cannot guarantee a fire truck will be available to defend every home during a large bushfire event. FAQ S In Queensland, you can be ordered by the Police or Fire Service to evacuate if they believe it is Is cleaning my gutters necessary for your safety. and mowing my lawns enough to prepare my property for bushfire? No! Fire requires fuel, heat and oxygen to occur. The radiant heat and flying embers produced by bushfires mean that overhanging trees, shrubs and mulch against homes, woodpiles, old building materials, outdoor furniture or other objects stored under the deck or chemicals in the garden will quickly ignite. Do yourself and your neighbours a favour by taking the time to properly prepare your whole property, which includes yourself, your house and your land. Is my home at risk from burning if there is more than 50 metres between my home and nearly bushland? Yes, most houses destroyed in bushfires are lost as a result of ember attack. Under certain conditions, embers can cause fires to ignite up to 20 kilometres in front of the main fire. A combination of your level of preparation and your home construction will determine the survivability of your home. What does leaving early mean? Leaving early means before a bushfire event has reached your neighbourhood. Leaving early could be the day before or morning of predicted extreme or catastrophic bushfire weather. If I know the backstreets in my suburb or town very well, is it okay for me to leave at the last minute? If your decision in your Bushfire Survival Plan is to leave early, then you should leave well before the fire front reaches your property. Irrespective of your local area knowledge, you must stick to your plan and leave early. Leaving late can be fatal. 17

58 NOTES 18 PREPARE ACT SURVIVE

59 Rural Operations Areas For further assistance contact your local Area Office Cairns Area Office Phone: (07) Innisfail Area Office Phone: (07) CAIRNS PENINSULA INNISFAIL BUNDABERG MARYBOROUGH CALOUNDRA CALOUNDRA CABOOLTURE IPSWICH TOOWOOMBA Townsville Area Office Phone: (07) Charters Towers Area Office Phone: (07) Mackay Area Office Phone: (07) Emerald Area Office Phone: (07) Rockhampton Area Office Phone: (07) Bundaberg Area Office Phone: (07) Maryborough Area Office Phone: (07) Caloundra Area Office Phone: (07) Toowoomba Area Office Phone: (07) Roma Area Office Phone: (07) CHARTERS TOWERS TOWNSVILLE Caboolture Area Office Phone: (07) Ipswich Area Office Phone: (07) MACKAY BARCALDINE EMERALD ROCKHAMPTON BUNDABERG ROMA MARYBOROUGH CALOUNDRA CABOOLTURE IPSWICH TOOWOOMBA PREPARE ACT SURVIVE 19

60 Bushfire is a very real risk to many of our suburbs, so make sure you are prepared now! For further information GO TO a free Are you Bushfire Prepared? ORbook presentation by calling 13 QGOV facebook.com/qldfireandrescueservice twitter.com/qldfes youtube.com/firerescueqld Ver 01/2015

61 Bushfire Hazard and Risk Assessment APPENDIX D BUSHFIRE HAZARD AREA C VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN Prepared for Amex Corporation Pty Ltd Version 1 Page 32

62 DATE PLOTTED: 31 August :07 AM BY : JOHN DELANEY Centenary Highway LEGEND Lot 57 on SP VEGETATION MANAGEMENT AREA Inner Asset Protection Zone (20 m) Outer Asset Protection Zone (80 m) Approved Residential Abrahams Road Lot 57 on SP APPROVED URBAN DEVELOPMENT AREA Approved Residential Development Parkland VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN XREF's: X EWK-Depth-OPT2; Lots; X LOTS CAD File: I:\ Ripley Providence\Acad\ Bushfire Vegetation Management - VMP rv 2.dwg Abrahams Road m 1: A1 1: A3 Rev. Date Description Des. Verif. Appd Cardno Limited All Rights Reserved. This document is produced by Cardno Limited solely for the benefit of and use by the client in accordance with the terms of the retainer. Cardno Limited does not and shall not assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever to any third party arising out of any use or reliance by third party on the content of this document m 80 m Cardno (Qld) Pty Ltd ABN Level 11, 515 St Paul s Terrace Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006 Tel: Fax: Web: Drawn Date JD 31 MAY 2016 Checked Date JD 31 MAY 2016 Designed Date Verified Date Approved Client Project RIPLEY - PROVIDENCE Title Objective: Establish and maintain a 100 metre wide band of low hazard vegetation between residential lots that form part of the approved Providence residential estate and areas of bushfire prone vegetation located within Lot 57 on SP and the Abrahams Road reserve. Specifications: Vegetation management is to be implemented in accordance with the specifications provided in VMP-002 (Rev 2.). Vegetation management is to be maintained until Lot 57 on SP has been cleared of bushfire prone vegetation to facilitate urban development in general accordance with the Ripley Valley Priority Development Area Planning Scheme. DALESWAN PTY. LTD. VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN ABRAHAMS ROAD + LOT 57 ON SP Status PRELIMINARY NOT TO BE USED FOR CONSTRUCTION PURPOSES DATUM GRID Scale Size A.H.D. AS SHOWN A1 Drawing Number Revision VMP-001 1