5.1.1 Future approval considerations
The BAL assessment within this document is considered to be a conservative assessment of potential bushfire risk posed to future habitable buildings within the site based on the proposed management of vegetation and assumptions outlined in Section 3.
The measures to be implemented through this structure plan and associated future subdivision process have been outlined as part of this BMP and can be used to support future planning and development approval processes. A revised BMP is likely to be required to support any future subdivision applications, particularly if the development layout detail is different to that outlined within this document, and will need to respond to the subdivision design (and/or the stage of development).
5.1.2 Landscape management 5.1.2.1 Within the site
A number of POS areas, including those for recreation, drainage, including the foreshore area, and gas pipeline purposes, have been identified within the site.
The design and construction of POS areas is generally a condition of subdivision approval. The detailed design of the public open space areas within the site will be determined in collaboration with the City of Swan as part of the standard development process and is assumed to be designed to achieve low threat vegetation in accordance with Section 2.2.3.2 of AS 3959, and in line with City of Swan requirements. Management may include:
• Clearing of vegetation
• Irrigation of grass and garden beds (where required)
• Regular maintenance including removal of weeds and dead material
• Low pruning of trees
• Application of ground covers such as mulch or non-flammable materials
• Regularly mowing/slashing of grass to less than 100mm in height
The proponent will be responsible for the initial maintenance of these areas, and following handover the City of Swan will be responsible for the long-term maintenance of the public open space areas to a low threat standard.
5.1.2.2 Surrounding the site Within private landholdings
The private landholdings surrounding the site are assumed to be managed by the applicable
landowners in accordance with the City of Swan Firebreak Notice in perpetuity and/or in accordance with existing maintenance regimes. All other vegetation will remain in its existing condition for the foreseeable future.
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Existing public open space and public road reserves
Where existing areas of public open space, management to a low threat standard in accordance with Section 2.2.3.2 of AS 3959 is assumed to continue. Management of these areas may include:
• Irrigation of grass and garden beds (where required)
• Regular removal of weeds and built up dead material (such as fallen branches, leaf litter etc.)
• Low pruning of trees.
• Application of ground/surface covers such as mulch or non-flammable materials as required.
• Regular mowing/slashing of grass to less than 100mm in height.
5.1.3 City of Swan Firebreak Notice
The City of Swan releases a Firebreak Notice on an annual basis to provide a framework for bushfire management within the City. The City of Swan are able to enforce this notice in accordance with Section 33 of the Bush Fires Act 1954. In addition, Section 33 1(b) also provides the City with additional power to direct landowners to undertake works to remedy conditions conducive to the outbreak or spread of bushfire.
Until subdivision is progressed within the site, existing landowners will be required to comply with the Firebreak Notice, including the maintenance of minimum 3 m-wide perimeter firebreaks (or as agreed with the City of Swan) for lots over 25,000 m2, and where lots are between 5,000 and 25,000 m2, the maintenance of minimum 3 m-wide perimeter firebreaks and the maintenance of grass fuels below 10 cm in height.
All landowners of future lots will be required to comply with the Firebreak Notice as published, which for residential lots is likely to include ensuring that the property is cleared of all flammable material, except for living standing trees, and ensuring that grass height is no longer than 5 cm.
5.1.4 Vulnerable or high-risk land uses
Two primary schools are proposed within the structure plan and could be considered vulnerable land uses. The proposed schools are located more than 100 m from bushfire hazards in the post-
development scenario (so are subject to BAL-LOW) and do not require specific construction in accordance with SPP 3.7. Should vulnerable or high-risk land uses be proposed in the future, the requirements of SPP 3.7 may need to be addressed at future development approvals (i.e.
subdivision/development application) (when specific detail on the land use is known) and may include the preparation of an emergency evacuation plan and/or risk assessment for onsite flammable materials where applicable. This is generally only a consideration where a BAL rating greater than BAL-LOW applies.
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5.1.5 Public education and preparedness
Community bushfire safety is a shared responsibility between individuals, the community, government and fire agencies. DFES has an extensive Community Bushfire Education Program including a range of publications, a website and Bushfire Ready Groups. The DFES publication
‘Prepare. Act. Survive.’ (DFES 2014) provides excellent advice on preparing for and surviving the bushfire season. Other downloadable brochures are available from
http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/safetyinformation/fire/bushfire/pages/publications.aspx The City of Swan provides bushfire safety advice to residents available from their website https://www.swan.wa.gov.au/Services-support/Emergency-management/Fire. Professional, qualified consultants also offer bushfire safety advice and relevant services to residents and businesses in high risk areas in addition that that provided in this BMP.
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6 Responsibilities for Implementation and Management of Bushfire Measures
Table 5 outlines the future responsibilities of the proponent/developer and the City of Swan
associated with implementing this BMP with reference to ongoing bushfire risk mitigation measures for existing land uses (through compliance with the City of Swan Firebreak Notice) or future
mitigation measures to be accommodated as part of future subdivision (in particular, consideration of spatial layout requirements). These responsibilities will need to be considered as part of the subsequent planning process.
Additional bushfire mitigation responsibilities will be outlined as part of future BMP/s prepared to support detailed subdivision for the site, including responsibilities for future lot owners.
Table 5: Responsibilities for the implementation of this BMP
Management action Timing
Developer/landowner
Provide a copy of this BMP to the relevant decision makers to support approval of the proposed structure plan.
To support the structure plan approval process.
Prepare a new/revised BMP in accordance with SPP 3.7, the Guidelines and AS 3959 to support future subdivision applications, based on the proposed detailed layout and in consideration of existing bushfire hazards or those that will be present following
development. In addition, if the assumptions regarding the treatment to POS, the gas pipeline easements and/or the foreshore area change as part of future detailed design stages, a revised BMP will be required.
To support each future subdivision application.
Where required, and based on the outcomes this BMP or subsequent BMP/s, make spatial provision within the subdivision layout/design to accommodate:
• A suitable public road network that provides access to at least two different destinations.
Public roads should be at least 6 m-wide and consider the minimum requirements of Appendix Four in the Guidelines (or as agreed with the City of Swan). The proposed structure plan currently supports this requirement.
• Where possible avoid cul-de-sacs and battle axe lots, or where utilised ensure these consider the general requirements outlined in Table 4 and Appendix Four of the Guidelines, or as agreed with the City of Swan.
• Ensure future habitable buildings are able to be located so that BAL-29 or less applies.
Separation distances should be in accordance with the minimum distances outlined in Table 3 of this BMP for the corresponding vegetation plot/classification, or as determined in subsequent BMPs/BAL assessments. This may include the provision of public roads and/or managed public open space between habitable buildings and bushfire hazards, or by ensuring lots are an adequate depth or width to ensure BAL-29 is not exceeded at future habitable buildings.
To support each future subdivision application.
Comply with the City of Swan Firebreak Notice until subdivision progresses, including which for residential land greater than 25,000 m2, provide firebreaks of at least 3 m-wide and keep grass fuels short.
At all times, where applicable.
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Management action Timing
City of Swan
Monitoring vegetation fuel loads in private landholdings against the requirements of the City’s Firebreak Notice (and/or existing maintenance regimes outlined in this BMP) and liaising with relevant stakeholders to maintain fuel loads at minimal/appropriate fuel levels.
Ongoing, as required.
Maintaining fuel loads in existing public road reserves and public open space (under their management) to appropriate standards to minimise fuel loads (as per current maintenance regimes)
Ongoing, as required.
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