The Amendment Area applies to Lot 3 Midland Road and Lot 149 Talbot Road, Hazelmere (hereinafter referred to as 'the Site') to allow residential development. The site is bounded by remnant scrub to the north, east and west of the site, and rural, residential and industrial landholdings to the south. The identification of a site within an area identified as bushfire prone requires an assessment of the bushfire risk affecting the site (in accordance with Australian Standard 3959:2018 Construction of bushfire prone areas (AS 3959) ) (Standards Australia 2018) and satisfactory compliance with the policies described in State Planning Policy 3.7 – Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (SPP 3.7) (WAPC 2015) and the associated Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas Version 1.3 (the Guidelines) (WAPC and DFES 2017).
As part of this, a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment has been undertaken, involving the classification and condition of vegetation within 150m of the site. Grassland (Class G) vegetation, located in small patches to the west and north of the site. The results of this BMP show that as development progresses, it will be possible to adopt an acceptable solution for each of the applicable bushfire protection criteria outlined in the guidelines.
Background
Aim of this report
Statutory policy and framework
Description of the proposed development
The area is currently zoned Urban and Rural under the Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS). The approved SP has identified the site as 'Light Industrial', with the proposed amendment to reclassify the site as 'Residential'.
Description of land characteristics
Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (2018), this BMP has considered whether there are any environmental values within the site or nearby that may require specific consideration through either protection, preservation or replanting. Due to the historical clearance, it is likely that environmental values within the site are limited. No species of threatened or priority flora are identified within the mapping as occurring within the site.
Additionally, a flora and vegetation assessment conducted by Emerge Associates (2015) did not identify any threatened or priority flora at the site. Yes Vegetation within the northeastern portion of Lot 149 was identified by Emerge Associates (2015) as representing a state-listed TEC. However, due to the historic clearing on the site, there are no values on the site that will be affected by the proposed development.
Native vegetation – modification and clearing
Revegetation and landscape plans
The fire risk for the area is considered following the methods described in the Guidelines (WAPC and DFES 2017) and in AS 3959. The aim is to identify at a strategic level the Fire Hazard Level (BHL) and the likely impact and intensity of an attack by fire. A BHL uses 150 m to establish the sample area from which fire extent and intensity of a bushfire attack is determined.
It provides a consistent method for determining a level of radiant heat (radiant heat flux) as a primary consideration of fire attack. It measures the level of bushfire attack as the level of radiant heat (kWm2) at a distance of 100 m. AS 3959 also describes what is deemed to meet building responses that can withstand a specified level of radiant heat at a specified distance from the fire.
Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessment
Assessment inputs
- Post development assumptions
Bushfire hazard classification considers the vegetation structure within the area and the surrounding area for a minimum of 150m in accordance with AS 3959. An assessment of existing vegetation on site and around 150m and the effective slope was carried out on 9 September 2019 in accordance with AS 3959 and the guidelines. Forest vegetation within and around the site is characterized by overstoreys of marri and banksia trees, where native species and weed species form surface, near-surface and intermediate fuel loads.
In addition, forest vegetation located outside the site boundary will not be affected by the proposed development and will therefore continue to pose a risk of forest fires for the area. Forest vegetation within the site (other than vegetation to be retained within the POS) will be removed to facilitate future development which will result in the conversion of currently vegetated areas to non-vegetated areas consisting of public roads and/or residential areas. A small area of scrub vegetation has been identified to the east of the site within an adjacent private property.
Bushy vegetation is located outside the site boundary and will not be affected by the proposed development, therefore there will continue to be a fire hazard in the area. The bushland is located outside the site boundary and will not be affected by the proposed development and will therefore continue to threaten the fire zone. Unmanaged grassland vegetation is located on most of the site (plot 6), in addition to the northern, eastern and southern parts of the site (plot 7).
Grassland vegetation in and around the site is characterized by cleared areas, which support non-native grasses as surface fuel loads. Grassland vegetation located outside the site boundary will not be affected by the proposed development, and will therefore remain a bushfire hazard to the site. Grassland vegetation within the site (Plot 6) will be removed to facilitate future development which will result in the conversion of currently vegetated areas to non-vegetated areas consisting of public roads and/or residential sites.
Classified vegetation identified outside the site has been assumed to remain in its current state (unless otherwise stated), and will therefore remain a bushfire hazard to the site.
Assessment outputs
All classified vegetation within the site, with the exception of vegetation retained within the POS in the central part of the site, shall be removed or modified to achieve low threat in accordance with section 2.2.3.2 of AS 3959. Ensuring that areas of the POS within sites are managed to achieve low threat standards, in accordance with AS 3959 and City of Swan requirements. This MPC provides an overview of mitigation strategies that will ensure that as planning and development progress within the site, an acceptable solution and/or performance-based control system can be adopted for each of the fire protection criteria detailed within.
As part of future development, it is likely that an 'acceptable solution' will be able to address the purpose of all four bushfire protection criteria as part of future development at the site. As development takes place on the site and classified vegetation is removed, the level of bushfire danger to which future development will be exposed will not exceed a moderate level of danger. A3.1 Two access routes The proposed structure plan envisages an interconnected public road network within the site which will provide links to the existing Talbot Road to the south of the site and Midland Road to the east of the site which will provide exit options to the north and south of the site.
In addition, Lakes Road will be constructed to the north of the site as part of the development, providing a secondary exit to Midland Road. A3.2 Public road Existing public roads around the area, in addition to any proposed new roads within the area, can and will comply with the minimum standards outlined in appendix four of the guidelines (WAPC and DFES 2017), including a minimum 6m wide trafficable surface. While cul-de-sac should be avoided in bushfire areas, a cul-de-sac is proposed within the northern part of the area.
This cul-de-sac is still considered an acceptable solution given the location of the site in an urbanized area and its connection to the wider road network. Private driveways longer than 50m are not proposed as part of the structure plan or are likely to be based on the proposed urban development. A3.6 Emergency Access Given that the proposed structure plan includes various access routes, emergency access is not required as part of the proposed site development.
Future development within the site will be provided with adequate vehicular access as described above, so fire service access routes are not required.
Additional management strategies
- Future approval considerations
- Landscape management
- Within the site
- Surrounding the site
- City of Swan Firebreak Notice
- Vulnerable or high-risk land uses
- Public education and preparedness
As previously outlined, the City of Swan issues a Firebreak Notice annually (or as required) to provide a framework for managing wildfires in the city. The City of Swan may enforce this notice in accordance with Section 33 of the Bush Fire Acts 1954. In addition, Section 33 1(b) also gives the City additional powers to direct landowners to carry out work to remedy conditions conducive to the spread or outbreak of forest fires.
Particular standards for fire lanes, including the location of the fire lane and horizontal and vertical clearances. Where there is a conflict in the requirements of this BMP or the City of Swan Fire Breach Notice, the higher level of bushfire protection shall prevail. There are no vulnerable or high-risk land uses, as defined under SPP 3.7, proposed within the site at this stage of the development process.
Professional, trained advisors also offer bushfire safety advice and appropriate services to residents and businesses in high-risk areas beyond that specified in this BMP. In the event of a bushfire in the area, residents would be advised by DFES, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and/or the City of Swan regarding any specific. Provide a copy of this BMP to the appropriate decision makers in support of approval of the proposed structure plan.
Avoid dead ends and battle ax lots where possible, or if used ensure these take into account the general requirements set out in Table 4 and Annex Four of the Guidelines, or as agreed with the City of Swan. Separation distances should be in accordance with the minimum distances set out in Table 3 of this BMP for the corresponding vegetation plot/classification, or as defined in. Comply with the City of Swan Firebreak Notice until subdivision progresses, including those for residential land greater than 25,000m2, maintain firebreaks at least 3m wide and keep grass fuels short.
Monitoring plant fuel loads on private lands in accordance with the requirements of the City's Wildfire Notice (and/or existing maintenance regimes described in this BMP) and coordinating with appropriate stakeholders to maintain fuel loads at minimum/adequate fuel levels.
Accreditation
Declaration
General references
Online references
While Emerge Associates makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of data, Emerge assumes no responsibility for the use of externally obtained data. While Emerge Associates makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of data, Emerge assumes no responsibility for the use of externally obtained data. e) Non-vegetated area (f) Little endangered vegetation. While Emerge Associates makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of data, Emerge assumes no responsibility for the use of externally obtained data.
All areas and dimensions are subject to research, engineering and detailed design and are subject to change without notice.
