Managing fire regimes 2004

Managing fire regimes - 2004

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Indicator description

Figure 24 - Shoalhaven Fire Hazard Reduction History

What does the Data tell us for 2000/2004

Fire Mitigation by Shoalhaven City Council

Introduction of Bush Fire Environmental Assessment Code

Where does the Code apply

What land is excluded from the Code

Agricultural activities are not affected by the Code

Fire Mitigation by Shoalhaven City Council

Council’s hazard reduction responsibilities focus on assessment and monitoring of fuel loads on Council managed land and implementation of hazard reduction works on those lands. Council undertakes Environmental Assessments to ensure fuel management needs take account all of the natural values of the area.

Council currently manages more than 2000 parcels of land that are reserved for public use. This land is combined into 839 separate reserves. At least one third of the reserves are categorised as natural areas. Natural area reserves are further sub-categorised into bushland, watercourse, wetland, foreshore and escarpment. The management of these reserves is guided by the Community Land Plan of Management, Natural Areas.

In December 2002, Council began a comprehensive program to review the provision of firebreaks and asset protection zones on all its lands in accordance with the strategies identified in the Shoalhaven District Bushfire Risk Management Plan and the amended Act.

The implementation phase of the program will continue throughout 2003-2005 and will see the newly cleared sites stabilised, unauthorised access restricted and maintenance regimes developed. Council currently maintains upward of 20km of firebreaks and/or asset protection zones on the urban-bushland interface.

Hazard reduction burns are undertaken to reduce ground fuels on some Council managed land, in partnership with the NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW Fire Brigades. Comprehensive environmental and risk assessments are carried out in accordance with the Bushfire Environmental Assessment Code prior to any burns taking place.

Council is represented on the Bushfire Management Committee and the Bushfire Risk Sub-Committee and works closely with the Rural Fire Service, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Lands.

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Introduction of Bush Fire Environmental Assessment Code

The release of the Bush Fire Environmental Assessment Code on 1 July 2003 has changed the approval processes for the carrying out of hazard reduction work on bushfire prone land. Hazard reduction clearing and burning are useful bushfire management tools, particularly for protecting homes. However, if used incorrectly or illegally, clearing and burning can damage the environment.

A range of environmental laws exist to regulate hazard reduction. Inquiries into bushfires have found the assessment system was unduly complex, particularly for private landholders wishing to undertake hazard reduction work. The Code streamlines this process for bushfire prone land and the Rural Fire Service (RFS) takes on the responsibility of doing the assessment and certificate issuing for private property.

On public land, it is generally the responsibility of the state agency or local authority having care and control of the land to carry out the assessment and certificate issuing for the land under the code.

The Code applies to asset protection zones and strategic fire advantage zones for residential buildings and other significant buildings identified in the local bush fire risk management plan. Where a certificate is issued for hazard reduction work, no other approval is required such as under a Tree Preservation order or development consent.

The Code considers the effects clearing or burning can have on threatened species (biodiversity), soil, water, native and riverside vegetation, Aboriginal heritage, European cultural heritage and locally significant sites. Standards also relate to the effects of smoke pollution. Prior to the introduction of the Code the environmental assessment process was complicated, potentially involving up to 22 pieces of legislation and approval from several different regulatory agencies. Lengthy delays were sometimes experienced.

RFS staff now complete the process for private landholders who simply apply to their local RFS fire control centre for a Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificate. The application should be processed within seven days unless further information or negotiation is required.

The certificate gives environmental approval to undertake hazard reduction. It is valid for 12 months and may contain conditions such as retaining certain trees, removing vegetation to protect historic relics, warning neighbours of smoke or treating machinery to prevent weeds spreading.

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Where does the Code apply?

The Code only applies to bushfire prone land as defined in Bush Fire Prone Area maps prepared by Council. Council or the local RFS fire control centre can advise you if your property is on bushfire prone land. The code only applies to vegetation removal for bush fire hazard reduction work.

Forested coastal areas will be more likely to require an environmental assessment because there is a higher proportion of urban bushland interface in the east of the state. The RFS can tell you if your property requires an environmental assessment as well as offer advice on doing hazard reductions, and getting fire permits.

Any certificate issued must be consistent with any development consent that contains restrictions on vegetation clearance.

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What land is excluded from the Code?

· Land to which State Environmental Planning Policy No 14—Coastal Wetlands applies.

· Land to which State Environmental Planning Policy No 26—Littoral Rainforests applies.

· Land declared by the Minister for the Environment under section 47 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 to be the critical habitat of an endangered species, population or ecological community.

· Land supporting environmentally significant vegetation including rainforests, mangroves, saltmarshes, RAMSAR wetlands and wilderness areas.

· Riparian areas subject to a permit under Part 3A of the Rivers and Foreshores Improvement Act 1948.

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Agricultural activities are not affected by the Code

Farmers conducting normal agricultural activities are not affected by the Code requirements. They can continue burning stubble and diseased crops, pruning orchards and grazing without approval under the Code.

Farmers may require approvals under the Code only if they are undertaking hazard reduction work.

Full details of the code can be obtained from the RFS website

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