Managing fire regimes

Managing fire regimes - 2007

Home | Biodiversity |Conserving Biodiversity | Managing Fire Regimes | 2007

What does the data tell us for 2007

Bushfire Hazard Reduction Program

Council completed all of the bush fire mitigation activities it is responsible for under the Shoalhaven District Bush Fire Risk Management Plan. Council similarly participated in all Shoalhaven Bush Fire Management Committee meetings and activities to ensure Council is integrated with the activities of all agencies working towards achieving the Bush Fire Risk Management Plan objectives.

The RFS now have overarching responsibilities for complaint investigation and subsequent direction of land owners and managers to undertake specific works when necessary. The table below refers to complaints against Council managed land investigated by the RFS for the financial year 2006-07. Two sites required works of a minor nature.

No. of Bushfire Hazard Complaints in respect of Council Land investigated by the NSW RFS 2006-07

Area	Total Inspections	Hazard Found
Northern	12	1
Southern	11	0
Central	0	0
Bay & Basin	6	1
TOTAL	25	2

No. of APZs and/or Firebreaks on Council’s Annual Maintenance Schedule

Area	Asset Protection Zone Locations
Northern	32
Southern	26
Central	6
Bay & Basin	24
TOTAL	88

Council maintains Asset Protection Zones and/or Firebreaks at over 80 sites on a range of Council managed lands including Parks, Sportsgrounds, Operational Lands, Natural Areas and road reserves. Strategic installations and fire trails/roads are inspected annually to assess the status of existing bushfire protective measures and, if required, works are certified and implemented.

Council’s operational activities in respect to fire mitigation consist largely of mechanical clearing and maintenance of previously cleared areas. All bushfire mitigation activities are certified using the Bushfire Environmental Assessment Code (BEAC) and recorded on NSW Rural Fire Service Bushfire Risk Information Management System (BRIMS). BRIMS is the state-wide database developed by the NSW Rural Fire Service whereby all bushfire mitigation activities are reported and monitored.

Council continues to participate in a number of working groups established by the Bushfire Risk Management Committee including the Fire Trails Working Group and the Fuel Management and Risk Management Sub-committees.

Cleared and mulched Asset Protection Zone at Wrights Beach, St Georges Basin.

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