Bushfire Management Statement For the construction of a Dwelling 25/01/2019 Version 2 28/01/2020

11 Woodland Close, The Gurdies

PREPARED FOR:

Client Name Brian Huxtable

Contact C/O JDesign Group 5674 2506

Prepared By: Sally Van de Paverd

Dip. Natural Resource Management

B. App Sci – Environmental Management

Grad Dip Education

Grad Dip Bushfire Protection

0409027450 firefrontconsultancies@gmail.com

BPAD Registration

BPAD29087

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 3 1.1 Proposal .................................................................................................................................................. 3 1.2 Relevant Objectives ................................................................................................................................. 4 2 Bushfire Hazard Site Assessment .............................................................................................................. 5 2.1 The Site ................................................................................................................................................... 5

2.1.1 Site shape, dimensions, size and planning controls .................................................................. 5 2.1.2 Existing use and development on the site ................................................................................. 5 2.1.3 Existing access arrangements .................................................................................................. 5 2.1.4 Existing Vegetation ................................................................................................................... 5

2.2 SITE ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................................................ 6 3 Bushfire Management Statement ............................................................................................................... 7 3.1 Dwellings in existing settlements – Bushfire Protection Objective .............................................................. 7 3.2 Vegetation Modifications and Management for recommended Defendable Space ................................ 10 Summary ................................................................................................................................................................. 10 References .............................................................................................................................................................. 10 Attachment 1 – Site Plan ........................................................................................................................................ 11 Attachment 2 – Locality and surrounding land ..................................................................................................... 12 Attachment 3 - Defendable Space ........................................................................................................................ 13 Attachment 4 - Defendable Space checklist for preferred site ............................................................................. 14

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REV DATE DETAILS A 28/01/2020 Site plan alterations, removed shed

B

C

D

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1 Introduction This Bushfire Management Statement has been prepared to respond to the requirements of Clause 44.06 Bushfire

Management Overlay, and associated Clause 53.02 Bushfire Protection: Planning Requirements. The statement

contains two components:

• A Bushfire Hazard Site Assessment provides factual information on the bushfire hazard within 150m of the

development, provides the defendable space and building construction requirements of Clause 53.02 and is

informed by the site assessment methodology contained in Australian Standard AS3959.

• A Bushfire Management Statement shows how proposal has responded to the bushfire hazard site

assessment and bushfire hazard landscape, documents how approved measures in Clause 53.02 have been

applied, justifies any alternative measures, responds to the relevant decision guidelines and demonstrates to

council that a permit should be granted.

1.1 Proposal The purpose of this report is to address the objectives of Clause 53.02 for the construction of a class 1a Dwelling at 11 Woodland Close, The Gurdies. The proposal meets the requirements for an application for a dwelling in an existing settlement (Clause 53.02-3). The site is in an existing residential estate in The Gurdies. The site assessment was conducted on 20/01/2019.

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1.2 Relevant Objectives The checklist below indentifies those objectives that are applicable to this bushfire management statement.

Objectives and Approved/Alternative Measures Applicable

Provide justification for any objectives which are considered not applicable.

53.02-3 Dwellings in Existing Settlements Yes Proposal is for a dwelling and shed in a Rural Living Zone

AM 1.1 Siting Yes ‘’ “

AM 1.2 Defendable Space and Construction Yes ‘’ “

AM 1.3 - Water Supply and Access Yes ‘’ “

53.02-4 All Other Development No Proposal is for a dwelling and shed in a Rural Living Zone

53.02-4.1 Landscape, Siting and Design No ‘’ “

AM2.1 Broader Landscape No ‘’ “

AM2.2 Siting No ‘’ “

AM2.3 Building Design No ‘’ “

53.02-4.2 Defendable Space and Construction No ‘’ “

AM3.1 Defendable space for a Dwelling a Dependent Persons unit, Industry office or retail premises

No

AM3.2 - Defendable space for other buildings and works No

AltM3.3 - Defendable Space on Adjoining Land No

AltM3.4 - Defendable Space Calculation using Method 2 of AS3959 No

AltM3.5 –Dwellings Subject to Direct Flame Contact No

AltM3.6 – Integrated decision making for development occupied by more vulnerable development

No

53.02 – 4.3 Water and Access Objective No

AM4.1 - A building used for a Dwelling a Dependant Persons unit, Industry office or retail premises

No

AM4.2 - A building used for accommodation (other than a dwelling or dependant persons unit), childcare centre, education centre, hospital, leisure and recreation or place of assembly.

No

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2 Bushfire Hazard Site Assessment Description of the bushfire hazard within 150m of the proposed development prepared in accordance with sections 2.2.3 to 2.2.5 of

AS3959:2009 Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas (Standards Australia) excluding paragraph (a) of Section 2.2.3.2.

2.1 The Site

2.1.1 Site shape, dimensions, size and planning controls

The shape of the site is: The site is an irregular shape (see Attachment 1).

The dimensions of the site are: See Attachment 1

The site has a total area of: 4328m2

The zoning of the site is: Rural Living Zone (RLZ)

The overlays that apply to the site are: Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO)

2.1.2 Existing use and development on the site

Vacant Lot

Figure 1. Vegetation Classifications for 150m

2.1.3 Existing access arrangements

Crossover off Woodland Close, The Gurdies.

2.1.4 Existing Vegetation

Some modified vegetation along the eastern boundary fence.

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2.2 SITE ASSESSMENT

North South East West

Vegetation Type Forest Forest Forest Forest

Woodland Woodland Woodland Woodland

Shrubland Shrubland Shrubland Shrubland

Scrub Scrub Scrub Scrub

Mallee/Mulga Mallee/Mulga Mallee/Mulga Mallee/Mulga

Rainforest Rainforest Rainforest Rainforest

Grassland Grassland Grassland Grassland

Low Threat Low Threat Low Threat Low Threat

Modified Modified Modified Modified

Excludable Excludable Excludable Excludable

North South East West

Distance to vegetation 46m 86m N/A 91m

North South East West

Flat/Upslope Yes Yes Yes Yes

Downslope >0-5° >0-5° >0-5° >0-5°

>5-10° >5-10° >5-10° >5-10°

>10-15° >10-15° >10-15° >10-15°

>15-20° >15-20° >15-20° >15-20°

NA NA NA NA

North South East West

Corresponding BAL 19 12.5 29 12.5

BAL for Dwelling: BAL 29

North South East West

Required defendable space for BAL 29

32m 32m To Property Boundary

32m

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3 Bushfire Management Statement 3.1 Dwellings in existing settlements – Bushfire Protection Objective

Bushfire Protection Objective 53.02-3

Approved Measure 1.1 - Siting

To ensure that a building is sited to ensure the site best achieves • The maximum separation distance between

the building and the bushfire hazard. • The building is in close proximity to a public

road • Access can be provided to the building for

emergency service vehicles.

Approved Measure 1.2 – Defendable Space and Construction

A building provides the defendable space in accordance with Column A, B, C, D or E of Table 1 to Clause 53.02-5. Adjoining land may be included as defendable space where there is a reasonable assurance that the land will remain or continue to be managed in that condition as part of the defendable space. A building is constructed to the bushfire attack level: • That corresponds to the defendable space

provided in accordance with Table 1 to Clause 53.02-5, or

• The next lower bushfire attack level that corresponds to the defendable space provided in accordance with Table 1 to Clause 53.02-5 where all of the following apply: - A private bushfire shelter (a Class 10c

building within the meaning of the Building Regulations 2006) is constructed on the same land as the dwelling.

- A minimum bushfire attack level of BAL 12.5 is provided in all circumstances.

- Adjoining land may be included as defendable space where there is a reasonable assurance that the land will remain or continue to be managed in that condition as part of the defendable space.

Justification: The proposed dwelling is located as close as possible to the crossover in the southwestern corner of the block. The dwelling is located in close proximity to a public road and is accessible to emergency vehicles. The building requires defendable space in accordance with Table 1 to Clause 53.02-5. The property is required to be managed to the property boundaries. Defendable Space includes Woodland Close and sections of numbers 21 and 31. It is reasonable to assume that the these properties will continued to be maintained in their current states. The applicant must manage to defendable space requirements to the property boundaries on all aspects. Figure 2 below shows the area required for defendable space for BAL 29.

Figure 2. Offsite Defendable Space The dwelling is required to be constructed to a BAL 29.

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Bushfire Protection Objective 53.02-3

Approved Measure 1.3 –

Water Supply and Access

A building is provided with:

• A static water supply for firefighting and property protection purposes specified in Table 4 to Clause 53.02-5. The water supply may be in the same tank as other water supplies provided that a separate outlet is reserved for firefighting water supplies.

Figure 3. Water Storage Example

Figure 4. Signage

Water Supply

A dedicated static water supply, must be provided and meet the following requirements:

• A minimum of 10,000 litres of effective water supply for firefighting purposes.

• The location of the CFA outlet, the occupier’s outlet and the

pipeline between the tank and the CFA outlet, and Class 12, 80mm PVC pipe.

• The static water supply must be stored in a tank constructed of

concrete or metal.

• The static water supply must be provided with an outlet for the CFA (CFA outlet) that includes a 64 mm CFA 3 thread per inch male coupling.

• The static water supply must also include an outlet which incorporates a ball or gate valve separate to the CFA outlet for use by the owner/occupier of the land.

• The CFA outlet must be: a) Easily accessible by a firefighter in the event of a

bushfire, b) Clear of all vegetation for a distance of 1.5 metres, c) Setback from flammable objects (including timber fences

and timber retaining walls) for a minimum distance of 1.5 metres,

d) Located a minimum distance of 10 metres and no more than 60 metres from the dwelling, and

e) Oriented horizontally.

• The internal diameter for the fitting connecting the tank to the pipeline must be equivalent to or greater than the internal diameter of the pipeline between the tank and the fire authority outlet.

• The centreline of the CFA outlet must be: a) A minimum of 300mm and maximum 600mm in height above

the finished ground level, and b) Located below the level of the outlet on the tank.

• The riser for the CFA outlet must be supported by a galvanised

steel post at least 50mm x 50mm or equivalent which is concreted in the ground to a depth of at least 450mm

• A 65mm British Standard Pipe (BSP) ball or gate valve must be provided at the CFA outlet to control the flow of water to the CFA coupling. Any other valves between the CFA outlet and the tank must be locked in the open position.

• The CFA outlet must be easily identifiable from the entrance to

the property or signage must be provided that meets the following requirements:

a) Has an arrow pointing to the location of the fire authority outlet,

b) Has dimensions of not less than 310mm high and 400mm long,

c) Is red in colour, with a blue reflective marker attached, and

d) Is labelled with a ‘W’ that is not less than 15cm high and 3cm thick.

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Vehicle access that is designed and constructed as specified in Table 5 to Clause 53.02

Water Supply Continued.

• The CFA outlet must include a fade-resistant or

engraved sign that: a) Is fixed to the post supporting the fire authority

outlet riser, b) Has a minimum height of at least 1.5m from the

ground surface level, and c) Includes the words “FIRE WATER TANK

OUTLET” in lettering that is a minimum of 50mm in height and white on a red background.

• A blue reflective disc at least 50mm in diameter must be

attached to the post holding the sign. The blue reflective disk must be located immediately below the sign.

• All below-ground water pipes must be installed to provide at least the following cover below the finished surface:

a) 300 mm for pipes subject to vehicle traffic, b) 75 mm for pipes under dwellings or concrete

slabs, and c) 225 mm for all other locations.

Access There are no access requirements as access to the dwelling is less than 30m and the water supply remote outlet is within 4m of the access from the road.

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3.2 Vegetation Modifications and Management for recommended Defendable Space The vegetation within the defendable space must be modified and managed to ensure the defendable space mitigates the bushfire as it approaches the structure. The following management prescriptions should be applied to any defendable space. • Plants greater than 10 centimeters in height at maturity must not be placed directly in front of a window or other

glass feature.

• Grass must be short cropped and maintained during the declared fire danger period.

• All leaves and vegetation debris must be removed at regular intervals during the declared fire danger period.

• Within 10 meters of a building, flammable objects must not be located close to the vulnerable parts of the building.

• Plants greater than 10 centimeters in height must not be placed within 3m of a window or glass feature of the

building.

• Shrubs must not be located under the canopy of trees.

• Individual and clumps of shrubs must not exceed 5 sq. meters in area and must be separated by at least 5 meters.

• Trees must not overhang or touch any elements of the building.

• The canopy of trees must be separated by at least 5 meters.

• There must be a clearance of at least 2 meters between the lowest tree branches and ground level.

Summary

References CFA (2012) Community Safety Guidelines. Country Fire Authority. www.cfa.vic.gov.au [Accessed:15/11/2017] Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure (2014) Practice Note 65 (July 2014) Preparing and Assessing a Planning Application under the Bushfire Provisions in Planning Schemes. www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/planning [Accessed: 27/10/2014] Land Vic (2013). Land Victoria Website. State Government of Victoria. www.land.vic.gov.au [Accessed: 25/01/2019]. Standards Australia (2009) AS3959 Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas. SAI Global Limited.

• The dwelling must meet AS3959 BAL 29 construction standards.

• A 10,000lt non-combustible static water supply is required, with access to within 4m of the remote outlet.

• Access for emergency vehicles to the dwelling is not required as the access to the proposed dwelling is less than 30m from Woodland Close.

• Defendable Space on site must be maintained in accordance with the defendable space requirements to the property boundaries.

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Attachment 1 – Site Plan

Figure 1. Site Plan

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Attachment 2 – Locality and surrounding land

Figure 1. Looking North Figure 2. Looking South.

Figure 3. Looking East Figure 4. Looking West

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Attachment 3 - Defendable Space

Figure 1. Defendable Space, Water supply, access and BAL Rating

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Attachment 4 - Defendable Space checklist for preferred site

Requirement Compliance Comment Is a permit required for vegetation removal?

Within 10 meters of a building flammable objects such as plants, mulches and fences must not be located close to the vulnerable parts of the building such as windows, decks and eaves.

Yes N/A

Trees must not overhang the roofline of the building, touch walls or other elements of a building.

Yes N/A

Grass must be no more than 5 centimeters in height. All leaves and vegetation debris must be removed at regular intervals.

Yes No

Shrubs should not be planted under trees. Yes N/A

Plants greater than 10 centimeters in height at maturity must not be placed in front of a window or other glass feature.

Yes No

Tree canopy separation of 5 meters and overall canopy cover of no more than 15% at maturity.

Yes No

Non-flammable features such as tennis courts, swimming pools, dams, patios, driveways or paths should be incorporated into the proposal, especially on the northern and western sides of the proposed building.

Yes Not applicable

Features with high flammability such as doormats and firewood stacks should not be located near the structure.

Yes Not applicable