mr i yujnovich bushfire hazard level assessment lot 123 … · 2020-04-03 · mr i yujnovich...

Mr I Yujnovich

Bushfire Hazard Level Assessment

– Lot 123 Mortimer Road Casuarina

V1 – 08 October 2019

Natural Area Holdings Pty Ltd

99C Lord Street, Whiteman, WA, 6076

Ph: (08) 9209 2767

[email protected]

www.naturalarea.com.au

http://www.naturalarea.com.au/

Mr I. Yujnovich

Bushfire Hazard Assessment – Lot 123 Mortimer Road Casuarina

Natural Area Holdings Pty Ltd © 2019 | of 21

Disclaimer Natural Area Holdings Pty Ltd, trading as Natural Area Consulting Management Services (Natural Area), has

prepared this BAL-assessment for use by:

▪ Mr I Yujnovich

▪ Consultants hired by Mr Yujnovich to support environmental and other approvals for the Lot

▪ City of Kwinana

▪ Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage

▪ Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

▪ WA Planning Commission.

Natural Area has exercised due and customary care in the preparation of this document and has not, unless

specifically stated, independently verified information provided by others. No other warranty, expressed or

implied, is made in relation to the contents of this report. Therefore, Natural Area assumes no liability for

any loss resulting from errors, omission or misrepresentations made by others. This document has been

made at the request of the Client. Any recommendations, opinions or findings stated in this report are based

on circumstances and facts as they existed at the time Natural Area performed the work. Any changes in

such circumstances and facts upon which this document is based may adversely affect any

recommendations, opinions or findings contained in this document.

Document

Title YUN R BHA L123 Mortimer Rd Casuarina.docx

Location Client Folders NAC/Yujnovich, Ivan (John)/Bushfire Hazard Assessment/

Version No. Date Changes Prepared by Approved by Status

V1 08 October 2019 New document SB BC Final

Mr I. Yujnovich



Contents

1.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 4

2.0 Bushfire Threat ......................................................................................................................................... 6

2.1 Site Characteristics ............................................................................................................................... 6

2.1.1 Location ........................................................................................................................................ 6

2.1.2 Contours ....................................................................................................................................... 6

2.1.3 Land use ........................................................................................................................................ 6

2.2 Vegetation Classification ...................................................................................................................... 8

2.2.1 Area 1: Class D Scrub .................................................................................................................... 8

2.2.2 Area 2: Class B Woodland ........................................................................................................... 10

2.2.3 Area 3: Class C Shrubland ........................................................................................................... 12

2.2.4 Area 4: Class G Grassland - Unmanaged..................................................................................... 13

Figure 7: Class G Grassland - unmanaged .................................................................................................. 13

2.2.5 Low-threat Vegetation ............................................................................................................... 14

2.2.6 Area 6: Non-vegetated Areas ..................................................................................................... 15

2.3 Bushfire Hazard Level ......................................................................................................................... 17

3.0 Compliance and Justifications ................................................................................................................ 19

3.1 SPP 3.7 Objectives and Application of Policy Measures ..................................................................... 19

3.2 Compliance with Relevant Documents .............................................................................................. 20

3.3 Compliance Statement ....................................................................................................................... 20

4.0 References .............................................................................................................................................. 21

Mr I. Yujnovich



1.0 Introduction

Natural Area Holdings Pty Ltd T/A Natural Area Consulting Management Services was engaged by Mr I.

Yujnovich to prepare this bushfire hazard level assessment (BHL) to support the planning approvals process

to subdivide Lot 123 Mortimer Road Casuarina in the City of Kwinana into two Lots (Figure 1) in the first

instance. The Lot has been in the ownership of Mr Yujnovich for more than 60 years and represents a legacy

site in terms of the environmental values that are present on the site and which need to be considered from

an approvals process today, in contrast to when the Lot was purchased. In time, it is likely that further

development will occur with more detailed consideration of bushfire impacts are expected at that time.

This report details the following:

▪ site details and location

▪ vegetation classification

▪ site slope

▪ fire danger index

▪ potential bushfire impacts

▪ bushfire hazard level for the site.

A site assessment was undertaken on 26 July 2019 and this report has been prepared by Sue Brand, a Level 2

bushfire planning and assessment (BPAD) practitioner accredited with the Fire Protection Association of

Australia.

Mr I. Yujnovich



Mr I. Yujnovich



2.0 Bushfire Threat

2.1 Site Characteristics

2.1.1 Location

Lot 123 Mortimer Road is located to the east of the Kwinana Freeway, and is bounded by existing rural

residential properties to the north, south, east and west.

2.1.2 Contours

Lot 123 is located on the Bassendean Dune System and is characterised by undulating land associated with

sand dunes and interdunal swales. The site ranges in height from 18 m AHD in the north to 38 m AHD in the

south-east, with some higher areas around the centre of the site (Figure 3). Accordingly, slope across the site

is currently variable, and will be modified when development progresses and engineering works are carried

out.

2.1.3 Land use

The site is remnant bushland (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Land use, Lot 123 Mortimer Road Casuarina

Mr I. Yujnovich



Mr I. Yujnovich



2.2 Vegetation Classification All vegetation within 100 m of Lot 123 was classified in accordance with Clause 2.2.3 of AS 3959 – 2018

Construction of Buildings in Bushfire-prone Areas (Figure 10). The site is largely remnant bushland with

firebreaks cleared around the perimeter and across the site (Figure 1).

2.2.1 Area 1: Class D Scrub

The dominant vegetation class present within Lot 123 is Class D Scrub, which covers the majority of the site

(Figure 4). Class D Scrub is characterised by shrubs 2 – 4 m with a continuous canopy with occasional trees to

6 m.

Area 1 Classification or Exclusion Clause Class D Scrub

Photo ID: 1

Mr I. Yujnovich



Photo ID: 2

Photo ID: 3

Mr I. Yujnovich



Photo ID: 4

Figure 4: Class D Scrub

2.2.2 Area 2: Class B Woodland

Area 2 is patches of Class A Forest, which is characterised by trees 10 – 15 m with a canopy cover of less than

30% with a low understorey (Figure 5). These patches of forest are associated with wetter areas of the site,

representing a probable transition zone between wetland areas to the west and the dryland species present

on the majority of Lot 123.

Mr I. Yujnovich



Area 2 Classification or Exclusion Clause Class B Woodland

Photo ID: 5

Photo ID: 6

Figure 5: Class B Woodland

Mr I. Yujnovich



2.2.3 Area 3: Class C Shrubland

Area 3 is Class C Shrubland associated with a wetter area in the northern portion of Lot 123. This vegetation

class is characterised by low shrubs to 2 m (Figure 6).

Area 3 Classification or Exclusion Clause Class C Shrubland

Photo ID: 7

Photo ID: 8

Figure 6: Class C Shrubland

Mr I. Yujnovich



2.2.4 Area 4: Class G Grassland - Unmanaged

Class G grassland in the form of sown pasture and grasses to approximately 50 cm are present offsite in rural

properties across Mortimer Road to the south (Figure 7), as well as in other adjacent properties.

Area 4 Classification or Exclusion Clause Class G Grassland

Photo ID: 9

Photo ID: 10

Figure 7: Class G Grassland - unmanaged

Mr I. Yujnovich



2.2.5 Low-threat Vegetation

Area 5 is low threat vegetation in the form of maintained lawns and gardens in neighbouring properties

(Figure 8); this vegetation class is subject to exclusion clause 2.2.3.2 (f) of AS 3959 - 2018.

Area 5 Classification or Exclusion Clause Class G Grassland

Photo ID: 11

Photo ID: 12

Figure 8: Class G Grassland in neighbouring properties

Mr I. Yujnovich



2.2.6 Area 6: Non-vegetated Areas

Non-vegetated areas are present in and around the site, and includes roads, existing buildings, cleared areas

and firebreaks (Figure 9); these areas are subject to exclusion clause 2.2.3.2 (e) of AS 3959 – 2018.

Area 5 Classification or Exclusion Clause Non-vegetated areas – exclusion clause 2.2.3.2 (e)

Photo ID: 13

Photo ID: 14

Figure 9: Non-vegetated areas in proximity to Lot 123

Mr I. Yujnovich



Mr I. Yujnovich



2.3 Bushfire Hazard Level The bushfire hazard level assessment categorises the bushfire hazard level as extreme, moderate or low

according to the predominant vegetation class as per AS 3959 – 2018. Table 1 outlines the characteristics of

each hazard level as per the Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (Department of Planning Lands

and Heritage, Department of Fire and Emergency Services, and the Western Australian Planning Commission,

2017), with those assigned for Lot 123 shown in Figure 11.

Table 1: Bushfire hazard level and classified vegetation as per AS 3959 – 2018

Hazard Level Characteristics

Extreme ▪ Class A Forest

▪ Class B Woodland (05)

▪ Class D Scrub

▪ Any classified vegetation with a slope greater than 10 degrees

Moderate ▪ Class B Open Woodland (06), Low Woodland (07), Low Open Woodland

(08), Open Shrubland (09)

▪ Class C Shrubland

▪ Class E Mallee/Mulga

▪ Class G Grassland, including sown pasture and crops

▪ Vegetation that has a low hazard level but is within 100 m of vegetation

classified as a moderate or extreme hazard is to adopt a moderate hazard

level

Low ▪ Low-threat vegetation may include areas of maintained lawns, golf

courses, public recreation reserves and parklands, vineyards, orchards,

cultivated gardens, commercial nurseries, nature strips and windbreaks

▪ Managed grassland in a minimal fuel condition (insufficient fuel is available

to significantly increase the severity of the bushfire attack). For example,

short-cropped grass to nominal height of 100 mm (10 cm)

▪ Non-vegetated areas including waterways, roads, footpaths, buildings and

rock outcrops.

Source: Department of Planning Lands and Heritage, Department of Fire and Emergency Services, and the

Western Australian Planning Commission, 2017

The majority of the site is assigned an extreme hazard based on the current site characteristics. As

development occurs in future, some areas of vegetation will be retained while the majority will be cleared,

reducing the hazard level. More detailed consideration of bushfire hazard and acceptable solutions will be

assessed at that time.

Mr I. Yujnovich



Mr I. Yujnovich



3.0 Compliance and Justifications

3.1 SPP 3.7 Objectives and Application of Policy Measures The intent of State Planning Policy (SPP) 3.7 Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (Department of Planning and

Western Australian Planning Commission, 2015) is to ensure that bushfire risks are considered in a timely

manner and that planning documents demonstrate the appropriate application of the various policy

measures. Table 2 summarises the intent and objectives of SPP 3.7 and provides evidence of how Lot 123

Mortimer Road Casuarina complies.

Table 2: Evidence of compliance with SPP 3.7 intent and objectives

SPP Reference Description Evidence of Compliance

Intent ▪ Ensure that risks associated

with bushfires are planned

using a risk-based approach

▪ Undertaking a BHL-assessment at the

preliminary planning stage documenting

outcomes in this report

▪ The hazard assessment provides an indication

of the potential intensity of bushfire at the site

Objective 1 ▪ Avoid any increase in the

threat of bushfire to people,

property and infrastructure



▪ The hazard level will decrease as development

occurs on the site

▪ A range of acceptable solutions that will

reduce the bushfire risk will be explored and

developed as planning and other approvals for

the site are progressed

Objective 2 ▪ Reduce vulnerability to

bushfire



▪ The hazard level will decrease as development

occurs on the site

▪ A range of acceptable solutions that will

reduce the bushfire risk will be explored and

developed as planning and other approvals for

the site are progressed

Objective 3 ▪ Ensure that higher order

strategic planning documents

and proposals consider

bushfire protection

requirements at an early stage

▪ This bushfire hazard assessment has been

carried out at the first stage of planning

associated with development of the site

Objective 4 ▪ Achieve an appropriate

balance between bushfire risk

management and biodiversity

conservation

▪ Conservation of biodiversity is being

considered at the first stage of the planning

process

▪ Site assessments have been carried out, with

outcomes contributing to environmental

approvals required for the site

Mr I. Yujnovich



3.2 Compliance with Relevant Documents Section 3.1 indicates that the proposed intensification of land use at Lot 123 Mortimer Road complies with

State Planning Policy 3.7 (Department of Planning and WA Planning Commission, 2015). When appropriate,

and assessment against acceptable solutions described in Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas

(Department of Planning, Department of Fire and Emergency Services and WA Planning Commission, V1.3,

2017) will be undertaken. In the interim, the owner will continue to comply with relevant sections of the

annual firebreak notice and bushfire information prepared by the City of Kwinana, such as total fire ban and

hazard reduction programs.

3.3 Compliance Statement This BHL-assessment report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of State Planning Policy

3.7 Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (Department of Planning and Western Australian Planning Commission,

2015) and Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, the

Western Australian Planning Commission, and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, V1.3, 2017),

with the information provided herein accurate as at 08 October 2019.

Signed:

Dated: 08 October 2019

Accreditation Number: 36638

Accreditation Expiry Date: 30 April 2020

Mr I. Yujnovich



4.0 References

AS 3959 – 2018 Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas

Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, the Western Australian Planning Commission, and the

Department of Fire and Emergency Services, (2017), Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (V1.2),

Western Australian Planning Commission, Perth, Western Australia.

Department of Planning and the Western Australian Planning Commission, (2015), State Planning Policy

(SPP) 3.7 Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas, Western Australian Planning Commission, Perth, Western

Australia.