addendum to bushfire management plan proposed building 2b · report details report/job number 16822...

Addendum to Bushfire Management Plan

Proposed Building 2B

Bushfire Attack Level Assessment,Bushfire Protection Criteria& Bushfire Management Statement

Mundaring Christian CollegeLot 1884 (No 125) McDowell Loop, Parkerville

Shire of Mundaring

Job Number: 16822

Report Date: 11 March 2019


16822 Mundaring Christian College, BMP Addendum v1.2 1

BPP BAL & BMS M1 Template v10.0

This document has been prepared by:

BPP Group Pty Ltd t/a Bushfire Prone PlanningACN: 39 166 551 784 | ABN: 39 166 551 784

Level 1, 159-161 James StreetGuildford WA 6055

PO Box 388Guildford WA 6935

08 6477 1144 | [email protected]

Commercial in Confidence

The information, including any intellectual property, contained in this document is confidential and proprietary to theCompany. It may only be used by the person to whom it is provided for the stated purpose for which it is provided andmust not be imparted to any third person without the prior written approval of the Company. The Company reservesall legal rights and remedies in respect of its confidential information.

Disclaimer

The measures contained in this report are considered to be minimum standards and they do not guarantee that abuilding will not be damaged in a bushfire, persons injured, or fatalities occur either on the subject site or off the sitewhile evacuating. This is substantially due to the unpredictable nature and behaviour of fire and extreme weatherconditions. Additionally, the correct implementation of the required bushfire protection measures (and any associatedresponse/evacuation plan if applicable) will depend, among other things, on the actions of the landowners oroccupiers over which Bushfire Prone Planning has no control.

All surveys, forecasts, projections and recommendations made in this report associated with the project are made ingood faith based on information available to Bushfire Prone Planning at the time. All maps included herein areindicative in nature and are not to be used for accurate calculations.

Notwithstanding anything contained therein, Bushfire Prone Planning will not, except as the law may require, be liablefor any loss or other consequences whether or not due to the negligence of their consultants, their servants or agents -arising out of the services provided by their consultants.

Document Control

Author Accreditation Signature

Ian Macleod BPAD Level 2 - No. 39131

Reviewed/Approved

Kathy Nastov BPAD Level 3 - No. 27794

Version Version Details Date Submitted

1.0 Original Document 11-Mar-19

1.1 Minor Amendments 12-Mar-19

1.2 Landscape Plan Added 26-Mar-19



AS 3959 Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessment Report

This report has been prepared by an Accredited BPAD Practitioner using the Simplified Procedure (Method

1) as detailed in Section 2 of AS 3959 – 2009 (Incorporating Amendment No’s 1, 2 and 3). All enquiries

related to the information and conclusions presented in this report must be made to the BPAD Accredited

Practitioner. FPA Australia makes no warranties as to the accuracy of the information provided in the

report.

Property Details & Description of Works

Unit no.

-

Street no.

125

Lot no.

1884

Street name / Plan Reference

McDowell Loop

Suburb

PARKERVILLE

State

WA

Postcode

6081

Local Government Area

Shire of Mundaring

Property Area

47.0024 ha

Main BCA class of the buildingsClass 9b

Use(s) of the

buildings Education - School

Description of Building Works

New Class 9b school building

Report Details

Report/Job Number16822

Report VersionBMP Addendum v1.0

Assessment Date27/02/2019

Report Date11/03/2019

Client Details

Taylor Robinson Chaney Broderick

Telephone

08 9388 6111Email

-

Client Address

Level 4, 22 Delhi Street - West Perth - WA 6005 - PO Box 1360 - West Perth - WA 6872

Reliance on the assessment and determination of the Bushfire Attack Level contained in this report should not extendbeyond a period of 12 months from the date of issue of the report. If this report was issued more than 12 months ago,it is recommended that the validity of the determination be confirmed with the Accredited Practitioner and whererequired an updated report issued.

BPAD Accredited Practitioner Details

Note: Bushfire Management Plans & Firebreak/Fuel Load Notices applicable to the site

Landowners are responsible for complying with all requirements (including vegetation management & asset protectionzones) detailed within an approved Bushfire Management Plan for the site where applicable, in addition to the LocalGovernment Firebreak & Fuel Load Notice.

Ian Macleod

Bushfire Prone PlanningABN: 39 166 551 784

Level, 1 59-161 James StreetGuildford WA 6055

Authorised Practitioner Stamp

BPAD 39131 (Level 2)

12 March 2019



Site Plan - (plans/drawings relied upon to determine the bushfire attack level)

Disclaimer and Limitation: This map has been prepared for bushfire management planning purposes only. All depicted areas, contours and any dimensions shown are subject to survey. Bushfire Prone Planning does not guarantee that this map is without flaw of any kind and disclaims all liability for any errors, loss or other consequence which may arise from relying on any information depicted. 16822 Mundaring Christian College-Lot 1884 (No 125) McDowell Loop, Parkerville.qgz

Metres

SITE ASSESSMENT MAPMundaring Christian College

Lot 1884 (#125) McDowell LoopParkerville

AUTHOR: Ian MacleodDATE: 5 March 2019SCALE: 1:1000 A3CRS: GDA 94 MGA 50 AERIAL IMAGERY: Landgate/SLIP

N

Photos

Distance (m)

Elevation (m)

Buildings

Proposed Stage 2B

Existing Building

Existing Covered Area

Lot Boundary

100 Metre Buffer

Cadastre

Classified Vegetation

Class A - Forest

Class B - Woodland

Class G - Grassland

Exclusion 2.2.3.2

Legend



Vegetation Classification

All vegetation within 100 metres of the site/proposed development is identified and classified inaccordance with AS 3959-2009 s2.2.3, the Visual Guide for Bushfire Risk Assessment in WA (DoPFebruary 2016) and any applicable FPA Australia BPAD Practice Note.

Vegetation Area 1 Classification Applied or Exclusion Clause: Class B Woodland

Vegetation Type Present: Woodland B-05

Description / Classification Justification: Small marri, jarrah stand. Partly managed grass understorey.

Photo ID: 1a Photo ID: 1b

Vegetation Area 2 Classification Applied or Exclusion Clause: Class G Grassland

Vegetation Type Present: Tussock grassland G-22

Description / Classification Justification: Small area of tussock grassland

Photo ID: 2a




Vegetation Area 3 Classification Applied or Exclusion Clause: Class A Forest

Vegetation Type Present: Open forest A-03.

Description / Classification Justification: Marri, jarrah, some wattle, grass understorey

Photo ID: 3a

Vegetation Area 4 Classification Applied or Exclusion Clause: Class A Forest

Vegetation Type Present: Open forest A-03.

Description / Classification Justification: Marri, jarrah stand. Juveniles, low branches, grass understorey.





Vegetation Area 5 Classification Applied or Exclusion Clause: Class G Grassland

Vegetation Type Present: Sown pasture G-26

Description / Classification Justification: Partly managed sown pasture.

Photo ID: 5a

Vegetation AreaClassification Applied or Exclusion Clause: Excluded AS3959-2009 2.2.3.2 (f) LowThreat Vegetation

Vegetation Type Present: Low Threat – Managed in minimal fuel condition.

Description / Classification Justification: Managed lawn and gardens.







Description / Classification Justification: Managed gardens.

Photo ID: 6c Photo ID: 6d



Description / Classification Justification: Managed grassland and gardens

Photo ID: 6e Photo ID: 6f



Potential Bushfire Impacts (Bushfire Attack Level Determination)

Bushfire Attack Level (BAL): The potential bushfire impact to the site/proposed developmentpresented by each of the classified vegetation areas and measured as kW/m2 of radiant heat fluxand presented as a BAL rating (which represents set ranges of radiant heat flux). Each of theidentified vegetation areas is presented below. The determined BAL is the highest BAL to which thesite/proposed development is exposed to.

Separation Distance: Is the distance from a subject site (or building) to the area of classifiedvegetation. This distance is measured from the building (building wall or verandah/patiocolumn/post) to a point considered the “edge of the classified vegetation” as per AS 3959 -2009s2.2.4 and considering the “base of the bushfire prone vegetation (not the canopy)” as per the BALAssessment [Basic] Factsheet (WAPC 2015 v1.0). The exact point of measurement determined by theassessor based on the fuel structure and expected fire behaviour. If a precautionary approach isconsidered appropriate to a given situation the measurement will be taken at the canopy line.

.

Potential Bushfire Impacts – Determination of Bushfire Attack Levels

Proposed New School Building

Applicationof AS 3959-

2009

AppliedMethodology

VegetationClassification

Applied Fire DangerIndex (FDI)

Applied BAL DeterminationTable

Method 1Section 2.2

Figure 2.3 andTable 2.3

FDI 80Table 2.1

Table 2.4.5

Ve

ge

tati

on

Are

a AppliedVegetation

Classification

AssessedEffective

Slope

Applied EffectiveSlope

AssessedSeparationDistance

AppliedSeparationDistance

BushfireAttackLevel

(degrees) (degrees range) (metres) (metresrange)

(BAL)

1Class B

Woodland0

All upslopes and flatland (0 degrees)

83 29-<100 BAL-12.5

2Class G

Grassland4

Downslope >0 to 5degrees

75 >50 BAL-LOW

3 Class A Forest 4Downslope >0 to 5

degrees75 50-<100 BAL-12.5

4 Class A Forest 3Downslope >0 to 5

degrees20 20-<27 BAL-40

5Class G

Grassland6

Downslope >5 to 10degrees

30 23-<50 BAL-12.5

-Excluded

AS3959-20092.2.3.2 (f)

N/A N/A N/A N/A BAL-LOW



Bushfire Attack Level Determination

The Determined Bushfire Attack Level (highest BAL) for the site/proposed development has been

determined in accordance with clause 2.2.6 of AS 3959 – 2009 using the above analysis.

Determined Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) – Proposed New School Building BAL - 40

Shielding Provisions – Reduction in Construction Requirements (AS 3959-2009 s3.5)

If any elevations of the proposed building work are not exposed to the source of bushfire attack, theconstruction requirements for one BAL lower than the determined BAL (to a minimum of BAL-12.5) maybe applied to those elevations. If applicable to this assessment, the relevant shielded elevations areidentified on the Site Plan.

Do the shielding provisions apply to any elevation of the subject

building?

Yes – Where determined

BAL exceeds BAL-12.5

Description of Shielded Elevation/s: Western and Southern elevations

Local Natural Area (LNA) Check

The Shire of Mundaring Biodiversity Strategy is based on the assumption that all natural areas should beconserved, protected or retained wherever practicable, to maintain the Shire’s current levels ofbiodiversity, unless the area is already committed to development through zoning. The site has beenchecked against the Shire of Mundaring’s LNA classifications.

Is the Lot identified as being subject to LNA classification over any part of its area? Yes

Description of Local Natural Area (LNA) – Protection Level: Protection



Conditional Bushfire Attack Level

The Bushfire Attack Level assessment has determined that the proposed building will be subject to aBushfire Attack Level of BAL-40 without modification of surrounding vegetation on the Lot.

For the BAL to be reduced the separation distance between the proposed building and some of theidentified classified vegetation, needs to be increased. This can be achieved by relocation of theproposed building or with the appropriate management and maintenance of vegetation.

The area of land that separates a building from the classified vegetation must be maintained in a lowthreat condition for a specified distance in order for the building to achieve and retain its BAL rating.

The required distances to the different areas of classified vegetation are the minimum separation

distances from the proposed buildings and are stated for the subject Lot within this report;

A site re-visit will be required to confirm the achievement of the APZ conditions. The appropriate

compliance documentation will be provided in the form of a BAL Compliance report and BAL

Certificate issued for submission with a building permit application to the building section of the

local government.

Environmental Considerations – Approval Required

Approval for any native vegetation removal must first be obtained from the applicable localgovernment after submitting this Conditional BAL Report.

“Clearing of native vegetation in Western Australia requires a clearing permit under Part V, Division 2of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 unless clearing is for an exempt purpose. Exemptions fromrequiring a clearing permit are contained in Schedule 6 of the Act or are prescribed in theEnvironmental Protection Regulations” (‘Guidelines’ s2.3).

Nationally threatened species and ecological communities are a specific matter of significance.Areas of vegetation can be classified as a Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) under the EPBCAct and consequently have removal restrictions imposed.



Minimum Vegetation Separation Distances Required to Achieve the Conditional BAL

Achievable Bushfire Attack Levels for Proposed New School Building 2B

Relevant Fire Danger Index (AS3959-2009 Table 2.1) 80

BAL Determination MethodMethod 1 as per AS 3959-2009 s2.2.6 and Table 2.4.3.

Refer to Appendix 2 this Plan

BuildingVegetation

Area

AppliedVegetation

Classification

EffectiveSlope Under

theClassified

Vegetation(degrees)

Achievable BAL’s

BAL-29 BAL-19 BAL-12.5 BAL-LOW

Separation distance (in metres) to classifiedvegetation that is required to achieve the

corresponding BAL rating.

ProposedBuilding

2B

1Class B

Woodland0 14-<20 20-<29 29-<100

NotAchievable

2Class G

Grassland4 9-<14 14-<20 20-<50

NotAchievable

3 Class A Forest 4 27-<37 37-<50 50-<100Not

Achievable

4 Class A Forest 3 27-<37 37-<50 50-<100Not

Achievable

5Class G

Grassland6 10-<16 16-<23 23-<50

NotAchievable

With the proposed building in its current location, management and maintenance of Vegetation Area 4 isrequired to reduce the assessed BAL rating. The area of land within the required separation distances fromthe building must comply with the Asset Protection Zone Standards as stated in the Shire of MundaringFirebreak and Fuel Load Notice.



Assessment Against Bushfire Protection Criteria (BPC)

BUSHFIRE PROTECTION CRITERIA – ASSESSMENT SUMMARY

Summarised Outcome of the Assessment Against the Bushfire Protection Criteria (BPC)

Element

Basis for the Assessment of Achieving the Intent of the Element

Achieves compliance with theElement through meeting

Acceptable Solutions

Achieves compliance with theElement by application of aPerformance Based Solution

Minor orUnavoidableDevelopment

Meets or canmeet allrelevant

acceptablesolutions

One or morerelevant

AcceptableSolutions are

not fully met. Avariation of the

solution isprovided and

justified.

One or more applicableAcceptable Solutions are notmet. A solution is developedwith the summary presented inthis Plan in Section 5.5. Thesupporting documentpresenting Bushfire PronePlanning’s detailedmethodology is submittedseparately to the decisionmakers.

The requiredsupportingstatements

arepresented in

this Plan.

Location

N/A

Siting andDesign ofDevelopment

VehicularAccess

Water

The subject site has been assessed against:

1. The requirements established in Appendix 4 of the Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas,

WAPC 2017 v1.3 (the ‘Guidelines’). The detail, including technical construction requirements, are

found at https://www.planning.wa.gov.au/8194.aspx. A summary of relevant information is

provided in the appendices of this Plan; and

2. Any endorsed variations to the Guideline’s acceptable solutions and associated technical

requirements that have been established by the relevant local government. If known and

applicable these have been stated in Section 5.2 of this Plan with the detail included as an

appendix if required by the relevant local government.



BUSHFIRE PROTECTION CRITERIA – ACCEPTABLE SOLUTIONS DETAIL

ELEMENT 1: LOCATION

Bushfire Protection Criteria Element 1: LocationAssessment Statements and Bushfire Protection Measures to be Applied

Intent: To ensure that strategic planning proposals, subdivision and development applications arelocated in areas with the least possible risk of bushfire to facilitate the protection of people, propertyand infrastructure.

AcceptableSolution:

A1.1:DevelopmentLocation

Method of achieving Elementcompliance and/or the Intent

of the Element:

The acceptable solution can be fullymet.

The subject building can achieve compliance by:

Ensuring the proposed building work on the site can be located on an area that will be subject

to potential radiant heat from a bushfire not exceeding 29 kW/m2 (i.e. a BAL rating of BAL-29 or

less will apply). This is achieved by using positioning, design and appropriate on-site vegetation

management; and

Managing the remaining bushfire risk to an acceptable level by the existence/implementation

and ongoing maintenance of all required bushfire protection measures. These measures include

the requirements for vegetation management, vehicular access and firefighting water supply.



ELEMENT 2: SITING AND DESIGN OF DEVELOPMENT

Bushfire Protection Criteria Element 2: Siting and Design of DevelopmentAssessment Statements and Bushfire Protection Measures to be Applied

Intent: To ensure that the siting and design of development (note: not building/constructiondesign) minimises the level of bushfire impact.

AcceptableSolution:

A2.1:AssetProtectionZone

Method of achievingElement compliance and/or

the Intent of the Element:

The acceptable solution can be fullymet.

The proposed building can achieve compliance by:

Ensuring the proposed building work on the site can have established around it an APZ ofthe required dimensions - to ensure that the potential radiant heat from a bushfire to impactthe building, does not exceed 29 kW/m2 (i.e. a BAL rating of BAL-29 or less will apply todetermine building construction standards);

For the proposed building 2B the APZ can be established fully within the lot boundaries;

The landowners having the responsibility of continuing to manage the required APZ as lowthreat vegetation in a minimal fuel state, by maintaining the APZ to the required dimensionsand standard, including compliance with the local government’s annual firebreak notice.

The proposed building is able to achieve a BAL rating ranging from BAL-29 to BAL-12.5 dependingon the adopted separation distances (See Map below).

Disclaimer and Limitation: This map has been prepared for bushfire management planning purposes only. All depicted areas, contours and any dimensions shown are subject to survey. Bushfire Prone Planning does not guarantee that this map is without flaw of any kind and disclaims all liability for any errors, loss or other consequence which may arise from relying on any information depicted. 16822 Mundaring Christian College-Lot 1884 (No 125) McDowell Loop, Parkerville.qgz

Metres

ASSET PROTECTION ZONESMAP

Mundaring Christian CollegeLot 1884 (#125) McDowell Loop

Parkerville

AUTHOR: Ian MacleodDATE: 5 March 2019SCALE: 1:500 A3CRS: GDA 94 MGA 50 AERIAL IMAGERY: Landgate/SLIP

N

Buildings

Proposed Stage 2B

Existing Building

Existing Covered Area

Asset Protection Zone (BAL-29)

Asset Protection Zone (BAL-19)

Asset Protection Zone (BAL-12.5)

APZ Distance (Local Govt)

APZ Distance (BAL-29)

APZ Distance (BAL-19)

APZ Distance (BAL-12.5)

Classified Vegetation

Class A - Forest

Class B - Woodland

Class G - Grassland

Exclusion 2.2.3.2

Legend



ELEMENT 3: VEHICULAR ACCESS

Bushfire Protection Criteria Element 3: Vehicular AccessAssessment Statements and Bushfire Protection Measures to be Applied

Intent: To ensure that the vehicular access serving a subdivision/development is available and safeduring a bushfire event.

AcceptableSolution:

A3.1:Twoaccessroutes

Method of achieving Elementcompliance and/or the Intent of the

Element:

The acceptable solution is fullymet.

Access to the subject site is via McDowell Loop at a distance of 190 metres from Roland Road. Roland

Road provides access/egress to two different destinations. As sealed public roads Roland Road and

McDowell Loop are available to staff, students, parents and the public at all times and under all

weather conditions

AcceptableSolution:

A3.2PublicRoad

Method of achieving Elementcompliance and/or the Intent of the

Element:


No new public roads are planned for this development.

AcceptableSolution:

A3.3Cul-de-sacs(including adead-endroad)

Method of achievingElement compliance

and/or the Intent of theElement:

N/A

AcceptableSolution:

A3.4: Battle-axe



N/A

AcceptableSolution:

A3.5: PrivateDriveways



The acceptable solution is fully met.

The existing private driveways comply with the technical requirements of the Guidelines beingconstructed of bitumen, and having a trafficable width of 4 to 6 metres with passing areas availablealong the greater part of its length. A turnaround area is available next to the existing buildings.



Bushfire Protection Criteria Element 3: Vehicular Access (continued)Assessment Statements and Bushfire Protection Measures to be Applied

AcceptableSolution:

A3.6:EmergencyAccess Way




Mundaring Christian College and the neighbouring Steiner School have agreed to provide reciprocalemergency access between the two schools. A gravel driveway extends from the southern end ofthe existing carparking area of the Mundaring Christian College, through a signed gate and into theSteiner School carpark. From there access is available east onto Roland Road.

AcceptableSolution:

A3.7Fire ServiceAccessRoutes



N/A

AcceptableSolution:

A3.8FirebreakWidth




The subject site will comply with the requirements of the local government annual firebreak noticeissued under s33 of the Bush Fires Act 1954. Firebreaks and hazard reduction, as necessary, will beinstalled/maintained annually and in perpetuity.



ELEMENT 4: WATER

Bushfire Protection Criteria Element 4: WaterAssessment Statements and Bushfire Protection Measures to be Applied

Intent: To ensure water is available to the subdivision, development or land use to enable people,property and infrastructure to be defended from bushfire.

AcceptableSolution:

A4.1Reticulated Areas


of the Element:


A reticulated water supply is currently not available to the subject site. A shire Fire Emergency Water Tankis located on McDowell Loop for use by emergency services.

AcceptableSolution:

A4.2Non-ReticulatedAreas


of the Element:N/A

AcceptableSolution:

A4.3Non-reticulatedAreas(Individual Lots)


of the Element:


Two 144,000 litre emergency water tanks are located onsite and have associated diesel pumps thatsupply several above ground fire hydrants positioned throughout the site.



Bushfire Management Statement (BMS) – Obligations of the Landowner to Comply with the Applicable Bushfire Management Measures – Proposed Building 2B

Location: Lot 1884 (#125) McDowell Loop, Parkerville Local Government: Shire of Mundaring Description of Primary Building/Works: Construction of a new school building

Report Date: 11 March 2019 BAL Report – Job No: 16822 Report Version: V1 BAL Applied to this BMS: Conditional BAL-29 – BAL-12.5 Description of Associated Building: N/A LNA Description: Protection

The applicable bushfire management measures are established by the Bushfire Protection Criteria as per the Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (WAPC 2017 v1.3) & the applicable local government’s annual firebreak notice.

Vegetation Management: Refer to Shire of Mundaring Residents’ Vegetative FuelLoad Guide (VFLG) and Firebreak and Fuel Load Notice.

Comply with the legal requirements of the current Firebreak and Fuel Load Noticeand with any existing environmental protection constraints regarding nativevegetation and habitat removal. There are financial penalties for failing to comply.

Incorporate an Asset Protection Zone (APZ) into the landscaping surroundinghabitable buildings and adjacent structures within six metres of the habitable building.

The required APZ dimensions for the proposed new Build 2B are shown on the map.The APZ is to have the fuel loads managed and maintained to a low bushfire threatstate with the requirements detailed in the Shire of Mundaring Firebreak and Fuel LoadNotice and Vegetative Fuel Load Guide. A summary of the current Shire of Mundaringrequirements is:

Reduce fuel load and maintain to 2t/ha or lower;

Create clear separation between crowns of trees and ensure no branches

overhang habitable buildings;

Prune tree branches within 2m of the ground and all grass maintained under

5cm; and

No tree or shrub over 2m high within 2m of building.

Vegetation outside the APZ is to be managed as per the Shire’s Firebreak and FuelLoad Notice and will vary on lot size. Fuel loads in natural bush areas are to bemaintained at less than 8t/ha.

Construction: The proposed development is a Class 9 building and is not obliged bythe Building Code of Australia to be constructed to AS3959-2009 standards. However,this may be required by the Shire of Mundaring. Sheds and fences are to beconstructed of non-combustible materials. Sheds are to be located at least 6m fromthe building.

Access/Egress: Access to the subject site is via McDowell Loop at a distance of 190metres from Roland Road. Roland Road provides access/egress to two differentdestinations. As sealed public roads Roland Road and McDowell Loop are availableto staff, students, parents and the public at all times and under all weather conditions.

Mundaring Christian College and the neighbouring Steiner School have agreed toprovide reciprocal emergency access between the two schools. A gravel drivewayextends from the southern end of the existing carparking area of the MundaringChristian College, through a signed gate and into the Steiner School carpark. Fromthere access is available east onto Roland Road.

The existing private driveways comply with the technical requirements of theGuidelines being constructed of bitumen, and having a trafficable width of 4 to 6metres with passing areas available along the greater part of its length. A turnaroundarea is available next to the existing buildings.

Firefighting Water Supply: A reticulated water supply is currently not available to thesubject site. A shire Fire Emergency Water Tank is located on McDowell Loop for useby emergency services. Two 144,000 litre emergency water tanks are located onsiteand have associated diesel pumps that supply several above ground fire hydrantspositioned throughout the site.



PROPOSED LANDSCAPE PLAN

As stated within the Bushfire Management Statement any existing or future vegetation must comply with the Shire of Mundaring Firebreak and Fuel Load Notice. The Asset Protection Zone (APZ) should consistpredominantly of managed vegetation, reticulated lawns and gardens, and non-flammable features. Any proposed trees should have clear separation between canopies at maturity. Large areas of shrubs areto be avoided within the APZ.



Additional Information

The Remainder of Information in this Report is Advisory – It Does Not Form Part of the BALAssessment

Vegetation Management Requirements

1. This Report and the Determination of the Bushfire Attack Level as per AS 3959-2009:

a. The minimum separation distance from any classified vegetation, that corresponds to the

determined BAL for the subject building work (you will need to ask a qualified bushfire

practitioner what the minimum distance is), must be maintained as either a non-vegetated

area or as low threat vegetation managed to a minimal fuel condition (refer to the Vegetation

Management Requirements Established by AS 3959-2009 on following pages).

b. Onsite areas of classified vegetation that have contributed to determining the BAL must not be

altered to the extent that would require their classification to be changed to a higher bushfire

threat classification (as per AS 3959-2009); and

c. Onsite areas that have been excluded from classification by being low threat vegetation or

non-vegetated and have contributed to determining the BAL, must not be allowed to become

vegetated to the extent they no longer represent a low threat (refer to the Vegetation

Management Requirements Established by AS 3959-2009 on following pages).

Vegetation Management Requirements Established by the Local Government Fire Break /

Fuel Load Notice

These requirements are established by the relevant local government’s Firebreak / Fuel Load Notice

created under s33 of the Bushfires Act 1954 and issued annually (potentially with revisions). The Notice

may include additional components directed at managing fuel loads, accessibility and general

property management with respect to limiting potential bushfire impact.

The relevant local government’s current Firebreak Notice is available on their website, at their offices

and may also be distributed as ratepayer’s information. It must be complied with.

If Asset Protection Zone technical requirements are defined in the Notice, the standards and dimensions

may differ from the Guideline’s APZ Standards, with the intent to better satisfy local conditions. When

these are more stringent than those created by the Guidelines, or less stringent and endorsed by the

WAPC and DFES, they must be complied with.



Vegetation Management Requirements Established by AS 3959-2009

This information is taken from the Australian Standard AS 3959-2009 Construction of buildings in bushfire

prone areas. This Standard presents the methods for calculating Bushfire Attack Levels that have been

applied in this Report. The following specific section identifies what is required for an area of land to be

excluded from classification as a potential bushfire threat.

“Australian Standard - AS 3959-2009 Section 2.2.3.2: Exclusions - Low threat vegetation and non-

vegetated areas:

The Bushfire Attack Level shall be classified BAL-LOW where the vegetation is one or a combination of

the following:

a) Vegetation of any type that is more than 100m from the site.

b) Single areas of vegetation less than 1ha in area and not within 100m of other areas of vegetation

being classified.

c) Multiple area of vegetation less than 0.25ha in area and not within 20m of the site or each other.

d) Strips of vegetation less than 20m in width (measured perpendicular to the elevation exposed to

the strip of vegetation) regardless of length and not within 20m of the site or each other, or other

areas of vegetation being classified.

e) Non-vegetated areas, including waterways, roads, footpaths, buildings and rocky outcrops.

f) Low threat vegetation, including grassland managed in a minimal fuel condition (i.e. insufficient

fuel available to significantly increase the severity of a bushfire attack – recognisable as short

cropped grass to a nominal height of 100mm for example), maintained lawns, golf courses,

maintained public reserves and parklands, vineyards, orchards, cultivated gardens, commercial

nurseries, nature strips and windbreaks.”



Explaining Bushfire Attack Levels

AS 3959-2009 Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas defines a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) as a

“means of measuring the severity of a building’s potential exposure to ember attack, radiant heat and

direct flame contact, using increments of radiant heat flux expressed in kilowatts per metre squared,

and is the basis for establishing the requirements for construction to improve protection of building

elements from attack by bushfire.”

AS 3959-2009 establishes six bushfire attack levels with each representing certain heat flux exposure

thresholds.

AS 3959-2009 and the NASH Standard – Steel Framed Construction in Bushfire Areas establish construction

requirements corresponding to the BAL ratings to be applied to cetain construction, as defined by the

building code (BCA) applied in each State .

Bushfire AttackLevel (BAL)

Description of risk and levels of exposureConstruction Standard as

required in AS 3959

BAL – LOW

There is insufficient risk to warrant specific constructionrequirements.

Section 4.(DFES recommend that emberattack protection features beincorporated in the designwhere practicable).

BAL – 12.5Risk of radiant heat is considered low. Primarily risk ofember attack.

Sections 3 & 5.

BAL – 19

Risk is considered moderate. Increasing levels of emberattack and burning debris ignited by windborne emberstogether with increasing heat flux between 12.5 and19kW m2.

Sections 3 & 6.

BAL – 29

Risk is considered high. Increasing levels of ember attackand burning debris ignited by windborne emberstogether with increasing heat flux between 19 and 29 kWm2.

Sections 3 & 7.

BAL – 40

Risk is considered very high. Increasing levels of emberattack and burning debris ignited by windborne emberstogether with increasing heat flux with the increasedlikelihood of direct exposure to flames. The constructionelements are expected to be exposed to a heat flux notgreater than 40kW m2.

Sections 3 & 8.

BAL – FZ(Flame Zone)

Risk is considered extreme. Direct exposure to flamesfrom fire front in addition to heat flux and ember attack.The construction elements are expected to be exposedto a heat flux greater than 40kW m2.

Sections 3 & 9.

addendum to bushfire management plan proposed building 2b · report details report/job number 16822...

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