Nillumbik Fire Management Plan...Nillumbik Municipal Fire Management Plan 2013–2016 (Version 6.0) Page 8 By participating in this process, all agencies involved have provided a commitment

Municipal Fire Management Plan 2013–2016

Nillumbik

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Nillumbik Municipal Fire Management Plan 2013–2016 (Version 6.0)

Foreword Characterised by diverse topographies, Nillumbik ranges from gentle undulating slopes to very steep and heavily treed areas, with a number of nature and recreation reserves throughout the municipality. Nillumbik is covered by vegetation, environmental and landscape-based overlays, which seek to protect native vegetation. A Green Wedge covers the municipality supporting a diverse range of species and their habitats. It is home to 1,000 indigenous flora species, 64 of which are listed significant species. The Nillumbik Municipal Fire Management Plan is a sub plan of the Nillumbik Municipal Emergency Management Plan and is deemed to meet the requirements for the development of a Municipal Fire Prevention Plan under the Country Fire Authority Act 1958. The primary objective of municipal fire management planning is the protection of life. It is a coordinated approach of key agencies involved in managing the risk of fire to plan and manage fire in the community by adhering to a key tenet of emergency planning—Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery. Stakeholders contribute knowledge, experience, resources and capability and aim to achieve measurable fire management outcomes through agreed and achievable risk treatments. This document can be found at www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au.

Acknowledgements The Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee acknowledges the contributions of the following agencies and organisations:

Nillumbik Shire Council

Country Fire Authority

Metropolitan Fire Brigade

Department of Sustainability and Environment/Parks Victoria

Victoria Police

VicRoads

SP Ausnet

Melbourne Water

Department of Human Services


Authorisation and Endorsement This first edition of the Nillumbik Municipal Fire Management Plan was endorsed by the Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee in September 2012. Organisations represented on the committee include:





Victoria Police

VicRoads

Melbourne Water


Metro Trains This Municipal Fire Management Plan was endorsed by the Nillumbik Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee in March 2013 as a sub-plan of the Nillumbik Municipal Emergency Management Plan. The plan was adopted by Nillumbik Shire Council on 30

th April 2013.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT .................................................................................. 6

What is IFMP? ..................................................................................................................................6

Authority for the plan.........................................................................................................................6

Purpose of this Plan..........................................................................................................................6

Membership of Nillumbik Municipal Fire Management Committee ..................................................7

Role of Nillumbik Municipal Fire Management Committee...............................................................7

Working Groups ................................................................................................................................8

2 ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS .................................................................... 8

3 ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN .............................................................................................. 8

Nillumbik Municipal Profile ................................................................................................................8

Fire History .......................................................................................................................................9

Structural Fires .............................................................................................................................. 10

4 MUNICIPAL FIRE MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES ....................................................... 10

Plan Objectives .............................................................................................................................. 10

Alignment to Regional Objectives .................................................................................................. 10

5 FIRE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ............................................................................ 11

Risk Tools and Guides................................................................................................................... 12

6 PLAN REPORTING AND REVIEW ............................................................................... 13

Plan Endorsement ......................................................................................................................... 13

Audit ............................................................................................................................................... 14

Plan Review ................................................................................................................................... 14

7 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................... 15

A MFMPC ACTION PLAN .................................................................................... 15

B RISK MANAGEMENT REGISTER .................................................................... 16

Bush and Grass Fire Risk Management Register .............................................. 16

Structure Fire Risk Asset Table ......................................................................... 16

C STATUTORY AUDIT OBLIGATIONS................................................................ 17

C.1 Hazardous Trees ....................................................................................................... 17

C.2 Neighbourhood Safer Places (NSP) .......................................................................... 20

C.3 Community Fire Refuges ........................................................................................... 20

D COMMUNITY INFORMATION GUIDES ............................................................ 21

E METHODOLOGY FOR PRIORITISING WORKS ON ROADSIDES .................. 22

F MAPS ................................................................................................................ 32

G RESPONSE PLANS .......................................................................................... 33

H RECOVERY PLANS .......................................................................................... 33

I PRECINCT (LANDSCAPE) PLANS .................................................................. 33

Plenty Gorge Integrated Fire Prevention Strategy ........................................................... 33


J PROPOSED FIRE ACCESS ROADS SUBSIDY SCHEME (FARRS)

PROJECTS ....................................................................................................... 34

K PROPOSED BURN SCHEDULES .................................................................... 37

L ACRONYMS USED IN THIS PLAN ................................................................... 39

M BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................... 40

Attachment 1 - Stakeholder Analysis ............................................................................................. 41

Attachment 2 – Brigade Working Group Terms of Reference ....................................................... 42

Attachment 3 – Community Engagement Plan ............................................................................. 45

Nillumbik Municipal Fire Management Plan 2013–2016 (Version 6.0) Page 6

1. INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT

What is Integrated Fire Management Planning? Integrated Fire Management Planning is an all-agency planning approach to managing the fire risk across the State of Victoria, with planning occurring at three levels—State, Regional and Municipal. Nillumbik is a member of the Northern and Western Metropolitan Regional Strategic Fire Management Planning Committee (‗NWM RSFMPC‘)—one of eight regional committees operating across Victoria. At a municipal level integrated fire management planning is a forum to ―build and sustain organisational partnerships, generate a common understanding and shared purpose with regard to fire management and ensure that plans of individual agencies are linked and complement each other.‖(Integrated Fire Management Planning Guide, 2010).

The Municipal Fire Management Plan (MFMP) has been developed using the risk based principles outlined in the Integrated Fire Management Planning (IFMP) Framework and Guide, and the Guidelines for Municipal Fire Management Planning, Part 6A: Emergency Management Manual Victoria. The development of this plan has also been influenced by the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience. On 7

th December 2009 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to adopt a

whole-of-nation, resilience based approach to disaster management. Application of a resilience-based approach is not solely the domain of emergency management agencies; rather, it is a shared responsibility between governments, communities, businesses and individuals.‖ (COAG, 2009) Sections 1 to 6 of this Plan contain an overview of the municipal district, fire management objectives, and the process for plan preparation, reporting and review. The Appendices provide detail on risk identification treatment options, statutory obligations, mapping and community engagement. The contents of the Appendices section will evolve as risk-based processes and tools are refined and business plans aligned accordingly. Maps that provide a visual representation of the local fire risk form a significant part of this plan.

Authority for the Plan This Municipal Fire Management Plan (MFMP) has been produced by and with the authority of the Nillumbik Shire Council pursuant to Section 20 of the Emergency Management Act 1986; and will be deemed to fulfil Section 55A of the CFA Act 1958. The MPFM is a sub plan of the Municipal Emergency Management Plan (MEMP). The Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee (MFMPC) shall develop and implement the MFMP. MFMP‘s have a three year planning cycle and shall be reviewed by the MFMPC 12 months from the endorsement of this plan.

Purpose of the Plan The purpose of this Plan is to address potential fire threats on both public and private land. The plan includes matters relating to the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. This Plan will be reviewed and updated annually to incorporate any new strategies, programs and tools developed by the State Fire Management Planning Committee (SFMPC)—and to ensure it meets stakeholder and community needs and expectations. This Plan provides treatment options to reduce the risk of fire. However, implementation of this Plan yet will not eliminate all risk. Nillumbik communities must acknowledge they will continue to reside in


high fire prone areas. There are a number of localities within the municipality where there will be a significant risk from bushfire, even when all available treatment options have been applied. During a fire event, property loss in these locations is inevitable and loss of life possible. Living in these areas requires an acceptance of this risk. It is actions taken at a community and individual level that will have the biggest impact on reducing the risk from fire; not the actions of the agencies responsible for this Plan.

Membership of the Nillumbik Fire Management Planning Committee The Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee (MFMPC), appointed by the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee (MEMPC), has representation from the following organisations:





Victoria Police

VicRoads


Metro Trains

Melbourne Water

Other members as required

Role of the Nillumbik Fire Management Planning Committee The Committee‘s purpose is to develop maintain and manage the MPMP, by providing a municipal-level forum to build and sustain organisational partnerships, generate a common understanding and shared purpose with regard to fire management and ensure that the plans of individual agencies are linked and complement each other. The role of the Committee is to:

identify and prioritise the risks and vulnerabilities across the municipality

reduce the likelihood and consequence of fire hazards within local communities

development and implement works programs for the management of fires, including hazard removal and fuel management

provide information to and engage with the community on matters related to fire management planning

identify reliable water supplies

encourage the community to take responsibility for managing fire risk

consider planning across municipal boundaries

coordinate cooperative fire management activities across agencies

monitor, review and report on the delivery of the MFMP

advocate municipal fire management needs to the RSFMPC

work with the MEMPC to align planning activities

share knowledge and create an environment of continuous improvement


By participating in this process, all agencies involved have provided a commitment to undertake the works detailed in this Plan.

Working Groups The MEMPC or MFMPC may from time to time appoint working groups to assist with fire management planning. The MEMPC has endorsed the establishment of a working group made up of the 13 local brigades‘ representatives and others as required. The purpose of this group is to ensure that the MFMPC is informed by local knowledge. The working group will report to the MEMPC through the CFA delegates on the MFMPC. (For more information on the Working Group, see Attachment 2 of this document: Terms of Reference, Brigade Working Group).

2 ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS A requirement of the Municipal Fire Management Plan is the development of a Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Plan (see Attachment 3 of this document) to guide how fire management objectives and outcomes are communicated both to stakeholders and to the broader community. Community Engagement is guided by the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) community engagement model, which is a framework for planning effective communication and engagement on any issue or plan. It is important that stakeholders understand and appreciate the goals and objectives of fire management planning. By clearly communicating these objectives, stakeholders will ‗own‘ the Plan and make positive contributions both to the Plan and the Committee. A stakeholder consultation plan and process has been developed for the successful development and implementation of this Plan. Stakeholders involved in fire management planning in the Nillumbik Shire Council have been listed in this Plan (see Attachment 1: Stakeholder Analysis) and their level of participation and involvement noted.

3 ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN Nillumbik Municipal Profile Located 25 kilometres northeast of Melbourne, the municipality of Nillumbik covers 431.94 square kilometres, and has an estimated population of 64,219. The most southerly point is bound by the Yarra River and is characterised by predominately urbanised residential allotments, including Eltham, Hurstbridge and Diamond Creek. It extends 29 kilometres north to Kinglake National Park and stretches approximately 20 kilometres from the Plenty River and Yan Yean Road in the west to Christmas Hills, and the Yarra escarpment in the east, all characterised by an urban-rural interface. The municipality includes a wide variety of topographies, ranging from gentle undulating slopes at Kangaroo Ground to very steep and heavily treed areas around Plenty Gorge, North Warrandyte and the Kinglake National Park. There are over 828 hectares of nature and recreation reserves within the municipality. Ground cover in grassland areas is generally medium to heavy depending on the extent of grazing. Nillumbik is covered by vegetation, environmental and landscape-based overlays, which seek to protect native vegetation. The Nillumbik Green Wedge covers 91 per cent of the municipality, yet whilst the municipality of Nillumbik is referred to as the ‗Green Wedge Shire‘; in Land Use Planning terms, green wedge land is defined as being outside the urban growth boundary. The Nillumbik Green Wedge supports a diverse range of species and their habitats. It is home to 1,000 indigenous flora species, 64 of which are listed significant species.


The Nillumbik Green Wedge is in the catchment of the Yarra River and is bordered by the Plenty River in the west and the Yarra River to the south and south-east. Apart from natural waterways, the Nillumbik Green Wedge is the location for key parts of Melbourne‘s infrastructure for potable water storage. As a result, the development pattern across the municipality is one that consists of dwellings located in environmentally significant landscapes susceptible to bushfires and often connected to single access roads. Within the rural areas of the municipality, there are a number of communities with restricted access and egress. This is due to the pattern of existing roads (both minor unsealed access roads and major arterial roads), being predominantly single carriageways that follow the topography and landscape, in combination with extensive roadside vegetation. This creates a unique challenge in planning fire prevention programs. There are additional concerns relating to the ability of priority road networks to accommodate the evacuation of an area‘s population during a fire event, and emergency fire fighting vehicles and police being unable to respond in certain areas and under certain conditions. The majority of the green wedge area of Nillumbik falls into a designated Bushfire Prone Area (BPA)—a statewide building control with specific bushfire construction standards aimed at improving bushfire protection for residential buildings. In addition to BPA, parts of Nillumbik fall under the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO), a statewide planning control that considers localities with highest exposure to bushfire risk. Any development in these areas must contain the appropriate bushfire protection measures before any development can proceed. More details on the BPA and BMO can be found at www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planningschemes.

Fire History Bushfire seasons are generally restricted to the summer months during late December–February. The Fire Danger Period (FDP) is therefore introduced to reduce the risk of fire, and enforced generally from November to early April depending on weather conditions. Over the past 70 years there have been a number of major fires throughout the Municipality that have resulted in the loss of life and property. In February 2009 Black Saturday fires resulted in the Strathewen, St Andrews and Christmas Hills areas experiencing devastating and damaging fires that caused extensive life and property loss. Years of significant fires: 1939 – Fires in Strathewen 1957 – Fires impacted from Plenty down into Greensborough 1962 – Major fire front from St Andrews through to Warrandyte & Wonga Park 1964 – Plenty Gorge Area 1969 – Diamond Creek through to Research and Warrandyte 1978 – Plenty Gorge Area 1980 – Plenty Gorge Area 1990 – Plenty Gorge Area 1991 – Pound Bend (Warrandyte) 2009 – Black Saturday Fires

http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/planningschemes


Structural Fires The municipality has also experienced significant structural/residential fires in recent history. Unlike neighbouring municipalities, Nillumbik lacks large industrial areas but does have a major hazard facility—the Winneke Water Treatment Plant.

4 MUNICIPAL FIRE MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES

Plan Objective The primary objective of the Nillumbik Municipal Fire Management Plan is the protection of human life from the threat of fire followed by the protection of critical infrastructure; protection of property and economic assets; and the protection of environmental and cultural values. To achieve this, the Nillumbik MFMPC will work together in a coordinated manner to discuss, plan and manage fire in the community across the Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery spectrum. Stakeholders will contribute knowledge, experience, resources to achieve measurable fire management outcomes through agreed and achievable risk treatments for all bushfires and structural fires. It is important to note that over most of land in Nillumbik is privately held (see chart below), constraining the ability of agencies to directly manage vegetation in certain areas. It is therefore the role of agencies to influence property owners to undertake fire planning on their properties through initiatives like CFAs Home Bushfire Advice Service and Community Fireguard and joint education campaigns before and during every fire season.

Alignment to Regional objectives This Plan is guided by the objectives and actions contained within the Northern and Western Metropolitan Regional Strategic Fire Management Plan. These objectives are categorised according to five themes, with several underlying strategies and actions driving each objective. These themes are:

Develop regional, municipal and local fire management planning arrangements with a clear purpose and a consistent assessment of risk.

Develop and implement fire management programs and activities in a collaborative manner.

Build and share knowledge in the fire management sector and across the community.


Improve the capability of communities, the fire management sector and the region to deal with fires.

Using fire to manage fuels and support the health of natural, social and economic environments.

All these actions have broad outcomes and agency accountabilities attached and a timeframe by when they will be achieved.

5 FIRE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES The Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee will use the following strategies to meet the objectives of this plan:

Identify, analyse and treat fire risk by utilising best practise methodology as described by AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009.

build and support community resilience in Nillumbik‘s high bushfire risk environment by developing programs to effectively engage with the community and promote local community and individual planning.

develop sustainable risk mitigation programs; this will be achieved by continually reviewing the effectiveness of mitigation programs and advocating for additional funding where required programs cannot be funded locally.

ensure that Municipal planning objectives are aligned to regional fire management planning objectives; will be achieved by reviewing local plans and active participation in the regional planning process.


Risk Tools and Guides The Nillumbik MFMPC will utilise best practice models of risk management to inform this plan. No one risk management tool or combination of tools will be enough to manage the fire risk in Nillumbik. Effective fire management will require the input of local knowledge attained from committee and community members. The Municipal Fire Management Planning Committees will utilised tools based on ISO 31000: 2009 to inform this plan. These tools include: The Community Emergency Risk Management ‘CERM’ The Community Emergency Risk Management (CERM) process is a method of identifying municipal wide risks. This process has identified bushfire and structural fire as being significant risks in Nillumbik. The Victoria State Emergency Service is currently reviewing and improving this process, which in future will be known as Community Emergency Risk Assessment (CERA). Members of the Nillumbik MEMPC are involved in the development of this tool. Further information can be found at http://www.ses.vic.gov.au/. Victorian Fire Risk Register The VFRR is a systematic process that utilises the expertise and local knowledge of a range of organisations and stakeholders to identify locations and assets at risk from bush or grass fires, then assessing the level of risk and assigning a range of treatments to manage and mitigate the risk. Stakeholders include representatives from Council, CFA, MFB, Parks Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria Police, Melbourne Water and others. Under the VFRR process, assets are grouped into several broad categories—Human Settlement, Economic, Environmental and Cultural Heritage and include residential and commercial properties at risk of bushfire; key infrastructure such as transmission lines, communication towers and water storage facilities; and any environmental or cultural assets. Within each asset category, are the following sub-categories: Asset Category Asset sub-category

Human Settlement Residential, Special Fire Protection, Other

Economic Agriculture, Commercial , Infrastructure, Tourist & Recreational, Mines Commercial Forests, Drinking Water Catchments

Environmental Locally Important, Endangered, Vulnerable

Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Significance, Non Indigenous, Other

Under each category, locations and assets are identified and their level of risk assessed based on a range of inputs including proximity to vegetation; vegetation type; slope, frequency of fires; and the probability of a fire igniting on an extreme fire danger day with a fire danger index rating of 100 or more.

The VFRR broadly considers the impact of ember attack on property. Embers mostly occur close to the source of a fire, and are the result of wind-borne burning vegetation being carried away from flames before it is fully combusted.

Research has shown that embers will travel between 50 and 300 metres ahead of the fire front (McAneney, J. and Chen, K, 2010) and that any impact on the more urbanised parts of the municipality is minimal. Ember attack is more likely when communities are located within 200 metres of native vegetation/forest. The Nillumbik Fire Management Plan has focused on VFRR assessments in the Human Settlement category. Future revisions will consider the impacts of fire in the economic, environmental and cultural categories.


The primary output of the VFRR is a Bushfire Risk Register table. This contains the risk assessments for a specific location/asset with risk descriptors of low, medium, high, very high and extreme. The Register also assigns a priority risk rating to each asset to assist in prioritising risk treatments. The highest priority risk is given 1A rating, the lowest a rating of NA (Need for action is unlikely). VFRR also provides a list of treatment/mitigation actions per each asset location (along with the responsible agency). Treatments may include prevention works such as fuel reduction burning, roadside vegetation management, grass slashing and property inspections or fire preparedness initiatives—such as development of personal bushfire plans, use of CFA‘s Home Bushfire Advice Service and provision of fire safety information through the media and the fire agencies during the summer fire season. VFRR output maps provide a spatial overview of localities with an identified bushfire risk. All this information is then complied and inserted into a Multi-agency Workplan, a ‗live‘ document detailing all agency works /treatments against the identified risks. It is then the role of the Municipal Fire Management Committee to review the Workplan and determine if the risk ratings are appropriate or if new assets need to be identified and placed on the Register. It also considers all treatment/mitigation works to determine if they are suitable or if additional works need to be undertaken. Code of Practice for Bushfire Management on Public Land (DSE 2012) The Code of Practice for Bushfire Management on Public Land establishes the framework for bushfire management (including planned burning and bushfire response) on Victoria's public land. Roadside Vegetation Management for Bushfire Risk Mitigation Purposes (DSE 2012) The purpose of this guideline is to assist VicRoads and local councils to determine if works involving the removal of native vegetation for bushfire mitigation are exempt from planning scheme requirements under clause 58.02 of the Victoria Planning Provisions (Roadside Works for Bushfire Purposes). The guideline is also designed to assist road mangers to work through a risk assessment process as required by the new exemption. (This document is currently in draft form.) Further information can be found on the Department of Sustainability and Environment website at http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/.

6 PLAN REPORTING AND REVIEW Plan Endorsement The Nillumbik Municipal Fire Management Committee is the custodian of the Municipal Fire Management Plan pursuant to current legislative arrangements. The MFMPC will draft a MFMP and seek endorsement, of the draft plan from the committee and, where appropriate, non-committee members with responsibilities and accountabilities under the Plan. Following this process, the MFMPC will recommend the MFMP to the MEMPC for endorsement. Once endorsed by the MEMPC, the plan will be taken to the Community for feedback then sent to the Northern and Western Metropolitan RSFMPC for comment, prior to recommendation to the Nillumbik Shire Council for adoption.


Audit For councils wholly or partly within the Country Area of Victoria, the MFMP as adopted by Council, will be deemed to meet the requirement for a Municipal Fire Prevention Plan (‗MFPP‘) under s. 55A(1) of the Country Fire Authority Act, provided that it contains the provisions as set out in s. 55(A)2. For other councils, audit arrangements will be determined prior to the initial audit of the MFMP.

Plan Review The Plan has a three year lifespan based on current audit requirements contained within Section 55B of the CFA Act. The audit process and planning cycles may change as the IFMP framework and planning processes evolve. Ongoing monitoring and annual review is essential to ensure that the Nillumbik Municipal Fire Management Plan remains relevant and up to date. The Plan will be reviewed and amended:

as further treatment works are completed by the agencies represented on the MFMPC

following significant incidents, if required

with changes in local demographics and local risk

as directed by the State or Regional Fire Management Planning Committees

as required by legislation.


APPENDIX A MFMPC ACTION PLAN (UPDATED 04/03/2014)

Objectives Actions Measure Time Frame Responsibility Progress

1. By Meeting 2, 2014 the MFMPC will undertake a review of the Priority roads as listed in the MFMP.

Working group to review current methodology and validate roads identified

Risk register of roads within the municipality and required treatments

Comprehensive review completed by Meeting 2. Ongoing monitor and review.

All Committee Working group will present recommendations to committee.

Roadside vegetation management group has written report that will inform this process.

2. By September 2014 the MFMPC will have developed and implement a tenure blind strategy for fuel management across the municipal district.

Working group to be established to develop scope of project. .

Strategy adopted as part of MFMP.

Draft by September 2014. Ongoing monitor and review.

Fuel management working group.

Following review by committee this work will incorporated a review of planed burns as a fuel management strategy. Group to be convened by meeting 2, 2014

3. By December 2013 the MFMPC will develop and implement a strategy for advocating for external funding for identified projects.

Working group to be established to develop strategy.

Strategy and evidence for funding applications (including F.A.R.R.S.)

Draft by December 2013. Ongoing monitor and review.

Advocacy working group.

Following review, committee decided ongoing working group not required. Advocacy campaigns will be developed on a case by case basis.

4. By June 2014 the MFMPC will develop and implement a community engagement working group.

Working group to be established to develop strategy.

Community engagement plan and evidence of implementation.

Draft by June 2014. Ongoing monitor and review.

Community Engagement working group.

This has been referred to the MEMPC so an all hazards strategy can be developed. On track as of March 2014.

5. The MFMPC will provide ongoing input into the development of risk assessment tools.

Complete VFRR Fire Risk Register

Locations and assets identified, mapped and assessed

Ongoing MFMPC

Initial identification and assessment complete Annual reviews to be undertaken

Complete Urban Fire Risk Assessment

Assets identified, mapped and assessed

Ongoing MFMPC Awaiting development of tool

East Central Bushfire Risk landscape

Input into project Ongoing MFMPC Workshops planned by DEPI project team


APPENDIX B RISK MANAGEMENT REGISTER BUSH AND GRASS FIRE RISK MANAGEMENT REGISTER The VFRR Bushfire Risk Register and accompanying Multi-agency Workplan form part of this Plan and are available as an Excel document that can be found at www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au. The Multi-agency Work Plan lists the treatment/fire mitigation works for each location and asset identified to be at risk. In this iteration of the Nillumbik Fire Management Plan, only the bush and grass fire risk environments are being considered, with future editions to also include the structural environment. In the Workplan the following columns are used: Location/asset: Lists the location of a particular community, commercial property, piece of infrastructure or other asset/s identified to be at risk of bush or grass fire.

VFRR Map reference: A reference number assigned by VFRR to identify locations in the local government area.

VFRR Risk Rating: The risk assessment for that location/asset. Descriptors used are low, medium, high, very high and extreme.

VFRR Priority Risk Rating: A risk number assigned by VFRR to prioritise risk treatments in the local government area. The highest priority risk is given 1A rating, the lowest a rating of NA.

Treatment/Mitigation Program: Preparedness, Prevention or Response actions to be undertaken by agencies to manage the risk for a particular location or asset.

Treatment/Mitigation Type: The type of actions identified to manage the risk at a particular location or asset.

Responsible authority: The responsible authority that is to undertake the action/s.

Review Date: A date set when the status of an action is to be reviewed by the Municipal Fire

Management Planning Committee.

Outcome/Further works required: The outcome of that action (and if it has been successful or not), together with a determination by the Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee if a particular location/asset requires additional actions not already identified to manage the fire risk at the

location/asset.

Notes: Any additional comments related to the outcome of an action.

STRUCTURE FIRE RISK ASSET TABLE

A Structural Fire Risk Register will be included in a subsequent iteration of this Plan with the development of an Urban Risk Profiling Tool. As an interim, the MFMP contains a listing of structural assets considered at risk of structural fire. The Assets table is included as a separate tab ‗Structural Asset table‘ in the Multi-agency Workplan.


APPENDIX C STATUTORY AUDIT OBLIGATIONS C.1 HAZARDOUS TREES Hazard trees – identification and notification procedures

The Electricity Safety Act 1998 (Vic) (ES Act) provides that a municipal council must specify, within its Municipal Fire Management Plan:

(a) procedures and criteria for the identification of trees that are likely to fall onto, or come into contact with, an electric line (hazard trees); and

(b) procedures for the notification of responsible persons of trees that are hazard trees in relation to electric lines for which they are responsible.

Under the ES Act, the person responsible for maintaining vegetation and clearance space around power lines is referred to as the 'responsible person'.

The procedures outlined in this section of the MFMP seek to address the requirement detailed above.

Each responsible person should have its own internal procedure regarding the steps that will be taken when it receives notification of a potentially hazardous tree. What is a hazard tree?

According to the ES Act, a hazard tree is a tree which ‗is likely to fall onto, or come into contact with, an electric line‘.

The Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2010 (the Regulations) further provide that a responsible person may cut or remove such a tree ‗provided that the tree has been assessed by a suitably qualified arborist; and that assessment confirms the likelihood of contact with an electric line having regard to foreseeable local conditions.‘

Due to legal requirements which require a clearance space be maintained around an electric line, hazard trees are usually located outside the regulated clearance space. Despite being outside the clearance space, the tree may still have the potential to contact the line due to its size or because of a structural fault or weakness which renders part, or all, of the tree likely to contact or fall onto the line. Who is responsible for a hazard tree?

Under the ES Act, the person responsible for maintaining vegetation and clearance space around power lines is referred to as the ‗responsible person‘. This includes responsibility for keeping the whole or any part of a tree clear of the line.

Under the ES Act, responsibility is allocated between distribution businesses and other owners of electricity infrastructure, land owners and occupiers, public land managers such as municipal councils and VicRoads.

Municipal councils are responsible for trees on public land within their municipalities, for which they are the land manager, where these are also within a Declared Area for the purposes of the ES Act. Primary responsibility for vegetation clearance and management within the municipality, for areas which are not within a Declared Area, will usually fall to the relevant electricity distribution company. Responsible Persons within Nillumbik City Council

There are a number of organisations that have responsibility for line clearance in Nillumbik, including:

SP Ausnet

In the Declared Areas – Nillumbik Other relevant information

Responsible persons, other than private persons, must have an electric line clearance management plan in place for areas for which they have responsibility (refer Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2010)


Procedures and criteria for identifying hazard trees

In the course of everyday duties, potentially hazardous trees may come to the attention of staff or volunteer members of the entities with representation on the Municipal Fire Management Committee (the Committee), staff of the distribution business(es) or other persons, including members of the public.

There are a range of factors which may indicate that a tree is a hazard tree. That is, a tree which is likely to fall onto, or come into contact with, an electric line. Some of these factors will be obvious when looking at the tree but many may only be apparent when the tree is assessed by a person with specific expertise and training, such as an arborist.

The following criteria may be used to assist in identifying a hazard tree:

The size of the tree suggests that it is likely to come into contact with the electric line, for example because it appears to be encroaching or growing into the line clearance space.

There is an excessive lean on the tree, or branches hanging off the tree and the tree is in proximity to an electric (power) line.

The size or appearance of the tree suggests it could come into contact with the line including under foreseeable local conditions.

If a potentially hazardous tree is identified, the notification procedure outlined below should be followed. Where a responsible person becomes aware of a potentially hazardous tree for which they have responsibility, they must follow their own applicable internal procedure and the notification procedure described below does not apply.

Procedures and criteria for notifying hazard trees

To ensure that information regarding potentially hazardous trees is captured in an efficient manner and, as appropriate, referred to the responsible person for action, the following procedure for the notification of hazardous trees should be followed:

The person nominated by the Committee (the primary responsible person) is the person to whom potentially hazardous trees should be reported.

The primary responsible person (or their representative) is referred to in these Procedures as the primary responsible person representative (PRPR).

Where any person becomes aware of, or receives a report of, a potentially hazardous tree within the municipality, this should be referred to the PRPR. Where the Committee becomes aware of, or receives a report of, a potentially hazardous tree within the municipality, this must be referred to the PRPR.

Reports of potentially hazardous trees must be provided to the PRPR for action as soon as practicable. Reports must include, at a minimum:

The name and contact details and any relevant qualifications where known of the person making the report

As much detail as possible about the location of the tree (including, where known, GPS coordinates, details of numerical/name plate on nearest pole, name of nearest road or crossroads, closest landmark, whether tree is on private land or road reserve etc.)

A description of the tree (including, if known, the genus and species of tree)

The primary reasons given for the tree being identified as potentially hazardous (eg. tree is in proximity to an electric line AND there is evidence of structural weakness and/or excessive lean and/or appears to be encroaching into line clearance space etc.)

An indication of whether or not urgent action is required.

The PRPR must take all necessary steps to advise the person responsible for the tree that it may be hazardous.


Primary Responsible Person Representative (PRPR)

For the purposes of this part of the Plan, the primary responsible person is the Parks Co-ordinator for Nillumbik Shire Council.

Contact details for the Parks Coordinator, are as follows:

Agency name Nillumbik Shire Council

Position title of contact person

Open Space Maintenance Coordinator

Telephone Number 9433 3111

Email address [email protected]

Procedures for Notification of Responsible Persons

Where a potentially hazardous tree has been reported to the PRPR, the PRPR should follow the procedure outlined below.

Step 1 Report provided to PRPR.

Step 2 PRPR to determine who the responsible person is in relation to the reported tree.

(If necessary, the PRPR can seek assistance from ESV for this step.)

Step 3 Is the responsible person the primary responsible person?

Yes => applicable internal procedure for referral and assessment of potentially hazardous tree to be followed.

No => proceed to Step 4.

Step 4 Did the report indicate that urgent action is required?

Yes => the responsible person should be notified as soon as possible, and by the close of the next business day..

No => the PRPR must advise the responsible person of the existence and location of a potentially hazardous tree in accordance with the timelines below.*

* The PRPR should put in place mutually agreed arrangements for the manner in which it passes on reports of potentially hazardous trees to responsible persons. (By E-mail).

Reporting Timelines

The PRPR should provide reports to the relevant responsible person as soon as practicable.

In circumstances where:

the potentially hazardous tree is located within a high bushfire risk area (as per s.80 of the ES Act) and the potentially hazardous tree is reported during the fire danger period declared under the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 (Vic); or

the report indicates that there is an imminent danger that the tree will contact or fall onto lines as a result of minor environmental changes;

the potentially hazardous tree must be referred to the relevant responsible person for action as soon as possible, and by the close of the next business day.


Each responsible person (other than the primary responsible person) must provide the PRPR with contact details of the person (position title) to whom reports should be provided. It is the responsibility of each responsible person to ensure that the PRPR is provided with up-to-date contact details.

Register

The PRPR will maintain a register in which all notifications are recorded together with the date of receipt of the notification and the date the notification was reported to the responsible person. This will be achieved by the use of Council‘s Electronic Document handling system.

It is recommended that responsible persons also maintain a register of notifications received of hazardous trees for which they are the responsible person.

PRPR Consultation

The Committee notes that the Primary Responsible Person was consulted in relation to the development of these procedures.

C.2 NEIGHBOURHOOD SAFER PLACES (NSP) Neighborhood Safer Places (NSPs) are places of last resort when all other bushfire plans have failed. They are:

Locations that may provide some protection from direct flame and radiant heat, but they do not guarantee safety.

Not an alternative to planning to leave early or to stay and defend your property; they are a place of last resort if all other fire plans have failed.

An existing location and not a purpose-built, fire-proof structure. There are currently seven Neighbourhood Safer Places—Places of Last Resort designated in the Shire of Nillumbik:

Diamond Hills Reserve Oval, Plenty River Drive, Greensborough (Melways Ref 11 B9).

The Outdoor Performance Centre, Civic Drive, Greensborough (Melways Ref 11 I).

Diamond Creek Community Centre, Main Hurstbridge Road, Diamond Creek (Melways Ref 12 A6).

Yarrambat Golf Course Clubrooms, Yan Yean Road, Yarrambat (Melways Ref 184 F5).

Collendina Reserve, Collendina Crescent, Greensborough (Melways Ref 10 F10).

Car park between Arthur and Dudley Streets, Eltham (Melways 21 K 5).

Hurstbridge Basketball Stadium, Greysharps Rd., Hurstbridge (Melway 185 J8). For more information on NSP's visit, www.cfa.vic.gov.au or http://www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/Living_in_Nillumbik/Bushfire_Prevention/Neighbourhood_Safer_Places

C.3 COMMUNITY FIRE REFUGES Nillumbik does not have any identified Fire Refuges.

http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/

http://www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/Living_in_Nillumbik/Bushfire_Prevention/Neighbourhood_Safer_Places

http://www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/Living_in_Nillumbik/Bushfire_Prevention/Neighbourhood_Safer_Places


APPENDIX D COMMUNITY INFORMATION GUIDES Community Information Guides – Bushfire (formerly known as Township Protection Plans) are a key source of information for the community and emphasise the shared responsibility between the community, fire services and other agencies. They provide township-specific information to enable residents/visitors and emergency services to make a quick, informed and planned response to a fire.

More information can be found at the CFA website www.cfa.vic.gov.au

Nillumbik currently has 15 Community Information Guides:

Arthurs Creek

Bend of Islands

Christmas Hills

Diamond Creek

Eltham

Hurstbridge

Greensborough/Apollo Parkways

North Warrandyte/Warrandyte

Panton Hill

Plenty

Smiths Gully

St Andrews

Strathewen

Wattle Glen

Yarrambat

http://cfaonline.cfa.vic.gov.au/mycfa/Show?pageId=publicTownshipProtectionPlans


APPENDIX E METHODOLOGY FOR PRIORITISING WORKS ON ROADSIDES NOTE: THERE SHOULD BE NO EXPECTATION THAT ROAD TRAVEL WILL BE SAFE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE, DURING AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER FIRES OR OTHER EMERGENCIES. Priority/Fuel Modified Roadsides This Appendix outlines fire prevention works that are carried out on roadsides across the municipality on both identified Priority and Fuel Modified Roadsides. The relevant authority for these roads is either Council or VicRoads. Both agencies have responsibility under the CFA Act to prevent fires on roadsides and to contain roadside fires. Management of vegetation on roadsides for fire across the municipality is a complex issue and needs to address a number of issues which include:

What risk(s) are we trying to manage?

Will the fuel modification treatment actually mitigate these risk(s)?

What are the best fuel management techniques available?

What is the cost of the treatment(s) and is it justifiable?

Are there better ways of managing the threat?

Are the treatments in line with identified Priority Roads? In order to maintain CFA‘s position as a key stakeholder on land management issues, it is vital that fire brigades have robust processes for the development of long term fire management strategies. This ensures that the actions are appropriate, effective, justifiable and sustainable. The key considerations in this process are:

consistent assessment criteria across the Shire;

focused locally;

based on sound procedures which consider local needs and community expectations. As part of the identification of a Road, vegetation levels must also be considered. In this assessment, the elevated and near surface fuels need to be considered as this may result in higher levels of radiant heat, potentially making the road unsafe to the road user. With this in mind, a standard fuel loading of High should be maintained on the identified road as per DSEs Overall Fuel Hazard Assessment Guide, (DSE, 2010). Note: road travel on even well maintained priority roads may not be possible due to hazards such as smoke, road blocks, abandoned vehicles etc. Risk Assessment Process for Priority Roads in Nillumbik Priority roads are defined as those roads that if rendered un-trafficable would have the greatest negative impact on the community. It should be noted that in cases where there are a large number of trees on both the roadsides and on adjacent private properties that safe access and egress along roads may not always be achievable and alternative access/egress may need to be investigated. However, generally, Priority Roads will be managed to a higher level in order to reduce these risks. Negative impacts include:

preventing community members from evacuating a hazardous area; and/or

preventing access and egress of emergency services.

Due to the limited funding for works on roadsides, roads that are listed as priority 3 will be considered for works as funding becomes available or that all works have been completed on priority 1 and 2 roads. It must also be noted that roads that are listed as priority 3 & 4 roads require further information and justification before assigning any priority


Risk Identification The CFA asked all brigades in the Shire of Nillumbik to identify priority roads in their area.


Risk Analysis/Evaluation Nillumbik Shire Council‘s MFPO and CFA‘s Vegetation Management Officer conducted site visits of all identified roads. This ensures that the information/standard is consistent across the Shire. This was also an opportunity to collect further relevant information. To prioritise this list, a small group consisting of Shire and CFA representatives met to produce a draft list of prioritised roads. The roads were assigned a rating from 1 to 4. This rating is based on the likelihood and consequence of the road failing to remain trafficable. Factors considered, include, but are not limited to:

Number of road users;

Ignition sources including power lines;

Lack of alternative routes;

Locations of vulnerable groups such as nursing homes;

Number of roads feeding into the road;

Number of residents likely to be isolated,

Road being cited in Community Information Guides; and

Access to Neighbourhood Safer Places (NSP). Ratings In order to allocate a rating to a road the following road hierarchy is also applied:

Urban Link;

Rural Link;

Urban Collector; and

Rural Collector. Priority 1 Roads

1. A road is a Rural link road.

2. That has larger numbers of road users.

3. There is lack of other alternative routes from an area.

4. The numbers of residents likely to be isolated.

5. The road being cited in a Community Information Guide.

6. Access to a NSP.

Priority 2 Roads

1. Is a rural collector road.

2. Limited numbers of road users.

3. There are other alternative routes from an area.

4. The numbers of residents likely to be isolated. Priority 3 and 4 Roads Priority 3 & 4 roads are either an Urban or Rural Collector road that provide access/egress for emergency services and are links to significant assets/infrastructure.


Risk Treatment The relevant road authority is responsible for treatments that relate to the management of vegetation within the road reserve. For information on treatments relating to specific roads, please contact the responsible authority. Nillumbik Shire Council will prioritise the allocation of funding for fire prevention works to treat priority roads. The most effective and cost efficient treatments will be applied. Communication and Consultation: Consultation will take place in accordance with the strategy developed as part of the Municipal Fire Management Plan. Monitor and Review: This risk assessment process and the effectiveness of risk treatments will be monitored and reviewed on at least an annual basis. To enable this, a risk register of identified priority roads will be maintained. Priority Road Works Plan (DSE Exemptions) Background A new exemption has been introduced to the Victoria Planning Provisions that simplifies the process for road managers to manage native vegetation on roadsides for bushfire risk mitigation. In developing the exemption the group was guided by the following principles:

Any new exemption should be simple and clear and enable road managers to undertake vegetation treatments on roadsides to reduce bushfire risk.

State-wide consistency, in the risk assessment methodology used to assess bushfire risk by all road managers is preferable.

The link between the risk assessment, determination of appropriate treatments and subsequent works should be transparent. This should be noted in a relevant plan which is part of an existing integrated approach to emergency management.

Significant environmental impacts should remain part of the planning permit process to ensure that standard impact assessment is applied.

No permit is required to remove, destroy or lop vegetation to reduce fuel loads on roadsides to minimise risk to life and property from bushfire of an existing public road managed by the relevant responsible road authority (as defined by the Road Management Act 2004). The exemption incorporates a risk based approach that will ensure that native vegetation is removed in areas that pose the greatest bushfire risk to the community. Under the exemption, road managers will be required to:

undertake a roadside bushfire risk assessment using an agreed process, focusing on priority roads;

identify appropriate vegetation treatments for priority roads and record the results of this in a plan.


The Risk Assessment Process The roadside risk assessment process is based on the CFA‘s Roadside Fire Management Guidelines, which have four relevant objectives:

1. Prevent or reduce the risk of fires on roadsides.

2. Reduce the risk of spread of fire from the road reserve.

3. Manage safety of road users.

4. Provide control lines. The risk assessment process provides a systematic approach to decision making that incorporates defined standards and will achieve state-wide consistency for all road managers. As stated, a guideline and tool have been developed to assist road managers. Treatment Selection Process Once the risk assessment process has been completed, road managers can then decide on what treatments will be implemented to reduce the risk of bushfire. There are a range of factors that can influence the treatment selection at a particular site including cost/benefit of each treatment, amenity, the expected fire behaviour beyond the road reserve or environmental values present.


Priority 1 Roadside Treatments Responsibility

Arthurs Creek Rd Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment

Council

CottlesBridge-Strathewen Rd Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment

Council

Cherry Tree Rd Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment

Council

Diamond Creek Rd Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment

Council

Bannons Lane Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment

Council

Haley Gully Rd (link to Bannons Lane) Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment

Council

Eagles Nest Rd Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment

Council

Research-Warrandyte Rd Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment

Vic roads

Eltham-Yarra Glen Rd Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment

Vic Roads

Heidelberg-Kinglake Rd Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment

Vic Roads

Kangaroo Ground-St Andrews Rd Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment

Vic Roads

Kurrak Rd Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment

Vic Roads

Wattle Glen-Kangaroo Ground Rd Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment

Vic Roads

Kangaroo Ground -Warrandyte Rd Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment

Vic Roads

Yan Yean Rd Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment

Council/Vic Roads

Diamond Creek Rd Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment

Council/Vic Roads

Main Hurstbridge Rd Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment

Council/Vic Roads



Silvan Rd Hurstbridge First 400mt to the nursing home Council

Bannons Lane North Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment Council

Bowden Spur Rd Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment Council

Greens Road Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment Council

Ironbark Road Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment Council

Mount Pleasant Road Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment Council

Broad Gully Road (Northern End) Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment Council

Henley Road – Skyline Road South Roadside slashing to Oxley Bridge, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment

Council

Hildebrand Road Roadside slashing, Box Clearance and dangerous tree assessment Council


Doctors Gully Rd Box Clearance Council

Hurstbridge-Arthurs Creek Rd Box Clearance Council

Nankervis Rd Box Clearance Council

Hewitts Rd Box Clearance Council

School Rd (ST Andrews) Box Clearance Council

Deep Creek Rd Box Clearance Council


Mittons Bridges Rd Box Clearance Council


Clintons Road Panton Hill Box Clearance Council

Flat Rock Rd Hurstbridge Box Clearance Council

Heather Rd Hurstbridge Box Clearance Council

Reynolds Rd – Orme Street – (between Ingrams Rd (Kangaroo Ground – Wattle Glen Rd and Main Rd Research)

Box Clearance Council

Reynolds Rd (Main Road Research – Yarra Braes Rd

Box Clearance Council

Ridge Rd Christmas Hill Box Clearance Council


Fuel modified roadside/areas Treatments Responsibility

Allendale Road Ryans Road to Donaldson Road slashing of 2,000m where possible Council

Alma Road Slashing of both sides where possible) 1,200m Main Rd to Rodger / Cracknells Rd Council

Anzac Road Reserve slash where possible 500m Council

Aqueduct Track Main Rd. to Ingrams Rd where possible.950m Ingrams Rd. to Afton St.1,050m Afton St. to Allendale Rd.1,550m

Council

Astons Lane Slashing both sides 1,600m Council

Arthurs Creek Road Slashing both sides 11,000m from 720 to Yan Yean Road Council

Bannons Lane Slashing both sides 6,000m Council

Bannons Lane North Slashing both sides 1,890m Council

Blackgully Road Slashing both sides4,400 where possible by tractor slashing Council

Broadgully Road Slashing both sides where possible (both sides where possible) 6,800m from Landex Dr to Haleys Gully Road.

Council

Bourchiers Lane Slashing both sides where possible (both sides where possible) 340m Council

Cassells Road Slashing both sides where possible (north side only)800m Ingrams Rd to Crest Rd.

Council

Chapel Lane Slashing both sides where possible 200m Council

Chase Road, North Warrandyte Slashing both sides where possible 300m Council

Carter Lane, Kangaroo Ground Slashing both sides where possible 824m Council

Cherry Tree Road Slashing both sides where possible 6,400m from Anglers Hall to Panton Hill Council

Church Road, Hurstbridge

300m (western end where possible) Council

Christian Road 2,400m Council

Cochranes Lane 450m open area beneath electric line Council

Cottlesbridge-Strathewen Road (both sides) to include: road reserve area north of bridge 10,000m Council

Dawsons Road, Kangaroo Ground 2,000m Council

Doctors Gully Road (both sides) 8,800m Council

Dry Creek, Greensborough 2Ha Council

Eisemans Road (both sides) 1,.600m Council

Flatrock Road, Hurstbridge 4,000m Council

Gosfield Road (north side) 2,00m Council

Gumtree Road (both sides where possible) 1,400 x20m Council

Greens Road, Arthurs Creek 1,117m Council

Hacketts Lane (both sides) 800m cut north 400 m from Ironbark Road both sides Council

Haleys Gully Road, Hurstbridge 1,655m north side only 180 to Arthurs Road Council

Heard Avenue (both sides) 6,000m Council

Henly Road, Kangaroo Ground (both sides) 7,600m from Eltham-Yarra Glen Road to Oxley Road Council


Heidelberg - Kinglake Road 2ha Shinhuns reserve area 260 x 20m Council

Herberts Lane (both sides where possible) 1,000m Council

Hurstbridge/Arthurs Creek Road (both sides) 3,600m from Main Hurstbridge Road to Patullos Road Council

Howell Road 263m Council

Ingrams Road, Research

270m from Margaret Street to Allendale Road Council

Ironbark Road, Diamond Creek (

(both sides) 7,000m from No.76 to Yan Yean Road including small road reserve at the intersection of Ironbark and Murray Road and under the power line easement

Council

Kurrak Road 100m Vic Roads

Lambert Street 500m Council

Licola Street, Yarrambat 100m Council

Manuka Road 320m x 20m south end of Cherry Tree Road Council

Mays Road 780m x 20m Reynolds Road to Stringybark Road - including down into creek from both ends

Council

Margaret Street, Research 650m from the Aqueduct to Ingrams Road Council

Memorial Drive (north side only)1,700m Council

Menzies Road, Kangaroo Ground 6,800m (both sides)

Council

Mills Road 600m x 10m Cherry Tree Road to the creek area off Gosfield Road 150 x 20m Council

Milthorpe Road (both sides)3,000m Council

Mooney Road (to end of formation) both sides 600m Council

Mount Pleasant Road (both sides some hand work required) 2950m Council

Murray Road (both sides)3,600 Council

Ness Lane, Kangaroo Ground (both sides)600m Council

Ness Street Reserve, Diamond Creek 1ha work to be done by hand Council

Nicholas Lane, Kangaroo Ground 1,586m Council

Pigeon Bank Road 900m Council

Pullen Drive 105m north end off Heidelberg-Kinglake Road) Council

Research-Warrandyte Road Nth 1,000m (from No. 91 to Stony Creek Road) Council

Research Avenue / Esplanade area 500m Council

Reynolds Road, Eltham 1,050m Council

Reynolds Road, Wattle Glen (west side only)1,050 Lorimer Road to Kangaroo Ground-Wattle Glen Road Council

Ridge Road, Yan Yean 3,000m (from 885 to the intersection of Yan Yean Road and Arthurs Creek Road) Council

Ridge Road, Christmas Hills 1,000m Council

Robbies Road, Yarrambat 200m Council

Starling Road, Diamond Creek 1 1,600m (both sides where possible) Council

Sutherland Road, Diamond Creek 2,400m (both sides where possible) Council


St Andrews Street, St Andrews (both sides) 500m Council

Smiths Gully Road 2,800m (where possible) Council

SEC Transmission easement, Research 4Ha Parsons Road to Main Road, Main Road to Nyora Rd Council

Worns Lane, Yarrambat

(both sides) 2,400m Council


APPENDIX F MAPS

The Nillumbik Municipal Fire Management Plan has several maps that inform the Plan. These maps are:

Victorian Fire Risk Register Human Settlement Map

DSE Fire Operation Plan Map

Land Tenure Map

Fire Infrastructure

Fuel Management Zones Map These maps can be found at Nillumbik Shire Council‘s website www.Nillumbik.vic.gov.au/municipalfiremanagementplan


APPENDIX G RESPONSE PLANS The Nillumbik Municipal Emergency Management Plan contains ―all hazards‖ emergency response arrangements and can be found at www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au.

CFA 2011/2012 Bushfire Response Plan for Nillumbik Shire Council is reviewed annually will be made available at the designated Incident Control Centre.

Incident Control Centres are located at Kangaroo Ground and Gisborne.

APPENDIX H RECOVERY PLANS In the event of an emergency, support and assistance is available to affected people, households, businesses and community organisations. This support includes:

coordination of temporary accommodation provision;

financial support (through provision of emergency grants) and material aid; and

environmental health and wellbeing advice.

The Municipal Recovery Plan can be found within the Municipal Emergency Management Plan, available at www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au.

APPENDIX I PRECINCT (LANDSCAPE) PLANS PLENTY GORGE INTEGRATED FIRE PREVENTION STRATEGY The Plenty Gorge Integrated Fire Prevention Strategy is a cooperative effort by multiple agencies, organisations and the community to mitigating the risk of fire in Plenty Gorge Park. The strategy is a ‗landscape‘ plan that spans multiple local government and agency boundaries and is a joint effort by the City of Whittlesea, City of Banyule, Nillumbik Shire Council, Parks Victoria, MFB, CFA, local fire brigades and the wider community. The Plenty Gorge precinct runs from Bridge Inn Road in Mernda following the Plenty River down to Diamond Creek Road in Greensborough. The area has contrasting landforms, vegetation and land use, including steep gorges, the Plenty River, woodlands and forests. Treatments to mitigate risk for the Nillumbik part of the Plenty Gorge (as identified in the Multi-agency work plan) are listed in this Plan. The full Strategy is available on the websites of the Shire of Nillumbik (www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au); City of Banyule and City of Whittlesea.


APPENDIX J PROPOSED FIRE ACCESS ROADS SUBSIDY SCHEME (FARRS) PROJECTS Further Information on the subsidy scheme can be found at: www.cfa.vic.gov.au.

Proposed Works will be Updated Annually

Brigade Priority

Municipal Priority

Arthurs Creek

1. New water tanks at Strathewen cricket ground 1

Road improvement Works

1. Improving the intersection of Eagles Nest Rd and Chads Creek Rd. Turning north into Chads Creek Rd from Eagles Nest Rd is very difficult, especially for the larger fire appliances.

1

2. Widening of Bowden Spur Rd between Rankines Rd and the water tank on the boundary of National Park. This road is currently very narrow and very difficult for two trucks to pass each other.

2

Christmas Hills

1. Catani Blvd / Henley Rd Priority: High This is the main access to the Bend of Islands along Henley Rd after Oxley bridge with many houses along Henley Rd, Oxley Rd, and lower Catani Blvd. There is no static water supply nearby. Some work is required to find a suitable site for this location.

1 1

3. Ridge Rd / Muir Rd Priority: Medium The area around this intersection is clear and large enough for a tank. The Christmas Hills station could be a control point or staging area for local incidents and would benefit strategically with having a good supply of water.

2

4. Gills Rd / Eltham Yarra Glen Rd Priority: Medium Around this intersection there is adequate space for a tank (especially on the old road )Gills Rd has numerous houses and can only be accessed from Eltham Yarra Glen Rd. The nearby tank at the intersection of Ridge Road and Eltham-Yarra Glen Road is small, with limited capacity to service the nearby risks.

3

Hurstbridge

1. Water Tank at Corner of Patullos Road and Hurstbridge-Arthurs Creek Road

Previously the Hurstbridge Fire Brigade has asked for a water tank to be placed midway along Barreenong Road but this has proven difficult due to current overlays within the area. By situating the tank on council land many of these overlays would be mitigated. Reticulated water is in the area but water pressure has proven to be unreliable and time consuming when they have been historically used for fire fighting purposes.

1

2. Proposal is to place a 130,000 litre tank on the road side at the end of Hickory Downs Place with a 125 mm stortz fitting to allow attachment of the brigade quick fill.

The advantages of placing a water tank at this location are that it is off the road so fire fighting crews are safe from vehicular traffic. A turning bay can be prepared to allow good flow of fire fighting vehicles. Several fires 2008 have highlighted the lack of easy access water in this area affecting both Hurstbridge and Diamond Creek Fire Brigades. A water tank at this location would also benefit Diamond Creek and Yarrambat Fire brigades

2



North Warrandyte

The Chase track – request for access to and the clearance of old track running between property on Research Warrandyte Rd and property on The Chase along the ridge overlooking The Chase Reserve.

2 Completed

Glynns Park dam access – in conjunction with Parks Victoria (Westerfolds) – the improvement and maintenance of access to the dam in Glynns Park for fires in the Laughing Waters/Glynns Park area.

1

The Boulevard and Cooks Cres – request for road access to be improved for safety.

3

Panton Hill

1. Manuka Road access track

2 Turning bay and tree removal

St Andrews Fire Brigade 10 Year Plan

1. Provision of additional/upgraded Water Tanks:-

New Water Tanks

1. Kangaroo Ground-St.Andrews Road vicinity of Flora Crescent 130,000 lt

2. Heidelberg-Kinglake Road /Sutton Street 130,000 lt Note That this site is on DSE land and will require a lease agreement

2

3. Hildebrand Road corner of Cleeve Court 130,000 lt

4. Buttermans Track corner Tarra Place 130,000 lt Note This tank will be installed as per a subdivision requirement

5. Heidelberg-Kinglake Road corner Ninks Road 130,000 lt

Replacement Water Tanks

6 Heidelberg-Kinglake Road corner Olives Lane 130,000 lt

7. Hildebrand Road corner of Shaws Road130,000


2. Road improvement Works

2. Mittons Bridge At the bend 80mts west of the bridge, in the vicinity of No 10. Road widening and scrub clearance to improve vision for oncoming traffic.

3. Black Cameron Road The 500mt stretch of road north west of Brens Rd needs two or three passing bays at locations to be determined by council staff. The steep stretch south of the creek/Proctor St, needs 2 passing bays, at 100mt and 200mt south of the bridge.

4. Rifle Range Road The first 150mt of road south of Salters Rush Rd needs a passing bay at a location to be determined by council.

5. Dodd Street About 200mt from the eastern end of Buttermans Track, a passing bay is needed on the north side of the road at the location of the widening of the ground next to the road.

6. Shaftesbury Ave Council advice is needed on the creation of passing bays and intersection upgrade at the corner of St Andrews and Shaftesbury Ave.

7. Wild Dog Creek Road Passing bay needed on the steep hill about 1.4km east of Heidelberg Kinglake Rd. Passing bay needed near no 290, near the eastern side of the road. At the corner of Dinsdale Road Nth, about 900mt east of Heidelberg Kinglake Rd, intersection upgrade needed to allow tankers to exit in either direction.

9. School Road About 200mt south of Hildebrand Rd, 2 passing bays are needed on the western side of the road, about 40mt north and 40mt south of the middle of the bend respectively. Scrub clearance needed from No‘s 150 to 131.

10 Buttermans Track corner of Pindari Lane, intersection upgrade needed to allow tankers to exit in either direction.


APPENDIX K PROPOSED BURN SCHEDULES Prescribed burning is the controlled application of fire under specified environmental conditions to a

predetermined area and at the time, intensity, and rate of spread required to attain planned resource

management objectives. It is undertaken in specified environmental conditions.

Prescribed burning involves the following:

Determining the outcome that is needed in terms of the extent and patchiness of the fire (what vegetation needs to be burnt and what needs to be left unburnt); the desired fire intensity (affects the patchiness and the quantity of flammable material consumed) and the season of burn (affects fire intensity, patchiness and the germination conditions present after the burn).

Studying and measuring the quantity, arrangement and moisture content of fuels that are to be burnt.

Using knowledge about fire behaviour to determine the most appropriate weather conditions to ignite the burn.

Monitoring and forecasting weather conditions to select the best time to ignite the burn.

Using knowledge of fire behaviour to ignite the burn at the best time of day, in a specified pattern and sequence to achieve the desired outcomes and to prevent the fire from escaping.

Monitoring the results of the burn to determine how well the operation met the objectives set for the burn.

Using the knowledge gained and the lessons learned to improve future prescribed burning operations.

Prior to the issuing of a Schedule 12 permit, Burn plans must be submitted to the MFPO for information and CFA‘s Operation Managers to sign off on the plan. On Council owned reserves, burning maybe required for both fuel reduction and/or ecological purposes. In this case, the fire brigade will be asked to assist in the burn and Council will develop burn plans with the assistance of the CFA. All fuel reduction activities as specified in the tables below should be implemented. The Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee will undertake annual review of the effectiveness of such works. Fire reduction burn offs are reliant on fuel conditions and prevailing weather conditions. A ‗small window of opportunity‘ exists each year to undertake such burns, for example, Spring and Autumn. Burning off strategies may be revised on a seasonal basis depending on conditions. Hurstbridge and Plenty Fire Brigades have identified the following areas for possible prescribed burning.

Hurstbridge Fire Brigade

Road Area to be burnt Side

Boyds Road Approximately every third to fourth year using a low intensity burn

and possibly candling the stringy barks every 10 years.

Both

Silvan Road The planning and use of prescribed burns between the

Hurstbridge and Wattle glen fire brigades for fuel reduction along

Silvan road.

Both

Plenty Fire Brigade

Road Area to be burnt Side

Oatlands Road Memorial Dve to Power lines / Valley View to Comerly Bank Rd West

Memorial Drive Oatlands Road to Goldsworthy Lane South


Goldsworthy Lane River Avenue to YellowGum Park Both

Westgarth Street Browns Lane to Armstrong Road Both

Charlesville Road Westgarth Street to Plenty Gorge Both

Armstrong Road Kurak Road to Westgarth Street Both

Cullen Crescent Various sections between Seymour Crescent and Hillmartin Road Both

Hillmartin Road Various sections between Sutherland Rd and transmission lines East

Seymour Drive Various sections between Heard Ave and Pioneer Road Both

River Ave (West) Memorial Drive to Parks Vic gate Both

River Ave (North) Memorial Drive to Bella Vista Avenue Both

Mackelroy Road Various section from Craig Road to Oatlands Road Both

McLennans Road Various sections from Mackelroy Rd to River Avenue Both

Butlers Road Memorial Drive to Power lines East


APPENDIX L ACRONYMS USED IN THIS PLAN

CFA Country Fire Authority

DHS Department of Human Services

DSE Department of Sustainability and Environment

ESV Electrical Safety Victoria

IFMP Integrated Fire Management Plan

FDI Fire Danger Index

FDP Fire Danger Period

HAZMAT Hazardous Materials

MEMP Municipal Emergency Management Plan

MEMPC Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee

MFMP Municipal Fire Management Plan

MFMPC Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee

MFPO Municipal Fire Prevention Officer

RSFMPC Regional Strategic Fire Management Planning Committee

PV Parks Victoria

VFRR Victorian Fire Risk Register

WSV WorkSafe Victoria


APPENDIX M BIBLIOGRAPHY The following Acts and plans have been referenced within the Nillumbik Municipal Fire Management Plan:

Nillumbik Council Municipal Emergency Management Plan, www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au.

Nillumbik Municipal Fire Prevention Plan

Northern and Western Metropolitan Regional Strategic Fire Management Plan 2011, www.ifmp.vic.gov.au.

Nillumbik Victorian Fire Risk Register 2011Victoria Fire Risk Register Reference Guide and Context Update Victoria Fire Risk Register Reference Guide and Context Update, CFA Act 1958, www.cfa.vic.gov.au.

CFA Act 1958, www.cfa.vic.gov.au.

(DSE,2010) DSEs Overall Fuel Hazard Assessment Guide, 4th edition July 2010. Bibliography

Emergency Management Act 1986, www.oesc.vic.gov.au.

Emergency Management Manual Victoria, www.oesc.vic.gov.au/emergencymanual.

State Fire Management Strategy (2009), www.ifmp.vic.gov.au.

Final Report of the Victoria Bushfires Royal Commission, www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au.

McAneney, J. and Chen, K. (2010) http://www.bushfirecrc.com/news/childrens-perce McAneney, J. and Chen, K. (2010) Bushfire Penetration into Urban Areas in Australia: A Spatial Analysis, Bushfire CRC Report for the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission.

National Strategy for Disaster Resilience, 2009, www.coag.gov.au/.../2011-02-13/docs/national_strategy_disaster_resilience.pdf.



http://www.oesc.vic.gov.au/

http://www.oesc.vic.gov.au/emergencymanual

http://www.ifmp.vic.gov.au/

http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/

http://www.coag.gov.au/coag_meeting_outcomes/2011-02-13/docs/national_strategy_disaster_resilience.pdf

http://www.coag.gov.au/.../2011-02-13/docs/national_strategy_disaster_resilience.pdf

http://www.coag.gov.au/.../2011-02-13/docs/national_strategy_disaster_resilience.pdf


ATTACHMENT 1 – STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS

Fire Coord

Land manager

Response Recovery Community education / information

Community care

Asset protection

Permits & local laws

Other MFMPC member

Internal stakeholders – Collaborate and Empower

State Fire Management Planning Committee

√ Oversight

IFMP

Regional Strategic Fire Management Planning Committee

√ √ √ √ √ Strategic

regional planning

Primary stakeholders - Collaborate and Empower

Nillumbik City Council √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Country Fire Authority √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Fire safety

expertise √

Metropolitan Fire Brigade √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Fire safety

expertise √

Dept. Sustainability and Environment

√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Expertise forest fires

√

Parks Victoria √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Dept. Human Services √ √ √ √

Victoria Police √ √ √ √ √ √ √

State Emergency Service √ √ √ √ √

VicRoads √ √ √ √ √ √

Melbourne Water √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

SP Ausnet √ √ √ √ √ √

Rail Authorities (e.g. V Line / Metro) √ √ √ √ √ √

Secondary Stakeholders and Interested Groups - Inform and Consult

Dept. Planning and Community Development

√ √ √ √

Dept. Primary Industries √ √ √

Dept Education Early Childhood Development

√ √ √

Telstra √ √ √ √

Ambulance Victoria √ √ √ √

Media √ √ √ √

Community Groups √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Nillumbik Municipal Fire Management Plan 2013–2016 (Version 6.0) Page 43 Page 43

ATTACHMENT 2 BRIGADE WORKING GROUP TERMS OF REFERENCE NILLUMBIK MUNCIPAL FIRE M ANAGEMENT PLANNING

Brigade Working Group

Terms of Reference

Purpose The Committee‘s purpose is

To provide local input into the Municipal Fire Management Planning process and the development and continuous improvement of the Municipal Fire Management Plan

To provide a forum to build and sustain Brigade involvement in fire management planning across the Municipality of Nillumbik. (Planning, Prevention, Response, and Recovery)

To aid in the development of organisational partnerships, generate a common understanding and shared purpose with regard to fire management and ensure that the localised issues are linked and complement each other.

Membership The working group of the MFMPC has representation from the following organisations:

Nillumbik Group Brigades (9 brigades with 2 delegates per brigade)

Whittlesea Diamond Valley Group (WDVG) brigades (4 brigades with 2 delegates per brigade)

Nillumbik Catchment (Operations Officer)

Community Safety D14

Municipal Fire Prevention Officer (MFPO)

Nillumbik Group and WDVG Delegates to MFMPC

Council may have a Councillor attend as an observer should it desire

Council may provide representation of key relevant departments to provide information as to works programs etc, should it desire.

Other Agencies as requested For the purpose of a quorum, elections and voting, each of the 9 Nillumbik Brigades and 4 WDVG Brigades will be considered as being one representative member of the committee (1 vote per brigade). Quorum will require more than 50 per cent. The Committee can elect new members onto the committee and can elect to have other persons attend particular meetings should it be required.

Role of the Working Group The Committee is to:

Assist the MFMPC plan for fire management in a manner that coordinates fire management activities across agencies

Provide local Brigade engagement with the community on matters related to fire management planning

Provide input from a brigade level into the Municipal Fire Management Plan document.


Provide feedback to MFMPC on the effectiveness of delivery of the Municipal Fire Management Plan Actions

Advocate to the MFMPC (which may include directly with Municipality Agency liaison) Brigade fire management needs

Work with the MFMPC to align planning activities and provide input to strategic prioritisation of projects.

Share knowledge and create an environment of continuous improvement.

Governance The Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee is established and undertakes planning as a sub-committee of the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee formed under s. 21(3) of the Emergency Management Act. This working group does not have any Statutory Responsibility or Regulatory Accountability; however it provides localised input to the MFMPC under the above charter.

The working group will be chaired from within its membership (CFA)

The working group will support the MFMPC delegates to deliver their CFA input into the MFMPC. The Sub Committee will receive support from CFA District and the Catchment to achieve this

The working group may convene special sub-groups, as required.

Representation and Chair The brigades should nominate representation to this working group on a biennial basis – usually associated with brigade elections. The term of the chair will be 12 months with an option of an additional 12 months.

Reporting The working group should meet on a quarterly basis prior to the MFMPC and should report promptly to the MFMPC.

Administration Administrative support to the Committee will be provided by Nillumbik Catchment BASO and / or Whittlesea BASO.

Works Requests Council has a legal responsibility to take all practicable steps to limit the occurrence and spread of fire on land under its tenure. This includes the power of the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer (MFPO) and his/her Assistants to issue fire prevention notices to reduce fuel hazards on private property. It is appropriate for Brigades to notify the MFPO of the existence of any potential fire hazards, although it must be stressed that it is the MFPO who determines whether a fire hazard does or does not exist and how it may be best managed. Brigades can also request Council to undertake a variety of other fire prevention infrastructure works. These may include fuel management, access construction or maintenance, or the provision of additional water supplies for fire fighting. Council will consider the need for the requested works and decide on whether to action them. Council is able to apply for funding support from the State Government via the Fire Access Road Subsidy Scheme (FARRS) administered by CFA. The working group will provide a mechanism for Brigades to have their issues raised as a standing agenda item of the MFMPC.


Advice to Council The working group can be consulted by Council when it is considering a matter that could have fire management implications, where local brigade engagement is sought. In most cases this will involve a briefing from the Council Officer responsible for the issue, to which the working group can provide informal feedback.

Review of Terms of Reference These Terms of Reference are valid for 2 years and will be reviewed by the working group with recommendations to the MFMPC and CFA D14. Approved at MFMPC meeting ………insert date……………….


ATTACHMENT 3 STAKEHOLDER AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN

As described in Section 2—Engagement and Communications, a Stakeholder and Community Engagement Strategy was prepared by the Nillumbik Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee to support the development of the Nillumbik Municipal Fire Management Plan (MFMP). Valuing local knowledge and recognising the contribution of stakeholders and local residents has guided the consultation program. Stakeholders involved in fire management planning have been widely consulted and engaged throughout the planning and development of the draft MFMP. To inform the draft Plan, an eight-week community consultation program was conducted from 1

November 2012 to 21 December 2012. Key elements of this program included:

three community information sessions held at the following locations:

- North Warrandyte Fire Station, 19 November

- Panton Hill Hall, 4 December

- Diamond Creek Fire Station, 6 December

briefing with CFA and Community FireGuard delegates;

briefings with community associations and special interest groups;

direct briefing to key stakeholders;

an online engagement program at www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au.

Further, an extensive communications plan supported the consultation program and raised awareness among the general community about the objectives of fire management planning. Key communication activities included:

media campaign, including advertisements over several weeks in the Diamond Valley Leader,

Manningham Leader and Warrandyte Diary newspapers

direct mail to 4,500 addresses in high risk areas;

promotion through community networks;

promotion through Nillumbik Shire Council and CFA networks.

The community was invited to provide feedback on the draft Plan, either at one of the community information sessions or online. The information sessions were an informal way of engaging with the community, where people could approach agency members in an open forum and discuss different aspects of fire management. Available at the sessions were copies of the Nillumbik Municipal Fire Management Plan, along with a Questions and Answers document, information sheet and Feedback Form, all of which were also available on the Council website. About 140 people in total attended the sessions and 14 written submissions were received by the Committee. Feedback was received on topics such as roadside vegetation management, road access and egress, warning sirens and risk assessment methodology. Community members and stakeholders that provided written submissions received written replies and an acknowledgement of their contribution.

Documents

Nillumbik Fire Management Plan...Nillumbik Municipal Fire Management Plan 2013–2016 (Version 6.0) Page 8 By participating in this process, all agencies involved have provided a commitment