Bushfire Assessment and Planning Projects

Bushfire Assessments:
Under the Rural Fires Act, developments in Bush Fire Prone Land must comply with the requirements of Planning for Bushfire Protection. ELA have assisted numerous private and corporate clients to successfully address bushfire safety requirements in their proposals. We have worked on a wide range of developments, from small additions and alterations, to subdivisions and larger Masterplan sites. ELA have also worked with clients at the early design phase to create bushfire sensitive developments and buildings across NSW.

Bush Fire Scoping Reports:
Included desktop and site evaluations for numerous clients, including Campbelltown City Council and Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation. The reports document the process for consideration and inclusion of bush fire safety issues, and follow an assessment of bush fire hazards, which incorporate relevant literature and legislation.

Bankstown City Council:
Researched requirements for hazard reduction and the design of fuel reduced zones in council reserves under recent changes to Rural Fires Act. Assisted council with defining their requirements given the incomplete environmental assessment code under the new legislation. Results displayed on poster format including maps, aerial photographs, vegetation structure diagrams, design specifications and maintenance schedules. Researched best practice for hazard reduction design in existing bushland – urban interface zones.

Bushfire Prone Land Mapping, Newcastle City Council:
Analysis and classification of lands in the Newcastle City Council Area. This included analysis and reclassification of vegetation and property to define “Bushfire Prone Property” in accordance with the Rural Fires Act (1997). Data layers and high quality maps of classified vegetation and property were produced.

Sydney Catchment Authority:
Liaised with fire agencies throughout the SCA area of operation (16 local councils, NPWS, State Forests and Rural Fire Service) to collate figure history information for 2000/01 and 2001/02 fire seasons. All data for wildfires and hazard reduction burns were combined into a single digital map each fire type for each season. Digital data, metadata statements (ANZLIC compliant), contact lists and full technical report provided.

Ku-ring-gai National Park Fire Management Zones:
Provision of high quality maps for inclusion in Ku-ring-gai Chase and Garigal National Parks Fire Management Plan. Analysis and presentation of fire history, fire behaviour, vegetation and ecological fire threshold information for 67 fire management zones in the two reserves