Draft Bushfire Management Plan 2020 – 2022 delivered ahead of upcoming community consultation

Council’s Local Disaster Management Group has today delivered its strategic and comprehensive draft document, Bushfire Management Plan 2020 – 2022, in close partnership with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

Council held a briefing session to review the draft document, joined by Assistant Commissioner of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Darryl King.

A component of the overall Bushfire Management Strategy is to identify and record high-risk localities, high risk hotspots and planned mitigation actions on Council land to reduce potential bushfire impacts to vulnerable and exposed communities and infrastructure.

Mayor Andy Ireland, Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group, said the plan has been developed to guide the Local Disaster Management Group’s management of bushfire hazard through prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.

“This document is an overarching strategy that will inform the Local Disaster Management Group of its bushfire priorities, including public safety, hazard mitigation and co-ordination of an effective response, interoperability, as well as planning and strategies from emergency services and the community more broadly,” Mayor Ireland said. 

“Following last year’s unprecedented and devastating wildfires, Council is taking a proactive approach to bushfire mitigation, undertaking several hazard reduction burns across the Shire in recent months including Henry Street near the Emu Park airstrip, William Street in Emu Park, and a parcel of land on Tanby Road. 

“Whilst working with Local Disaster Management Group agencies and the community, further hazard reduction burns have been conducted at Ogmore, Cawarral, and The Caves.  

“Fire trails have been installed in numerous locations across the Shire with more to be installed in Cawarral, Barmaryee, Parkhurst, Yaamba, and Lammermoor in the coming months.  

“Mitigation works on a parcel of Council land in Lamberton Street, Yeppoon, will also commence in the near future. It is important to note that upon completion of the draft strategy, Council will seek feedback through community and stakeholder consultation.

“Council would like to sincerely commend the hard work of each member of the Local Disaster Management Group and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services who assisted in collating this plan which will guide Council’s imperative work in bushfire management now and into the future.”  

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Assistant Commissioner, Darryl King, said it was vital that residents continued preparing their properties to reduce the risk of bushfire as the region moves into the bushfire season.

“The region is not as dry as it was thanks to the rainfall earlier in the year; however, it also means there is a lot more grass and dry fuel loads which could potentially become bushfire risks,” Mr King said. 

“Queensland Fire and Emergency Services is pleased to work with Livingstone Shire’s Local Disaster Management Group in bringing this plan to fruition with all relevant stakeholders, which will greatly assist in streamlining our co-ordinated approach in bushfire management to ensure the safety of the community.”

Council received joint Australian and Queensland Government funding to support its work in developing bushfire mitigation plans for the Shire, which provided a valuable opportunity to appoint a senior member of the rural fire service to assist Council with the audit and development of bushfire risk mitigation plans, including this document.

Prepare for bushfire season

• Clear leaves, twigs, bark and other debris from the roof and gutters.

• Enclose open areas under decks and floors.

• Conduct maintenance checks on pumps, generators and water systems.

• Seal all gaps in external roof and wall cladding.

• Display a prominent house or lot number, in case it is required in an emergency.

• Ensure there is adequate access to your property for fire trucks 

• Reduce vegetation loads along the access path.

• Mow your grass regularly.

• Remove excess ground fuels and combustible material (long dry grass, dead leaves and branches).

• Trim low-lying branches two metres from the ground surrounding your home.

• Relocate flammable items away from your home, including woodpiles, paper, boxes, crates, hanging baskets and garden furniture.

• Check the first aid kit is fully stocked.

• Make sure you have appropriate insurance for your home and vehicles.

For more info on getting prepared for bushfire season, visit: 

https://www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/BushFire_Safety/Pages/Prepare-for-bushfire-season.aspx