Attachment 1 to Item 53 - Roadside Vegetation Management Plan

H AW K E S B U R Y C IT Y C O U N C IL R O AD S ID E V E G E T AT IO N M AN AG E M E N T P L AN
be managed have conditions specified on their Hazard Reduction Certificates which relate
to the protection of threatened flora and fauna species, these must be followed;
• Consider the most appropriate fuel reduction method that protects the conservation value
of roadside vegetation and minimises potential impacts to weed and soil issues;
• Follow the NSW Bushfire Environmental Assessment Code (RFS 2006), which provides
guidance for the prevention of soil erosion and instability, and protection of riparian buffers,
native vegetation, biodiversity, heritage, other significant environmental protection areas
and weeds; and
• Where slashing is required for Asset Protection Zones (APZ), it should be undertaken on a
yearly basis during autumn or winter and in a manner that enhances growth of indigenous
understorey and avoids regenerating trees and shrubs.
General recommendations that should be followed in regards to fire mitigation works on roadsides for
the protection of biodiversity include:
• Using hygiene practices which prevent the further spread of weed propagules or soil
pathogens (i.e. Phytophthora) at all times;
• Design slashing programs to begin with clean machinery in high conservation priority areas
and work towards the more degraded sites to prevent the further spread of weeds;
• On high and medium conservation priority roads, slashing is to be restricted to APZ and
the immediate road verge unless otherwise specified;
• Slashing on low priority conservation roadsides is generally not detrimental; and
• Using information collected through the roadside vegetation surveys, identify the location of
weeds which may produce higher fuel loads (i.e. Coolatai Grass) and take steps to remove
and prevent their spread through appropriate weed control programmes.
6.10 EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION, WATER CATCHMENTS AND POLLUTION
Road management activities can increase the level of erosion from roadside environments and lead to
sedimentation and pollution of water catchments (see Section 3.10). The following actions detail how
roadside environments should be managed to minimise erosion, sedimentation and pollution of water
catchments, and habitat degradation.
• Ensure that drains follow natural drainage lines. Avoid steep batters and steep drainage
lines;
• Use rip-rap (i.e. rock structures) lining of drainage lines where necessary;
• Ensure that table drains, culverts and mitre/cut off drains retain some vegetation cover to
maximize filtering of runoff water, and that soil disturbance is minimal;
• Avoid concentrated flows onto adjacent areas as this increases the likelihood of erosion
and poor filtration;
• When constructing or maintaining drains ensure that a wide, shallow profile is created and
maintained. This will reduce water velocities;
• Use energy dissipating devices at outfalls;
• Create artificial wetland areas to dissipate flow where possible;
• Capture silt by use of silt traps, silt fencing, barriers, sedimentation ponds or retarding
basins;
• Divert stormwater away from loose or exposed soil;
• Avoid blocking drainage lines with soil or vegetation stockpiles or windrows;
• Direct drainage water away from wetland areas to avoid contamination and alteration to
water levels;
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