Pittwater Council Annual Report - Pittwater Council - NSW ...

Section 2 - Statutory StatementsBushfire Risk Management - Section 428 (2) (i)Bushfire HistoryThe Warringah-Pittwater area is affected by large scale and intense wildfires about once every 10 years (eg.1943, 1957, 1968, 1979, 1990, 1994, 2004 & 2006). Large bushland areas such as Ku-Ring-Gai Chaseand Garigal National Park are usually affected by a bushfire every 10 – 20 years.Bushfire Risk Management PlanThe Warringah-Pittwater Bushfire Risk Management Plan aims to provide coordinated prevention, mitigationand management of bush fires. The Warringah Pittwater Bushfire Risk Management Plan was approvedlocally in 2000 by the Warringah Pittwater Bushfire Management Committee and has been endorsed by theNSW Bushfire Coordinating Committee. The Bushfire Management Committee is currently working on therevision of the current document and expects to complete this in 2009-10.Strategic Bushfire risk management involves identifying the level of risk posed by bushfires to assets andestablishing strategies to protect these assets from the adverse effects of bushfires. The outcome soughtis to achieve better integration of community preparedness and prevention strategies as key elements ofbushfire management.This plan contains a number of strategies that are directed at addressing the risk to community andenvironmental assets. This is generally achieved through addressing those factors which comprise the risk.These are bush fire hazard (principally the fuel), the sources and pattern of ignitions and the vulnerability ofthe assets at risk. The implementation of the plan was audited in 2005 with the land management agenciesand NSW Rural Fire Service, receiving the highest possible mark.Bushfire Hazard Reduction and Fuel ManagementThe Warringah Pittwater Bushfire Management Committee has been involved in the compilation andimplementation of the 2008/2009 Fuel Management Program. This has involved the environmental andrisk assessment of bushland areas, in particular areas of bushland that adjoin the urban interface, whichrequired fuel management works during 2008/2009. The information included below is based on the StateGovernment BRIMS database system.Within the financial year 12 hazard reduction activities were completed representing 540 hectares. Thehazard reduction program was again severely restricted due to inclement weather during the weatherwindow available for hazard reductions.The Warringah Pittwater Office also supervised trail maintenance; this occurred on 1.3 kms of trailthroughout the District.The Warringah Pittwater District Office continues to provide comprehensive protection to the community inother areas of hazard reduction via town planning advice, issuing of fire permits, bushfire hazard reductioncertificates and inspection of hazard enquiries in addition to a comprehensive community educationprogram.Bushfire Risk AnalysisThe NSW Rural Fire Service and Pittwater Council have also completed Bushfire Prone Land Maps asrequired by amendments to the Environmental Assessment Act and NSW Rural Fires Act. The map is usedto identify properties that need to comply with the provisions of Planning for Bushfire Protection (2001) andfor all new development applications. Pittwater’s Bushfire Prone Land Map was certified by the NSW RuralFire Service Commissioner on 13 August 2004.Bushfire Hazard InspectionsUnder Section 66 of the Rural Fires Act 1997, the Council may, by notice in writing, require the occupier orthe owner of any land within the area to establish firebreaks on his or her land or to remove inflammablematter or material. If failure to do so within the time specified in the notice, a Section 70 notice is issuedand the Service may undertake to have the clearing works carried out, with the expense being borne by thelandowner. The notices are administered by the NSW Rural Fire Service.A total of 514 formal complaints were received from residents reporting fire hazards during 2008 - 2009.Some of these complaints were inspected with most resulting in correspondence to clear the hazard orSection 66 notices. Remaining complaints, including a significant number on Scotland Island, will be dealtwith in the early part of 2009-10.Permits to BurnDuring the bushfire danger period, Section 87 permits under the Rural Fire Act 1997 are used to control thelighting of fire for certain purposes including:17