A strategy is a collection of actions that if implemented together, can reduce the risk of damage during a weather event or crisis.
Strategic planning serves many purposes. The most important is whether a new development is deemed safe subject to the identified bushfire risk. Another is assessing the proposed land uses, this offers a guide on the impact on existing infrastructure from the development.
Land use planning policies can limit the number of people exposed to unacceptable risk. Planning instruments and policies should be considered at all stages of the planning and development process. This ensures bushfire management principles are appropriately considered.
Planning must ensure that zoning is appropriate for:
- adequate emergency access
- egress
- water supplies.
An example of a management principle is to create an Asset Protection Zone (APZ). This is a buffer zone between a bush fire hazard and buildings. The appropriate APZ distance is based on vegetation type, slope and the nature of the development. The APZ is managed to minimise fuel loads. This reduces:
- potential radiant heat levels
- flame
- localised smoke
- ember attack.
Resource
Actions
Homeowners, communities, and developers need the right tools and information to plan for bushfire risk.
Local governments develop bushfire maps. They use these in planning decisions. They assign a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) and recognise specific building features. The bushfire mapping must be robust and relevant to support communities.
Local governments should undertake a risk assessment. This should be done when making or amending a planning scheme. The risk assessment should be undertaken by a suitably qualified person. They should use AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management - Principles and Guidelines. They must consider the exposure, vulnerability and resilience of communities. This includes people and their assets.
When focussing on town planning practices, there are actions that can be taken to minimise community harm in bushfires.
Avoiding areas of high risk when building or planning certain facilities means vulnerable people will not have to evacuate in the face of a bush fire.
Placing low fuel separation areas between developments and the bush, can reduce the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) for houses in the development. It uses the open space associated with roads to increase the distance between property and and bushland. This can lower their risk in the event of a bushfire.
If possible, install electrical infrastructure underground. If you can't then create a cleared, open space between vegetation and any exposed electrical infrastructure. This includes poles and wires. Where possible use non-combustible power poles.
Use a metal sheet collar up to at least 3 metres above ground level to protect existing timber poles. Also, consider installing a battery backup system linked to a solar power system or a protected generator. This is especially important if you are relying on power to run water pumps. These require an automatic switchover, as a failure of the electricity supply is most common during the peak of the fire event.